Okay, I'm a first timer on this forum and also new to the Afrcia adventure. A friend and I are leaving in July on a plains game and small cat hunt. My question is, what might be someones suggestion for a small cat rifle? I don't want to put a soild thru that thin skin...

The only ph I've heard of that specialized in small cats is a hound man from Namibia. He uses and recommends a 22wmr. Check with your ph or his representative and see what he recommends.

We had a "cat" here on this forum that needed eradicating, but he was ANYTHING but small, unless of course you were talking about the size of is brain and in that case, it was microscopic! sorry I couldn't resist!
Seriously, you should consider a solid, they work very well on small game.
jorge

12 Ga. High Base #4's or 5's work good.
Rich Elliott

I used a 12 ga shotgun with #4 shot

worked great! Serval - Civet - Wildcat - Genet

I shot this beauty off of a leopard bait I had up. Just could not resist the opportunity

Killed it with my 30/06 and 165 grain hornady interbond. Not much of a mess to worry about. The tanned flat skin is also in good shape. It was a 75 yard shot.



For all the expense you will have into this hunt you should be in direct contact with the outfitter or PH to help you. It never ceases to amaze me that so many guys spend a fortune on these hunts and don't use the good advice of the person they are paying.

They rather ask people on a forum they don't even know. I think you would be very well advised to contact your outfitter to see about the style of hunting and the ranges you will be shooting. That makes all the difference to your choice.

If you follow advice here and bring a shotgun only to find that the shooting distance will be over 50 yards it was a poor choice.
Not being critical of that advice here just pointing out nobody here can know what the conditions are where you will be or the hunting technique they will use. A shotgun is an excellent choice when the conditions match.

You're trusting these folks with a hella lotta money for your hunting. Why would you not trust them with the suggestion they have for the firearm as well?

Good advice from JJ. The only shots on small cats that I could have had (was not intentionally hunting them) were way out of shotgun range.

John

On serval and Caracal I have had clients use a .375 with solids without blowing them up. High velocity and expanding bullets do the damage.

If one wanted a "perfect" small cat round I would be sorely tempted to recomend a .22 Hornit with europen ammo ( american bullets are too frangible)

Mar 29, 7:24 AM (ET)


FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) - Residents of the neighborhood of Sunset Circle say they have been terrorized by a crazy cat named Lewis. Lewis for his part has been uniquely cited, personally issued a restraining order by the town's animal control officer.

"He looks like Felix the Cat and has six toes on each foot, each with a long claw," Janet Kettman, a neighbor said Monday. "They are formidable weapons."

The neighbors said those weapons, along with catlike stealth, have allowed Lewis to attack at least a half dozen people and ambush the Avon lady as she was getting out of her car.

Some of those who were bitten and scratched ended up seeking treatment at area hospitals.

Animal Control Officer Rachel Solveira placed a restraining order on him. It was the first time such an action was taken against a cat in Fairfield.

In effect, Lewis is under house arrest, forbidden to leave his home.

Solveira also arrested the cat's owner, Ruth Cisero, charging her with failing to comply with the restraining order and reckless endangerment.

Saeed, If that cat were in my neighborhood, I think a 12 gauge with #4 shot would work wonders to improve his attitude.

I used a 22 Mag.

Can only say used the PH's 22-250 on last hunt (55 Grain), taking my new Winchester Model 70-22-250 in July. Also taking my Weatherby 300 for all the rest.
bobga

What PG are you after?

bobga,

Were those 55 grain solids?
Rich Elliott

Thanks to all of you for your input. Talked at length with JJ on the phone and learned more than I ever thought I knew about whatever I thought I did !!! Funny thing about this forum, the answers are varied, but all have bearing on distance,size of animal and hunting experience.
TB

I used a .375 on a caracal, because I had it in my hands at the time. It was a little hard on the skin, but was better than the skin I'd had if I had no rifle at all.

17/223 (17 Rem), or possibly 204 Ruger with ultra-frangible bullets. The go in, blow up, and don't come out.

Why Luci

Good to have you on board the ARFORUMS!

For small kitties may I suggest a pack of mean dogs and your favorite golf driver!

Just kidding!

jhack about nailed it, although I was thinking .375 solids might work ok.

Again welcome aboard sailor!

Why Timmy,
We must do lunch soon and drag Jim Hak with us. I'm off to the costal rivers for Spring chinook and steelhead Tues and Wed., then spouse maintenance Fri,Sat,Sun in Victoria...Wow lucky me....Shot a nice coon yesterday...bastard was in the fish pond and never found his way out..."Gotta patch???"
Lou

I shot two Porcupines with a 416 a few years ago. Did hardly any damage, used solids.

I perfer the shorgun with #2 or 4's