Which bullet in 300WM for Leopard?

[Nhoro]

I saw a corelokt blow up on a bushbuck. 300 h&h rifle and huge wound-nearly the whole shoulder in tatters- maybe the bullet was tumbling.

Leopard is a pretty small animal so rapid expansion is good. People talk of shock- let's be real, a bullet flying through the animals heart is all the shock you need. A 30-06 with 180 gr bullet and a 300 win mag with 200 gr will have similar results.A partition will open quicker and make a bigger hole than an a frame. And I like a round nose soft like the Woodleigh. A bit better at stabilising over short distances and they open quicker.

 

[Rare Breed]

Actually, most leopards are 150 tops, most are a bit lighter than that. Some get a lot bigger but the truth is, 150 is a damn big leopard. They’re not hard to kill if shot properly. They don’t require the toughest best bullets; just a good bullet in the right place.

I am hunting my first one in 2025. While I am planning on using my 375 I wish I could use my 275 Rigby with large quick expanding bullets… but I am guessing the feedback is too light a caliber? The hunt will be in Mozimbek

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I am hunting my first one in 2025. While I am planning on using my 375 I wish I could use my 275 Rigby with large quick expanding bullets… but I am guessing the feedback is too light a caliber? The hunt will be in Mozimbek

Ask your PH what he thinks. I'd go with that. He may think that the lighter, faster bullet would be more effective. Then again he might think that nothing beats the .375. He'll know what he will like to see.

 

[MarkB]

I am no specialist, only shot 2, first one 308, 165 gr accubond. Dead cat, did run 30 yds and die for excitement. Second one was 416 Rigby, no idea of bullet or weight, was the PH's, we had real dark unexpected overcast nights and he did not like my 308 with its 3x9x33 Leopold ultralight so I used what he gave me. That cat also ran 30 yds and died, but not before it made a very loud ass pucker sound that added to the shear fun for the tracking to him dead walk.

I think any of the listed bullets in a 300WM will kill any leopard, what's important is you must be able to clearly see it in the scope and put the bullet in the CORRECT spot. Made more difficult during the raging adrenalin rush when the PH taps your leg, its go time.

Shot or been on the kill for a few cougars, any 30 cal and good bullet in proper spot drops them out of tree. Old lever 30/30 and 170 gr round nose soft point a common gun choice for chasing cats on this steep Van Isle jungles.

MB

 

[DLSJR]

Ask your PH what he thinks. I'd go with that. He may think that the lighter, faster bullet would be more effective. Then again he might think that nothing beats the .375. He'll know what he will like to see.

This is good advice. I’m possibly wrong but my understanding is Mozambique is one of the countries that doesn’t require .375 or larger for dangerous game. I’m probably going to use my 338 to shoot a Buffalo, just because I’ve always wanted to try that gun on a buffalo instead of the bigger ones I’ve used before.

Asking your PH is good advice. If he’s OK with it, I would not hesitate to shoot a leopard with your 275 Rigby.

 

[Nhoro]

I think a 275 rigby/ 7 x 57 works very well but be guided by your PH. The 7 x 57 is legal for leopard in zimbabwe. I reckon a .275 hole in the right place is better than a 375 hole slightly off. Some will say that a 375 allows you to take awkward angles but i dont think you should take those shots anyway.