308 or 300 Win Mag for Leopard

DLSJR said:
Why not just shoot a better bullet in your 270? A 150 grain Nosler Partition or Federal Trophy Bonded tip bullet would be ideal in 270. We’ve (we being my son and I) shot zebras, kudu, sable, topi, and lots of smaller African game with a 270 and enjoyed fantastic results, most of it with 150 grain Partitions. I would not hesitate to shoot a leopard with a 270.
Click to expand...
Federal trophy bonded is opposite of the “soft bullet” most have recommended.
 
Daisy said:
Federal trophy bonded is opposite of the “soft bullet” most have recommended.
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I respectfully disagree and so would both leopards I’ve shot with Bearclaws. The front opens well and the solid shank assures and exit. Bearclaws are noticeably softer than A-frames.

Here’s what a Bearclaw exit looks like…

IMG_8095.jpeg
 
DLSJR said:
I respectfully disagree and so would both leopards I’ve shot with Bearclaws. The front opens well and the solid shank assures and exit. Bearclaws are noticeably softer than A-frames.

Here’s what a Bearclaw exit looks like…

View attachment 755658
Click to expand...
Adding to @DLSJR 's extensive field experience... I will add that even a Swift A Frame will work well against a leopard & expand properly. It's a lead cored bullet, after all. I would only refrain from using all-copper monometal bullets (such as the Barnes TSX) on a leopard, especially one that is shot over bait (except if my point of aim was the shoulder bone/scapula itself so that these hard bullets encounter enough resistance to initiate proper expansion). Those bullets sometimes expand a little too slow for broadside heart-lung shots on leopards shot over bait.

By the way, many hunters believe that for leopards... the "Softest" bullets are always the best. But this isn't necessarily true. There is something called "Too Soft". Winchester Silver Tips and Sierra Game Kings (for instance) have both been documented as breaking apart on the shoulder bones of large male leopards without managing to reach the vital organs. I've seen it happen with a 130Gr aluminum jacketed Winchester Silver Tip (fired from a .270 Winchester) and know of it happening with a 180Gr Sierra Game King (fired from a .30-06 Springfield).
 
Miletic said:
This is a female?
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No, it’s not a female. Females are illegal to shoot in Tanzania and I would not shoot one even if legal. It’s a big male, over 150 pounds which is pretty good size for the Selous.

Here are a couple pictures that might help you determine this…

IMG_5777.jpeg







IMG_0762.jpeg

In the bottom picture where my son is holding the Tom, you can clearly see his nutsack.
 
DLSJR said:
No, it’s not a female. Females are illegal to shoot in Tanzania and I would not shoot one even if legal. It’s a big male, over 150 pounds which is pretty good size for the Selous.

Here are a couple pictures that might help you determine this…

View attachment 755713






View attachment 755720
In the bottom picture where my son is holding the Tom, you can clearly see his nutsack.
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@DLSJR what a beautiful cat, looks to be in excellent physical condition, was this Cat on the younger side for a Mature cat? How do they determine weight - measurements, scale, estimate etc..or does it all vary by PH?
 
DLSJR said:
No, it’s not a female. Females are illegal to shoot in Tanzania and I would not shoot one even if legal. It’s a big male, over 150 pounds which is pretty good size for the Selous.

Here are a couple pictures that might help you determine this…

View attachment 755713






View attachment 755720
In the bottom picture where my son is holding the Tom, you can clearly see his nutsack.
Click to expand...
I appreciate that you don't shoot females.
I also avoid shooting females. Congratulations. A beautiful trophy
 
I would go with the .300, if I had the option.

DLSJR seems to know what's he's talking about with Bearclaws.



You have to use a .375 on leopard in Mozambique when I was there. Tough finding a .375 bullet in a factory loading that will expand enough.
 
I ha
Daisy said:
How many has Doug killed?
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I have already stated that I have not killed a leopard. Focus. I have however killed a lot of animals from coyotes up through cape buffalo. Some with a .223. Nothing shot through the chest dies as quickly when shot with a .223 as it does with a .308' .30-06, .300 WM, etc. Simple physics.

I knew a woman that said she killed a black bear with a .223. Yeah it died, but her husband had followed up with a dog. No one, especially PH's, want to follow up a leopard that's been shot and run off into the bush because some client thought he could kill it with a .223.
 
Safari Dave said:
I would go with the .300, if I had the option.

DLSJR seems to know what's he's talking about with Bearclaws.



You have to use a .375 on leopard in Mozambique when I was there. Tough finding a .375 bullet in a factory loading that will expand enough.
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Northfork PP is made specifically for lion & leopard. Other good 375 bullets would Bearclaw, Accubond, CoreLokt, Partition, I’m sure a Hornady would be fine, as would a Sierra Game King. I’ve heard good things about Cutting Edge Raptors on cats but my only experience with them was a follow-up shot on a buffalo. I wouldn’t hesitate to use that in 375 on a leopard. TSX would be way down among my choices.

There are plenty of good bullet choices for you.
 
Safari Dave said:
You have to use a .375 on leopard in Mozambique when I was there. Tough finding a .375 bullet in a factory loading that will expand enough.
Click to expand...

In the specific situation, the most suitable that i have recommended to clients is the Norma Oryx.
300gr. relatively quick opening.
good enough construction for all the bait animals and buffalo. not quite as good as the a frame on buff but more than adequate.
 
