Which of these two rifles would you recommend for leopard?

[coreydb]

Nosler Partition or Norma Oryx 250-286 grain bullets. Those big kitties are soft skin but really need the oomph a good expanding lead projectile provides.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Another vote for the 300WM with a soft bullet. My 300WM loves Terminal Ascent. It’s a little harder bullet then I’d like for a cat but in the right spot it’d still be devastating

 

[DLSJR]

After much hand loading I have given up on getting the Scirocco to group and and my rifle doesn't really like the partitions either. It does like the 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip which groups to a 1/2 inch MOA at 100 yards. What is your opinion of the Ballistic Tip for Leopard? Will it fragment too much?

The Ballistic Tips will be fine for leopard. They’re not difficult to kill as long as you hit it properly.

 

[Mauser78]

I think I would test these. Will work for some plains game also.

 

[Beck]

Both will work, but I personally prefer the .338 Winchester Magnum.

The Barnes TSX ranks pretty low amongst my choices of bullet for leopard hunting (especially one that is shot over bait). Expansion rate is a little too slow for broadside heart-lung shots on such a soft framed animal (unless if your point of aim happens to be the shoulder bone/scapula itself). You will be far better served, employing a lead cored bullet (such as the Nosler Partition).

I agree with you on the bullet. I love the TSX for thick skinned game like buffalo, but I think you're better served with something softer for a leopard. Keep in mind most leopards are roughly the size of a small whitetail deer.

 

[Doug Duckworth]

"The ugly green camo plastic stock" - This may be the deciding factor.

Both will work just fine. Possibly test the scopes at very low light and see which is clearest, I would guess the .300?

 

[HankBuck]

The black Savage KLYM straight pull weights 6.5 pounds naked and has a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 illuminated. It is a 300 Win Mag. I have a 180 grain Barnes TTSX hand load that shoots a one inch MOA at 100 yards off the bench. I have taken a dozen African animals with it.

The ugly green camo plastic stock Savage is a 338 Win Mag with a Swarovski Z5 2-10X42 illuminated. It weights about a pound more than the 300 Win Mag. It shoots a one inch MOA at 100 yards as well with a 250 grain Nosler Partition. Actually a little less than a one inch MOA. I have taken 10 African animals with it along with elk, aouldad, large black bears, and a bison.

I am willing to change bullets and buy a different scope if needed. Heck, I could even use your feedback as an excuse to buy a new rifle.

Please let me know your opinion. I have a separate thread about potentially downloading a 458 win mag for leopard so I could take one rifle for it and buffalo. I have almost decided against taking the 458 for both.

View attachment 698688View attachment 698689

@codofish - love your mounted Canvasback - nice creative taxidermy. Regarding what rifle for Leopard (I’ve Never shot a Leopard) since you shoot both rifles well and are familiar with them under ‘hunting conditions’ either seems well suited….although you might consider dressing them up with a proper high grade WOOD Stock — at least for the post-leopard-kill-Photos.

 

[codofish]

I'm not sure that it will thrill most PHs as penetration is low at higher speeds. What is your PH requesting for bullets?

I will have that conversation with my PH now that things are slowing down for him.

 

[codofish]

@codofish - love your mounted Canvasback - nice creative taxidermy. Regarding what rifle for Leopard (I’ve Never shot a Leopard) since you shoot both rifles well and are familiar with them under ‘hunting conditions’ either seems well suited….although you might consider dressing them up with a proper high grade WOOD Stock — at least for the post-leopard-kill-Photos.

Thanks for the compliment on the Canvasback. He was a surprise since we were hunting wood ducks 300 miles inland

 

[AZDAVE]

Flip a coin on the rifle. But would change the bullet on either caliber to a Accubond, Gameking or scriocco

 

[camperx]

The 7 mag will work fine. I would use a 150-160 grain bullet and I prefer the Partition for leopard.

I am not a fan of Leupold anything, but whatever you choose, don't scrimp on the glass! The scope is probably more important than the rifle, cartridge and bullet combined! I like Leica or Swarovski. Illuminated of course.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I’d take the “ugly green camo plastic stock Savage”. It’s a nice setup. I’m loading my .338WM for my leopard hunt with Remington Cor-Lock. Not a sexy hand-load, and I’m a big lover of Barnes TSX, but, my PH told me if my rig works good with Cor-Locks to “please bring them” if they shoot well for this hunt.