Unless Zim blows up, I'll be hunting there shortly.

I'll have a leopard quota and plan to use my 375H&H loaded with Federal's 300gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaw.

But, if the cat needs follow up I plan to use my 458wm double rifle. My normal load would be 500gr Woodleigh softs ate about 2145fps, but I have a 350gr Woodleigh load that shoots well and probably over 2300fps or so. I'll chrono it tomorrow.

I got to thinking that bringing a couple of the 350gr loads might be a good idea. What are you all's thoughts?

Thanks,

JPK

Stay with your .375 & TBBC's. You'll only get one shot no matter what you carry if he charges. At close range and a head shot, no Leopard alive can resist that load. Don't miss and depend upon two things: your first shot and a steady PH. Best of luck on your hunt. I'm right behind you.
LDK

Just use something you can shoot quickly and accurately. If it is the double then OK, but you will likely only get one shot off and it doesn't take a lot of gun to stop "Spots" but you must hit him. Just remember, if/when he comes it will be fast and up close and personal.

Geronimo

quote:

Originally posted by Geronomo:
Just use something you can shoot quickly and accurately. If it is the double then OK, but you will likely only get one shot off and it doesn't take a lot of gun to stop "Spots" but you must hit him. Just remember, if/when he comes it will be fast and up close and personal.

Geronimo

Quick shooting is why I will use the double rifle on any follow up - hopefully just to the tree with the dead leopard below.

I had hoped to bring my 375H&H double rifle on the trip, which I think would be the best of both worlds, but it isn't ready yet.

JPK

I like a bullet going over 2250fps for any cat. I would rather use my 9,3 than a regular .458 on lion. Given all the options, place the .375 right the first time and don't bother concerning yourself with the follow up

Ganyana,

Yes, will of course make the first shot "internet perfect" like most all shots taken in hunting reports.

I take it then, should that perfect shot somehow elude me, that you would suggest using the 458wm 350gr loads at something over 2300fps?

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
I like a bullet going over 2250fps for any cat. I would rather use my 9,3 than a regular .458 on lion.

As Ganyana alluded to above, shock is so important on cats, even yard lions of the domestic kind hit with a 22lr carry on for a while after the hit. John, one important question: "Are you hunting the cat with dogs?" If so, then the 458 double with those 350 grain loads @2300fps sound way too cool and it would be better with a very quick shot on the ground. If you are hunting over bait, the scoped 375 will do well with TBBC's or anything else for that matter put in the right place. If you are going to reload, I would try using the Nosler accubond bullet on the leopard.

John, I'll be over in Zim in late June, if things don't get to bent out of shape by then, when are you going over?

Dirk

Dirk,

I leave April 27th (I hope.)

Seems to me that if the Zim runoff election goes on time, I'm in trouble. But no one is going to be able to force that and the "proposed" 90 day delay appears more likely. I'm thinking that so long as there is no "final decision" or imminent balloting, I'll be OK.

If there is indeed a 90 day delay, and the country stays glued together that long, the fellows planning trip departures after the first week or so in June might have trouble.

Of course, I may be exhibiting wishful think when it comes to my timing. Hope your hunt goes off!

The leopard will be over bait, and I'll be using my 375H&H for the first shot.

I will stick with the 300gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaws for the 375H&H since my solid loads shoot to the same POI and my fixed open sight are regulated for that POI. That and I've had great success with them on all game from hyhena or impala size game through eland.

The 350gr 458wm load is with Woodleigh softs, and as I posted, about 2300fps, but I'll chrono tomorrow.

If there were no other DG on quota, I would find a lighter bullet for the 375H&H, but, as in the past, the leopard is "secondary", with other DG primary.

BTW, I would love to hunt leopards with dogs, but I keep allocating hunting time to elephants and the rest becomes subsidiary. I bought a 375H&H double rifle that would be perfect for this hunt or with dogs, but itn't ready yet.

JPK

I killed my leopard with a single 375 H&H 300 grain TBBC. Leopard was dead under the tree but the bullet did not expand as much as I would have liked. Next leopard I'll use the 375 but with 260 grain Accubonds or Nosler Partitions.

JPK,
Keep it simple mate. 300grners for the 375 and 500grners for the 458.

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
JPK,
Keep it simple mate. 300grners for the 375 and 500grners for the 458.

Exactly.

I could never see the point of carrying anything other than one bullet weight for a given gun. A 300 gr. 375 bullet will be just as good as a 250 gr. bullet or anythibg else.

Oz, if I have to keep agrreeing with you, I'll have to ask Saeed to ban you from the Forum.