I don't care how many elephants Pondero shot with one (who also shot'em with a 7x57) or how many buffalo Germans imigrants killed with the old mauser round. My question is would YOU use one to hunt dangerous game?

I ask because my son wants to take his as his primary bufflo rifle when (and if) he goes following college graduation next year, even though he has access to a half-dozen calibers .375 and up. This is the same son who insisted on using his .270 in Namibia to shoot kudu and gemsbok, even though the PH advised against it. (He made one-shot, DRT kills on them, however, with A-frames. I see Swift now makes a 286-grain A-frame for the 9.3.)

Just askin'.

Probably not many on AR have ever used the 9,3 X 62 on buffalo, whether it's because the legal minimum caliber is .375 or because we like the really big bores. But if it were legal and the PH had no issues with it, I'd give it a try on buffalo. I know a couple of guys who have shot and killed buffalo with a 30.06, so it's certainly capable of killing them.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
Probably not many on AR have ever used the 9,3 X 62 on buffalo, whether it's because the legal minimum caliber is .375 or because we like the really big bores. But if it were legal and the PH had no issues with it, I'd give it a try on buffalo. I know a couple of guys who have shot and killed buffalo with a 30.06, so it's certainly capable of killing them.

Did I not read it is specifically named and allowed in Zimbabwe as a legal caliber due to the proponderance of this caliber in the hands of landowners? Somebody please clear that up for me.

would I?

Not by choice. I like fatter, heavier, and flatter, but I've used 338WM

I used the 9.3x62 on savanna buffalo in Benin in 2008. I used Lapua ammo that had an all-copper bullet similar to our Barnes Triple Shock. The bull dropped to a shot through the shoulders and two more finishers sealed the deal. Again, shot placement is paramount but the 9.3 will do the job if you do yours. Also bullet selection is a key to ensure penetration through thick hide and bone.

I've used it's weaker sister (9.3x74) on (only one) buffalo with 250 grain Barnes X's (old style). A quartering forward shot broke the near shoulder and jellied the lungs. The buff ran 60 yards and just stood there sick and humped up until the second barrel ended it. I'd not hesitate to do it again.

My dad shot a bunch of hippo with his first 9,3, a beat-up old B-Grade, many years ago. He also had a friend who shot over 200 buffalo as well as about 10 each of leopard and lion throughout the 1960's and 1970's in what was then Rhodesia. This guy had no problems whatsoever where it concerned his 9,3 and dangerous game, and for reasons of his own actually preferred it to both the .375 H&H and .416 Rigby he had access to as well. If I recall correctly, he preferred Kynoch and RWS 286-grain factory ammo, and mostly used softs for everything.

I've never used the 9,3 on dangerous game but I won't hesitate to do so with proper ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
I've used it's weaker sister (9.3x75) on (only one) buffalo with 250 grain Barnes X's (old style). A quartering forward shot broke the near shoulder and jellied the lungs. The buff ran 60 yards and just stood there sick and humped up until the second barrel ended it. I'd not hesitate to do it again.

Judge. What ever happened to that beautiful 9.3 I picked up for you at Roger Ferrell's shop? Has it made the trip across the pond?

The Ernst Kerner full-stock that shoots whatever you put in it into an inch?

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
The Ernst Kerner full-stock that shoots whatever you put in it into an inch?

No. This one was a CZ on which Roger had reshaped the stock and rebuilt to be a beautiful specimen.

9,3 is legal in many parts of Africa...all of French africa for a start!

I carry one as my every day rifle for backing up clients- and before somebody clibs in - yes I always have a double (in .375FL) on hand for following up wounded game in thick country. When I started on buffalo control work I used a .458 Win (once) a .375 (Once) and a 9,3 on all the rest.

Kevin Robertson (Doctari) bought one off one of the old tsetse hunters who had taken about 600 buff with it before Keven took it over as a loaner firle for clients. Kevins clients had such good sucess with it he began experimenting with downloading the .375 and /or using heavier bullets.

