Would one be terribly handicapped with this round out of an affordable double for oryx, kudu and the like? I suppose it very much depends on where one would hunt, especially as far as open or aperture sights are concerned, as to whether it would have enough reach from the double platform.

Bill

I have not hunted that caliber, but I did hunt with a very good friend that had a Merkel O/U in 9.3 x 74r. He used it for all his plainsgame and his buff. His longest shots were around 150 yds for zebra and wildbeast. I don't feel you will have a problem with this set up.

It would not be my choice for the open deserts of Namibia, but for most hunting it would do great.

500grains: That would be my primary concern: reaching reliably to 200 yards. Probably means I need to have a thorough chat with any potential outfitter about the terrain and the sorts of shots that present themselves.

My scoped Chapuis 9.3x74r was perfectly adequate to 200 yds and considerably beyond. That doesn't mean I am capable much beyond 200yds.I have never felt undergunned or range deprived with the 9.3x74r.

I would feel fine about 200 yards, but would be concerned about anything beyond 250.

Bill,

I took a 9.3x74R scoped double to Namibia this year.

But my main choice of firearm was the guides custom Mauser 98 in 8x68S which I wanted to give a good try with. I had arranged to be able to borrow it for a lot of the Namibian hunting. The shots were not extremely long but the 8x68S performed very well and effectively on warthog, gemsbok, springbok and hartebeest. A 8x68S is like a hard hitting .300 Magnum.

BTW the PH was Karl Stumpfe of Ndumo Safaris who posts here on AR and elsewhere.

As for the 9.3 double. I suffered some problem with the regulation coming out of whack. Ended up "re-regulating" the adjustable barrels so the top barrel acted as a single shot with the bottom barrel as a emergency barrel. Couldn't finish the job as I needed to conserve some ammo for hunting in Zimbabwe later on.

Used it a couple of times, including a warthog.

The trajectory of a 9.3x74R is a little rainbow to me for hunting out of the bush. My preference would be to choose a flatter calibre more suited to open country and especially if you need to take long shots.

For typical bush hunting in parts of South Africa and Zimbabwe it would do quite OK in my opinion. With proper shot placement and projectiles it will handle buffalo.

Bill

I have used my 9.3 on a number of animals in Nambia from Oryx to Zebra. It is good to 200 plus and I would do it again. You don't need a 400 yard rifle unless you want to shoot long range.

I am going to take my 9.3x74r next trip. It should be able to talk a leopard out of a tree.

I don't want to speak for another member but member "N E 450 No 2" has used 9.3 74R double on plains game several times and is Zim now. I'm sure he would chime in on this topic if he had internet access. I've talked to him about this cartrige on plains game and he swears by it.

NitroX: Was your 9.3 a Valmet over/under?

Bill, Nitrox's gun was (is ) a Tikka O/U

Bill and Karl,

You are both correct. The double was a Tikka 512 which is basically the same as the Valmet 412 or the new Finnclassic.

quote:

Originally posted by Brain1:
I am going to take my 9.3x74r next trip. It should be able to talk a leopard out of a tree.

I agree! Idon't think there is a better cartridge for Leopard. With a properly scoped 9.3X74R double rifle, the double is perfect for the leopard/lion on bait, and with the scope removed is perfect for follow-up if he gets into the weeds wounded!

NitroX has taken several Water Buffalo with the 9.3X74R double, so I don't think it will be a drawback on Leopard, or plains game out to 200 yds, and beyond if you can shoot it!

Take a lok at this pics and videos.

I guess the pics tells it all..

http://www.sluttstykket.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13084

Videoes. Rightclick and save as..
http://www.weatherbyrifler.com/xo/S%f8r-Africa%202005-1.mpg

http://www.weatherbyrifler.com/xo/Safari%202003.mpg

Alf: Nice photos and video clips. I guess it is clear the 9.3 is a fine choice for kudu, eh?

Bill/Oregon..
Please forgive my rusty english!

I guess that the 9,3x74R, or the 9,3x62 can put down any game you want. You just have to put your bullets/shot(s) at the right place.

BUT, I don’t think of shots farther than 200 meters.

For me, hunting is to get as close to my game animals/trophies as possible, not to shoot at long ranges. Most of my African game has been taken closer than 60 meters.
And yes, for me, the 9,3 have worked very well, with or without scope and I know it will for anyone who likes "hunting", and not "long range shooting"!

I hunted Namibia in Aug this year with a
9.3x62. took 12 animals plus shot extras for leopard bait. Eleven were one shot kills three DRT. None went more than 30yrds except one, from my bad shot. Eland was the only recoverd bullet every thing else passed through.
Longest shot 275 yrds shortest shot 75 yrds.
Used 285 grain oryx bullets. Did not have rangefinder with me the day I shot a kudu
and under estimated badly a steep uphill shot.
Three shots later bull down.

The Valmet/Tikka/Finnclassic is a great choice as the bbls are superbly accurate (Lothar Walther cut-rifled blanks are used to build these bbl sets). And the regulation is adjustable so you can put the bullets on top of each other. There is a very good QD scope mount available, and the icing on the cake is you can get one, with a set of 12 ga screw choke bbls and a scope mount, brand new for under $2500.

Contact me if interested, I am the agent for these great versatile guns.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by Brain1:
I am going to take my 9.3x74r next trip. It should be able to talk a leopard out of a tree.

I agree! Idon't think there is a better cartridge for Leopard. With a properly scoped 9.3X74R double rifle, the double is perfect for the leopard/lion on bait, and with the scope removed is perfect for follow-up if he gets into the weeds wounded!

NitroX has taken several Water Buffalo with the 9.3X74R double, so I don't think it will be a drawback on Leopard, or plains game out to 200 yds, and beyond if you can shoot it!

Are there any pictures of these buffalos??
And to all the others who has used 9,3xx74R in Africa. Do you have any pics?

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:

quote:

Originally posted by 9,3x74R:
Are there any pictures of these buffalos??
And to all the others who has used 9,3xx74R in Africa. Do you have any pics?

This thread has pictures from NitroX's hunt.

Thank you Charles_Helm

And again, ALL YOU OTHERS WHO HAS USED 9,3X74R IN AFRICA.. LET`S SEE YOUR PICS?