Leopard Optics

[Backyardsniper]

If you have a shot. You are going to have a client and a PH in a blind who are deaf and night blind. A .270 with Walmart ammo would be more approprate.

I can't imagine that my 338 with a 21" barrel would be any louder or flashier than the 416 Rigby I shoot that has a 21" barrel.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

If I was going to take a leopard on bait from a blind, I would pass on al my rifle from .416R to .375 H&H and grab my wife's .308 Ruger. For back up my George Gibbs .470 Dbl.

Lon

 

[BeeMaa]

I can't imagine that my 338 with a 21" barrel would be any louder or flashier than the 416 Rigby I shoot that has a 21" barrel.

I think what people are saying is less is more when it comes to leopard. Considering the distances normally encountered when doing so and the body of the cat, it’s good advice.

Studying the shot placement and making the most accurate shot possible at that distance will be the critical parts.

For a scope, I’m fully on board with the Swaro Z8i series. Specifically the 1-8x24. I can’t imagine you would need much more than that at 50-70 yards.

 

[Red Leg]

With respect to a scope, this is one of those instances where quality really matters. So does last light clarity. Regardless of scope quality, that usually rules out 24mm objective lenses. A Leica, Swaro, S&B, Zeiss Victory class, or Night Force with 40mm objective and low range of 1.5-2.5 will get the job done and be equally useful on plains game.

That said, I used a Trijicon on my .338. But, that was when it was legal to hunt leopard at night in Namibia. Under a spotlight, a Weaver K4 would have done the job.

I can't imagine that my 338 with a 21" barrel would be any louder or flashier than the 416 Rigby I shoot that has a 21" barrel.

I think you are exactly correct. Both would exhibit a lot of muzzle blast - visible and sound. My perspective is that in a close range, precision shot placement setting, bigger quickly becomes a liability. Should I go back for another leopard it will be with something in .30 cal.

 

[uplander01]

For what its worth, I would use a Swaro, or S&B, illuminated reticle variable power up to 10 or 12, with at least a 40-42 objective. Not a fan of Zeiss scopes,....their eye relief and the way the reticle feels when adjusting just doesn't seem right to me for that kind of money. I've had pretty much every brand at some point or another, worked for some of the companies, Zeiss , Trijicon,...I guess a Leupold would be an option as well that wouldbe a little less money. Leopard would not be the animal I'd be buying budget equipment.

 

[Daisy]

To the caliber issue.

I would use a gun you have and are comfortable with. Not having enough gun can be an issue, but having too much gun? I don’t understand that.

You can build your load to match your specific need. To trade a modern awesome cartridge to an older one just because “that’s always been done” is prevalent on this board.

I think the input of 338lm having a long barrel is a consideration, but you answered that with saying you had a 21” barrel. Hell, that’s shorter than 99% of peoples 30/06 or 308 telling you to switch to one of those.

Just my two cents. I would work up a modern bullet in 338 and kill your leopard. I would also consider a short suppressor with reflex. You know at low light you will be using optics. That would take out any of the peoples concerns here b

 

[Backyardsniper]

With respect to a scope, this is one of those instances where quality really matters. So does last light clarity. Regardless of scope quality, that usually rules out 24mm objective lenses. A Leica, Swaro, S&B, Zeiss Victory class, or Night Force with 40mm objective and low range of 1.5-2.5 will get the job done and be equally useful on plains game.

That said, I used a Trijicon on my .338. But, that was when it was legal to hunt leopard at night in Namibia. Under a spotlight, a Weaver K4 would have done the job.


I think you are exactly correct. Both would exhibit a lot of muzzle blast - visible and sound. My perspective is that in a close range, precision shot placement setting, bigger quickly becomes a liability. Should I go back for another leopard it will be with something in .30 cal.

I might take a 308 for the job. I have a 300 Norma barrel for that same rifle but I don't know that it would be a whole lot less blast
Out of curiosity what would peoples opinions be on a 25/06 with a propper bullet of course. I do have my dad's 25/06 and I might just take it, if the old quarter bore is adequate for cat hunting?

 

[dchum]

I might take a 308 for the job. I have a 300 Norma barrel for that same rifle but I don't know that it would be a whole lot less blast
Out of curiosity what would peoples opinions be on a 25/06 with a propper bullet of course. I do have my dad's 25/06 and I might just take it, if the old quarter bore is adequate for cat hunting?

Of course it’s possible. For some reason I would draw the line at .30 caliber. Though I’m sure the cat wouldn’t notice. For me it would be 180 grains of lead would be my choice. 30-06 or 300 win

 

[Daisy]

Of course it’s possible. For some reason I would draw the line at .30 caliber. Though I’m sure the cat wouldn’t notice. For me it would be 180 grains of lead would be my choice. 30-06 or 300 win

Why? Why would you not use something with more if you had it?

 

[thriller]

Well I bought a z6i 2-12 50mm Swarovski because it has really good low light characteristics and I figured I was most likely to get a shot at down or dusk. So naturally I shot my leopard at 2:04pm in broad daylight. It was on a 300 win mag

 

[Daisy]

According to the logic here, none of y’all should ever use anything larger than 375 for buffalo or elephant. We know it is perfectly adequate for those game, and have taken more buffalo than any other caliber. Why all the 416, 458, and 500’s?

 

[dchum]

Why? Why would you not use something with more if you had it?

Velocity. I think 180 grains of lead close to 3000fps would be very deadly to a cat from what I have read. Quick expansion and enough for a good exit on the opposite side.

But I have not hunted leopard….

 

[dchum]

According to the logic here, none of y’all should ever use anything larger than 375 for buffalo or elephant. We know it is perfectly adequate for those game, and have taken more buffalo than any other caliber. Why all the 416, 458, and 500’s?

Cats nervous system is highly sensitive. Many people believe velocity plays a bigger part in killing cats DRT than it would on bigger game that you mentioned.

 

[Daisy]

Cats nervous system is highly sensitive. Many people believe velocity plays a bigger part in killing cats DRT than it would on bigger game that you mentioned.

Dude. 338 lapua is the fastest kid on the block. You could place a 225-250 grain projectile in it at a faster speed.

People have taken an argument and are using it in the wrong way. If someone only has a 30 caliber gun, of course, they should use it. But if they have a larger, faster caliber, of course, they should use that.

When it comes to Buffalo, people use that argument all the time. Why would you not use a larger caliber, if you can, even if the 375 is perfectly adequate.

 

[Daisy]

The great hunters of old used classic calibers, but they were the most modern calibers of their time! These guys were Trail Blazers and on the cutting edge. My guess is if those guys lived now, they would be leading the way in modern cartridges and projectiles. Hell, teddy roosevelt used a suppressor.

 

[dchum]

Dude. 338 lapua is the fastest kid on the block. You could place a 225-250 grain projectile in it at a faster speed.

People have taken an argument and are using it in the wrong way. If someone only has a 30 caliber gun, of course, they should use it. But if they have a larger, faster caliber, of course, they should use that.

When it comes to Buffalo, people use that argument all the time. Why would you not use a larger caliber, if you can, even if the 375 is perfectly adequate.

“Dude” his lapua is running at 2570fps or what ever he said. So sure not ideal but ya that would work too. If you look above I comment telling him to take the 338 for it. So I have no issues with that. I just said I want 180grs of lead at 3000fps.

 

[Daisy]

“Dude” his lapua is running at 2570fps or what ever he said. So sure not ideal but ya that would work too. If you look above I comment telling him to take the 338 for it. So I have no issues with that. I just said I want 180grs of lead at 3000fps.

He said he could load it down to that.

You would be taking a less capable caliber. Your call. I just hope you stay true on your high horse and only use 375 for other dangerous game.

 

[dchum]

If you have a shot. You are going to have a client and a PH in a blind who are deaf and night blind. A .270 with Walmart ammo would be more approprate.

@Daisy what do you say to this my dude?

 

[dchum]

According to the logic here, none of y’all should ever use anything larger than 375 for buffalo or elephant. We know it is perfectly adequate for those game, and have taken more buffalo than any other caliber. Why all the 416, 458, and 500’s?

180 pounds max with thins skin vs thick skin and thousands of pounds. No one here is applying the same logic to hunting any of those

 

[Daisy]

That’s an easy one my man. Use a 4” suppressor. Wouldn’t make hearing safe, but way less than your 308 unsuppressed. Also would be the same length barrel as yours. Easy.

Also, where you getting 3000 fps from a 180gr bullet in 30cal?