I wouldn’t mind a big sewn up hole on my rug. I would hate to watch a leopard run off into the bush.
I think I’d go for the biggest nastiest hole I could punch through it. I’ve seen even a 243 with 95BT put a hurting on deer and exit. Doubt leopard are much thicker/heavier?
Obviously a lot of ways to get it done.
John Kingsley-Heath was a famous PH, who ever before he started guiding hunted leopards avidly in several countries. (Among several famous hunters he guided was Jack O'Connor.) He and his clients killed hundreds of leopards, and Kingsley-Heath eventually decided the .243 was ideal. It killed them quite suddenly with a properly placed shot--which was easily accomplished with the light recoil, and didn't tear up hides as much as larger calibers.
