Hunting a Lion what caliber would you use?

[jim in Anchorage]

"A Marlin 1895 with a few parts swapped out for some from Jim in Anchorage's shop, a low power variable, and loaded with Garrett 420 Hammerheads that I would strive to use at 50-100 yards and be physically and psychologically prepared to fire quickly at near contact range."

Hey! How did I get in this? I never go to Wild West Guns. Too Expensive.
As far as lions I would just use what I use here on bear hunts. A Brno ZKK 602 in .375 H&H. Open sights. Controlled round feeding is all I use on DG.

 

[TimSr]

Lions are not armor plated. Some fat humans weight more. It's all about shot placement. A .30 Carbine should do just fine as long as you can shoot it accurrately. He will be just as dead. I know a guy who hit one with a Land Rover and had to put it down, and he killed it with a .22 behind the ear. Use your 30 carbine if thats what you are comfortable shooting. Its all about shot placement.

If a bigger gun will not put them down any faster or more effectively, then there is no reason to use one.

Yeah, I get tired of hearing those cliche's too!

 

[zb338]

A .338 or a .340 Weatherby Magnum should take care of
any loose lions running around your back yard.

Zeke

 

[CraigC]

Lions are not armor plated.

Nope, they're not. Any good elk rifle will do the job. You don't need the same bone smashing load that would be appropriate for Cape buffalo, hippo, rhino or elephant. Or even brown bears. You do want to make your first shot count and keep shooting until he's down.

 

[BigBore44]

While I am absolutely in love with all things 44 cal and up, I'm not sure if my 1895 is the first gun I would choose. Penetration obviously wouldn't be a problem. I'm sure my 405 hardasts at 1500-1700 FPS would go stem to stern on any adult lion. And no, Lions aren't bulletproof or we wouldn't be having this discussion. But I have shot feral cats at 100 yds with 55gr Vmax and literally watched the cat fold like a flatbread from Subway (eat fresh) and run 75 yards before finally giving up the ghost. And I've seen them go stiff as a board and fall over. Every animal is different. But a lion can cover 75-100 yards a hell of a lot faster than a feral cat. So I would want something with some range to it. And I know all about the range of the 45-70 at Sandy Hook. Not even a fair comparison.

Does it have to be a 375 H&H, 300 Weatherby, Win Mag, RUM? No.
Are those overrated? Not in the least. Not in my eyes where lions are concerned at least.
Could a 270, 308, 30-06 do the job perfectly with the right bullets and well placed shot? Yes

So here's my choice....My SA M1A with a 10 round mag loaded with 180 Swift A-Frames. Why you may ask? Why don't you just make the first shot count?
Answer: I would make VERY sure the first shot counted. But if that cat doesn't fold like a cheap lawn chair and fall over, I don't want to have to worry about working a bolt, reacquiring the target (now under potentially extreme duress especially if the lion should charge) squeezing another round off (repeat until cat falls or gets you). I want to pull the trigger, pull the trigger, and be able to keep pulling it without having to take my attention off the trigger or the lion. Should the lion charge, it ceases to be a hunt in my eyes. Now it's a matter of survival. I have no idea if that rifle is even legal to hunt lion with in Africa. I don't and won't ever hunt big cats. But if I was forced to go, it would be my choice.

 

[eastbank]

does any one remember the ad about shooting a tiger with a 99 savage in .22 savage high power in india? what a death wish. i have only seen two lions in the wild pretty close while hunting in africa and i was impressed with their size. if i am hunting any thing that can make my wife a widow, i want to have more than enough gun. eastbank.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

A double would be nice, to have the second barrel in waiting without having to re-chamber a new round. Kitty tends to come on real quick and can cover much ground, you don't need to be fumbling with a long throw bolt.

If you have a PH behind you then a bolt rifle would suffice. A .375 packs enough wallop.

DG is not about marginal calibres ,it is about preserving your own life, so use a little more gun than you would use on something that runs away. Lions don't.

By the way the chest area of a Lion is packed with tough muscle, do not underestimate the need for penetration.

 

[HexHead]

Well, I'd use my Blaser R8, just get a .375 H&H barrel for it.

