Calibers for leopard

[Jamie D Van Roekel]

I have a couple related questions for a friend. And it really is for a friend. He has the opportunity to go leopard hunting but doesn’t want to take a rifle. The outfitter has a 6.5 needmore. My friend asked me what I thought. It sounds a bit light to me but I don’t know much. After all the credmore is like a death ray. The related question is if he does use the 6.5 can he take ammo into JBurg if he doesn’t have a rifle with him. I also think that is a no, but we already discussed what I know. Lol! Thanks for any info you can help me with.

 

[shootist~]

I really like the 6.5 Credmoor, but your friend needs to clarify the outfitter's rifle suggestion for leopard. JMHO.

 

[375Fox]

A leopard isn’t a big animal. It doesn’t have thick skin or heavy bone. It would definitely kill it. Legally I don’t know. They are not classed as dangerous game in Namibia. However, what stands out to me in this post isn’t the question asked, it’s the quality of outfitter that only has a 6.5 creedmoor and is offering a leopard hunt? It would be a signal of inexperience to me.

 

[mark-hunter]

300 win mag, 338 win mag, 9.3x62, 375. I would not dance with leopard with anything less then that.

All is fine, until shot is fired. Than what? Searching the bush with same 6.5?

 

[thriller]

I have a couple related questions for a friend. And it really is for a friend. He has the opportunity to go leopard hunting but doesn’t want to take a rifle. The outfitter has a 6.5 needmore. My friend asked me what I thought. It sounds a bit light to me but I don’t know much. After all the credmore is like a death ray. The related question is if he does use the 6.5 can he take ammo into JBurg if he doesn’t have a rifle with him. I also think that is a no, but we already discussed what I know. Lol! Thanks for any info you can help me with.

I used a 300 win mag and he came out the tree upside down head first so I like it a lot. But I can also say I am no fan of a 6.5 manbun. Is this hunt in South Africa? I thought they were not being issued tags currently but I could be wrong.

 

[IvW]

I have a couple related questions for a friend. And it really is for a friend. He has the opportunity to go leopard hunting but doesn’t want to take a rifle. The outfitter has a 6.5 needmore. My friend asked me what I thought. It sounds a bit light to me but I don’t know much. After all the credmore is like a death ray. The related question is if he does use the 6.5 can he take ammo into JBurg if he doesn’t have a rifle with him. I also think that is a no, but we already discussed what I know. Lol! Thanks for any info you can help me with.

You desribed it perfectly in your opening post..."The outfitter has a 6.5 NEEDMORE"

I would not hunt with someone recommending one of those for leopard.....

 

[Red Leg]

I killed mine with a .338 Win Mag. It definitely wasn't too big.

 

[K-man]

I would agree - if the only gun an outfitter has to rent is a 6.5, I would look for another avenue. I am sure it will kill a Leopard quickly with a perfect shot and the proper bullet, but why chance it with such a marginal caliber? What gun will you use to shoot bait? Remember, the trophy fee is paid whether you recover the animal or not. Sometimes, even on shot opportunity.

 

[igotit]

I reloaded for a gal whio went to Africa. She shot a leapard and several head of plains game with her 270 Winchester. Many years ago My Uncles and I used a 300 H&H for everything for which it was legal. Your Idea of the 325 WSM would be a good one as well. I don't believe you could go wrong with that one.

 

[BryceM]

Take a rifle. It isn't that big of a PITA. Especially for an animal where you might get a single good opportunity in weeks of hunting. I would use something that I absolutely TRUST, points well, feeds well, is absolutely true once sighted in, and could dispatch a leopard in a nasty spot should the very rare need arise. Something along the lines of a .300 Win with Accubonds, A-frames, or possibly TSX. No wildcats, no ultra-high velocity rounds, no super-hot, maxed out handloads. Shoot the same rifle for zebra, pig, and whatever else you're going to use for bait.

I'd fell very much more comfortable with a .308 Win than a 6.5 Creedmore in a leopard blind.

