Shotgun's inadequacy ???

[PlayMaker]

I read an article in the most recent issue of 'Outdoor Life' where this african guide goes after a wounded leopard with a shotgun filled with slugs and failed to stop the cat. His first shot raked the cats side between the brisket and the shoulder but had missed all the vitals. His second shot "into the grass" - I'm assuming he just shot at the bush where the leopard had been - had struck the cat in the back but did little damage. His shot as the cat charged had hit the shoulder, while the next went in under the eye. Unfortunately, the slugs had broken upon impact, thus reducing their lethality. And he goes on about a shotgun being inadequate.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but besides the last shot isn't this a case of the shooter's shot placement rather than the shotgun? Now given, even if the last shot to the head had shattered on the skull upon impact wouldn't that be easily remidied if by using a harder cast slug like a brenneke?

I'm no shotgun expert but just wanted your input and opinions on this subject. I'm sure some of you have experience with hunting with shotguns and slugs - maybe even some with african hunting experience - and can fill me in.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Hmmm.....and what does this tell us about the African guide as a professional? He uses inadequate ammunition and what he believes is also the wrong gun with poor shot placement?

 

[redneck2]

Go over to Box-O-Truth and see what a slug will do.

 

[tcrocker]

I read the same thing. Seams to me that he should have known better. If the game is not dangerous ie deer eny slug will do. But if you are going after a beast, and you wont to use a shotgun copper slugs should be used.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Got it. Next time I chase down a wounded leopard, I won't use my shotgun.

No doubt a .600 Nitro Express would be more efficient, but given the hits you describe, other than the last one, I doubt the outcome would have been very different. The shooter has to do his part.

Read Capstick. The shotgun is often the weapon of choice when tracking down wounded game.

I have no personal experience and will most likely never be well heeled enough to get any. Just my thoughts.

 

[Virginian]

Perter Capstick and others preferred :
1) Don't wound leopards.
2)If you have to go in after them, use a shotgun.
3) Buckshot.
4)A good stouthearted gun bearer you owe 6 months back wages to by your side with a nice sharp Assegei.

 

[RP88]

he either is an inadequate shooter or bought an inadequate cheap-o shotgun and/or bad ammo.

That doesnt mean that the class of shotguns is inadequate.

 

[Fred Fuller]

There are an awful lot of various makes and models of shotgun ammo out there. If you are going to put your life on the line behind one of them, it's better IMHO to get up off a few bucks and use the good stuff.

In the case of shotgun slugs, fortunately the load that has served me best for a good while is also one of the least expensive- the Brenneke KO. It uses a hard lead alloy slug with good sharp shoulders, cuts a neat round hole and like the Energizer Bunny just keeps going and going. I prefer it to any of the soft lead Foster type slugs out there, and a load of KOs rides in the Sidesaddles of each of the HD guns here.

Not likely we'll ever get jumped by wounded leopards here in southeastern NC, but thin- skinned lightly- boned bipedal creatures of 100-250 pounds may well decide to make themselves a problem at some point...

lpl/nc

 

[Der Verge]

I would have to completely have to disagree with the PH saying 12ga slugs would be inadequate on such game. Perfect story was from this winter. I took a BIG doe at about 115 yards. Remington Buckhammer blew a 1" hole straight throuh her. Hit a rib on both sides, and there was an explosion in the snow, off behind her, where the slug came to rest.

Same slug, same shotgun, but my buddy shooting. Now, before anyone calls BS, my bud still has the pictures. 6pt buck shot THROUGH a 6-7" poplar, and all the way through the boiler room. Both these deer died where they were shot.

Now, I know deer are not leopard, but using the deer as test media, I am willing to bet that a good slug would drive a 1"hole straight through that cat.

BTW, anyone have the name of that PH? I want to make sure I never hire him.