I insanely am thinking of leaving the 9.3 home when I move back to Namibia. I have shot game from 50 - 250 yards with .286 grain partitions... (thanks to ib404!) I am thinking about returning with a .338 win mag or a .358 Norma Mag. I think I will gain a few more yards and have equal or better energy at longer ranges... but will not be as good close range... namibia offers both. My sons will shoot either the 270 or 06 that I have... plus I'll use whatever I take for them for smaller stuff... or should I stop the insanity - be loyal - and take the 9.3? What is your recomendations?

Medium bore... 9.3X62, .338 Win MAg, or 358 Norma Mag?
and for the boys 270 or '06?
Aaron

Take the 9.3 and 338 and leave the 270 at home!

leave the 270 home even better sell it and buy a 375 h&h or a 416 rigby or remington.

Although the boys are 150lbs each and nearly 5'4" tall they are a bit recoil sensitive. (yes I need my rear kicked for letting them shoot the big stuff too early) They will be 11 and 13 - I am not sure they could handle a .338 so the '06 or the .270 for them is the consideration for the small bore.
Aaron
at 8 and 10 they shot there first springbok with a .222 at 135 and 185 meters respectively. they can shoot~!

I have a .358 Norma Mag, and I like it but I've used all the calibres you mention.

The main advantage of the .358 Norma compared to the others (particularly the .338 Win mag) is cheap practice with handloaded pistol bullets. I do this a lot and it is worth it -- nothing like cheap ammo to let you shoot more, which makes you a better shot!

The .358 needs premium bullets because it will tear apart ordinary ones (often meant for the slower .358 Win or .35 Whelen) at the high velocity the Norma shoots them at. The 9.2 is more forgiving in this respect.

Possibly an advantage is that the Norma can shoot pistol bullets for varmints in a way that is, well, best described as gruesome. A 125gr Hornady hollowpoint bullet intended for 1200fps is a helluva varmint blower-upper when launched at 3000fps! Don't shoot this at anything large or anything that you want to eat...

I would recommend the .358 Norma if (and only if!) you are a handloader, but you won't go wrong with any of these fine calibres (and I doubt you'd see much difference on game among them either). Still, a .358 Norma loaded up with GS HV bullets would be mighty fine...

You will probably get one mone shot in the magazine with the 9.3 than either of the magnums. This might be important to you -- I've never shot a gun dry, but then I haven't hunted Africa yet either!

So, my recommendation is to get all three! You were expecting this, were you not? Coming to AR and asking "Which one to buy?" or "Should I buy this gun?" is like an alcoholic going to a bartender and asking if you should have another drink...

jpb

jpb, All my rifles are husqvarna - I see you are from Sweden... My grandfather was a Lindgren. If I take the 358 it will be husqvarna... If I go for .338 it will be a FN husqvarna I have that needs a new barrel... I like the .358 also because of it origin. THank!
Aaron

I am a big fan of both the 9.3x62 and .338 Win. I shoot both of them a lot, I also have the same delima but when it comes down to the nut cutt'en I'll have to go with the .338 everytime....

The .338 Win. with a 300 gr. woodleigh at 2450 FPS and a 210 gr. Nosler at 3005 FPS, how in the world can you beat it for an all around gun....

Were I just hunting Buffalo then perhaps the 9.3 would be my choice with a 320 gr. Woodleigh, but there is no difference here to speak of...

Two great calibers, but for what you describe the .338 is the hands down winner, but I doubt if it makes much difference.....and around we go!

Hi Aaron

I should add that the .358 Norma can be loaded way down for light recoil for your boys,and unlike many other calibres, there are .35 cal bullets available which are optimized for a HUGE range of velocities.

In the .358 Norma, one can get velocities from a .38 Special revolver with lead Semiwadcutters, to the 35 Remington, .358 Winchester, .the 35 Whelen/9.3x62, to darn near .375 H&H power or even higher velocity (about 2900fps), and have bullets that will expand well at all of these velocities.

I admit that I looked into the Norma initially because I wanted something a bit Scandinavian.. However, I soon realized that it was an ideal caliber for a handloader like me -- much more versatile than a 270, 30-06, 9.3 x62 or .338 Win mag!

