I`ll go to hunt Kudu and oryx in Namibia - what caliber do you prefer?
And if you select the Norma Mag, what is the best bullet for this purpose? I think for the 200grs Nosler Part, the TBBC or the Barnes LRX...

I think it depends on your comfortable shooting range. If you prefer <200yd shots then the 9.3 would be great. If you are able to make longer shots then the .308 Mag will be useful in Namibia. Shots there can be long.

I've used Barnes in both a 9.3x62 (250gr.)and 30-06 (168gr.) on 4 trips. Performed beautifully. I couldn't see much difference in performance between the 2 calibers on plains game.

Wyatt is correct. Speak to the PH but for Namibia I'd tend to want more reach and go with the 308 NM. See what the PH says. I also like 200gr in a .30 magnum. At longer range I like something I know should still expand. A 180gr would work just fine too.

I've hunted lots of gemsbok with a 300 Win Mag and never felt under gunned.

Of the two you mention, I would be inclined to use the .308 NM, because of the higher velocity, flatter trajectory and therefore longer range capability.

I would use 180-200 grain premium bullets. Any of those you mention would be fine.

Good luck!

.308 Norma Magnum with 180gr Nosler Accubonds would be my choice for Namibia. I have never had a single Nosler fail from any of my hunters, but I would just be slightly concerned about the Partision holding together well enough at just a touch below 3000fps. My calculations tell me that a 180gr bullet would be doing around 2950fps from the .308 Norma Mag. Can anyone confirm if I am in the correct ballpark?
The .308 NM is very close to a .300 Win Mag.

Marius, you are exactly right.

.308 Norma Magnum

Donkey's years since I heard of or even saw a .308 NM but they're the dog's bollocks & you can't beat 'em for what you're after...... As for bullets, I'm no fan of the TBBC but the weight mentioned is good.

I used the 200grs TBBC, Nosler Part. and the 175grs Barnes LRX widely on european red deers, I saw no difference, but I like the 200grs bullets Little more than the 180grs bullets!

What is wrong with the TBBC?

Focus on enjoying Africa
Just bring your favorite, get close ( more fun ) and hit them right
Can't go wrong that way
We all read too much into calibers while hunt is what matters

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Focus on enjoying Africa
Just bring your favorite, get close ( more fun ) and hit them right
Can't go wrong that way
We all read too much into calibers while hunt is what matters

A lot to be said for this approach-

I shoot both calibers , as noted above, the Norma is essentially a WinMag with a longer neck
and flatter shooting than the 9.3-

Both of mine shoot sub-moa-
I'd probably take my Norma for the two species listed above

TBBC is now controlled by Federal ,I believe,
do not know if the quality has changed

If you use Barnes, you are safe

if we are below 400 yards or meters the 9.3x62 with 232 grains oryx or woodleigh or 250 grains accubond or woodleigh will do.

was wondering how the 308 norma can do it better?

308 NM is close to what many thought the 300 Win Mag would be. Essentially a .30-338.

I think that at longer range the higher impact velocity means that most bullets will expand optimally. However I agree that the 9.3 with 250gr is still around the 1600-1700fps impact velocity window. And you start with 0.366...

I still prefer the impact velocity and flatter trajectory of the 308 NM for what I expect Namibia will present. You can also choose hogh BC 30 cal bullets if you prefer.

As I said 300 Win Mag is my preferred choice so far for Kalahari Gemsbok.

You can confirm the differences on an online ballistics calculator and also see impact velocities. I would use a good bonded bullet and would beware of extremely hard bullets which may act like solids at lower impact velocities and moreso if you choose the 9.3.

quote:

Originally posted by KMG Hunting Safaris:
.308 Norma Magnum with 180gr Nosler Accubonds would be my choice for Namibia. I have never had a single Nosler fail from any of my hunters, but I would just be slightly concerned about the Partision holding together well enough at just a touch below 3000fps. My calculations tell me that a 180gr bullet would be doing around 2950fps from the .308 Norma Mag. Can anyone confirm if I am in the correct ballpark?
The .308 NM is very close to a .300 Win Mag.

I've seen the 180 gr Nosler Partition started at 3100-3200 fps used on brown bear, and bull elk quite a few times. Ditto the 200 gr.I've used both myself and from under 100 to about 500 yards.

I would not be at all concerned with either one from a 30 caliber magnum.

Namibia is very open country for the most part, and I like the 9.3x62 caliber very much, but for Namibia the 308 Norma is hands down the best choice..I would stroke it with 200 gr. Nosler partitions or Accubonds as close to 2900 to 3000 FPS as your gun can go within safe max..You will be very well prepared for anything you encounter under all reasonable circumstances...Save the 9.3x62 for bushveld..

What is wrong with the 200grs TBBC?

Basically nothing. However, if you check the net you will find reports that they might have changed the TBBC at one stage which seemed to lead to fragmentation.

I saw this in the net and also in the Wieland-book "DG-rifles", but they spoke about DG-bullets, not about plainsgame (or european "Hochwild").

Yes, I would have no problems to use them.
Personally I used 180grain Partitions out of a 300 RUM last time in Namibia, worked very well on avwrage distances of 200m.

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Focus on enjoying Africa
Just bring your favorite, get close ( more fun ) and hit them right
Can't go wrong that way
We all read too much into calibers while hunt is what matters

What Boarkiller says!!!
Caliber is not very important when you are 25.06 or bigger.

Ammo availability in Namibia? If your ammo doesn't arrive with you, can you get ammo locally?
I used a 358 norma in Namibia in 2010. My rifle arrived; my ammo (and all my clothes!) didn't arrive until the next day. I was SOL; we couldn't find factory 358NM anywhere in Windhoek. Just a thought.

Watch yer 6!
Dave Renn

Just back from the Erongo!
I was there with my old Mauser 98 in 8,5x63 (something like a .338/06Improoved) with a ultra light leedless 140grs bullet called the SAX_KJG, muzzle velo nearby 3200fps.
I shot a very good Kudu, a very big, old Oryx and a springbock. Shots were in the 180yards range, all were one-shot-kills and all animals had outsideholes.
The PH was very surprised by this caliber!

300 yd shots are not out of the question, 300 mag with 165 TSX is very effective.

quote:

Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
Just back from the Erongo!
I was there with my old Mauser 98 in 8,5x63 (something like a .338/06Improoved) with a ultra light leedless 140grs bullet called the SAX_KJG, muzzle velo nearby 3200fps.
I shot a very good Kudu, a very big, old Oryx and a springbock. Shots were in the 180yards range, all were one-shot-kills and all animals had outsideholes.
The PH was very surprised by this caliber!

I suppose in your case it was rather the bullet (Sax) then the caliber. Greetings from Hermanus...

May be....