sandman0921
AH enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2014
- Messages
- 418
- Reaction score
- 646
- Location
- Tennessee, USA
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- 2
- Articles
- 11
- Member of
- SCI (Life), RMEF (Life), DU, NWTF, NRA (Patron Life), GOA, DSC (Life), WSF (Life), B&C Club (Sponsor Associate Member), USSA (Associate Member)
- Hunted
- USA (GA, TN, AR, TX, FL, UT, NM, WY, MT, AK, IL, MO, IA); Canada (NWT, BC); Africa (Tanzania)
I have never hunted leopard before, but plan to in the next few years. So I wanted to run this by those who have hunted leopard before, especially the PH's on this forum who have many leopards under their belt.......
I acquired a Pre-64 (1953) Winchester Model 70 barreled action at a relatively good price several months back in 270 WCF (Win). I had been toying with the idea of doing something a little "different" with the barreled action as I already have a "FN" Win M70 Supergrade in 270 Win. The 9.3x62 Mauser cartridge has always interested me because of it's history in Africa, and reputation of being a stalwart cartridge in taking a variety of African, and lately, North American animals. As such, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to mate the two, and create a fantastic African rifle stocked in a nice piece of English walnut. I've had some suggest just having a stock built for the rifle and keeping it a 270 win, but honestly the rifle won't ever have much collector's value because it's missing the original stock. If I decide to purchase a Pre-64 Win M70 as a collector, it will be all original.......Anyway, I digress.
My intention is to use this on heavier plains game, but I thought it would make a great leopard rifle as well. In fact, that's what really got me started on this project. Of all the dangerous game beside Cape Buffalo, I could see doing more than one leopard hunt. Therefore making this more of a "specialized" rifle isn't a waste, so to speak. Also, I hand-load, so I will be basing my decision on component bullets driven at 2400-2500 fps muzzle velocity. So I have a couple of questions:
1) What 9.3 mm bullet would you use with the knowledge that it will be mainly a "leopard" rifle, but also double as a plains game rifle? I know traditional wisdom is to use the old cup and core "deer" bullets for quick expansion and hydrostatic shock that the felines are especially susceptible to. So my thoughts are:
a) Hornady Interlock (286 grain), Speer Hot-Cor (270 grain), etc. - traditional cup and core bullets with
good reputations. Should provide rapid expansion on felines, but not so great on large, hoofed vegan targets of opportunity......
b) Nosler Partition (286 grain) - the original "premium" bullet that has taken many African animals over the years, and thus proven. Soft enough front section for good expansion (good for leopard), but rear section stays together to drive on through with good weight retention which would be better for larger plains game animals. However, would there be concern over zipping right through the leopard, and not providing enough expansion and blood trail, if he doesn't drop from the initial shot?
c) Other?
2) What scope to use? My understanding is that most hides (blinds) are built in the 50-100 yd range from the bait? I'm definitely going to have an illuminated reticle, but as far as scope power, would a true dangerous game scope such as a Leupold VX6 1-6x24 be better, or rather a VX6 2-12x42 for better magnification to make a precision shot. Based on previous discussions in a thread I made regarding scope selection for a 375 H&H Mag rifle I have, I know most will say that the 1-6 x42 will be plenty of magnification at leopard "ranges" but I was curious if others liked having more magnification to zoom in for a precise shot?
As usual, thanks for the advice in advance.
I acquired a Pre-64 (1953) Winchester Model 70 barreled action at a relatively good price several months back in 270 WCF (Win). I had been toying with the idea of doing something a little "different" with the barreled action as I already have a "FN" Win M70 Supergrade in 270 Win. The 9.3x62 Mauser cartridge has always interested me because of it's history in Africa, and reputation of being a stalwart cartridge in taking a variety of African, and lately, North American animals. As such, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to mate the two, and create a fantastic African rifle stocked in a nice piece of English walnut. I've had some suggest just having a stock built for the rifle and keeping it a 270 win, but honestly the rifle won't ever have much collector's value because it's missing the original stock. If I decide to purchase a Pre-64 Win M70 as a collector, it will be all original.......Anyway, I digress.
My intention is to use this on heavier plains game, but I thought it would make a great leopard rifle as well. In fact, that's what really got me started on this project. Of all the dangerous game beside Cape Buffalo, I could see doing more than one leopard hunt. Therefore making this more of a "specialized" rifle isn't a waste, so to speak. Also, I hand-load, so I will be basing my decision on component bullets driven at 2400-2500 fps muzzle velocity. So I have a couple of questions:
1) What 9.3 mm bullet would you use with the knowledge that it will be mainly a "leopard" rifle, but also double as a plains game rifle? I know traditional wisdom is to use the old cup and core "deer" bullets for quick expansion and hydrostatic shock that the felines are especially susceptible to. So my thoughts are:
a) Hornady Interlock (286 grain), Speer Hot-Cor (270 grain), etc. - traditional cup and core bullets with
good reputations. Should provide rapid expansion on felines, but not so great on large, hoofed vegan targets of opportunity......
b) Nosler Partition (286 grain) - the original "premium" bullet that has taken many African animals over the years, and thus proven. Soft enough front section for good expansion (good for leopard), but rear section stays together to drive on through with good weight retention which would be better for larger plains game animals. However, would there be concern over zipping right through the leopard, and not providing enough expansion and blood trail, if he doesn't drop from the initial shot?
c) Other?
2) What scope to use? My understanding is that most hides (blinds) are built in the 50-100 yd range from the bait? I'm definitely going to have an illuminated reticle, but as far as scope power, would a true dangerous game scope such as a Leupold VX6 1-6x24 be better, or rather a VX6 2-12x42 for better magnification to make a precision shot. Based on previous discussions in a thread I made regarding scope selection for a 375 H&H Mag rifle I have, I know most will say that the 1-6 x42 will be plenty of magnification at leopard "ranges" but I was curious if others liked having more magnification to zoom in for a precise shot?
As usual, thanks for the advice in advance.