I have never hunted really open country so never needed long shots. 270grn for plains game, 286grn Oryx for lion, Swift or Stewart for buff and woodleigh for elephant.

When I was in National Parks I redrafted part of the legislation so that there would be no Arguments over whether the 9,3x62 was legal. Craig boddington subsiquently used a 9,3 in Zim (on buff I think) and so have many many other notable hunters.

You Have to use the right bullet- A .375 gives you wider choices - and you have to put it in the right place...but have noticed alot of buff and ele disapearing after taking reasonable hits from .500 cal rifles (and up)...maybe with a 9,3 you have less margin for error...don't know. Used one as my main rifle almost continuously since 1984

That was a .375 H&H or a .458 Lott I think? In any event, Roger does magic with my stuff!

The first is the .375, the second a Lott that Roger did for me and the last a .404 he put together.







The Lott stock



A .404 on a .300 RUM action



In any event, a well placed, well constructed bullet will do it every time!

Would I use a 9.3X62 on DG? Sure, provided the following are met:
1. I get to handload the ammo myself with permium bullets.
2. It's not a pushfeed action!

Serious, yes, if there was nothing with a bigger hole and a heavier bullet available, I'd do it.

+1 GANYANA
My back-up rifle for my 470NE double is a 9.3X74R double and I'd not hesitate to take on buffalo with that little double rifle!

It seems your kid can shoot what he chooses so why not let him shoot what he thinks he can shoot best, as long as it is legal where he will be hunting.

Would the 9.3 be my first choice for a dedicated buffalo rifle? No! Would I use it for buffalo? Absolutely!
............................

Have taken Lion, Hippo and five Cape Buffalo with the 9.3x62 and always found it worked well with Woodleigh and Swift A Frame bullets. As did a friend of mine with the same bullets.

I killed two buffalo in 2009 with my Chapuis 9.3X74 using 286 grain Woodleigh.

As one who has not hunted dangerous game my opinion is worth what it cost you. I plan to have a one gun safari with the 9.3x62 and definately plan to use it on Buffalo and if finances permit it on Elephant too. A well designed bullet in the right place should do the trick I would think.

Without hesitation...
But if i were to do it day after day in a professional situation... i'd prefer a 458 lott.
Aaron

I forgot to say one of the reason I find the 9.3 appealing is 5 down and one in the pipe. Mine weighs 7lbs without the scope... light and easy to carry all day. Mine is also supremely accurate, ive shot some .5" three shot groups with it. If your backed up with something that is over .40 even more the reason to use the 9.3.

Namibia's Martin Britz whom was my next door neighbor and central region game warden shot lots of dangerous game with a Husqvarna 9.3 that he eventually lost in a house fire. He said he never did feel under gunned.

If by DG you mean elephant, buffalo and hippo, I would use a 9.3x62, but it would not be my first choice.

If you mean lion or leopard, I would use it without reservation.

Have done on buffalo and would do again.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
That was a .375 H&H or a .458 Lott I think? In any event, Roger does magic with my stuff!

The first is the .375, the second a Lott that Roger did for me and the last a .404 he put together.







The Lott stock



A .404 on a .300 RUM action

Man, I know I'm getting old, but I am almost certain it was a 9.3 that Roger rebuilt for you. It was originally a hogback stock that Roger cut back to "American-style." I picked it up and delivered it to you when we had our First (and last) Annual 404 Shooter's Society Rendezvous in Vidalia.

Do you not own a CZ 9.3?

Since I won't use a .375H&H on DG ever again, I certainly wouldn't use one of these. Not by choice, at any rate.

DG can - and has - been killed with a .22LR. That doesn't mean anyone should hunt DG with a .22.

I always find these discussions of "I did it with ..." a bit silly. Robert Rourke had it right when he said "Use enough gun". One cannot be over gunned when hunting DG but can certainly be under gunned. Especially when things go wrong. JMO.

quote:

Since I won't use a .375H&H on DG ever again

what happened?