 

[Art Eatman]

Yeah, eastbank, I recall the story but not the details. Probably shot from a machan (an elevated blind, higher than a tiger's jump-reach.) A one-shot kill, as I recall. It's maybe or maybe not that the tiger's death was near-instantaneous, though.

 

[Nom de Forum]

I think we all are aware that lions are not “armor plated” or more accurately stated do have the body structure of game that absolutely requires rifles firing extremely heavy, strongly constructed, deep penetrating bullets, capable of breaking them down. I think most people agree that the .375 Holland and Holland cartridge historically is the most versatile and iconic cartridge for hunting in Africa because of its external ballistics, terminal ballistics, and recoil that most hunters find manageable. It is very understandable that many people posting here would choose the .375.

My choice of the Marlin 1895 would be because it is a handier rifle for me to carry than a larger bolt action .375, I can fire it faster than a bolt gun if the lion charges, it fires a 420 grain HC bullet that without expansion makes a large wound track and will completely pass through a lion from any angle, a through and through shot leaves a better blood trail if tracking is required, and I would limit my shots to 100 yards or less. Depending on location it is not unusual for lions to be found near Cape Buffalo. The .375 H&H has probably killed more buffalo than any other cartridge, but I have more confidence in my ability to dissuade an intruding, angry Buff with a faster firing rifle using .45 caliber. 420 grain Hard Cast than a slower firing rifle using a .375 caliber, 300 grain Soft Point or Jacketed Solid. Of course the chance of me ever hunting a lion are very remote and it would have to be for various other reasons than as a trophy. It is fun though to consider the options for even a remote possibility.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

An added precautionary measure is to make sure that you are the fastest runner in the hunting party.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I do not feel unarmed in lion country with any rifle I'd hunt dangerous game with. Starting with a .375H&H shooting 270 or 300gr controlled expansion bullets and up. They are not armor plated but they are tough and vengeful if wounded.

Like most here the chances that I'd ever have the opportunity to hunt a wild lion is nil. I am not interested in hunting a high fenced cat in South Africa. I hope to never have the need to kill a lion in self defense. With that in mind my lion hunting career is a non starter.And I am okay with that. Lion is one critter that I personally don't have any desire to hunt.

 

[Sunray]

Assuming you mean an African lion, most countries tell you it must be a minimum of .375.

 

[jeepnik]

This.



It already has a Happy Trigger and a Bear Proof Ejector. The holo sight is wicked fast which is what you want. Both eyes open and fast on target.

Not sure about ammo, cuz I never gave it any thought. But lions are thin skinned. You need pretty good penetration yet you'd want something that will open up a do a lot of damage fast.

Much as we may like to think we are capable of a CNS shot every time, odds are it won't happen.

Take a look at the end of this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIPAuLd-zvw

One thing I've noticed in most of the videos posted is that they we killed by multiple hunters firing at the same time. Any round that either over or under penetrates isn't going to do thinks as quickly as they need to be done.

 

[SDGlock23]

I'd be alright with my 454 Toklat or BFR.

 

[larbear]

well Im a 45-70 person and my reasoning is if it is good enough for Grizz it should work for lions. I have never hunted in Africa but a consideration not mentioned is multiple targets. My information comes from National Geographic but do not lions travel in Prides. Taking that into consideration the M1A1 makes sense.

 

[WestKentucky]

I'm in agreeance with 375 H&H or many of the other popular African rifles, but it certainly won't be in a bolt rifle. There's a reason double rifles are popular, and this type of hunting is it. Close quarters with a full sized predator built for high speeds and a lot of agility...good luck working the bolt on that big booger after you tame a stout dose of recoil. Nope, double rifle is quick followup with minimal motion. That's the ticket.

 

[CraigC]

jeepnik, that's a nice rig! A friend and I have been talking about doing something similar with a couple of Puma .454 92's.

 

[DeepSouth]

As much as I'd like to do it with my 50-90 Sharps somehow I don't think that'd be........... wise. Lol
I've always wanted a .500 Nitro Express so, even though it's likely over kill, that's probably what what I'd end up with.
Your talking to man that deer hunts with a .450 Marlin, and 400gr bullets.

