This will be some grist for the mill ... But here goes. I'll be hunting leopard in the Bubye (hopefully a super cat) in September. I'm normally a Barnes TSX guy, and have a newly constructed MG Arms .300 WSM that I'll use. It shoots 168,180 and 200 grain TSX's into the same hole up to half inch groups - with the 168's shooting best.

Since the monolithic Barnes may not open so great on the cat I need to work up a softer bonded-type bullet for just the cat. What bullet does everyone like. What thoughts does everyone have that I can get the same load to shoot with the two different bullets?

I shot mine with TB Bearclaw, Nosler Partition (2) and Swift A-frame. 375, 338 (2), and 416.

All worked fine.

I would use a North Fork Soft, Nosler Partition, TBBC, or a Swift A frame, in the same weight as the X bullet you will use for everything else. I would base my pick on which one shot to the same place as the X bullets.

I shot mine with a 300 Gr Nosler Partition out of a 375 H&H. DRT.

I'll preface this with the comment that I shot my one leopard with a 260 gr. Nosler AccuBond out of my 375 H&H, at around 2700 fps. The exit is about an inch in diameter.

That said, I still think accuracy is key and can't imagine any leopard surviving a 168 from a WSM in the right place. That velocity will guarantee opening, and it should fall from the tree like a stone! Just make sure you have the correct scope for the conditions your PH is expecting.

My first one I shot with 30.06 and TSX. I'll have my .375 with me as well and part of me says I should use that; but I agree bullets placement is where it's at.

Given that you will most likely be shooting from a blind and that there is almost no way your PH is going to tell you to shoot anything but a stationary broadside cat, is there really ANY bullet that will not be up to the task? You could probably do just as well (or better!) with a linotype alloy (or even straight lead) as some high-tech premium soft-point. As alluded to above, shot placement is really your only concern...and finding ANY soft that will shoot the same POI as whatever premium bullet you are using for bigger and tougher game.

Ryan, Any will kill but with 2 under my belt Bigger is better. 375 on both cats one a 300gr Hornady round nose shot in chest hanging on bait out back and into tree cat dropped like he was pole axed. DRT. Have the bullet dug, it out of the tree.
Second big cat 300grTSX at a ranged 62yds. Hit high in back downward angle thru chest and exited opposite side down near liver.
The TSX will open just make sure they are pristine and not damages tips. A damaged hollow point is a solid.

Mike

CEB Non-Con out of a 375Fl worked well for us.

I'd say if your TSX is that accurate out of your 375, use that bullet and don't look back.

Your confidence in your gun and bullet will make it go where it should, the TSX will do its job as perfectly as always and we'll be seeing pictures of your leopard in Hunt Reports upon your return

I used a 300 gr Swift A frame, hitting right though the lungs and the tom at 60m fell like a sack of bricks. Allmost frustrating.

I also used a 378 Stos 870 grains, entering the liver and exiting through heart and lungs. the cat survived 2 minutes before falling like a sack of bricks, but it was an arrow.

I used a 300gr Woodleigh in a .375 H&H on the kitty below.

Don't believe the TSX will not open.i shot one with a 7 mag 160 TSX and one with a 375 RUM
300 grain TSX both blew major holes in the cats.
I shot one with a 7 mag 175 TBBC and the hole was smaller. Shoot the TSX and
Don't pay any attention to the writers that say they don't expand. You will
Be shooting from under 100 yards the are moving fast and will do the job
Perfect. I shot a jackal at 40 yards with the TSX and could not even mount
The thing, it blew him to pieces literally.good luck shoot a big leopard.

I was carrying my 9.3 X 62 using Barnes TSX for the majority of the hunt. The exception was for Spots, where I switched to a Nosler Partition, 286 grain. I made sure both bullets ended up with the same POI prior to leaving and it worked perfect. Even shot a Nosler along with the TSX on site when arriving in Mozambique to confirm. Good luck and don't worry too much about the bullet choice. I would suggest that if you have a chance to reshoot the "actual" distance from blind to bait prior to sitting do so to eliminate any doubts.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Something else to consider when choosing your caliber is that most likely you'll be in DG country at night. I'd feel pretty wimpy sitting there with an '06 with a lion at the back door or elephants walking by.

