Would you use one?

[BARTFRNCS]

Without stating the importance of caliber choice 30-06!

 

[poprivit]

OK, lots of good advice. Looks like the 30 cal gets the nod.

How many of you have actually taken a cat the size of a leopard? (No, your overfed house tabby doesn't count.) I've only hunted a cougar, but he was taken with a Ruger 44 Mag Super Blackhawk.

 

[35bore]

OK, lots of good advice. Looks like the 30 cal gets the nod.

How many of you have actually taken a cat the size of a leopard? (No, your overfed house tabby doesn't count.) I've only hunted a cougar, but he was taken with a Ruger 44 Mag Super Blackhawk.

I have only hunted ML once n my life, he was in a tree and i had a BP 45-70, when he squalked after the shot I knew it was a good hit. He ran 50-60 yrds after taking a 25 ft. plunge out of that tree. All I can say is that both cats (cougar and leopard) almost have the same weight. I would NOT go half way across the world undergunned, your 416 will fit the bill, provided you do your part.

 

[lwaters]

I have a 300 RCM with a stainless steel 20in barrel. I put a 2x7 Redfield scope on it. It also has
open sights. The beauty of this little rifle is it does not have the rebated rim that the wsm and
rsaum have so it feeds nicer and reloads easier. I can load it so it shoots like a 308 win. or
power her up to close to 300 win mag. performance. Regardless of what Hornady says it does not
equal the 300win. I can get around 3000fps with 165 grain bullets and a easy 2800 with the
180 nosler partition. Not bad out of a 20in barrel. Cut the barrel that short on a 300win mag
and it probably won't shot much faster. I shot eight animals in Namibia from springbock to kudu and never felt the need for more rifle. I had a 338 win mag. with me but never used it. I think it would be a great choice for leapords and would make a nice mate to your 416 ruger. I myself may get a 375 ruger someday

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

WHILE I LIKE WEATHERBY'S THE 257 IS NOT THE RIFLE FOR LEOPARD...

FIND OUT WHAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM FOR RIFLE CARTRIDGE FOR NAMIBIA.

YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE FOR RENT A RIFLE FOR YOUR LEOPARD.

@James. Grage
My PH/ property owner in Namibia shot his last leopard with a 25/06 bang flop no problems. The 257 weatherby may be a bit better but would depend on projectiles.
I don't know about the laws in Namibia but he seems happy with the 25.
He also has a 223, 270 WSM,300 win mag and 375.
Bob

 

[IvW]

I would not...

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 solid point cartridge is allowed to be used as per the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 4 of 1975 on any other species than pachyderms (Elephant, Hippo, Rhino).

Handguns, Automatic and Semi-automatic weapons are prohibited in Namibia for trophy hunting purposes.

Hunters visiting Namibia may import 60 cartridges per caliber.

 

[meigsbucks]

I have a 300 RCM with a stainless steel 20in barrel. I put a 2x7 Redfield scope on it. It also has
open sights. The beauty of this little rifle is it does not have the rebated rim that the wsm and
rsaum have so it feeds nicer and reloads easier. I can load it so it shoots like a 308 win. or
power her up to close to 300 win mag. performance. Regardless of what Hornady says it does not
equal the 300win. I can get around 3000fps with 165 grain bullets and a easy 2800 with the
180 nosler partition. Not bad out of a 20in barrel. Cut the barrel that short on a 300win mag
and it probably won't shot much faster. I shot eight animals in Namibia from springbock to kudu and never felt the need for more rifle. I had a 338 win mag. with me but never used it. I think it would be a great choice for leapords and would make a nice mate to your 416 ruger. I myself may get a 375 ruger someday

I always viewed the .300 RCM with a 20” barrel as close to the ideal hunting rifle. Ballisticly what the .30/06 AI is supposed to do but in a shorter, handier package. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have caught on. And yes, I think it would make an great choice for leopard.
Now I’ve never hunted leopard and this will be viewed as blasphemy, but I don’t have a burning desire to hunt leopard or lion. However, years ago I remember reading an article where John Wooters shot his Leopard with a #1 in .45/70 and thinking that would be a great choice with a 350 gr Hornady or 400 gr Speer.
Since you are looking for something that is great for leopard as well as PG, I’d choose a .308, .30/06, .35 Whelen or 9.3x62. All would serve you well. Just make sure you top it with a good scope with an illuminated reticle.

 

[AZDAVE]

I am hunting leopard in Namibia next year and plan on my 9.3x62, 250gr accubond at 2650. My second choice was either my 338 RCM or 300H&H. Your choice of the 300 RCM will work. Like was pointed out the shot will most likely be in low light so you should have the BEST glass you can afford that provides the best light transmission for those kinds of shots. I would also ask you PH for a recommendation.

 

[BeeMaa]

I like that!

Safety first!

 

[Major Khan]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this . It is far more appreciable to be over gunned , rather than under gunned . Countless of my clients have successfully used .458 Winchester magnum caliber rifles and ( FRESH ) 510 grain factory loaded soft point cartridges ( Manufactured by Remington Peters ) to successfully lay low our Indian forest panthers .

 

[bruce moulds]

has anyone used the rws 9.3 mm tug 293 gn bullet.?
this bullet has proven not up to the task of big game in the x 64, which might mean it has a lot to offer in the x62 on small to medium.
bruce.

 

[RayAtkinson]

A Leopard is the size of a big deer, and the 257 Wby is an awesome killer but be sure and use a tough bullet like the 117 or120 gr. Nosler, Barnes, or some bonded core..big bores don't make a killer, good shooting is the key.. Leopard are bad is you gut shoot one, but even a .470 is not good with a gut shot...You will get a quik kill with the WBY every time you place a bullet in the heart lung area..