What caliber rifle would you use for Leopard?

[johnnyblues]

Outstanding & congrats!!!!! Next time you are in my neck of the woods, let me know, and maybe we can meet. The beer is always cold, and my humidors are always full of premium cigars.

Absolutely. What town you in?

 

[wesheltonj]

375 H&H.

 

[Ray B]

as long as it is legal where you plan to shoot your leopard.

If you shoot the leopard in the chest most any bullet will do the job. If you shoot the leopard in the rear, it won't matter much what cartridge you use, it will only result in an upset leopard. I was unaware of any laws regarding bullet placement on leopards.

 

[Hunteez]

Some recommended calibers for leopard:

- 270 win
- 308 win
- 30.06 springfield
- 300 win mag
- 338 win mag
- 7x64mm
- 9.3x57mm
- 375 h&h

Most important is to comply with the country's legal calibers for hunting DG.

Bullets are also important, they should be fairly light: 130g-160g for light/medium calibers and 230g-300g on heavier calibers. Soft-nose thin-jacketed bullets that are fairly fragile work well as they upset quickly and cause extensive damage.

But the key to any successful leopard hunt, besides the above metioned calibers and bullets is shot placement!

 

[PARA45]

Absolutely. What town you in?

I live in Bonaire, outside of Warner Robins. I think we are about 2 hrs away.

 

[johnnyblues]

I live in Bonaire, outside of Warner Robins. I think we are about 2 hrs away.

Thanks for that. Not quite familiar yet with towns. Bit of a hike but we'll have to try and get together and have a BBQ and some good wine.

 

[PARA45]

For sure! We go to Atlanta at least 2-4 times a year. We'll figure it out.

 

[fourfive8]

Leopard is relatively soft animal and not that large so doesn't require the same type cartridge or bullet as larger, tougher game. Just requires quick stopping. I think shot placement and accurate rifle using good quality soft point along with a scope with good low light capability and heavier reticle. Lower, fixed power scope on accurate 30-06 using quality 165 -180 gr soft point (or similar relative "power" combination) would be high on my list.

 

[Nyati]

If you shoot the leopard in the chest most any bullet will do the job. If you shoot the leopard in the rear, it won't matter much what cartridge you use, it will only result in an upset leopard. I was unaware of any laws regarding bullet placement on leopards.

I will clarify, "where", as in which country, as some have minimum calibers for shooting certain species.

 

[Ray B]

I will clarify, "where", as in which country, as some have minimum calibers for shooting certain species.

For those of us that were near radios at noon in the late 1970's Paul Harvey discussed over several days how a woman was recovering after being shot in the "fracas". It was left unanswered what part of the anatomy, what part of the world, or what event involved a fracas.

 

[Spooksar]

370 Sako/9.3x66 is what I have taken and what I'm taking in June. Loaded with 250 grain Accubonds.

 

[enysse]

7mm Rem Mag with 160 grain Swift A Frame or whatever gun was legal for the country.

 

[DaveL]

Guys use the weapon you are most comfortable with. Nothing wrong with a good old tried and tested .30-06 if you have it. Don't go out and buy some superfluous wonder calibre when you have old faithful in the gun safe back home. Take it from an African PH - it's all about shot placement!

 

[Royal27]

The important thing here is having an illuminated reticle on your rifle.

 

[lwaters]

I

 

[PeteG]

The important thing here is having an illuminated reticle on your rifle.

View attachment 184668

Illuminated reticle... is that when the finally switches on?

 

[Royal27]

Illuminated reticle... is that when the finally switches on?

Or when switches off? All depends on what rifle PH backing up with.

 

[PeteG]

Or when switches off? All depends on what rifle PH backing up with.

View attachment 184669

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Im from Ohio and have been hunting to Africa 3 times! I have hunted Buffalo (With My husband) Giraffe Elephant and plains game. Africa has gotten into my soul and Have to go back!!!!

Just my 2 cents Jennifer. Follow the law where ever you are going to hunt. But I just don't understand why a .375 is forced upon hunters as the legal minimum to shoot a 180 pound thin skinned cat. I know they are vicious and all but a Leopard can be taken with a .270, .280, 7mm & 30.06 easily. Any fast 30 will crush a leopard. 300 win, 300 wsm, 325 wsm, 35 whelen Nosler 30 ect ect.

I've shot a few 300 pound whitetails in Wisconsin with my 300 win mag in 165 grain partitions. They didn't know what hit them.

 

[crs]

Taken with 300 grain .458 Nosler PP from an 1886 .45-90- cat just pinned to the sand and never moved.: