30-06 or 375 h&h for a leopards

[Hunter-Habib]

Yes it's an 315. Let me ask about the specific 375 or an original un cropped photo.

No worries, Bapu. Didn't Uttar Akhand based living legend leopard hunter, Mr. Lakhawat Rawat Singh use an IOF .315 bore to successfully dispatch 52 man eating leopards ? I am a big fan of the gentleman's exploits. But he seems to have disappeared in recent years.

I think it uses a 244Gr bullet at roughly 2000 FPS. Nawab Shafath Ali Khan recently told me that Indian Ordinance Factories improved the bullet construction to ensure more reliable expansion.

On the leopard photograph, the damage wound patterns are indicative of the pre 1968 copper/nickel/zinc jacketed 300Gr Winchester Super Speed Silver Tip. That's probably what your friend used. They were really good for the great cats before Winchester switched to aluminum jackets on their Silver Tip bullets.

 

[Bapu]

Gentleman the 375 is behind the hunter who's holding the 315. You could very clearly see the bolt . Looks like a model 70 to me.
Cheers.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Gentleman the 375 is behind the hunter who's holding the 315. You could very clearly see the bolt . Looks like a model 70 to me.
Cheers.

Hey, it really is Lakhawat Rawat Singh. Imagine the coincidence. I was just asking you about him.

 

[Bapu]

No worries, Bapu. Didn't Uttar Akhand based living legend leopard hunter, Mr. Lakhawat Rawat Singh use an IOF .315 bore to successfully dispatch 52 man eating leopards ? I am a big fan of the gentleman's exploits. But he seems to have disappeared in recent years.

I think it uses a 244Gr bullet at roughly 2000 FPS. Nawab Shafath Ali Khan recently told me that Indian Ordinance Factories improved the bullet construction to ensure more reliable expansion.

On the leopard photograph, the damage wound patterns are indicative of the pre 1968 copper/nickel/zinc jacketed 300Gr Winchester Super Speed Silver Tip. That's probably what your friend used. They were really good for the great cats before Wimc switched to aluminum jackets on their Silver Tip bullets.

Dear Habibsaheb,
In the photo which I have posted now it's Mr.Lakhpat Singh Rawat himself and he narrated the story to me . He has shot 55 till now and the most interesting thing about him is he was not a hardcore hunter as I would say it all came over a period of time as he gained experience. And a gentleman to the core. Unfortunately not he's having some issues with his eyesight. But can still shot very well.
I do agree to you looks like silvertip but Mr.Lakhpat doesn't remember.
Cheers.

 

[Bapu]

Folks the hunting expedition has come to a sudden hold after a leopard was hacked to death by the locals and another one found dead in a Nala.
Very unfortunate. This happens when you don't have good managers in the forest department.
Sad.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Folks the hunting expedition has come to a sudden hold after a leopard was hacked to death by the locals and another one found dead in a Nala.
Very unfortunate. This happens when you don't have good managers in the forest department.
Sad.

@Bapu

That is very unfortunate. Based upon the wound patterns on the corpses of the human victims, it doesn't look like this particular leopard was the man eater.

 

[Bapu]

@Bapu

That is very unfortunate. Based upon the wound patterns on the corpses of the human victims, it doesn't look like this particular leopard was the man eater.

Dear Habibsaheb you are absolutely right this is not the man-eater. Moreover I have not yet received the photo of the other leopard which was found dead in a Nala. Unfortunately things are going out of control because of wrong policy and policy makers.
God bless us.
Cheers.

 

[PerH]

Very sad for the wrong animal to be meeting its way like this , hope you continue to look for the one that is out there .

 

[Bapu]

Very sad for the wrong animal to be meeting its way like this , hope you continue to look for the one that is out there .

Unfortunately things have come to a hold unless there's another human kill.
Cheers.

 

[PerH]

Unfortunately things have come to a hold unless there's another human kill.
Cheers.

That’s even more sad and frustrating as well as one can question which century it is .

(But also since that ideology behind it is sneaking its way in here also , same answer will likely be used when the same Occasion a hopefully won’t occur here )

 

[HankBuck]

Ladies and gentlemen which of the above two caliber would you use strictly on a leopard hunt and why.
Here in India for man-eater leopards we use most of the time 30-06 180grs soft point bullet with excellent results.
Wanted to hear of your experiences.
Thank you.

@Bapu - it’s always bullet “placement” and that trumps caliber everytime (except elephant size game etc..). I would think that if you shoot either rifle with equal accuracy - the .375 H&H would never be a disadvantage. For me, I know I can be relaxed and very accurate with a .30-06 and that would be my selection. I like the .375 and have shot mine well but add in some “adrenaline” and maybe being a bit “rushed” - I might flinch or jerk the trigger more on a .375?? Some others with exceptional rifle skills, confidence, and true comfort with the .375 (vs false confidence) might handle the bigger bore with equal skill. I’ve never shot a leopard and since I want one so badly - my adrenaline would be off-the-charts (like my first Buck) and I would need the comfort of a .30-06, some Valium & a Bourbon to be certain of a clean shot !!

 

[Rare Breed]

30-06 with either 150 or 180 gr bullet. Killed mine with 250 gr .338 which double lunged him with a .338 entry wound and .339 exit wound. He went almost fifty yards which was a rather interesting follow-up at night. The same hit from an '06 would have likely put him down instantly.

That said, the glass on either is more important than the caliber.

I have finally decided after several changes to take my 30-06 with excellent glass and illuminated reticle shooting the old Remington 220 grain soft point Corelokts.

 

[shootist~]

Should be exciting. Looking forward to the report.

 

[HankBuck]

I have finally decided after several changes to take my 30-06 with excellent glass and illuminated reticle shooting the old Remington 220 grain soft point Corelokts.

@Rare Breed: I know Remington Corelok are a cheap ammo but I’ve had excellent & consistent performance from them. I have used the .30-06 in 165 gr PSP for many years on whitetail and although I have many other brands that also group & perform well — I still use the Rem Corelok and the accuracy is good and expansion very consistent, penetration good Also. I tried Remington Premier in 180 gr on an Elk hunt and while their accuracy was excellent out to 200 yrds at the range - they did NOT expand at all on the Elk I shot at 220 yrds. I placed two shots in the rib cage (about 4” apart), the Bull Elk trotted about 50 yrds, stopped and fell over dead. Both bullets penetrated well and lodged up against the hide on the opposite side but Both bullets failed to expand AT ALL? The were barely deformed….I’ve never used them since. For a big money hunt including Africa, I’ve used 180 gr TSX with good performance and results - accuracy is also outstanding.

 

[Rare Breed]

Thanks! TSX great bullet and I use it for everything except elephant but not fast enough expansion on thin skinned leopard for me

 

[DLSJR]

I have finally decided after several changes to take my 30-06 with excellent glass and illuminated reticle shooting the old Remington 220 grain soft point Corelokts.

You made a very wise decision. Great rifle, cartridge and bullet choice for leopard.

 

[aminkus]

Split the difference go with a 9.3x62

 

[HankBuck]

Thanks! TSX great bullet and I use it for everything except elephant but not fast enough expansion on thin skinned leopard for me

@Rare Breed - agree, I’d use the best fast expanding 165 or 180 gr .30-06 bullet I could find….as long as it gave good accuracy