What are the limitations as far as game that can be taken with this caliber. I get the feeling it is anything up to but probably not including the cape buffalo. I'm sure it could take buff but probably not the best choice by any means.

while i prefer something in the 40 or larger size on buff, there lots of them been killed with the 9.3. its killed both leopard & lion for me

2 water buffalo, scrub bull, bull giraffe (not DG, but far bigger than any buffalo)

Nosler 286gr from under the skin of the far shoulder of a large bull giraffe:


A 9.3x74R double should be close to the perfect big cat rifle.

IMO, A 9.3x74R in a light double with a QD scope and the proper bullets is just about perfect for Buffalo hunting.

It isn't legal in all countries, but it works just fine. Swift now produce a 286grn A frame which is easy to get to regulate in most doubles. The nosler is good, think the A frame has the edge if it will regulate.

Just because a flood of cheap 9.3x62 Mausers invaded colonial Africa doesn't make it God. That is reserved for you know who.

If you hit a buff in the right place then they are easy to kill. It always amazes me that guys say something to the effect that "the buffalo ONLY went a hundred before I could hear its death bellow."

Jeezus, a hundred yards? A buff could wreak a lot of damage in the time it takes it to cover a hundred yards. Where in the hell did they shoot them?

You shoot a buff in the lungs and he lumbers a few yards, falls over and dies.

But when a shot is screwed up and the adrenaline gets going, a 9.3 isn't my first pick.

A 9.3 is just another 375 H&H wannabe. Like anything else, bigger is always better.

And Swift 300 gr. bullets would be better than the 286 gr. bullets anyway.

Oh yeah, when I had my toy Chapuis 9.3x74R, it shot most any bullet I put through it to the same POA, including 320 gr. Woodleighs, 300 gr. Swifts, 286 gr. Noslers, 260 gr. Speers.

I should have kept it!!

As an example of an under-powered, imitation DG rifle!

The 93X74R is just under the 375 H&H.

As I remember NE450No2 has taken elephant and buffalo with his 9.3X74R. I think he used Woodleigh solids on the elephant.

The 9.3 with 320g bullets works outstanding. They bring the performance a step above the 286g bullets on DG. There's not a bit of difference between it and a 300Gr 375 on game.
Of course recoil is not much different either.
A 9.3 320 solid will penetrate a cape buff end to end and exit. Mine did in Zim last June.

quote:

Originally posted by SWD:
The 9.3 with 320g bullets works outstanding. They bring the performance a step above the 286g bullets on DG. There's not a bit of difference between it and a 300Gr 375 on game.
Of course recoil is not much different either.
A 9.3 320 solid will penetrate a cape buff end to end and exit. Mine did in Zim last June.

Almost too much penetration if you follow Kevin Robertson's theory that the 286grn 9.3 solids work better than 300grn 375 solids on Buffalo due to the bullet and all its shocking energy staying within the animal.
I have used both the 286grn Solids and 320grners and found this theory to be very true.

I could find room like that!! (sound of snapping fingers) for a Chapuis with good wood here. Shite happens just often enough hunting DG that I would want a bit bigger rifle for Cape Buffalo or Elephant, but as long as my PH has something like a 470 or 500 I'd take a good shot off the sticks.
I killed an Elk clean with one shot with my CZ FS 9,3x62 last year at about 200yds, and the X74R is about equivalent power.

Rich

I a strong action like a Ruger #1 and using 63K pressures you can get 2500+ with a 286 Partition.

This is theoretical of course.... If the brass and the Action can handle the pressures. BTW this is 2K under 308 win or 270 Win pressures.

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by SWD:
The 9.3 with 320g bullets works outstanding. They bring the performance a step above the 286g bullets on DG. There's not a bit of difference between it and a 300Gr 375 on game.
Of course recoil is not much different either.
A 9.3 320 solid will penetrate a cape buff end to end and exit. Mine did in Zim last June.

Almost too much penetration if you follow Kevin Robertson's theory that the 286grn 9.3 solids work better than 300grn 375 solids on Buffalo due to the bullet and all its shocking energy staying within the animal.
I have used both the 286grn Solids and 320grners and found this theory to be very true.

I know one can't keep explaining the same thing over and over and over again w/o it taking hold, but momentum kills not Robertson's baseless theories. Penetration is a function of the bullet momentum and heavier bullets have more momentum coming from the same cartridge having the same muzzle energy.

But every friggin day it is always some big mystery.

What's insanity, repeating the same behavior over and over again and expecting different outcomes?!

Yes, I know how much you want to explain why Robertson's theory doesn't work because it sounds so much better when you explain your version of the same theory.
Heavy for caliber = more penetration via momentum via a liberal dose of Powder .....

When this guy published an article that a bullet's rotational energy vastly exceeded its linear kinetic energy and that is what really kills an animal, all bets are off.

