I need some input! I am going to be purchasing a rifle relatively soon and these are the options:

CZ 550 Full Stock in 9.3 x 62
Ruger No.1 Medium Sporter in 9.3 x 74R

I plan on hunting big game in the U.S. predominately, but there is also a good chance of going to Africa for plains-game and maybe a buffalo further on down the road.

Any suggestions? Experience? I really want a 9.3, but one thing that concerns me in ammo availability---which caliber is ammo easier to get for?

Thanks!

I have used a 9,3x74R quite a bit in NA and Zimbabwe. The 9,3's are excellent hunting cartridges.

From the choices you have named I would base my pick on whether you want to hunt with a single shot or a bolt rifle.

I like single shot rifles and Ruger No1's.

I would not have a problem hunting plains game or a cape buff with one in 9,3x74R.

The only experience I have is with the 9.3x62, but I absolutely LOVE IT. It is super easy to reload for and is so accurate that it is scary (in my Blaser R-93).

I have heard great reviews on the CZ 550.

Rick_R on this board introduced me to the 9,3x62 in 2003. Acquired a CZ550 in 9,3x62 on the AR classifieds. Has proven to be very, very effective on deer, piggies, Impala, Warthog, Blue Wildebeast, Kudu and Zebra. All one shot stops save the Kudu. I love it. He has three now, and I have two.

Along the way I picked up a 9,3x74R Chapuis but have only taken deer and piggies with it. All have been one shot stops as well.

Great brass (RWS) is harder to find for the 9,3x74R than for the 9,3x62 ... but both are easy to load for and are quite accurate. Both kill like the Hammer of Thor.

Buy which ever style of rifle you like the best ... and the caliber will be fine.

Haha...the problem is I love both and don't know which one to get!

X62 is hard to beat!

Ed

The #1 in x74R, of course.

What won't it do???

That is awesome! I don't think I've ever heard of anyone using one on a pronghorn, but it looks like it done the job! Congratulations! What optics do you have on it? I was thinking something along the lines of a 1.5-5x Leupold for mine...

Don't do it! Buy something "normal" and "sane", something you can buy ammo for at Walmart. If you buy one 9.3 rifle they'll multiply like rabbits, you'll think "gee, I've got a 9.3x74r and the same bullets would work in a x62 or x64 (or one of each) and next thing you know there won't be enough seasons worthy of the cartridge and you'll be booking a flight to Africa. Any -06 sized action that falls into your hands will be sent to a barrel plumber for a 9.3 barrel and you'll be using them for everything just like LRH270...

Don't do it unless you like being really happy with your rifle.

...What optics do you have on it?...

Just an old 4x Burris compact. The Chapuis 9,3 has a 1.5-5x Leupold. The Merkel 9,3 has a 2-7x Leupold. The Simson 9,3 wears an 8x56mm Schmidt and Bender, but it came like that.....

...If you buy one 9.3 rifle they'll multiply like rabbits...

See above^^^^

...you'll be using them for everything just like LRH270...

So far 3 whitetails, one shot each DRT, one Bison, 3 shots but all three killed him, the pronghorn at 200-225 yards, in one corner and out the opposite......I'm about 60% decided to take it for Desert Sheep next month.....It's definitely going to Arizona for elk at Thanksgiving.....probably to Zim next summer for Leopard.....

LRH270
Nice Speed Goat.

Good looking stock on your No1 as well.

Thanks, the 'lope wasn't huge but we were trying to get a double on video (only got my half).

Actually, we were trying to get one on video with a .470 but couldn't quite get close enough.

The wood is factory; it's a Gary Reeder-rebarrelled '06.

how about both a guy can never have enough guns you know

quote:

I need some input! I am going to be purchasing a rifle relatively soon and these are the options:

CZ 550 Full Stock in 9.3 x 62
Ruger No.1 Medium Sporter in 9.3 x 74R

The 9.3 X 74R should be reserved for double rifles.......and that leaves the 9.3 X 62.....but I'd pick a Mauser custom......the CZ will do however!

That CZ550 FS is a lovely gun, I was looking at one last week at the LGS and man does it feel nice, comes up to point and swings very easy. CZ also makes another 550 with a longer barrel and normal stock, but something about that mannlicher is sexy!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
The 9.3 X 74R should be reserved for double rifles...

It is also available for the "World´s Best Single Shot", the Blaser K95.

Well, i bought a 9.3x62 CZ FS and had it rechambered to 9.3x64 The 62 is a fine cartridge but i just wanted a little more umf.

The bottom line is that there is not a wrong answer to this question.

