The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting 9.3 opinionsGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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More than any other hunt in the world, I want to hunt Africa. Unfortunately, until I retire from the Navy I can not know my schedule far enough in advance to be able to make the long-term plans required to do it right. (At this point it difficult to even apply for out of state draw tags with any certainty of being able to use them if drawn - I've been burned more than once.) So for the next four to eight years I get to read the magazine articles, look at the photo albums in this forum and others and dream about that first safari. I also can have a little fun putting my African battery together, working up loads and having fun at the range. I have a Ruger in .416 Rigby so I think the buffalo portion is done. I know my tried and true 30-06 would be just fine for plains game, but I also know that a "medium" rifle caliber would fit the bill better. For some reason I really can't explain I want something a little different for this rifle. Rather than going with one of the .338s or .375s, I am leaning toward either the 9.3x62 or 9.3x64. I've looked at the ballistics for both with 250gr and 286gr bullets. I understand the Brenneke will shoot flatter and also kick harder. I think I would probably have a little broader choice of rifles in the 9.3x62 from what I have seen so far. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go wrong with either, but I would appreciate any feedback from the forum with your experiences and thoughts on these two calibers. Right now I am planning on a 10 - 15 day buffalo/plains game safari to what ever country makes the most sense at the time for what will hopefully be the first of many trips. Which caliber would you pair with the the .416 for your hunting? Thanks for the feedback and thanks for the outstanding knowledge and entertainment this forum provides. Soli Deo Gloria | ||
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9.3 is good---How about a 9.3x74R double? I have a Chapuis that shoots at 100 yds with both barrels as good as I can shoot with one barrel on my others. Doubles have an extra margin of fun-- plus you get that extra fast second shot (reason that it might be needed for lion or leopard!!) Steve "He wins the most, who honour saves. Success is not the test." Ryan "Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything." Stalin Tanzania 06 Argentina08 Argentina Australia06 Argentina 07 Namibia Arnhemland10 Belize2011 Moz04 Moz 09 | |||
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I have taken a number of plains game with the 9.3X62 and it is an absolute killer and I wouldn't hesitate recommending it for any plains game hunt in countries where game will likely be shot at 200yds or less. I have, on two occasions used my 416 Remington for everything from Cape buffalo to jackal with excellent results.I have also used the 338 win mag with very satisfactory results. On two safaris however I would have loved to have had either my 338 or 300H&H. The 416 and the 9.3x62 are very close in effective range being around 200yds but the other two will stretch comfortably to 300 and beyond.So,can I recommend the 416 Rigby and 9.2X62 combination..hell ya. But I like the 416's and 338 or 300's better. As for the 9.3X64, I think it's an excellent European caliber but has nothing on the 375h&h and to my way of thinking the 375h&h does nothing the 416 doesn't do better. | |||
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Like you, been planning a hunting trip to Africa for sometime now, been there several trips, but not to hunt game, business related and never time for the "important things..." I have a 458Lott, 375HH and a 9.3x62 which I like very much for a whole host of reasons. You can build one on a modest budget that works fine, but reason I went ahead on the 375HH is that not knowing at this time, if ever, where I would end up hunting, there are caliber/bore diminsion restrictions for various game and various countries. 375HH is good to go for anything, anywhere, anytime, no question about it. People claim that the 9.3x62 is a real "killer" on game of all sizes and sure that is true, but it is not a 375HH nor is the 9.3x74. Restrictions are restrictions and would not want to fall into that trap for once in a lifetime hunt. Again, have a real affinity for my 9.3 Mauser w/ Douglas barrel-26", NECG sights front and rear, NECG barrel band swivel stud, nicely done Turnbull blue job on VZ24 action, nitre blued bottom metal, other metal parts, jewelled bolt w/ entire action interior mirror polished, glass smooth and feeds and ejects always, so yes, great rifle in all respects for me, but would not forego my 375HH for any of the others if it came to a choice. Just me and sure others will have other opinions, but good luck on whatever you select. | |||
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..........................The Brenneke doesn,t kick any harder than the Mauser ,.,.,.It is an easy build on a CRF 06 size action ......It provides more safety than the mauser @ 10 feet -150 yards and flatter trajectory ......Remember the MINAMUM for an experienced hunter is how the rule is written in Zimbabwe concerning the 9.3x62 Mauser .........To say or allow yourself to be convinced that it is fully the equal to the 375 H&H is foolishness ....The Brenneke , while still smaller than the 375 , is much less so than than.Mauser .......It is just a nicer general purpose rifle .........If you can shoot your 416 as well ,, shooting a 9.3x 64 Brenneke is a walk in the park .....It shoots almost as flat as the 338 Win Mag but hits Almost identicle to the 375 H&H ...........Here,s mine...iiiIt is so sweet shooting it has become my , 06 ... ....  ,,,,.If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined .... | |||
