Bobcats aren’t huge, but that doesn’t mean you can grab whatever gun’s closest and call it good. Picking the wrong round can either destroy the pelt or fail to put the animal down clean. And if you’re trapping or calling them in close, you need precision and control—not overkill or underperformance.
Some cartridges are too much, others are too little, and a few are just plain wrong for the job. Here’s a breakdown of the rounds that don’t belong in your bobcat setup.
.22 Short
The .22 Short is about as light as it gets, and while it might seem quiet and clean for small predators, it’s unreliable for quick, ethical kills on bobcats. The low velocity and minimal energy leave a lot of room for error.
You might get away with a perfect headshot, but anything less and that cat could run. If you’re hunting bobcats, use something with a bit more power and reach. The .22 Short is better left to target shooting or pest control.
.17 HMR (For Larger Bobcats)
The .17 HMR is fast and accurate, no doubt—but when it comes to larger bobcats, especially in colder climates where they pack on weight, it can be hit-or-miss. It’s a small, lightweight bullet that can fragment too quickly.
If you catch a broadside shot, it may do the job, but quartering shots or bone hits can leave you tracking. It’s not a terrible round, but it’s not always dependable either. You’ll want something that holds together a little better.
.223 Remington (With FMJ)
The .223 can work if you’re using the right load—but FMJs aren’t it. Full metal jacket rounds zip through without much expansion, which means you’re more likely to wound or lose the cat, especially with a glancing shot.
On top of that, FMJs can ruin a pelt if they punch through and keep on going. If you’re set on .223, stick with a controlled-expansion varmint round. Otherwise, you’re using the wrong tool for the job.
.308 Winchester
There’s no question the .308 is powerful enough to take down a bobcat—but that’s the problem. It’s overkill. It’ll tear through too much meat and leave the pelt looking like it got hit by a truck.
If you’re trying to save the hide, you’re going to be disappointed. This round was made for deer and larger game. Using it on a bobcat is like using a sledgehammer to kill a mouse. Leave it for bigger targets.
12 Gauge (With Buckshot)
Buckshot is great for close-quarters hogs or self-defense, but for a bobcat? It’s too messy. You’ll either miss clean or pepper the cat with so many pellets that there’s nothing worth salvaging.
If you’re going to use a shotgun, go with a tight choke and a small shot like #4 or smaller, and only at close range. Buckshot turns a light, quick animal into shredded fur and bone, and that’s not the outcome you want.
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP is too slow and heavy for a clean bobcat kill, especially at any real distance. It wasn’t designed for accuracy past 25 yards, and it drops fast once you stretch it out.
You’re also risking too much damage to the pelt with those wide, heavy bullets. Bobcats are quick, and you need a round that’s fast, accurate, and leaves minimal exit damage. The .45 doesn’t check those boxes.
.30-06 Springfield
Like the .308, the .30-06 is serious firepower—and too much of it. You’ll get complete pass-throughs and explosive trauma that’ll leave you with a torn-up hide and a mess to deal with.
Sure, it’ll kill a bobcat instantly—but so would a truck. You don’t need this kind of energy for something that weighs 20 to 35 pounds. Use a lighter, faster round that gives you more control and less damage.
.380 ACP
The .380 ACP is better than nothing, but barely. It lacks the velocity to get through much, and if you don’t hit the brain or spine, a bobcat could run off wounded. That’s not the kind of result you want in the field.
It’s also not a precision round. Most .380s are short-barreled pocket pistols that aren’t great for accuracy at range. If you’re hunting, not defending, leave the .380 in your waistband and grab something more capable.
.22 Magnum (At Long Range)
Up close, the .22 Magnum does alright on bobcats, but stretch it out past 75 yards and performance starts to drop. Velocity dips and expansion gets spotty, especially if you’re using lighter hollow points.
It’s a good round in the right conditions, but it’s not perfect. For long shots or tougher angles, you’ll want something with a bit more punch and better consistency at distance.
10mm Auto
The 10mm is a beast of a pistol round, and while it’s great for woods defense, it’s not ideal for bobcats. It hits hard—maybe too hard—and can easily ruin a pelt. Accuracy is also an issue unless you’re using a carbine or are very practiced.
It’ll drop the cat, sure. But unless you’re using solids and get a clean shot, expect heavy trauma and exit damage. It’s more gun than you need for an animal this size.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
