A question for those with experience, the more the better.
Concerning a rifle for use in case of escaped big cats at expected ranges of 100 yards and less, in the U.S.
By an experienced shooter/hunter/handloader.
Any caliber preference between .375 H&H (or Ruger) and .458WM?
Based on my research (to date) I'm leaning pretty heavily right now toward .375 Ruger, 260 gr. Nosler Partition.
In a relatively short barrel rifle such as the Ruger Guide Gun but I'm watching the used market for .375 H&H, .416 and .458WM.
Weight is no concern to me but short/handy is.
The rifle will see quite a bit of practice and range time.
Basically I'm adding a rifle, in a caliber I don't have and want it to be close to ideal for main purpose mentioned, all else would be of secondary importance.
John
Your choice of the .375 Ruger and a 260 NP is a good one. I have taken both lion and leopard in recent years. The leopard was a DRT one shot kill with a .338 Winchester loaded with a 225 NP at ~2,850 fps. The lion was shot with a .416 Rigby loaded with a 400 grain A-Frame. The A-Frame zipped straight on through with no apparent expansion and resulted in an "exciting" followup. I would have been better served with your .375 Ruger and a 260 NP, as you noted for the first shot.
For followup of a wounded cat, a .470 or .500 N.E loaded with Woodleigh softs in a well fitted, quick handling double is what you need.
