Buckshot & Leopard- Fact Or Fiction?

[mark-hunter]

This is one lengthy discussion.
If the point of forum is education and learning, what have I learnt on this subject?

My choice for leopard would be:
9.3x62, 9.3x64, 375 H&H and upwards, 416 is not overkill.
First, for the well aimed initial shot, and later in case of tracking and any charge later.
With highest hope never to experience charge.

Emphasis is on well aimed, first shot, when leopard is on the bait.
Thats what I have learnt.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I just read Kawshik Rahman’s story about the elephant back leaped hunt which resulted in a charge. At point blank range his friend shot the leopard in the face with a 12 gauge SG load (9 pellets) and it did not kill the leopard but did stop the charge. An inspection showed that none of the pellets had reached the brain.

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

Gentlemen ( and l address everybody)
everyone here ( even those who might share a different view from my own ) has treated me very respectfully in my time here . People can have different opinions on matters , but that is alright. My father ( Lord rest his soul ) told me once that different people have different experiences in life which lead them to come to different conclusions. All views should be considered ( even if we do not support the view ourselves ). I have written a new article today about my use of a shot-gun specifically with photographs included . Perhaps , you may all enjoy it and l have written some specific instances in a clean , chronological order. Perhaps my experiences are not enough to make an educated conclusion , but it is a conclusion nonetheless .

 

[Pondoro]

I think lvW talk a lot of sense here (as usual..). I buy the argument that shotgun pellets will flatten against hard muscles….I guess seeing is believing..

For follow up on wounded leopard a double barreled shotgun loaded with Brenneke slugs OR a double rifle in .350 - .470 calibre loaded with a soft with lots of visible lead such as Woodleighs sounds good to me (who has no experience with cats..).

I have an old Kynoch box with .416 Rigby hollow point ammo….cartridges for lion..??

lvW, would you still stick to the Brenneke slug if you had a double rifle as described..?

 

[Pondoro]

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

In my humble , but outdated experience , if l were to choose the best fire arm for this sort of work , my preference would lie with the following :
A double barrel rifle of magnum .375 calibre with barrels not longer than 26 inches of length . It must have two triggers and must not have an automatic safety mechanism.

 

[spike.t]

View attachment 308671

Interesting never seen them before

 

[IvW]

I think lvW talk a lot of sense here (as usual..). I buy the argument that shotgun pellets will flatten against hard muscles….I guess seeing is believing..

For follow up on wounded leopard a double barreled shotgun loaded with Brenneke slugs OR a double rifle in .350 - .470 calibre loaded with a soft with lots of visible lead such as Woodleighs sounds good to me (who has no experience with cats..).

I have an old Kynoch box with .416 Rigby hollow point ammo….cartridges for lion..??

lvW, would you still stick to the Brenneke slug if you had a double rifle as described..?

No not if I had one in 375 Flanged or larger.. But in 12ga as per my poor mans double, it is what I have and have used extensively on leopard backup with great success.

 

[autofire]

When Botswana allowed leopard hunting the standard practice was to use a semi-auto shotgun with buckshot at close range. This method was for the actual hunt, not following up on a wounded leopard. But since they were using shotguns for the hunt, likely they used shotguns to followup on wounded leopard. You can contact KochSafaris.com for detailed info.

 

[IvW]

When Botswana allowed leopard hunting the standard practice was to use a semi-auto shotgun with buckshot at close range. This method was for the actual hunt, not following up on a wounded leopard. But since they were using shotguns for the hunt, likely they used shotguns to followup on wounded leopard. You can contact KochSafaris.com for detailed info.

Yes that is correct, nobody has denied that shotguns loaded with buckshot have not been used on Leopards. Many hunters used shotguns and yes loaded with buckshot and slugs.

Hunting leopards in Botswana is done by tracking only, no baiting was allowed. So the leopard is tracked until it has had enough and becomes tired. This is an unwounded leopard, which also makes a big difference. It then makes a stand and the leopard is then shot. Many of these "hunts" were conducted from the back of a land cruiser and not on foot, only the unarmed trackers would be on foot. Many shots are normally fired and yes the leopard gets killed. During the scuffles the leopard eventually charges. Being hammered normally by more than one shotgun they often turn presenting a side on shot.

