I believe in taking two rifles, with some overlap in capabilities. I am (probably) going for elephant with a 14 and a 16 year old in tow.
I will take my 505 gibbs, but at 12 pounds, its not a pleasure to carry! I like to carry a light rifle, and have the gunbearer carry the heavy artillery. Plus I need something the kids can shoot.
So the options for the light rifle are:
Sako 375, with 1.5X5X leupold,
Husqvarna 9.3x62
Rechamber a Husqvarna 9.3x57 to 9.3x66 Sako
Heres the Husky




Cartridges from left: 505, 404 jeffreys, 375, 9.3x62, 9.3x57


Turns out I can borrow the 9.3x66 reamer, courtesy other AR member. Anyone know much about it? Is it going to be too much in a 6.5lb rifle? My 375, sans scope, is 7lbs, and very comfortable to shoot. My kids have shot the 375 with no real problems off sticks in SA

Thanks for the input!

I took a 458 double and a 375 bolt gun

You will put a smile on your PH's face if you take the 375 for the youngns.

465H&H

Definately 375 as your light rifle.. I did and never have looked back...

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by bradhe:
I took a 458 double and a 375 bolt gun

Wow, me too. Never found the combo wanting.

JPK

Definitely the 375 as you may want a backup ele gun and that is really your only choice in all areas for ele. If possible, use the Gibbs though on the ele.

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:

quote:

Originally posted by bradhe:
I took a 458 double and a 375 bolt gun

Wow, me too. Never found the combo wanting.

JPK

Me as well, my second rifle is always either a 9.3X74R double rifle, or a 375 H&H bolt rifle, to back up a large double rifle. I carry the heavy, and let a traker carry the light rifle!

Decide on your destination first. Not all countries allow 9,3 and not all PH's are happy with their clients using one (irrespective of the "law").

Either the .375 Sako or 9,3x62 would make a great second rifle, but taking a scoped rifle adds flexibility for interesting plains game, the odd croc or what ever else happens on the license.

Why not take the 404 Jeffery?

I was surprised how close you could get to elephant.

I would take a light weight (relatively) unscoped 404 with the bullet shown and the scoped 375 ( 1.5 x 5) Luepold for everything else.

Your PH will think you pack like a, well, a PH.

Andy

I don´t think the 9.3x66 will be around for long so components will get scarce and expensive. If you want to rechamber then why not a 9.3x64?

The 404 would be a great choice but he didn't mention it for whatever reason. I still think if the plan has any consideration besides elephant that the scoped 375 is the other choice that makes the most sense. If elephant only, than the iron sighted 404 would be great but he did say the kids need to shoot too.

I would SLUG THE ELE with a 458 Lott or above.I would only use monometal bullets.I would STAND MY GROUND AND DELIVER the bullet in the BRAIN.NO CHILDREN ALLOWED on the scene.There is NO EXCUSE for missing the brain.

Good advice, all. Thanks very much.
It will be the 505 and the 375. (thats what I took on my last ele hunt, and never used the 375)
The 404 is great, but I love using the 505 on ele. I use the 404 (with scope) for buffalo and cats, its much lighter and recoil isnt really a lot different from the 375 (when loaded to classic 404 ballistics)

505 and 375


That still leaves me with the 9x57 Husqvarna I am itching to rechamber to something. I already have a 9.3x62, and I dont want to rebarrel it. 9.3x64? leave it as is and use for non DGR?

Who built the Gibbs? It looks great.

quote:

Originally posted by cewe:
I don´t think the 9.3x66 will be around for long so components will get scarce and expensive. If you want to rechamber then why not a 9.3x64?

FEDERAL CARTRIDGE CO. is now going to produce the 9.3x66mm in America and Canada as NEW FROM FEDERAL: 370 SAKO MAGNUM

It just might catch on very well with commercial factory loadings.370 SAKO MAGNUM

What do you think of it?

It will fit a standard length action, no belt, and hold 5 down...plus it beats the 9.3x62mm and is on par with the 9.3x64 Brenneke

Fred Wells of Prescott, Az. he was a master!

quote:

Originally posted by yukon delta:
Who built the Gibbs? It looks great.

You're readin' my mind! If brass is available, this might be a decent option for the 9.3x57 Husky; simple recahambering job. Ill have to measure the magazine, though, make sure it will accomodate the longer round.

quote:

Originally posted by CanadianLefty:

quote:

Originally posted by cewe:
I don´t think the 9.3x66 will be around for long so components will get scarce and expensive. If you want to rechamber then why not a 9.3x64?

FEDERAL CARTRIDGE CO. is now going to produce the 9.3x66mm in America and Canada as NEW FROM FEDERAL: 370 SAKO MAGNUM

It just might catch on very well with commercial factory loadings.370 SAKO MAGNUM

What do you think of it?

It will fit a standard length action, no belt, and hold 5 down...plus it beats the 9.3x62mm and is on par with the 9.3x64 Brenneke

Why fix something that isn´t broken?

I´m going with the 9.3x64 just out of tradition.

Why not let your kids make up their mind, based on their recoil tolerance...

I don't know where your hunting in Africa, but 99.9% of the time you can get away with the wonderful 9.3x62 and it'll do fine and you will have a lot of backup..

The .375 is always a good choice and would be a better choice than the 9.3s IMO,

The .404 loaded at the original balistics with a 400 gr. bullet at 2150 to 2200 FPS recoils about like a 9.3 or 375 and is a better killer any way you cut it on DG....

You couldn't find a better caliber for mama, the kids, or yourself than the .404. I load my .404 to about 2400 FPS. You can do the same thing with a .416 Rem. and get the same results, just load it down to 2200 FPS..I keep these loads available for the ladies and younger folks that want to try out the big bores before their hunt...

.375