Miletic said:
If I had the chance, I would shoot it with 243 and SST 95gr. That bullet literally tears apart a 70 kg
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After all the good advice recommending 30-06 or 300wm and above.
Do you honestly still think this is a good option?
:Facepalm:
 
PeteG said:
After all the good advice recommending 30-06 or 300wm and above.
Do you honestly still think this is a good option?
:Facepalm:
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Was going to do thumbs up Pete but can't put 2 emoji things on a post ....mmm now where is @Bob Nelson 35Whelen when we need him.... :E Rofl:
 
PeteG said:
After all the good advice recommending 30-06 or 300wm and above.
Do you honestly still think this is a good option?
:Facepalm:
Click to expand...

Well, now...
I'm one of those hunters who is constantly experimenting with new projectiles. When I find that a grain works great, I don't use it anymore. I just record all the results in my journal and move on. I have great confidence in the 243. When the powder and grain are well combined, it becomes a very powerful weapon. Taking into account that the leopard cat weighs 70 kg, and is extremely strong and muscular, but with a thin skin, I believe that the stopping power of the projectile is very important. If we take a situation where a leopard is in a tree and is eating bait, I would rather shoot it with a bullets that will transfer maximum energy to its body, even at the cost of not leaving the body. The SST in 243win is an extremely destructive bullet
that will turn your internal organs into soup. Even better if the animal's shoulder is also hit, in that case I think the leopard will be dead before it even falls from the tree. I note that this is my opinion, which is based on certain experience with other animals, not on the leopard. I haven't shot a leopard yet, but I hope I will have the opportunity. In the event that one of you who has hunted this animal tells me that I am wrong, I will unconditionally change my opinion because I am not stubborn and I like to listen and learn something from people who have tried something more than me.
 
Miletic said:
Well, now...
I'm one of those hunters who is constantly experimenting with new projectiles. When I find that a grain works great, I don't use it anymore. I just record all the results in my journal and move on. I have great confidence in the 243. When the powder and grain are well combined, it becomes a very powerful weapon. Taking into account that the leopard cat weighs 70 kg, and is extremely strong and muscular, but with a thin skin, I believe that the stopping power of the projectile is very important. If we take a situation where a leopard is in a tree and is eating bait, I would rather shoot it with a bullets that will transfer maximum energy to its body, even at the cost of not leaving the body. The SST in 243win is an extremely destructive bullet
that will turn your internal organs into soup. Even better if the animal's shoulder is also hit, in that case I think the leopard will be dead before it even falls from the tree. I note that this is my opinion, which is based on certain experience with other animals, not on the leopard. I haven't shot a leopard yet, but I hope I will have the opportunity. In the event that one of you who has hunted this animal tells me that I am wrong, I will unconditionally change my opinion because I am not stubborn and I like to listen and learn something from people who have tried something more than me.
Click to expand...

Well Pete is a ph here in zambia...and I have a sneaking suspicion he along with other phs I know ,wouldn't be too happy at you turning up to shoot your leopard with a 243....also from memory 30 cal is min for leopard here in zambia
 
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Miletic said:
. In the event that one of you who has hunted this animal tells me that I am wrong, I will unconditionally change my opinion because I am not stubborn and I like to listen and learn something from people who have tried something more than me.
Click to expand...
ok
You’re wrong.
It’s not suitable and an illegal caliber.
 
Miletic said:
Well, now...
I'm one of those hunters who is constantly experimenting with new projectiles. When I find that a grain works great, I don't use it anymore. I just record all the results in my journal and move on. I have great confidence in the 243. When the powder and grain are well combined, it becomes a very powerful weapon. Taking into account that the leopard cat weighs 70 kg, and is extremely strong and muscular, but with a thin skin, I believe that the stopping power of the projectile is very important. If we take a situation where a leopard is in a tree and is eating bait, I would rather shoot it with a bullets that will transfer maximum energy to its body, even at the cost of not leaving the body. The SST in 243win is an extremely destructive bullet
that will turn your internal organs into soup. Even better if the animal's shoulder is also hit, in that case I think the leopard will be dead before it even falls from the tree. I note that this is my opinion, which is based on certain experience with other animals, not on the leopard. I haven't shot a leopard yet, but I hope I will have the opportunity. In the event that one of you who has hunted this animal tells me that I am wrong, I will unconditionally change my opinion because I am not stubborn and I like to listen and learn something from people who have tried something more than me.
Click to expand...
@Miletic - I am also one that has “read a lot” about shooting Leopards but NEVER actually “Shot” a Leopard. Therefore, I’m going to follow advice from those that have and my PH —- doubtful the .243 will ever be on the list. No one cares about “experiments” and “journal entries” when it comes to shooting Leopard — they want “tried & true”, proven results, that have taken 100s of Leopard - REAL Leopard. Fortunately I don’t believe a PH would allow a client to shoot a Leopard with a .243 or .223 when there are so many better and PROVEN calibers available. Few would disagree with you that a .243 will kill a Leopard - that’s Not the point. I am a fan of the .243, have used it successfully on Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear, and watched a friend take a big Mountain Lion with .243 in Idaho….but a Mountain Lion is NOT a Leopard, just like our house cat is Not a Bobcat. Just my opinion and I have No direct experience shooting Leopard.
 
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