Many leopards have been shot with buckshot that is not the point, the point is that buckshot is not the best solution to dealing with a charging leopard, there are many better options. This has been my experience anyway.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The video demonstrates exactly what IvW has stated.
Chase a leopard with dogs and trackers while the hunters are in the bakkie.

An image from the video.

Another discussion
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/leopard-attack-while-hunting-with-jeff-rann-in-botswana.23305/

 

[IvW]

Not only was illegal means used but also illegal firearms, would be real interesting to find out how they managed not one but two semi automatic fire arms...
Below are the regulations that were in place at the time.

Botswana Limits
• You may import a total of three (3) firearms into Botswana: two (2) rifles and one (1) shotgun; or two (2) shotguns and one (1) rifle. Rifles must be of different calibers.
• A maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition per firearm. Note that an import tax and duty is charged by customs on arrival. (Remember that airlines will restrict you to no more than 11 pounds or 5 kilos of ammunition.)
• Ammunition must be the same caliber(s) as the firearms you are importing.
• Semi-automatic, automatic and military-style firearms, and handguns are prohibited.
• Firearms in military calibers, including .308/.303 (7.62x51mm NATO), are prohibited, as well as .22 caliber.

Trophy hunting in Botswana is dictated by fair chase regulations and hunting is governed by the Department of Wildlife & National Parks (DWNP) which falls under the Ministry of Wildlife, Environment & Tourism.

- Hunting from a vehicle is not permitted, though the vehicle can be used to reach the area from where hunting on foot can begin.
- Shooting an animal from a vehicle is not permitted, a person actually needs to be 220 yards (200 meters) away from a vehicle to shoot an animal.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

I’ve read a number of times that some hunters use rimfire cartridges to kill treed mountain lion. If so then leopards must be much tougher than mountain lions which I’ve read too.

 

[grand veneur]

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/a-question-about-african-leopards.54405/page-2#post-601922

 

[daawg1963]

if you can hit it a rifle is a much better choice saw a leopard vid take both barrels and stand growl then run off at 20 yards

 

[daawg1963]

I’ve read a number of times that some hunters use rimfire cartridges to kill treed mountain lion. If so then leopards must be much tougher than mountain lions which I’ve read too.

Ive killed Mt Lion with 22 mag ruger single six non hollow point , hollow points will not do a good job, however Ive shot 2 leopards 1 was much tougher x 10

 

[jamesgil]

Good Post!

 

[IvW]

if you can hit it a rifle is a much better choice saw a leopard vid take both barrels and stand growl then run off at 20 yards

There is no substitute for shot placement....

 

[Nevada Mike]

Back in the late 60s and 70s I knew a semi-famous PH named Liam Lynn. I asked him the 'what's the most frightening game animal?' question. He told me that the most uncomfortable situations were wounded leopards that invariably took to deep bush. He told me that his preferred weapon in these situations was a Browning auto-5 with double aught buckshot. Liam worked in Kenya for Web Cottar and after Kenya closed hunting he worked his own company in Botswana. I guess he could be added to the ist of believers.

 

[grand veneur]

Back in the late 60s and 70s I knew a semi-famous PH named Liam Lynn. I asked him the 'what's the most frightening game animal?' question. He told me that the most uncomfortable situations were wounded leopards that invariably took to deep bush. He told me that his preferred weapon in these situations was a Browning auto-5 with double aught buckshot. Liam worked in Kenya for Web Cottar and after Kenya closed hunting he worked his own company in Botswana. I guess he could be added to the ist of believers.

For me in a normal situation i think the bear is the most dangerous species on the mainland. However , as far as a wounded animal is concerned and must be followed , I have also heard from many sides that it's the leopard. Some also said that a double gun load with buckshot would be a good medicine. I have no experience when looking for wounded big cats so it's hard to comment on that. On the other side we could read on this forum by experienced hunters , with good arguments , that it is not the case. Buckshot is expressly not recommended.