Which bullet in 300WM for Leopard?

[Surgeon1]

Those with honest Leopard experience, which would you choose?

Swift 180gr Scirocco
Swift. 200gr A-Frame
Nosler Partition 180 gr
Nosler Partition 200gr
Accubond 180gr

 

[Fatback]

I shot mine with a 180 nosler partition and the cat was dead under the tree. No muss and no fuss. Very pleased with the performance of that cartridge in my 300 win mag. I used it on PG as well, up to eland and kudu with great performance

 

[tygersman1]

Take it for what’s it’s worth - do not shoot a high velocity 300 mag with an expanding bullet like a 180 Nosler partition or accubond at close range (60 yds or less) and expect good results. Use the Aframe 200 grain or make sure you’re 75 yds or further.

 

[DLSJR]

I shot my first leopard at 45 yards with a 300 Winchester and 180 grain Nosler Partition. He was a big Tom, just over 165 pounds. He was stone dead as he fell off the limb, limp and upside down.

 

[Luvthunt]

340 Wby with 225 Nosler partition. DRT……61 steps.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

This is from Hendershots Extreme Custom ammo website:

 

[PeteG]

Is the 180gr a-frame not an option?
that would be my first choice, but since it’s not up there, I suggest the 200gr a-frame.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Is the 180gr a-frame not an option?
that would be my first choice, but since it’s not up there, I suggest the 200gr a-frame.

I agree, just shoot everything with an A-Frame. Except Elephant.

 

[godwincp]

My PH recommended and I shot my Zimbabwe leopard with the 180 gr Nosler partition from my 300 Win Mag. Dead before he hit the ground. You still have to make an accurate shot!

 

[Luvthunt]

Read Doctari book Th Perfect Shot for a good reference point.

 

[CJW]

Those with honest leopard experience are PH's. I don't believe I have ever heard one recommend a tough bullet like an a-frame, tsx, TBBC, etc. It's always softer, fragmenting bullets like hornady sp's, partitions, AB's, etc.

 

[PeteG]

Those with honest leopard experience are PH's. I don't believe I have ever heard one recommend a tough bullet like an a-frame, tsx, TBBC, etc. It's always softer, fragmenting bullets like hornady sp's, partitions, AB's, etc.

I big calibers I would agree. Such as 375+.
in a 30cal. I don’t think there is an issue.

 

[Waterbuck2008]

The cat won't feel the difference in any of the choices you gave, but this application is right in the Partition's wheelhouse. 180 or 200.

 

[Rubberhead]

It seems to me that the A-frame and Partition will punch the same hole through the cat but the Partition will impart a lot more hydrostatic shock before exiting. I would think if you did this 1000 times you'd have a 1000 dead cats but the A-frame cat would just average going further after the shot. But, hey, looking for Schrödinger's leopard is part of the leopard hunting fun, right?

 

[steve white]

+1 north fork percussion point, and strangely enough, rem corelock

 

[Wyfox]

Large Mule deer buck bullet performance. 180gr Accubond from a 300 ultramag
First shot quartering slightly to me at 754yds through point of left shoulder and lodged in right ham.

Second shot coup de grace, 20yds through front shoulder blade, bullet just under hide on opposite side. Muzzle velocity is 3200 at muzzle.

Pretty sure you'll be well suited with an Accubond or Partition on a Leopard.

 

[slam8031]

My leopard was taken with 180 grain nosler partition with 30-06.

 

[DLSJR]

Steve White mentions a bullet, the Remington CoreLokt, that wasn’t among the choices offered to vote on. He’s spot on with this observation as a CoreLokt would definitely be a great leopard bullet. The Sierra Game King would be another but also wasn’t on the original list. Even though I voted for Nosler Partition, I wouldn’t hesitate to use either of these bullets for a leopard.

Leopards, if shot well, are not difficult to kill. My personal view is that a Partition, Accubond or these two bullets are probably the best choices. I’ve only shot 2 but will be trying for my 3rd leopard this August in the Selous. I’ll be shooting my 338 Winchester with 225 grain TTSX bullet. This is way more than needed for a leopard, but it’s my favorite rifle and groups those bullets tightly. That combo works for nearly anything.

If I was doing a dedicated leopard only hunt, I’d probably just shoot my 30-06 and a 180 Partition or CoreLokt. It’d be plenty good for even the biggest leopard.

 

[tygersman1]

Take it for what’s it’s worth - do not shoot a high velocity 300 mag with an expanding bullet like a 180 Nosler partition or accubond at close range (60 yds or less) and expect good results. Use the Aframe 200 grain or make sure you’re 75 yds or further.

Here’s an actual frozen frame from a vid (stopped to see bullet) of leopard being struck by a 180 gr Nosler Accubond (300 win mag) at less than 50 yds. Dead at bottom of the tree? Hardly.
Again, it may or may not work at close range out of a high velocity magnum. Why chance it? Just get more distance, so the bullet can stabilize or pick the Aframe.

 

[buffybr]

I've only shot one leopard, the one in my avatar (photo taken by Brickburn, thank you Wayne!) I shot it in Mozambique with a 168 gr Barnes TTSX bullet from my .300 Weatherby at a distance of 50 yards. We found him stone dead 19 paces from where I shot him.

I don't see any reason why any of the bullets listed at the start of this thread wouldn't quickly kill a leopard, IF it was shot into the right place.

As with most hunting shots, I think that the most important thing is bullet placement.