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The main difference between the 9,3x62 and the .375 H&H is that the 9,3 rifles are lighter and handier. However, they are not legal for dangerous game in many places. That being said, the caliber is very effective on game out to 225 yards or so. I have taken Impala, Warthog, Blue Wildebeast, Kudu, Zebra, feral pigs (up to 200-225 pounds), and white tail with mine. Only one hit was not a DRT (the Kudu ... and he had obviously not read "The Perfect Shot"). Have never recovered a 286 gr Nosler ... all of them have gone straight through. I would not hesitate to take it to shoot plains game! (I have 9,3x62, 9,3x74R, .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, .458 AR, and .470 NE rifles. I have two 9,3x62s.) Mike -------------- DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ... Knifemaker, http://www.mstarling.com | |||
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I always used a 375 on plains game. I figured it was good practice. The 9.3x62 I would think would be just as effective on PG and equally good practice. I have only shot my 9.3x62 at angry paper targets but it is cheap practice for shooting off-hand with open sights. Totally off topic but it must be one of the most efficient cartridges to have ever come down the pike. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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The 9.3 x 62 is an excellent cartridge offering the knockdown per of a .375 H&H with the recoil of a 30-06, all fitting into a standard military Mauser 98 action. Use it for plains game, buff, giraffe, deer, elk, etc. and I am sure you will be happy. | |||
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I love the 9,3s and have several...have owned many. I have also killed buffalo with the 9,3X74R. It isn't a "hammer" by any stretch, but it does kill them. As good as the 9,3X64 is, ammo is difficult to come by often. Even the 9,3X62 isn't commonly found, but is is much easier to acquire than the X64. You stand a chance of finding the X62 in Africa. The X64 is as rare as the 375 Ruger there. I'll be using a drilling in 12ga and 9,3X74R and an older Husqvarna in 9,3X62 with 320 Woodleighs this October in Zimbabwe if all goes well. | |||
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Cornfield Research my previous posts in the double rifle forum on my use of the 9,3x74R double. If you prefer a bolt rifle, then get a 9,3x62 and use 286gr Woodleigh Softs, or 286 Nosler Partitions, and take a few 286 Woodleigh Solids. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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Ether the 62 or 64 would be great, but for 9.3mm bullets I like the 386grn Woodleigh softs for plains game and 300grn Swift A Frame softs and 286 or 320grn Woodleigh Solids for Buffalo.  A 9.3 A Frame and some Woodleigh solids recovered from some Cape Buffalo. | |||
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The biggest game taken with my 9.3x62 was eland, the smallest was a crow  My old Husky has great precision and is utterly effective. AS I´m now a certified 9.3 freak my gunsmith Sam and Boha are putting together a 9,3x64 for me! Do I need it? Since when has that been a relevant question! My plan is to use 250gr bullets in the x62 and 286 and heavier in the 9,3x64. | |||
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I am most satisified with the performance of my 9.3x62 on plains game in RSA and on Reh up to boar in Europe. Most of the plains game were shot with the 250gr Nosler BT, before they were discontinued, and a few with the 286gr Partition at ranges from 90 to 220 meters. Only a Black Wildebeest needed more than one round. For what I hunt, I cannot think of a better "all-rounder" for shots less than about 225 meters. Don Life Member SCI &, NRA | |||
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I really like the 9.3x62 and can handload it to within 75 FPS of the 9.3x64, so sold the 64 based on that.. I have shot a number of buffalo with the 9.3s and the 320 gr. woodliegh and like it well enough...If you use that big bullet you will need to have your gun set up to seat the big bullets out and chamber it for a long throat and it will benifit greatly with a 26" barrel.. From a practical point of view, the .375 H&H sent the 9.3s to the benches many years ago, and is still a better choice IMO...but if you want something different, then the 9.3x62 is a viable choice. It is a minimum DG rifle and on the good side of minimum IMO... Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I'd go in another direction. Why not go for a 300 H&H? | |||
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I just got back from a west African safari and carried my 9.3x62 for the reasons posted above... it's light, handy and works quite well on plains game and buffalo. I was shooting factory Lapua ammunition pushing a 270 grain Naturalis bullet (similar to a Barnes X) and had buffalo, roan, western hartebeest and warthog drop to the shot. The smaller antelopes were shot through and usually made a 50 or 60 yard death run before keeling over. Very impressive performance and penetration. I thought the little 9.3 deserved the accolades that many PH's like Kevin Robertson and our own Ganyana have bestowed on it as a light recoiling, hard hitting caliber that will do it's job if you do yours. On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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The 9.3 X 62 is simply wonderful for all the attributes you have read above. You have a .416, so grab a good handling rifle in 9.3 X 62 and join the legions that love it. I've taken several Buff with it, as well as a bunch of PG and leopard. You can see by my moniker that I'm fond of double rifles. The truth be known, the 9.3 is much handier to hunt with. | |||
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Thanks to all for the replies. I think the 9.3x62 sounds like the way to go. Time to look at the CZ-550 I guess or start looking for a Mauser 98 or VZ24 action to build a rifle around. Anyone have any other thoughts on a specific rifle? Soli Deo Gloria | |||
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Cf, I presonally think your existing 2 gun battery of a .416 and a 30/06 would be very good combination for African game. I have a 9,3x62 with a 24" barrel built on a Vz-24 action. The magazine limits my reloads to a max. COL of 3.23". Where as the CZ550 or a K98 Mauser will allow up to 3.36" (maybe alittle more i.e. 3.40"). I have ONLY reloaded for this rifle - Maybe some of the guys here that shoot the 9,3x62 with factory ammo could give us a measurement of COL of their ammo. ??? ________ Ray | |||
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