I have noticed there are a lot of different 9.3x74s ,mainly o/u rifles ,cz,tikka ,zoli,browning,etc .what for and how are they generally used in Europe ? wild boar deer and moose hunting ? at what ranges ? open sights ? or scope ?drive hunting ?or with dogs ?

velodog
I haven't used my 9,3x74R double Chapius in Europe, but it has worked GREAT in Texas, Montana, Idaho, Canada, and Zimbabwe.
It is my favorite hunting rifle and calibre under 40 cal.
My rifle has a scope in QD mounts but about 65 to 70% of the game has been taken with iron sights. However I would not even consider a 9,3 double without a scope, as a scope moves the double into ALL ROUND territory.

Most European double rifles in 9,3x74R are used for general drive hunting where you never know what's going to come out, be it Roedeer, Wild Boar, Red deer, Fallow deer, Mouflon or... Fox. All running shots where a double with great stopping power is at its best.

velodog,

N E 450 No2's glowing report of his expereince with the 9.3x74R in Double Rifles is typical of this splendid cartridge.

The 9.3x74R (R - for Rimmed) is a very common European cartridge used in Single-Shot Break-Open, Combination, Drilling and Double Rifles. It is especially popular in Drillings and Double Rifles. There are countless variations of these types of rifles available and the cartridge has proven itself effective for the task at hand which is European large(r) game, Red, Fallow Deer, Wild Boar, Moose and Bear.

It is used for Stand Hunting as well as Drive Hunts, with or without open sights, Red Dots and Scopes - the variations are countless.

There are also gunsmiths who make insert barrels for combo guns to add more versitility and flexibility.

It is a fairly low pressure round by today's standards and from my personal expereince I consider the recoil very mild, offers good accuracy and delivers a solid thump on the receiving end; net, a good cartidge. It's only drawback is it's curved trajectory - it is not a long range cartridge and I have seen some pretty good F+++-up's from nimrods miscalculating range with this cartridge.

Gerry is right. The 9.3x74R is a fantastic cartridge but is often misused by those misunderstanding its power.

Many people think it's the equal of the 375 and it is not. It's the equal of the 35 Whelen, or 405 WCF.

I have a Luxus S-2 double rifle by Blaser of Germany for sale for $6000. It's new in the box, and can be seen in Casper, Wyoming. PM for details.

In Europe you will see few double rifles or drillings chambered for the 9.3x74R that don't have big Swarovski, Zeiss, Kaps, Schmidt and Bender, Meopta, or Docter scopes of 3-12x56 on them. As the Europeans usually hunt wild boar at night. Many 9.3 owners will have a second reflex sight or 1.5-6 for driven hunts.

I have used my double 9.3x74R in drive in huntings, and I think this combination of caliber and rifle (double) is unbeatable for snap running shoots, with poor visibility at short to medium range. I have taken many boars, in these difficult conditions, that with another rifle I seriously doubt that I could take them.

Many people think it is better for those conditions to use only open sights, but my experience says that with an small and wide filed scope (1.25-4x24) I can get better shoots to animals running in the bush.

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
Gerry is right. The 9.3x74R is a fantastic cartridge but is often misused by those misunderstanding its power.

Many people think it's the equal of the 375...

...and some think it's better. I am of the philosophy that a 286 grain bullet at 2362 fps makes MORE sense than a 300 grainer at 2500+. Historically, moderate velocity has equalled reliable and straight penetration. Give me a scoped (QR mounts) 9,3 SxS over a .375 bolt gun any day.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
In Europe you will see few double rifles or drillings chambered for the 9.3x74R that don't have big Swarovski, Zeiss, Kaps, Schmidt and Bender, Meopta, or Docter scopes of 3-12x56 on them.

D99,

From experience, and as an European, I can tell you that such a combination is probably the exception. Not the rule. The rule being a 1.1x4 or 1.25x4 scope.
IMHO a 9,3x74R topped with a good 1.25x4 scope (Zeiss, Swarovski,...) is as good as it can get: perfect for short distance shots in "montaria" but allowing for a shot over 100 meters if the chance presents itself.

B.Martins

The x74 is to landed gentry is what x62 is to the peasant. The Po for 74 is apporx 40MPa less, and depending on loading the bullet drops couple cm more at 150m; it also hits with 300J to 500J less energy at that range.

Also not used in Europe but I am in love with my new Tikka double in 9.3x74R. I suspected it would perform wonderfully when testing bullet loads (Woodleigh 286 gr Protected Points and also FMJs) on paper. With the preferred loads, each barrel shot a two shot group with the bullet holes touching at 50 metres. Self regulation was quite easy. It is topped off with a 1-4x Leupold in Tikka removable mounts. The trigger is fine enough but unfortunately it is a single trigger but well adequate for fine shooting. The rifle is reasonably light weight to carry easily all day. Recoil feels no worse than a .303 and is not really noticeable.

I also managed to carry one hundred rounds to the Territory with less than 4.25 kgs of weight.

First use on game was in Northern Territory on three pigs in a mob of about 30. With the scope on 1x, one was shot standing the other two running. Pointed well and dropped them like bags of bricks. Very quick shooting.

Then continued to take another 14 buffalo, 2 brumbies (wild horses) and a donkey, plus a trophy scrub bull. Most buffalo were shoot under 100 metres, usually 30 to 70 metres and usually a couple shots did them, each being shot once then moved onto the next animal with the second barrel, reloading to help them along with a second shot each. Running shots worked well too.

I did start off badly shooting the first cow buffalo solidly in the chest with two rounds. It immediately ran off and we followed and lost the tracks, the herd having split in several directions. It would have died soon without any doubt. The second buff was a good brain shot. The third was immediately after with an attempt at a second brain shot. Obviously missed the brain and we never caught up to this beast. It may well survive that shot, but unfortunately could not be finished off which I dislike a lot. These two caused me some doubt on the riflr/cartridge combination, but the next eleven buffalo were all very well done, with sometimes three buffalo with in metres of each other (plus their younger calves) being killed with rapid fire from the Tikka. Cows (and two young bulls) are a lot smaller than full sized trophy bulls.

I expect trophy bulls bein much larger to withstand more punishment, but if the first shot is well placed into the heart or double lungs plus arteries (etc) the animal will no doubt die after a few minutes. Most very large animals seem to just take a while, unless brain shots are taken.

The scrub bull was shot at about 170 metres and required several follow-up shots but he was a monster and they do not die quickly no matter what is used.

One of the brumbies (horses) was shot on the run at about 120 metres and dropped well.

While the Tikka is plain and an U/O I LOVE this cartridge and scoped double combination and can see why it is such a great success and favoured on the European Continent for running boar, moose and deer. Fantastic!

My rifle may well venture to Europe one year soon for boar and whatever comes its way but first some camels I think are in order and a stag or two .

I have been thinking about putting one in a Ruger Number one I have that is in 45-70. A 9.3X74R single shotwould be nice hm?

Yes, but quality ammo will be VERY expensive and difficult to find in a "midwestern town".

9,3x74 is used mainly in single-shot break open or double rifles, and in power is equaled the 9,3x62. It is an excellent battue rifle and was intended especially for hogs. This caliber will stop any of the monster hogs at any time. I prefer the heavy bullet 285gr (called Oryx made by Norma). One of my friends own a double rifle chambered for this caliber and he highly recommends it for moose hunting. One shot one kill...
What do you need more?