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I also have never shot a lion or leopard in Africa either.

Many PH's in Africa are nowadays of the opinion that guns loaded with buckshot or even slugs are more than marginal for hunting big cats and above all for backup in case of an attack.

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My armchair knowledge agrees with that for buckshot.

My opinion has long been a big bore double rifle is better for leopard follow up and absolutely for lion follow up. The PHs using shotguns usually do not have or can not afford a proper double rifle.

You misunderstood my comments though. Not using a shotgun on foot, hunting from a lion or tiger charge. But if it works for this, IF in a howdah, defending against a tiger at extremely short range it might be adequate. ???

My comment on brown bears. If carrying a shotgun loaded with some form of slug or solid, is considered adequate defence, per real life experience, against grizzly or brownbear attack, then 8 can't see it not adequate for a tiger at very close range. ??? This is one question which can be answered from many hunters, trekkers, forest workers, even householders personal encounters.

Some of these beasts are still shot with shotguns or similar firearms. Around the world a shotgun. Is often a firearm a peasant or poor farmer might be allowed access to, or could afford.

It's very theoretical, as no one will be hunting tiger from a howdah in our modern age. We have seen videos of tigers leaping onto tourist or forest workers elephants backs however. So if one could be armed, a short barrelled shotgun might be acceptable.

From a historical viewpoint, these theoretical discussions might give an idea what else might have been used. In addition to these very cool double barrelled howdah tiger defence pistols which seem to have had a very specific purpose. Other more usual firearms used for the purpose might have faded into obscurity. The side by side breech loading howdah pistol IMO owes its origins to the earlier muzzle loading howdah pistols. Two barrels being better for tiger than one! With breech loading firearms, breech loading DRs, shotguns might have been used. I am pretty sure the British officers, colonial officials, and Indian gentlemen hunting might have used the very common .455 Webley revolvers as well. All of these common firearms if used as howdah defence weapons would have faded into historical obscurity.

Lastly my personal interest other than historical fascination, personal desire for acquiring examples on the "never never", research for perhaps writing articles, is also I'd love to develop a "Howdah target shooting" competition. I've brainstormed it before. Build a Howdah basket or cage. Perhaps a bit wobbly. Maybe mountable on a trailer cage for elephant height. A charging tiger target, or flippable tiger target. A cool idea might be a shot or two at a running or charging tiger with a suitable long arm. Then a tiger target at extremely close range flips up. One has X seconds to draw the howdah pistol and fire one or two shots into the kill zone. Simulating a elephant back Tiger hunt. Shots a tiger in the jungle. A wounded tiger attacks the elephant or people on its back.

A Pedersoli .45 LC Howdah pistol might make a decent example for such a comp. Or some of these other firearms we've talked about.

Safety and how to ensure it would be an issue to ensure.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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