Can't imagine why anyone would need to be shooting a cat unless it is fighting and harming your own cat. Other than that, how the hell is a little cat going to cause you harm?

You presume it to be feral, but it could just as well be some little girls kitty that wandered over.

If for some reason you are forced to shoot a cat (or any domestic critter), make damn sure it's a clean head shot. No reason for that animal to suffer because you're too stupid to know how to properly aim your weapon.

If you feel that just because you have a rifle in your hands that you need (or have a right to) to take some critters life, then it's probably not a good idea for you to have that weapon.

JMHO