Seems to me kind of hard to argue with Ganyana in this case.("used one as my main rifle almost continuosly since 1984") Apparently it must have worked OK for the guy Kevin bought it from as well since he was still around to sell it to Kevin after 600. Maybe when I have killed that many Buff I'll have a different opinion. For now I'll go with Ganyana and practice my bullet placement.

I have never used it on dangerous game, my two buffalo were taken with a 375H&H and a404J, but I would use it if that's what I had. I have no doubt that it would be effective on buffalo and cats. I would hesitate on elephant.

I shot my biggest cape buff in body and horn with the 9,3x74R, with a 286gr Woodleigh Soft, frontal chest shot, he was down and dead in less than 40 yards...

I shot a cow elephant at 5 yards, side brain, with a 286 gr Woodleigh Solid. The bullet gave complete penetration...

The 9,3 well handled will get the job done.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
I used the 9.3x62 on savanna buffalo in Benin in 2008. I used Lapua ammo that had an all-copper bullet similar to our Barnes Triple Shock. The bull dropped to a shot through the shoulders and two more finishers sealed the deal. Again, shot placement is paramount but the 9.3 will do the job if you do yours. Also bullet selection is a key to ensure penetration through thick hide and bone.

Russell...bite your tongue!!!

Giving me hell for saying the CEB monometals were superior to cup and core Woodleighs.

No I would not.

I have a .375 that shoots lights out, holds 5+1 and is light enough that I can haul it around all day.

Having said that, since you don't have my .375, with proper bullets, I am sure its more than capable...

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
No I would not.

I have a .375 that shoots lights out, holds 5+1 and is light enough that I can haul it around all day.

Having said that, since you don't have my .375, with proper bullets, I am sure its more than capable...

That is the point of the thread! The 375H&H wasn't among the choices. We all would likely choose the 375 H&H between it and a 9.3X62 but question was, would you use a 9.3X62 on dangerous game? As most stated though it wouldn't be first choice most would use it on dangerous game.
..............................................................................................................

I'm not a PH, but I think most of them consider shot placement (of a capable caliber, which the 9.3 is) very high on the list of importance. Sounds like your son is very confident in his abilities with the 9.3x62 and if he can put the bullet in the right spot, he should be fine.

That being said, I shot my first buff with a 375H&H. It was about 35yrds away crossing from right to left and never knew I was there. The 375H&H did a great job of putting it down. I would have felt just as good with a 9.3x62 with 286 grain bullet in that situation.

My 2nd buff was one of two dagga boys we tracked/bumped for hours. When we caught up to them the final time, the rear buff turned to face us at approx 20 yards. I put a 400 grain Barnes X in his chest from 20 yards. Not sure I would have felt as good with a 9.3x62 in this situation.

Either way, sounds like he is in for a great time!

Tim

quote:

My 2nd buff was one of two dagga boys we tracked/bumped for hours. When we caught up to them the final time, the rear buff turned to face us at approx 20 yards. I put a 400 grain Barnes X in his chest from 20 yards. Not sure I would have felt as good with a 9.3x62 in this situation.

Exactly. The 9.3 will work, but there is no such thing as too much gun (assuming you handle the rifle well).

GAHUNTER. I had my 9.3x62 built so that if I ever got the chance at DG I would have a rifle I was familiar with that didn't beat the tripe out of me. I used it on Eland and Kudu with 286 softs and felt completely overgunned. It would be perfect for your son as it sounds like he is a good shot.

Try the 320 Woodleigh SP or FMJ. You'll probably never recover one.

As a Pro hunter hunting a Buff I would prefer somoene hunting with a rifle they are confident with and not scared of.

A good shot with a 9.3 beats the crap out of a shitty shot with a 505

I have had a 9.3 go right through a buff running away at 50yds?? tail to nose. I think the bullet was a Rhino solid ?? call it a Fluke I was stunned.

Working on a load for September this year.



