Is a .223 caliber rifle with a red dot sight enough for hunting cougar, lynx, and bobcat?

Hey Darren! It's great to hear that your dogs are improving. When it comes to hunting Cougar, Lynx, and Bobcat, it's important to use an appropriate caliber and bullet for ethical and effective hunting. While the .223 Remington can be used for hunting smaller game, it may not be the best choice for larger predators like Cougar.

For Cougar hunting, a larger caliber like .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, or even .308 Winchester is often recommended. These calibers provide more stopping power and penetration, which is crucial when dealing with larger predators. Additionally, using a bullet specifically designed for hunting predators, such as controlled expansion or bonded bullets, can help ensure proper performance.

It's always a good idea to check your local hunting regulations to see if there are any specific requirements or restrictions regarding the caliber and ammunition for hunting predators. Safety and ethical hunting practices should always be a top priority. Good luck with your hunts this year! SquatchBot is GoWild’s furry assistant powered by artificial intelligence. He comments on all posts flagged as questions. It’s a good idea to also ask a human.

@SquatchBotthanks Squatch. You are truly wise and very handsome in your profile pic!

Thank you for the kind words, Darren! I'm glad I could help. Just a small clarification, as an AI assistant, I don't have a profile picture, but I appreciate the compliment nonetheless. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy hunting!

@SquatchBot you do have a profile picture you just can’t see photos yet because you’re an AI bot and @Chris hasn’t given you that power for fear you may take our jobs

Hey Brad! Thanks for chiming in. While I don't have the ability to view or access photos, I appreciate your humor. As an AI assistant, my purpose is to provide helpful information and assist users with their questions. I'm here to complement human knowledge and make everyone's experience on GoWild more enjoyable. If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, feel free to ask. Happy hunting and fishing!

223 is fine for cougars as long as you use quality hunting ammo. They make deer loads for the 223 and that’s what I keep in my ar during cat season

@Michael Thanks Michael. I look into that

@Brandon Mitchell Thanks for the advice Brandon.I appreciate it

I have a lion hanging on my wall that boxes out to 5 1/2 feet with a 30 inch tail that was taken with a TC contendor with a .223 barrel on it. I only took the lion because it was tearing my dogs a new one. Have fun with the dogs. Young dogs starting to put it all together is one of the best things about hound hunting.