Last weekend I was out shooting 200gr cast bullets at 1300fps (14gr of Red Dot, no filler, mag primer) at some hanging metal plating. Hardly any recoil, cheap and a lot of fun.

The fine Husqvarna rifles are common as dirt here in Sweden, and prices are very low. I'm thinking of building a new rifle on a Husky 640 or a Brno ZG-47 (also cheap and common here). I know, I'll take my advice: I need both!

jpb

I know that this may be an unpopular suggestion, but think about putting a brake on the 9.3. I have developed arthritis in my neck, and shooting heavy recoiling rifles has become a problem. I recently had a brake put on my .375, and it is like shooting a 30-06. I would think that your 9.3 would be more like the 243 or 270, and just the ticket for the boys. The one I had installed is the same diameter as the barrel, and does not detract from the appearance of the rifle. And it was not all that expensive. Further, I don't find that this brake is all that loud or generates a lot of backblast. Ku-dude

Ray, thanks for the post


Ku-dude, Can't do it... my rifle is pre WWII and I just can't do it... good suggestion if it was a newer rifle.
Aaron

JPB, you are presenting a good arguement. My .270 is collector material because of condition - it is a like new 1640mc or model 3000 in the USA with steel trigger guard... I may trade someone for 358NM... ? I know some guys that would like mine and they have a slew of husqvarna rifles.

My personal selections from among your four rifles would be the 9.3x62 and the .30-06. You could load the .30-06 down to 125s or up to 220s, which overlaps the bottom end of the 9.3x62 a bit, and the 9.3 can take you up over 300 grains if needed.

I would take two rifles in 9.3 x 62 and a box or 2 of ammo loaded down for the kids.

SIMPLICITY

If you are restricted to a 2 gun battery (WHY?), take a 375 and a 30 cal (pick one) but only if you are going to shoot buffalo/elephant more than once in a lifetime; if no DG, take a 338 or 9.3 and a 25 or 7mm cal. (After all, Namibia has lots of Springbok, Duiker, Steenbok, and even some Impala!)

Don't fall for the popular myth that African Rifle means something with a hole bigger than 400 that costs more than $2.50 per shot. Sometimes, testosterone affects the judgement of the afflicted.

A 9.3 is best as an up to 200yd rifle. After that drop sets in pretty rapidly. Zeroed for longer ranges you run the risk of shooting too high on the smaller antelope at closer range.

Aaron

You should leave that 9.3 in my care while you are gone.

I'm a 338 fan, followd by teh 30-6.

In Nambia 200 or 210 gr bullets really did a great job for me.

Stay well.

Terry

Aaron

I think you know what I will choose, Leave the 338 Win you will not gain any thing new, I have one, looks good on paper but in my eyes the 9.3x62 is better, if you handload with 250 Noslers you will get a flatter trajectory if you want it. I have killed game with my 9.3x62 at over 300 m don't think the 338 would have done better. To get ammo in Namibia is all but inpossible, I have tried to buy amm and could only get it from 2 places, and boy was it expensive.

You will not have the same problems with the 9.3. If you realy want another rifle I will rather take the 358.

Cheers

Flip

I've taken over 80 animals in Africa, including 3 of the big 6. All have been taken with a .270 Interarms 150 grain Federal ammo and a .416 Remington, 400 grain Federal ammo. The largest animal I took with the .270= A 2000 pound Eland, And I did it the Carlos way, "One shot One Kill" Don't leave that .270 home for gods sake!!!!

Take the 9.3 & the .338 for sure !!

I think I am going to take the .358NM or 9.3 and the 30'06 for the kids. Thanks all for your input. The .270 would be nice for springbok... but the '06 will do that role well too and it can be stretched for duty even on Eland using BIG bullets and placeing them right! The choice remaining is the 9.3 or 358NM.... not sure.

I think you will find 9.3 ammo easier to obtain in Namibia than 358 Norma. You should investigate that angle.

JPB,

I do most of my hunting (impala, warthog, kudu and wildebeest) with a 9.3x62. I use 270 gr semi-spitzer from Speer at about 2.000 fps. The accuracy is of 1/2" at 100 yards and the recoil very mild. Bullet performance is superb!