Woodleigh Hydro's

If any has a pet let me know.

It is were the bullet is placed that is the most important.

How does it work?
Well guess I am going to find out on Buff.

Regards Mark

Mark,
Make sure you feed them through your rifle many times with your rifle in different angles.
Up to 58grns of 08 with the 286grn ones should be about right.

Hell Yeah I did use mine on buffalo,286 grn woodleigh protected points work just fine as i couldn't get into a place to shoot it with the 500 jeffery. It also flattened a heap of plains game better than a 375 I used on another trip.

quote:

Originally posted by zhaba:
Hell Yeah I did use mine on buffalo,286 grn woodleigh protected points work just fine as i couldn't get into a place to shoot it with the 500 jeffery. It also flattened a heap of plains game better than a 375 I used on another trip.

nice shooting.
Nevertheless, the 9.3 is not more gun than the 375HH or 375Ruger, nor are either more than the 416Rigby (especially handloaded to normal, medium pressures, 6000ftlb energies.) And the 416Rig is not over the 460Weatherby, which is not over the 500Mbogo or A-square.

The main thing is to have something to hunt. Then we grab the best rifle we can for the job and practice with it and load it so that its accuracy is utterly reliable with the bullet(s) of choice.

quote:

Originally posted by GAHUNTER:
I don't care how many elephants Pondero shot with one (who also shot'em with a 7x57) or how many buffalo Germans imigrants killed with the old mauser round. My question is would YOU use one to hunt dangerous game?

I ask because my son wants to take his as his primary bufflo rifle when (and if) he goes following college graduation next year, even though he has access to a half-dozen calibers .375 and up. This is the same son who insisted on using his .270 in Namibia to shoot kudu and gemsbok, even though the PH advised against it. (He made one-shot, DRT kills on them, however, with A-frames. I see Swift now makes a 286-grain A-frame for the 9.3.)

Just askin'.

These loaded questions are always responded to by the posters with the inevitable most serious tale of how they killed an enraged dinosaur with a 223 Rem. It was dead at the shot but he had to follow up with a half dozen roads just to satisfy the PH!!

You wanna offer up your kid to a wounded buff with a 9.3x62 in his hands?

It's a free world. Sort of.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:

quote:

Originally posted by GAHUNTER:
I don't care how many elephants Pondero shot with one (who also shot'em with a 7x57) or how many buffalo Germans imigrants killed with the old mauser round. My question is would YOU use one to hunt dangerous game?

I ask because my son wants to take his as his primary bufflo rifle when (and if) he goes following college graduation next year, even though he has access to a half-dozen calibers .375 and up. This is the same son who insisted on using his .270 in Namibia to shoot kudu and gemsbok, even though the PH advised against it. (He made one-shot, DRT kills on them, however, with A-frames. I see Swift now makes a 286-grain A-frame for the 9.3.)

Just askin'.

These loaded questions are always responded to by the posters with the inevitable most serious tale of how they killed an enraged dinosaur with a 223 Rem. It was dead at the shot but he had to follow up with a half dozen roads just to satisfy the PH!!

You wanna offer up your kid to a wounded buff with a 9.3x62 in his hands?

It's a free world. Sort of.

Actually, it's going to be his choice in the end. At the time of the hunt, he will be 24, and is capable of making his own decisions. He has always been independent in his thinking, thus the reason he rides a "crotch rocket" everyday -- much to the chagrin of his mother and I!

I won't be "offering him up," 'cause it remains doubtful that I will even be along for this hunt. He knows that he has complete and unfettered access to any rifle in my safe, including two .375s, a 404 Jeffery, a .416 Rigby (which someday will be a .450 Dakota), a .458 Win Mag, and a .458 Lott. But the 9.3 is his gun, just as the .270 was his. He researched the caliber, picked the rifle, and bought the gun.

And, he is an exceptionally good shot!

You wanna offer up your kid to a wounded buff with a 9.3x62 in his hands?

Just dribble!