Bullets for Leopard

[PHOENIX PHIL]

My only experience Leopard hunting has occurred at night while I was sleeping, only to wake up greatly disappointed. :lookaround:

I do however hope to someday hunt them. On my safari last year my wife and I got a close up look at the leopard they have at the Moholoholo Rehab Centre in the Limpopo. While a formidable animal for sure, they don't strike me as particularly huge and that a fast expanding bullet as some have said in this thread makes sense to me.

My favorite rifle all time for the animals I've hunted in the U.S. is my Winchester M70 in 7mm magnum. This rifle is now pretty much relegated to hunting Coues deer in Arizona. My deer hunting buddy here recommended a load that uses 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. I have to say this was a great recommendation. The deer I've killed with this round have all dropped dead in their tracks with not so much as a twitch. One of the deer I shot was at 300 yards and was a heart shot. The only thing left of the heart was a small section from the bottom.

So, I'm wondering if this bullet type (not necessarily 140 grain 7mm mag) would not be a good choice for leopard?

I've heard the ballistic tip criticized for being hard on the hide, but I've not seen the hide damage to be any worse on the deer I've killed with it versus other bullets.

 

[TERMINATOR]

I know gun fanantics love to talk about premium bullets and hand loads but I would think that a .375 shooting factory Winchester Power Point or Remington Core-Lok bullets in 270 grain would be fine Leopord medicine as they tend to mushroom without much resistance but are not exactly "fragile"?

Has anyone ever used factory ammo and standard bullets on leopords? I don't think their hide/body would be tougher than a whitetail deer in reality.

Obviously the danger presented after a bad shot is way worse with a cat but I really don't think that they are that "tough" of an animal to kill with a good shot and don't see why Win Power Points or Rem Core-Loks which have killed millions of deer would fail to kill a Leopord or would "fail" to perform on them in appropriate cartridge chamberings.

Maybe I am wrong???

 

[TERMINATOR]

I mean, in the end, I think where you put the first shot is way more important than which ammo is used on thin skinned game unless you are using completely innappropriate ammo that is not expanding at all like solids.

And I mentioned the .375 but I really meant any appropriate caliber including 7mm Mag. I love the Nosler Ballistic Tips at ranges over 100 yards but one time when I had a deer come in unexpectedly close to my stand I hit it with the BT at bow range and it is the only deer I have shot and not recovered...and it was a good shot. I would be concerned about the high velocity of a 7mm Rem Mag and the 140 grain BT (which is the same bullet I shoot in my 7mm-08) at closer ranges experienced in Lepord hunting.

I still think a standard bullet or Nosler Partion that opens quick yet stays together would be perfect

 

[RayAtkinson]

I believe any good deer caliber withing reason is a good Leopard gun..I like the 06 and the 7x57 with good bullets. I also like the 338, 9.3x62 and 375, even my .416 Rem or 404.

If I had to follow one up which isn't likely but always a possibility, then the big bores would be my choice.

I suppose my choice today, and that can change any minute would be the .338 with 210 gr. Noslers or 250 gr. Sierra bullets as they expand well. A good taxidermist can repair the skin damage, but in most cases its not severe.

 

[Slon416]

175 grains?

173 gr/ 11,2g

 

[Killo]

Berger 168gr out of a 300 H& H ?

 

[bimbo]

More than likley he used English Kynoch bullets that are simmilar to Woodleighs.

Woodleigh other story...very hard bullet...kynoch very soft

 

[coreydb]

Leopards are considered DG for a reason. Caliber is crucial (min. 375H&H and higher), but so is the bullet. Any expanding bullet with deep penetration will work; whether it's lead or solid copper. These cats are exceptionally hard to kill; not due to their hide or size, but because they camouflage sooo well and their character is very aggressive and dangerous when wounded. Shot placement is crucial for a DRT.

 

[Dparr]

I have killed leopard. I like 300 wm with a 180 grain barnes ttsx. I have never had to have a follow up shot.