Bwana,

My experience with TSX is that they don't produce great blood trails particularly right after the shot. I do use them because they shoot very well in my guns and provide exceptional penetration. I usually don't recommend clients take two different loads for the same rifle but if you are going to do that I'd suggest the Nosler Accubond or Partition for the leopard. Both these bullets will give explosive initial expansion and severe tissue destruction but will also retain about 2/3 of their weight for adequate penetration on all the other soft skin game you'll encounter.

I honestly think you'll be fine with the TSX but if you have to track your leopard after the shot for a short way (let's hope) I think you'll have a more obvious trail and a shorter one with the Noslers.

Mark

Federal TB bearclaw or nosler partition + good bullet placement..... dead chui.

I've only shot two leopards, so I'm far from an expert. The first, a 180 grain nosler partition from a .300 win mag. DRT, was stone dead falling from the limb. The second, a 225 grain TBB from a .338 win mag, died right there on the ground where I shot him.

Personally, I would be hesitant to shoot a TSX due to lack of blood trail. If the cat is DRT, no problem, but if he has to be followed I want as good a blood trail as possible, and nosler partitions in particular give those along with great penetration.

SBT:

There's nothing stopping you from taking a 2nd heavier rifle into the blind to cater for unexpected guests.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Bwana,

My experience with TSX is that they don't produce great blood trails particularly right after the shot. I do use them because they shoot very well in my guns and provide exceptional penetration. I usually don't recommend clients take two different loads for the same rifle but if you are going to do that I'd suggest the Nosler Accubond or Partition for the leopard. Both these bullets will give explosive initial expansion and severe tissue destruction but will also retain about 2/3 of their weight for adequate penetration on all the other soft skin game you'll encounter.

I honestly think you'll be fine with the TSX but if you have to track your leopard after the shot for a short way (let's hope) I think you'll have a more obvious trail and a shorter one with the Noslers.

Mark

+1

I love the TSX and that is all I use on my .375 H&H. But as you can read in my recent hunt report (no I didn't get a Leopard) I repeat a couple of times that I rarely get a good blood trail from the TSX. The game does die though and the penetration is outstanding.

I realized the difference in wound channel and blood trails when I saw what Joyce's 7 x 57 did to game with inexpensive factory Sellier & Bellot soft nose bullets. I was never able to examine one after the shot because everyone was a through and through but the game bled big-time from the point of impact.

Cheers
Jim

fujotupu, that is true, but why bother?

Copper plated 00 Buckshot 9 pellets.

I shot my leopard with 30.06 and Nosler AccuBond at 33 yards and worked very well.

I've shot leopard with a 300g Swift, a 210 Accubond (.338), a 300g TSX, and 250g TSXs. The leopard shot with the TSXs didn't move. I'd just stick with what I am shooting at everything else and try to shoot the shoulder going in, especially if quartering to you. He won't move.

My opinion-

Given

The only Leopard I shot didn't even fall out of the tree with a 300 grain TSX, I like them fine.

Since you are using a .300, you are obviously not hunting buffalo with that rifle. Except for eland, I think a softer bullet would be fine for everything if you can get it to shoot well. Try TBBC's, Partitions, North Fork softs, Swift A frames, or as a last option the accubonds ( I just have not had that great of experience with accubonds personally- but others swear by them.) With a leopard, I doubt that the hardness of the bullet matters at all- but with the other larger plains game that you will shoot for bait it may well.

Cats appear not all that hard to kill, if you hit them right. If you don't... a softer slug will give a better blood trail, for sure, but better not to think about that. Positive image!

I've shot two Leopard. The first with a 375 H&H and 300gr TSX. Dead under the tree. The second with a 300 H&H, 180gr TTSX. Dead under the tree.

I have only kiled one Leopard so I won't comment.

I have shot leopards with a 270 Ackley and Barnes X 130 grain bullet, a 7.21 Lazzaroni Firehawk with a 160 grain Swift A Frame, 375/404 with Barnes X 300 grain, and 300 grains Waltehog bullets.

All died with one shot.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
fujotupu, that is true, but why bother?

To eliminate that "wimpy feeling" I guess

quote:

Originally posted by BigBoreCore:
Copper plated 00 Buckshot 9 pellets.

similar experience except it was 12 pellets of lead SSG at under 10 yards. dead at my feet though, so i can't complain.