For what it's worth I took two buffalo in '09 with a Chapuis 9,3X74R using 286 grain Woodleigh softs and solids. First was down in 50 yards or so with one shot. Anther shot was used for insurance. The second buffalo was shot in the shoulder with a soft. The next two were solids in the opposite shoulder and the last at the base of the neck where it joins the shoulder as he was facing me.

It will kill anything... But can it stop everything killing you!!!!

To light for big 5 here!

Cheers
Johan

Just food for thought. According to the Hornady HITS calculator (Hornady Index of Terminal Standards), a 286 grain bullet launched at 2250 fps is suitable for the big five. That load generates 1701 "HITS." Still, I agree with the posters who wanted something heavier for elephant. However, within reason, bullet placement and bullet quality are far more important then caliber.

(Big Five/Very Large Game
OVER 1500 H.I.T.S.
A rating of 1,501 or greater indicates cartridge/bullet combinations that are suitable for very large game - game that is content hunting you back. There is no weight rating on this category since animals like African lions may weight only 400 pounds.)

Dave, they can put that on one's tombstone..."But I Had Enough HITS!!!"

Biebs:

Due to lack of experience, I have to defer to the guys with more African experience. However, I think caliber is greatly overestimated especially with today's bullets. I love the big guns but I doubt there is too much in Africa that can't be killed with my 340 Weatherby and 250 grain Barnes TSX or Banded Solid given good bullet placement. The 9,3s have been killing it all in Africa for over 100 years. See picture at top of page. Again, elephants are in a seperate category

Having just used the 9.3X74R on safari this past October, I'll offer my two cents.

First, I shot quite a few plains game animals with it including Grysbok, Duiker, 2 Kudo, Warthog, and Klipspringer. Used a CEB BBW#13 solid on the Grysbok, Duiker, and Klippie. Used the CEB Non-Cons on everything else.

Big Five animals: I was prepared if necessary to use it on buffalo with some 3 petal Non-Cons instead of the standard 6 petal design. The reason for this was that the 9.3 was scoped and if I needed to make a bit further shot, it would be up to the task at hand. Would I use it on buffalo, yes but it isn't my first choice. BTW, there was a fellow in camp the first couple of days from Brazil who stated that he had shot 28 buffalo with his 9.3X74R and never had a problem. Still, it wouldn't be my first choice as I had the 577NE for the big stuff.

Elephant - Again, I had the CEB solids and think they would have done the job if something happened to the 577NE but, it would be FAR from my first choice.

Lion - NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER!! That 9.3 with the 250gr Non-Con knocked the lion's pecker in the dirt with authority! I would have no hesitation using it again for any of the African cats. The lion in my signature line below is the one taken with this rifle. And using the double, I was able to get a second shot into the cat as it tumbled down the hill. The video of this is posted in the African Hunting section of the forum if anyone is interested in seeing firsthand how well it handled the cat.

Those are my thoughts on the subject.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

First, I shot quite a few plains game animals with it including Grysbok, Duiker, 2 Kudo, Warthog, and Klipspringer. Used a CEB BBW#13 solid on the Grysbok, Duiker, and Klippie. Used the CEB Non-Cons on everything else.

BTW, there was a fellow in camp the first couple of days from Brazil who stated that he had shot 28 buffalo with his 9.3X74R and never had a problem.

Lion - NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER!! That 9.3 with the 250gr Non-Con knocked the lion's pecker in the dirt with authority! I would have no hesitation using it again for any of the African cats.

Enough said!