I like this set up not because it is the single best for leopard but because it ticks a lot of boxes for a multi species safari.

Also. My leopards have been in low light so I want a scope with a min 55mm objective diameter. So that takes most med or large bore set ups out of the running.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Leopards are considered DG for a reason. Caliber is crucial (min. 375H&H and higher), but so is the bullet. Any expanding bullet with deep penetration will work; whether it's lead or solid copper. These cats are exceptionally hard to kill; not due to their hide or size, but because they camouflage sooo well and their character is very aggressive and dangerous when wounded. Shot placement is crucial for a DRT.

Not all countries require a 375 or larger for Leopards and Lions, and most actually don’t. Lots of PH’s like 270-300WM for cats. They want something fast, that hits with authority using an incredibly soft bullet that dumps energy quick.

On my leopard, I opted for a CoreLokt since it’s one of the softest and quickest expanding bullets. Daytime shot, leopard rolled/crawled/flopped from the branch to the base of the tree after falling out, legs straight up and thudding on the ground.

 

[Rare Breed]

Hi,

Im with Gerhard on this one , i also have never had such an experience but i can add is that it mainly depends on the placement of the shot my cousins have shot leopards one shot with 223 - i think it was a neck shot below bottom jaw , also back in the days our worker on the farm took our 22 magnum and the dogs out and shot one in the tree. However to be safe and make sure you get your trophy i would say 300 mag , 416 , any big fast caliber.

regards,

Owen

I will be on my second attempt on leopard. After great thought I have landed on Swift A Frames 286 grain SP from my 9.3x62. This will also be good for all bait animals

 

[Rare Breed]

They shoot at 2442 FPS and clover leaf at 100 yards all hand loads using Big Game 60 grains of powder

 

[Rare Breed]

I know gun fanantics love to talk about premium bullets and hand loads but I would think that a .375 shooting factory Winchester Power Point or Remington Core-Lok bullets in 270 grain would be fine Leopord medicine as they tend to mushroom without much resistance but are not exactly "fragile"?

Has anyone ever used factory ammo and standard bullets on leopords? I don't think their hide/body would be tougher than a whitetail deer in reality.

Obviously the danger presented after a bad shot is way worse with a cat but I really don't think that they are that "tough" of an animal to kill with a good shot and don't see why Win Power Points or Rem Core-Loks which have killed millions of deer would fail to kill a Leopord or would "fail" to perform on them in appropriate cartridge chamberings.

Maybe I am wrong???

You are not wrong. Your bullet choices for standard bullets should work well

 

[DLSJR]

Karl, thanks for your thoughts and asking others, theirs. I’ve shot 3 leopards and thankfully haven’t been charged by one (though I have by buffalo & elephant). I shot one with a 180 grain Partition from a 300 Win Mag and the cat was dead before he hit the ground. I’ve shot two with 225 grain Bearclaws from a 338 Win Mag and both were quickly dead, within 15-20 yards of where they were shot.

I think that Partitions and Bearclaws are ideal bullets for a leopard and, at least in my mind, preferable to A Frames or Monometal bullets. They open rapidly yet hold together and will get an exit hole which I believe is paramount to a quick kill and easy tracking, if any is needed. I also believe Accubonds, Sciroccos and North Fork Percussion Points would be excellent leopard bullets. Finally, I would not hesitate to use a CoreLokt or Sierra Game King. I most definitely will not shoot a Berger as I believe they’re too frangible for an animal as dangerous as a wounded leopard.

I think your choice of the .450 Rigby is great because of the reasons you state, especially fit & familiarity. For that very same reason mine would be a 2 3/4” 12 gauge Beretta A302, which I’ve shot in excess of 30,000 times. It would be loaded with a 1 3/8 load of TSS #2’s. That’d be 660 grains of the densest metal hitting a cat. Most importantly, it’s the gun I’d be most likely to make a good shot with.