 

[Nhoro]

6.5 is capable of killing a leopard.... heck with solids it is capable of killing an elephant. Is it a good idea- i dont think so.308 or 30-06 doesnt kick much more but makes a bigger hole. 300 win mag up is higher velocity and shocks the cats more highly developed nervous system. Basically, there are better options.

 

[ofbiro]

It seems that someone killed a tiger with a .22 LR. The bullet entered the eyball, ending in the brain.
Maybe it is a legend, but the smallest of the "Big 5" deserves a larger pill for the eternal sleep.

 

[Dr Ray]

Well I sure would t be hunting leopards with the 6.5
Slightest error and you might find you’d have a real personal problem

 

[rigbymauser]

a 12bore paradox perhaps?...

 

[Luederitz]

First some legal requirements, e.g. Namibia:

NAPHA - Namibia Professional Hunting Association: Hunting Laws & Rifle Importation

The fundamental purpose of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) is to enhance and maintain, by effective management, an organizational infrastructure that can serve professional hunting members, clients and other interest groups.

www.napha-namibia.com

As per the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 4 of 1975:

No person shall use a revolver, pistol or automatic firearm when hunting game or use a firearm of which the bullet has an energy at the muzzle of the barrel which is lower than the following when hunting a species of game indicated there under:

Small Game:
(e.g. Dik-Dik; Steenbok; Duiker; Springbok)
Minimum caliber: .243 (or equivalent caliber in mm)
Energy: 1350 Joule

Medium Game:
(e.g. Hartebeest; Oryx; Wildebeest; Kudu; Eland and all exotic species)
Minimum caliber: .270 (or equivalent caliber in mm
Energy: 2700 Joule

Dangerous Game:
(e.g. Elephant; Hippo; Rhino; Buffalo; Lion)
Minimum caliber: .375 (or equivalent caliber in mm)
Energy: 5400 Joule

No solids are allowed as per the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 4 of 1975 on any other species than pachyderms (Elephant, Hippo, Rhino).

Hunters visiting Namibia may import 60 cartridges per caliber.

-------------

This means in Namibia anything less than .270"/7mm is not legal on medium game (including Leopard).
And the legal requirements are only the absolute minimum, an experienced PH would recommend other calibers for a trophy hunter with limited days for the hunt.

In other African countries the Leopard is listed as dangerous game with a legal minimum of .375" or 9,3mm or >5200J etc...


If you´re hunting Leopard, a 7x57 will kill it IF (!) the first shot is placed correctly.
If not, searching a wounded Leopard will normally end in an attack of the cat, which is no fun at all.

So the next thing you have to consider: how precise is your rife?
And: which scope do you use?
As the hunt often takes place when it´s already dark you need to rely on the best optics you can buy for money. Swarovski or high-end Zeiss - if you have a scope assembled in China with poor glass...

If you want to hunt a Leopard you either know you receive the best rifle/scope from your PH (who considers also hunting laws) or you bring your own rifle with you.

 

[Areaonereal]

Namibia now allows a maximum of 100 rounds per rifle/caliber per hunter.

 

[Fatback]

I used a 300 win mag on my leopard. Preformed very well. Cat was dead under the bait tree.

 

[YancyW]

Shooting the cat with a 6.5CM wouldn't concern me near as much as it being the only rifle the outfitter had to offer a client. Not having more, or better, options would be a massive red flag.

Also, you can't just import ammo, you have to have a rifle that matches the chambering of the ammo you are bringing.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Maverick: "I'm gonna hunt a leopard with a 6.5 Creedmoor rental gun".

Goose: "You're gonna WHAT"???

 

[Andrew62]

I shot my leopard with a 375H&H way back in 1988, I made a less than ideal shot using 'solids', yes, solids, that was before the internet, it was my first hunt, the outfitter said to bring solids so that is what I did. I shot my leopard, left my gun in the blind as it was strung up with twine, walked up with the guide to my leopard, 7 steps from my leopard it jumped us 2 times. Thankfully, my guide had a shotgun and finished it, but never ever would I take a light caliber gun to hunt leopard. Shooting conditions are generally poor when taking the shot, so go big on a leopard even thought in perfect situations a 6.5 would kill it.

NO, you cannot take ammo alone into Africa, it must accompany a gun.