308 or 300 Win Mag for Leopard

Shaw said:

Have upcoming hunt in 2028 for Leopard and looking for some input from experienced hunters. Something internal tells me 300 is too big (don't want to damage the hide). Everything I have read 180 gr was too big to get the proper expansion compared a 150gr or 165 gr. Thanks for any input.

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Shaw said:

Have upcoming hunt in 2028 for Leopard and looking for some input from experienced hunters. Something internal tells me 300 is too big (don't want to damage the hide). Everything I have read 180 gr was too big to get the proper expansion compared a 150gr or 165 gr. Thanks for any input.

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Betterinthebush said:

No, actually, I don’t.

The thread was about a choice between two calibers. .308&.300.

Other posts that fell outside the scope of the OP were offered from, either, experienced hunters or hunters looking for information with a similar setup (mine included).

In fact, I would think you and your .243 experimental leopard round would be better served and explored as a thread unto itself.

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Miletic said:

My ideas are based on certain laws of physics, and the experiments I conduct are aimed at the fastest possible death of the animal. To the man who opened the topic, I expressed my opinion, which is by no means binding and does not force anyone to use the 243 in leopard hunting. There is no word of any abuse

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HankBuck said:

@Miletic - that’s it, Now I know who you remind me of: EINSTEIN, the physics and theory…it’s all the same and will soon be taught in Universities. Just kidding, I know you are trolling and doing an excellent job of it AND you have raised some fun posts

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Miletic said:

Now it's 1:09 a.m. after midnight. I just read The man eaters from Tsavo. I wish you good night and all the bestView attachment 755993

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HankBuck said:

@Miletic - if only those railroad workers from Tsavo had a .243 — those Lions would’ve been in trouble !

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HankBuck said:

@Miletic - that’s it, Now I know who you remind me of: EINSTEIN, the physics and theory…it’s all the same and will soon be taught in Universities. Just kidding, I know you are trolling and doing an excellent job of it AND you have raised some fun posts

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Miletic said:

Hi Bob,
most likely SST will make an exit wound, which in my opinion is not a priority. I would choose Norma Oryx 100gr, but it would surely come out of the leopard and make a big hole on the other side.
SST would exhibit physical tissue destruction plus hydrodynamic juice as terminal ballistics. I think it would have a great stopping power in an animal under 70 kg

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Miletic said:

The pictures are a little uncomfortable to look at, but these are some of the results with my experimental 243 loads with 95gr grain weights. Animals weigh 10-15 kg.
View attachment 755946
View attachment 755947View attachment 755948View attachment 755948View attachment 755949View attachment 755950

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Miletic said:

My ideas are based on certain laws of physics, and the experiments I conduct are aimed at the fastest possible death of the animal. To the man who opened the topic, I expressed my opinion, which is by no means binding and does not force anyone to use the 243 in leopard hunting. There is no word of any abuse

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HankBuck said:

@Miletic - as part of your extensive research for developing a Leopard round have You determined that your results on “coyotes” [2 of them poorly hit pups] with a .243 is relevant? I agree that a .243 is a Great Coyote round (@Bob Nelson 35Whelen might disagree) and if you have no interest in the pelt it’s even better then a .22-250. How that relates to Leopard escapes Me?? Just as testing out a .410 w/lead #9 shot on quail doesn’t mean you discovered a Turkey load —- hopefully you will end up with a PH and be properly guided to a reasonably safe Leopard Hunt. I guess this is a reminder of why hunters are NOT allowed to just go to Africa and hunt-on-their-own. And again, I am a fan of the .243 - just Not a Drunken Fan…

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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.

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PHOENIX PHIL said:

I've not leopard hunted yet, so take this FWIW. I will be on a leopard hunt in August along with other big critters, ele and buffalo. As has become my habit, I'll take my .470NE double for the big stuff and my .375HH for smaller animals and a back up for DG.

This means I'll be using my .375HH for leopard. Nathan Askew of @BULLET SAFARIS has taken many leopard in Tanzania and actually prefers the .375HH. The goal is a dead leopard and no one sporting two legs bleeds a drop.

I'm sure the .308W would kill a leopard, but between that and a .300WM, give me the big dog. From my understanding a leopard like other cats does not do well with high velocity, so a 165gr or 180gr well constructed bullet out of the .300WM I believe would be perfect.

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BULLET SAFARIS said:

.375

.375 H&H with 260 grain nosler accubond (fast as you can push them).
Hits hard - Expands fast - and does terrible damage to the insides of a leopard.

For many reasons this is an ideal choice on most cat hunts.

If you're in a good leopard area a .375 H&H with quality 300 grain bullets will serve you well on other game and Buffalo. Very few lost plains game (or bait) with a .375. Then bring a few solids for tiny creatures or other special cases as needed.

Accuracy is of course most important on leopard and many people aim at the wrong spot imo.

A good rest should be used (I use a quality tripod most of the time).

Damaging the skin with your shot should be least of your concerns... use the load above and pick a spot!

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BULLET SAFARIS said:

.375

.375 H&H with 260 grain nosler accubond (fast as you can push them).
Hits hard - Expands fast - and does terrible damage to the insides of a leopard.

For many reasons this is an ideal choice on most cat hunts.

If you're in a good leopard area a .375 H&H with quality 300 grain bullets will serve you well on other game and Buffalo. Very few lost plains game (or bait) with a .375. Then bring a few solids for tiny creatures or other special cases as needed.

Accuracy is of course most important on leopard and many people aim at the wrong spot imo.

A good rest should be used (I use a quality tripod most of the time).

Damaging the skin with your shot should be least of your concerns... use the load above and pick a spot!

Click to expand...

BULLET SAFARIS said:

.375

.375 H&H with 260 grain nosler accubond (fast as you can push them).
Hits hard - Expands fast - and does terrible damage to the insides of a leopard.

For many reasons this is an ideal choice on most cat hunts.

If you're in a good leopard area a .375 H&H with quality 300 grain bullets will serve you well on other game and Buffalo. Very few lost plains game (or bait) with a .375. Then bring a few solids for tiny creatures or other special cases as needed.

Accuracy is of course most important on leopard and many people aim at the wrong spot imo.

A good rest should be used (I use a quality tripod most of the time).

Damaging the skin with your shot should be least of your concerns... use the load above and pick a spot!

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DLSJR said:

Excellent advice. That’d also be a good lion load (even though I’d prefer a 300 grn over 260 on lion).

I like your ‘wrong spot’ comment!

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dchum said:

I know you have killed a few leopards!

Don’t usually aim right at the crease? What is your preferred shot. I know you have made a few foot shots on leopards

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