Velo Dog
If we are only talking leopard, the PH I hunted with shot his last leopard on his own property with his 25/06 with one shot. It now sits on a branch above hide bar. I personally would feel more comfortable with my Whelen just in case the shit hits the fan.
Cheers mate Bob
Hi Bob,
I used to own a Ruger Model 77 in .25-06.
With it I shot some feral hogs, coyotes, feral house cats, a lot of jack rabbits and untold numbers of ground squirrels (California and Nevada).
The soft tissue destruction this cartridge and similar super high velocity / small bore cartridges cause at close range, is remarkable.
I’ve always thought it would make a passable Police / SWAT cartridge, because criminal skulls are not made of cement (despite the fact that criminals typically act like they are).
One piggy I shot with it was between the eyes, at perhaps 5 or 6 paces as it, unaware of my presence, walked toward me.
Death was instant and the 100 grain Hornady Spire Point did not exit.
The .25-06 is effective, beyond what it’s tiny hole at the muzzle suggests.
Here in Alaska, I once saw the photo of a large bull moose, reportedly shot very dead, from a single well placed 120 grain Core-Lokt Remington .25-06 factory load (broadside/just behind the shoulder).
It is no surprise to me that your PH friend successfully bagged a leopard with this cartridge.
Saying all that, yours truly would not prefer to use this cartridge for moose or leopard either one.
It was not ideal for shooting pigs either but with brain shots and broadside lung shots, it kept my family supplied with breakfast sausage year-round.
As a side note, the ballistically boring .30-30 Winchester / 170 grain flat nose soft is my favorite feral piggy getter (in case you know anyone who gives a flip).
Seems to me that if for some unknown reason, I wanted to shoot a leopard with a cartridge based more or less on the .30-06 family, I’d probably use the .30-06 itself with 165 grain or heavier bullet.
Another one might perhaps be the 7x64 / 160 grain.
As mentioned before, I expect that if all countries where leopard are hunted were to suddenly make their minimum requirement in the vicinity of 7x57, 8x57 or .30-06, I fully expect the yearly average take of leopards would not change.
However at the end of the day, my preference would likely always be the .375 H&H / 300 grain round nosed soft, with plenty of lead showing.
No doubt it would be more punch than needed for a 110 to 180 pound kitty cat but, it is what I’d prefer.
Having never shot a leopard and not even being interested in doing so, I am the last person anyone should consult on this topic.
Nonetheless, if I ever decide I can after all, sit quietly still, hour after hour, day after day, watching for a leopard, I would want my Brno .375 for this.
Cheers mate,
Paul.