I like my daughter's 9.3x62 so well that I am putting the parts together for one for me, and Duane Wiebe who built my daughter's liked it so well he built one for his personal rifle. If I can ever get the funds together, a 9.3x74R double rifle is also in my future.

Dave

That's good to hear...I thought I had done enough research to make a good selection. I love the charisma of the No. 1, but at the same time, 5 rounds is always better than 1!

another vote for the x62
topped with a 1.5-6x or 2-7x

I have a CZ 550 Full Stock in 9.3 x 62 w/a Leupole 1.5x5 scope and it seems that it would be very effective in all American game.

If I thought I might hunt Africa for plains-game or a buffalo, I think I would go a longer barrel.

While I do love my single loaders and I’m sure the 9.3x74 is more of a good thing. I’m sure I would not want to hunt any animal that could bite, tear, or stomp me into little pieces with a single shot, a double rifle yes, a single shot no.


The Ol’ Man said, “Son, don’t brag to me about the long shot you made! Brag to me about how close you got!â€

The Ruger would be fine, but I have to vote for the CZ 550FS in 9.3X62. the FS 9.3 is what I have. It has been very accurate with no rebedding or gunsmithing. The action was a little rough but working the action several times each day for about a month smoothed it up. The shorter barrel doesn't seem to loose much velocity compared to published loads and loading has been super easy. Graf brass is reasonably priced, easy to order, and seems to be of good quality (12 loadings on one batch so far).

Facing the exact same choice, I am opting for the 9.3X62. The CZ seems a fine option.

Dude!

Look what you just missed out on!

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=...=963106259#963106259

Alan

I have a no.1 a lt sporter in 30-06 kiled lots of game with it. I've been looking at the 9.3x74 no.1 it looks like a great combo. It well take care of anything you would want to shoot with it.

I have a CZ 550 FS with a Leupold 1.75 X 6 and i like it alot.....just got done sighting it in at a 200yd. zero.....i,m not a great shot but i can get 2" groups at 200 with nosler factory 250gr. accubonds....i'm very happy with the rifle.....it's handy and points quickly.....the warne QR mounts are the way to go for me....you can take the scope off in a hurry if it starts to snow too hard.....i have it sighted in at 100yds. with norma oryx 285 gr. with irons. i'd try to handle one for the price they ask.....if it fits...well.....regards.....bearit.... let's call them 2.75" groups @ 200....just to be accurate.......

I have two 62s and will eventually have a 74 double. I agree that your choice really will come down to if you want a single shot or a bolt action. Either would be a good choice.

I used one load (286 Partition) this year to take a large caribou bull, a huge bull moose, and three pronghorns - one at over 250yds. Recovered bullets from the caribou and the moose - classic Partition performance. None of the speed goats went more than a few feet; the bullet opened well on ribs. I was very pleased with that kind of performance.

Balistically the 9.3x62 is the best caliber..I like the 9.3x62 in a custom Mauser or Win. M-70 conversion..I have shot a lot of game with the 9.3x62, a little with the 9.3x64 and not hunted with the 9.3x74 at all, but am familiar with it and have shot them..

In a double rifle the 9.3x74 is a great option and I also suppose it is nice in a Ruger No. 1.

The Ruger no. 1 handles rimless cartridges as well as it handles rimmed rounds so I would rebarrel a 30-06 to a 9.3 in a No. 1., but I am just speaking for myself and its not very practical thing to do.

At the risk of being redundant, the #1 in 74R.


Again, what won't it do?????

I have had both, and I don't have either one right now.

I am going to end up with a Sauer 202 barrel in the 9.3x62, and a K95 barrel in the 9.3x74R.

I have a lot of similar cartridges like the: 10.3x60R, 375 Ruger, 35 Whelan, 338 Win, 340 Wby, and so on.

It really all depends on what a guy likes, bolt or single shot or both! I am going to go with both.

I also want to build a 9.3x64 but I am still unsure on the action. Ideally would be a 9 lugged Weatherby MKV in 30-06 for a rebarrel or a McMillan MCRT.

I had also thought about a 9.3x70, but then again what do you do about brass? As the brass for it is $100 per 20.

I have both . . .

9,3x62 in a CZ550 American - have killed Whitetail, Mule Deer, Hogs, Gemsbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Steenbok, and a Jackal with it.

9,3x74R in a TC Encore (custom barrel from Bullberry using a reamer and Shilen blank that I supplied) which is still in the load development/sight-in phase. I'll probably take it hunting this afternoon (with open sights - the scope will be a Xmas present).

Troy