Dear All,

I searched the forum, but did not find a definitive answer... Perhaps you can help??

Is there a legal cartridge minimum for Leopard in Zim??

A friend is going to Chirisa in March, and I suggested he bring a (second) rifle with a scope suited for low light shooting. That might mean calibers such as the 7x64 (~.280 Rem) or 7mm Rem Mag.

Does that get him in trouble with legal requirements, and can he expect a clean kill with a caliber as small as the 7x64 (assuming good bullets are used)??

His heavy rifle will be a .416 Rigby, and that will obviously work. But he might be a bit limited for low light performance with the scope he has on that rifle.

Thanks for your time in advance.

- mike

Mike it is 7mm and 7x57 allready fits in so x64 should do just fine - see:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=420103056#420103056

I shot mine with 7MM Rem Mag. This caliber is more than enough for leopard and it was legal in Zim until last year, don't know if this has changed.

Thanks guys. That was just the information I needed!
- mike

Boddington in his "Boddington on Leopard" video uses the 30-06. He indicates the caliber makes the minimum energy requirement. I don't know what the actual number is. I used the 30-06 with Barnes X and the cat was dead under the tree.

I shot my Zimbabwe leopard with a 338 Win mag. He would have been just as dead just as fast if I'd used a 30-06 or 7X64. I think the key is to use good softs like Partitions, North Forks, A frames, Bearclaws and of adequate weight.

Not meaing to hyjack this thread, but how about .270 WSM with 160gr. Nosler Partition for Leopard in Namibia. Legal?? Enough gun?? Thanks!! Figured we might as well get 2 countries worth for the same price!!

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry, yes its legal, and would be a good choice. Top it off with a really good scope, of which the 2.5-10x42 Swarovski is my favourite, and you would be perfect.
IMO Namibian leopard are often shot at a greater distance than Zim leopard, as there is just less bush. (Average about 80-120 yards.) (Especially in the Khomas and Kalahari regions, where I hunt them most myself.)

quote:

Originally posted by Karl S:
Larry, yes its legal, and would be a good choice. Top it off with a really good scope, of which the 2.5-10x42 Swarovski is my favourite, and you would be perfect.
IMO Namibian leopard are often shot at a greater distance than Zim leopard, as there is just less bush. (Average about 80-120 yards.) (Especially in the Khomas and Kalahari regions, where I hunt them most myself.)

If 7mm is minimum in Zim for leopard, then the 270 WSM is not legal. The 270 is a .277 dia, and the 7mm is .284 dia, and is minmum dia legal for leopard. That is not to say it wouldn't be a fine leopard chambering, it would, but IMO, not legal in Zimbabwe, for leopard.

Not trying to second guess the Namibian (or Zim) regulations, but strictly speaking a .277 cal is a 7mm. .277" ~ 7.03mm. .284" ~ 7.21 mm.

So it really depends how the bureaucrats interpret the minimum "7mm caliber" requirement. If by caliber they simply mean bullet diameter, then .277 cal does the job.

- mike

MacD37 - My question/concern was about the 270WSM in Namibia and Karl's answer of "yes it's legal" was also for Namibia. Guess I shouldn't have injected another Country into this? I guess two subjects in one thread are a little to much for some??

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by Karl S:
Larry, yes its legal, and would be a good choice. Top it off with a really good scope, of which the 2.5-10x42 Swarovski is my favourite, and you would be perfect.
IMO Namibian leopard are often shot at a greater distance than Zim leopard, as there is just less bush. (Average about 80-120 yards.) (Especially in the Khomas and Kalahari regions, where I hunt them most myself.)

If 7mm is minimum in Zim for leopard, then the 270 WSM is not legal. The 270 is a .277 dia, and the 7mm is .284 dia, and is minmum dia legal for leopard. That is not to say it wouldn't be a fine leopard chambering, it would, but IMO, not legal in Zimbabwe, for leopard.

7mm rem mag! 162 grn BTSP.

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
Not trying to second guess the Namibian (or Zim) regulations, but strictly speaking a .277 cal is a 7mm. .277" ~ 7.03mm. .284" ~ 7.21 mm.

So it really depends how the bureaucrats interpret the minimum "7mm caliber" requirement. If by caliber they simply mean bullet diameter, then .277 cal does the job.

- mike

You are technicaly correct, in the exact translation of inches to MM! However, I somehow fear the game man who decides whether it is legal in Africa, will go by the lable on the box (270WSM),or the listing in the book,(270, vs 7mm) as he may not be as well trained in math as you!

That being said, IMO, the 243 win should be legal, because what is needed for Leopard is a very accurate rifle that has enough speed to cause massive shock to the CNS, and the 243 win with a 100 gr bullet @3000 fps will do excactly that!

I didn't understand, because I read this to be saying that it is legal in Namibia, and asking about Zimbabwe, as well! Sorry about the (MY) confusion!

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