Can anyone recommend the correct modern cat stalking rifle for sub-alpine portions of eastern North Carolina? Seems that while still hunting for deer within a 5/8 mile or so of farmhouses I've seen quite a number of ranch cougars and felions prowling through the fields and paths. I feel a little undergunned with my flintlock. Might be a "pride" of the damm things around. Thanks, ned

Ned, one of the handiest pack rifles I know of is the Browning .22 Auto. It's take down don't you know. The version that shoots shorts can be a bit pricey but they'll shoot the CB shorts too. As an alternative there is the Rem. 24, same gun under rights, not take down.

Dan

Pres., TYHC

www.ShootsGreat.LessWeight

O Guru of the flattened felines, Mr. Digital Dan, I have one of the aforementioned M24 Remingtons, in a Gallery Gun, no less, and I assure you that it IS a takedown model. Neat and kinda handy, at that, just like the Browning. Mine is about 80 years old, more or less, and it still shoots pretty good, for a geezer of a gun. The magazine spring on mine is so old and tired, that it will gag on that last shot (of a five round magazine, since the tube is crimped for that purpose). All in all, a neat old gun. I wouldn't recommend the old Remingtons, as they don't have the facilities for scoping them, which is a hindrance in the eradication of felonious feline furballs. I don't want them to get close enough for iron sights, anyway. Say, I wonder if those old Splatterproof gallery loads are still available, zinc bullets might cut down on the chance of a shoot through? www.alwayssafetyconscious.com

I last bought some of those short gallery loads made with compressed metal powder in 1961/2. I have the recollection that they worked like solid fmj's on anything smaller than cats, but would totally vaporize on things of any hardness. My favorite load in those times was the Remington short hp, gold colored plated I believe. Very nice accuracy in my old Marlin, deadly on chipmunks. Always wanted a gallery gun.

My brother gave it to me last July. He couldn't even remember where he got it from. He passed away a couple of months later, due to some surgery complications, so I think I will keep it around, as a keepsake. His favorite cat load was the Short HP, from his 552 Speedmaster. I suspect that this M24 was just a backup for that one. Both of them gag on the last shot, oddly enough, maybe those shorts just haven't got the juice they used to have. His deal was hitting the cat just enough to have it run off and die, so he didn't have to clean up the evidence. Rural area, too, so it could have been anyone who mangled the neighborhood cats. He was a wise man for only 51 years. www.confusetheissue.com

Ruger Mark II pistol. get the barrel cut down and a rimfire suppressor added on. Legal in NC. A mini-mag out of three inches of barrel is subsonic, a standard 22 long rifle round is definitely sub sonic. Just put your thumb behind the blowback parts and it functions as a fixed breech pistol. Vewwwwwy quiet. If you want to retain the full length of the barrel, just use Aguila 60 grain subsonic ammunition. That stuff nearly makes it onto Taylor's table of knock-out values.
JCN

Well Glen, I'm standing here corrected and all, and thanks for the info. I gave one to a buddy a few years back and didn't recall it being a takedown. Well, that's why I don't write for G&A I suppose.

Dan

Pres., TYHC

www.WellSpank.MyButt

You guys and your "pussy calibres"! Mr. Ludd said he was worried about a pride of those things maybe stalking HIM. Obviously since he is carrying a Flinter,noise isn't a consideration. I don't know about you guys but I would like to see Mr. ludd hanging around for quite a while yet, hence my recommensation of a New England Handirifle in 45/70. That will stop a charging Lawn Lion dead in it's tracks and with a little practice(which is just plain fun),can be repoaded from an ammo carrier on the butt stock, very quickly. As a bonus, this handi, dandy little tool also can be used with lead boolets(and paper patches,if one is so inclined). Semper Fi, let the Lawn Lions die! derf

derf, I didn't know you were a Clukerine! Wow! And a poet lauriet!



They're ALL pussy calibers derf, each and every one of them. Now, you have a good point about the noise, and there's nothing wrong with the .45-70, but if you go that far shouldn't you get a lever gun in case there's a charge by the whole friggin' pride?

Dan

Pres., TYHC

www.Blast.Em

G Nedd I have a suggestion,why not a 250-3000 Savage as your stalking rifle.My .223 A.I. went down the road and I have 3 250-3000 barrels on the way.Two rifles will be Christmas presents and one I'm going to keep.I'm putting them all on the new Savage Accu-trigger actions.From Varmints to Elk it'll get her done!I must go touch up my blade.

That's a good call Wolfer. I just picked up my first 700 action a few days back. Presently a .22-250, gonna be a .250 Savage.

Dan

Pres., TYHC

www.TimeFor.AChange

Now you folks are getting right! I thought I was a goner for sure either with the .54 flint and shootin' out of the pouch n' horn on the run chased by a pack of pussies through the fennels and bramble thickets, or making a last(?) stand with some antique 5 shot .22 with a sticky mag for the last 2 shots. Just happens I got a old 250 Savage that seems to work ok on deer, so maybe it will on lions. Derf is right about the .45-70, but it always ruins too much tenderloin, if I shoot too fast and don't lead enough. I know what you mean about your blade. I have to sharpen every 5 or 6 too.