JPB, I have all the equipment to load in America and Africa... I am set up both places. If I was to loose the ammo I could have someone bring the components as we have visitors several times a year. I am talking to a guy about a 358 and if I do not trade I am going to take my 9.3 for sure. I like to try new rifles/calibers often. I only shoot the same thing for a few years... although I have used the 9.3 for about 7 or 8 years.... nearly a personal record.

Andrea Sandri-Boriani, I used the speers to shoot my first Kudu at around 70 yards the bullet blew up on impact although the core carried on and cut the top of the heart. The impact wound was so great it destroyed meat about 2 foot in any direction. I had the same expericence with a mule deer and speer bullet from a 7X57. I decided not to use them on anything... IB404 on this forum brought me some 286 grain Noslers that I have used for everything else and I love them. I think I'll use the speers for target, or stuff I ain't going to eat.

Aaron,

I've been loading for years in my 9.3x62 the 270 Speer semi-spitzer using 49 grains of Somchem S 335 ( 1,5 grains below Somchem recommended starting load for the 286 grainer).

I originally developed the load for my wife because of the very mild recoil but after I found out that it was giving bench rest accuracy in a CZ carbine I've been using it for most of my hunting.

The velocity in my gun is very consistent, between 2.050 and 2.060 fps.

At this low speed I have excellent penetration and good bullet performance. Meat damage is reasonable. If you try the same bullet at higher velocity it will disintegrate on the skin.

My gun is sighted at 50 yards and I always shoot for the hart. The further is the animal the more I raise my aim toward the center of mass. I'm reasonably accurate up to 150 yards.

For long range shooting you may try 57 grains of 335 with the Nosler ballistic tip. In my gun it is a very accurate and consistent load.

Speed is exactly 2.500 fps and the trajectory quite flat.The recoil is manageable even in a light gun, if you do not shoot too much from the bench.

Where do you hunt in Namibia?

My own 24" barrel give 2,300fps with a 286gr Nosler Partition. Sighted 3" high it's a foot low at 300. I don't like it zeroed so high it means aiming off for neck shots at shorter ranges and makes life difficult shooting portions of animal through windows of vegetation (note NOT brush busting!)

In addition by 300yards the bullet is going at 1,800fps. Yup these will all do but they are fairly marginal figures - I stand by my statement that the 9.3x62 is best up to 200yards.

Since you say you will be reloading, and componets aren't a concern, I'd hands down take the 358 Norma. I shoot a 350 Rigby which has nearly identical case capacity and hence balisitics. I've settled on a 250 gr @ 2700 fps for use on bigger game, but for the smaller big game, I'd opt for a 225 gr @ 2900-3000 fps. For really big stuff, you can use Woodleighs 310 gr for ~2400 fps.

Where the 35 shines, and the point most reloaders miss out on is cast bullet shooting. 15 gr of Unique pushes a 160-200 gr cast bullet ~1700 fps. You can drop down to 8 gr for an 800 fps load, 38 special power with zero recoil and much quiter than a 22 rf. You can also load a 280 gr cast bullet @ 2000 fps for milder recoil than an -06, and plenty of punch for thin skinned game inside 200 yds.

A-S-B, You hunted with my partner, a pilot named Clint. two years ago with a 9.3x62 and 250 gr. Barnes X bullets. As I recall you two had great success. The X bullets allow you to shoot fast or slow depending upon how much recoil you want to experience. At 2650 the recoil is tolerable and the reaction on game is spectacular. Aaron, I still have some Noslers with your name on them before you go. Hope to here from you soon
lb404

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE

Andrea Sandri-Boriani, I have hunted on a farm near Epukiro, I have hunted near Dordabis, and in the Khomas Hochlands... and an 40 minutes south of Windhoek.

Steve (SBHVA) That is my dream gun... Now just get those collector grade husqvarnas out of the safe and take them hunting!

Leonard (ib404) You have been more than generous with your bullets. In fact I never had used premium bullets before I got some from you... now I won't use anything else. You definately helped me raise my sights on quality stuff like good bullets and good scope mounts. Thanks!

Leonard,

I had a very good time with Clint. He also was shooting 9.3x62 but his loads where considerably hotter than mines. Give him my regards and tell him that we want him back to Phalaborwa soon.