Rotational velocity is what allows a bullet to penetrate. Once the bullet expands (soft) the rotational velocity slows and the bullet quits penetrating. The reason solids are only used on elephant.

quote:

Rotational velocity is what allows a bullet to penetrate. Once the bullet expands (soft) the rotational velocity slows and the bullet quits

Oh really??? Sorry but i call B.S. on that statement, forward momentum is what allows a bullet to penetrate, rotational velocity's function is to stabilize the bullet during its flight. Dont believe me??? How did smooth bore rifles kill then???

Makes a certain amount of sense that some kind of stabilizing rotation keeps a long, narrow bullet of high sectional density oriented in one direction as penetration begins.
With a round ball, there is no front end, and with a hollow cavity minie type, there is the rock-in-a-sock effect. Not so with a modern jacketed solid.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
When this guy published an article that a bullet's rotational energy vastly exceeded its linear kinetic energy and that is what really kills an animal, all bets are off.

Bill is an engineer with a great deal of techincal expertise in the realm of energy transfer, momentum and force. I am an engineer as well and fully understand the concepts and the practical applications of how a bullet moves, carries and transfers energy.

Rotational energy is not part of the "penetration" equation. I believe (Bill correct me if I am in error) rotational energy is in reality momentum that is decreasing with forward velocity. Penetration is a function of 1)bullet design, weight, and physical properties, and 2)velocity. The bullet quits moving when the velocity is slowed due transfer of energy from the bullet to something else. The physics of all of this interesting, but be sure you are talking to someone who understands all of "parts" that affect bullet movement.

Another interesting "problem" is the classic 2x4 piece of wood that gets hurled throw a wall or a tree by a tornado or hurricane. How does this happen? Well, rotational energy is not the answer. It is velocity and mass dependent (Force = mass x acceleration or F=ma). Bullets work the same way. It is a balance of mass and acceleration that determines the force of the collision. I do not believe rotational energy fits in other than a small amount of added momentum.

quote:

Originally posted by Magnolia Slim:
What are the limitations as far as game that can be taken with this caliber. I get the feeling it is anything up to but probably not including the cape buffalo. I'm sure it could take buff but probably not the best choice by any means.

It's really not the first choice for buffalo hunting but possible,... at close range! There are some years ago, i shoot 3 buffalos ( Arni's ) in Malaysia with a combi. rifle 12/70-9,3x74R . I used only FMJ bullets, old ammunition from DWM !

I have shot giraffe, cappe buff and elephant with my 9,3x74R.

One 286gr Woodleigh Soft, frontal chest as the cape buff faced me... He was down and dead in 40 yards...

Two 286gr Woodleigh Softs into a giraffe...

One 286gr Woodleigh Solid, side brain, at five yards, gave comlete penetration on the elephant.

I would have no hesitation in using the 9,3x74R double on any of these animals again.

My 286gr bullets are doing @2225fps...

I have killed a coyote at 281 yards and a kudu at a little over 300 yards with these same loads.

dogcat

Some tests I have seen have shown that with a Solid a faster twist gives deeper penetration.

With a Soft a faster twist gives more expansion, with less penetration.

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
Rotational velocity is what allows a bullet to penetrate.

Especially when shooting drill bits!

450 No 2 - A faster twist only increases penetration IF the bullet is understabilised to begin with.

All bullets 'wobble' a bit as they leave the barrel and it takes some distance before the bullet 'goes to sleep' and steadies itself. The tighter the twist the quicker the bullet 'goes to sleep'...so penetration at close range tends to increase.

However, you pay a penalty in increased felt recoil, lower velocity and some loss of 'impact' effect. (ie a more stable bullet takes longer to impart energy to the animal so there is a slower transmission of 'shock').

It would make a real fine cat rifle. If shot in the right place it could take a buffalo.

I've never noticed the hole being bigger then the bullet, except when a bullet tumbles then you have major problems

The 9.3 kills big buff here without a problem if you use the right bullet and place your shot right - which really applies to everything.

I'm with aushunter, I like heavy for calibre bullets as they seem to hit harder and definitely out penetrate other lighter bullets.

I have fired different bullets into animals to test them and with as close to exactly the same shot as can be made, the heavy bullets go further inside by quite a long way.

The 9.3 also have such a great bullet range from 200 - 320gn.

"Heavier" bullets have thicker jackets than "lighter" bullets hence the heavier bullet does not upset as quickly thus retaining its rotational velocity will allows penetration into vitals. When a bullet expands rotational velocity slows and penetration slows/stops. There are three different velocities acting on a bullet; linear (trajectory), rotational (penetration - more evident on larger thick skinned game), and precessional (accuracy - consistent velocity "wobble" around base of bullet.

Bullets and weights have to be selected specifically for game hunted. The 9.3x74R is one of the world's finest cartridges.