Yes, I like big boolits, I cannot lie.

 

[Pete D.]

Cartridges

I had a friend, now passed on, who had hunted widely. He had this to say about about lions and cartridge choices...Sorta..."yes, you can kill lions with .30 calibers; you can stack'em up all day with a .30-06. But....when the shot is not perfect and the lion comes for you, and they come VERY fast, you want something that will STOP the animal before it gets to you. Stop it right there and then."
.416 Rigby would be a good choice as would the sacred .375 H&H.
RE: the video of the lion charge...I wonder what Ronnie Krauss (the one with the lion in his lap) was shooting?
Also, (i have seen that video before.) what I have taken away from it is that a hunter, at least under those circumstances, had better be in good shape. Those gents were running through the brush after that animal and then they had to stop and shoot.....an African biathlon....."placing the shot" takes on a whole new meaning under those circumstances, regardless of the cartridge chosen.
Pete

 

[Stony]

Under the current situations, I think I would want to start the hunt with the assistance of the highest caliber lawyer I could find.....there must be one out there somewhere.

 

[jmr40]

but it certainly won't be in a bolt rifle. There's a reason double rifles are popular, and this type of hunting is it. Close quarters with a full sized predator built for high speeds and a lot of agility...good luck working the bolt on that big booger after you tame a stout dose of recoil. Nope, double rifle is quick followup with minimal motion. That's the ticket.

Owning a double rifle is a pipe dream for most. Prices start at about $10,000 for a well worn used rifle and $50,000 or more isn't uncommon. They aren't all that popular because of price, although no one disputes their ability. They are prized by those lucky enough to own one, often passed down from older generations. A CRF bolt rifle is by far the preferred choice and for someone who practices working the bolt is surprisingly fast for repeat shots. It won't match a double, but will easily match or beat a lever action.

I've never given much thought to lion hunting, but did some research on what is legal and recommended by guides in Africa. I was surprised to find that many countries don't have any legal minimum and simply leave the decision up to the hunter. On the other end of the spectrum there are a few that also simply state 375 is the minimum for all dangerous game.

Many were in the middle and stated 7mm or 30 caliber with 3100 ft lbs energy as minimum. That would include 7mm magnum or 30-06 with heavier bullets. The 338 WM came up quite often as a suggested minimum.

If I were specifically planning on hunting one it'd be a CRF bolt rifle in one of the 375's. Probably the 20" barreled Ruger in 375 Ruger. In the far more likely scenario for me, if one escaped from a circus and was presenting a threat in my yard I'd shoot it with my 30-06 and 180 gr bullets. I suspect it'd be just as dead.

 

[jmorris]

Owning a double rifle is a pipe dream for most. Prices start at about $10,000 for a well worn used rifle and $50,000 or more isn't uncommon.

If you could afford the hunt and travel I bet you could borrow a rifle, likely ammunition too.

 

[jeepnik]

As much as I'd like to do it with my 50-90 Sharps somehow I don't think that'd be........... wise. Lol
I've always wanted a .500 Nitro Express so, even though it's likely over kill, that's probably what what I'd end up with.
Your talking to man that deer hunts with a .450 Marlin, and 400gr bullets.

Yes, I like big boolits, I cannot lie.

Why not? To date all of the videos I've seen of lion hills have resulted in not only the hunter, but at least one of the guides firing. I figure the guides do this as a matter of course in case the hunter drops the ball.

 

[CraigC]

Well, "most" lion hunts are accomplished without a charge and without the PH firing a shot. Even so, I'd be highly upset if my PH fired a shot unless it was absolutely necessary. A .50-90 with a good bullet would hammer a lion as well as any other cartridge. The .500NE is a good one for elephant but is a little much for cats. Big difference between hunting rifles and stopping rifles.

Owning a double rifle is a pipe dream for most.

As is lion hunting but Merkel makes a fine double up to .500NE for under $8000.

It won't match a double, but will easily match or beat a lever action.

Wishful thinking. Let me know when you can post a video of someone firing a boltgun as fast as CAS competitors run a levergun.