Well, a 25-35 load that I just developed earlier in the day was put to the test and passed with flying colors. I took a double on bobcats from 270 and 274 yards using the 100 grain Ballistic Tip that clocks 2660 (at 15 feet) with a moderate charge of LVR. I shot the female first. I shot her in the appendage where the neck and chest join as she faced me, and the 100 grain BT traversed the length of the body and lodged under the hide just in front of the hips. It completely pulverized the heart, wrecked the lungs and took out the liver, stomach and some of the intestines along the way. I’ll post photos of the recovered bullet tomorrow.

The 2nd cat – the male – came out a few minutes later and was on the trail of the female (at this time of year, if you spot a female, the male won’t be far behind as it is the height of mating season here in south central Texas). This shot was tough as well. I put the bullet into the neck – about 2” in front of the chest -- and it exited the center of the opposite shoulder on the quartering animal. The exit was less than half the size of a dime, so there was no damage to the pelt.

I was hoping our 9-year-old twins Andy or Grady could have pulled the trigger, but these ‘cats were a bit out of their comfort zone. They routinely shoot out to 200 yards and do well, but these ‘cats did not give me much time and required a bit of holdover as well. But I am thrilled with the results. The female is already skinned, but I am hurting too badly to finish the big male. I actually had to enlist the boys to help finish the skinning task on the first one. The 2nd cat is going to be frozen and skinned when I am having a good day.

Oh, and I was not predator calling, in case anyone is curious. These were targets of opportunity and simply sniped. My health does not allow me to get out and call or trap anymore, but that doesn’t stop me from the bagging the occasional creature from the house…

Great Job Bobby, two good looking cats. Congratulations.

Thanks. I appreciate it. Makes it more rewarding to do that with an ancient cartridge like the 25-35. I am not a fan of the super-duper magnums that require a pound of powder -- the ones that recoil hard enough to detach a retina and leave the shooter in worse shape than the target...

Some fine shooting there Bobby!! Awful nice set of cats!!

Great trophies! I'm becoming more and more intrigued in smaller caliber, lower recoiling cartridges lately (although my .375H&H is still the go to second rifle in my travel case when hunting!).

Hey Bobby,

Typically good shooting! I am glad the boys were with you. That female has a really nice coat!

Good job on the new load too!

Congrats,

Bob

Nice shooting, and nice cats!

Thompson Center's new Poster Boy!!!! :-)

Nice going! My first centerfire was a 25-35 1894 Winchester, sewer pipe bore. The rest is history.

that's a fair poke with a 23/35. good shootin!!!

Hey Bobby, that is indeed a fair poke with a 25/35, congraqtulations.

Continued wishes for more good days, I'm still working out with a PT and continuing to hope for recovery in my feet--would love to get out in the field myself--good for you and the boys!

Here's the recovered bullet. It penetrated most of the length of the animal, including taking out a few inches of spine, before coming to rest just barely in front of the hips (and directly above the spine). The recovered weight: 71 grains.

Way Cool Bobby!!!