I'm looking to get a new rifle in the near term to train for an African Safari that is probably 2 years away. I have rifles that will work well for the smaller and softer plains game animals but, Zebra/Eland on up probably need something more.

I have been watching for a nice commercial Mauser 98 based 9.3x62 but, my search has been unfruitful so far. This has made me consider rebarreling something or maybe downloading a larger caliber. Initially, the 9.3x62 seemed like a good choice because it is legal in Africa for Safari and fits into a lighter rifle without recoiling excessively. Having found some 9.3x57 rifles, the thought of rechambering entered the equation which leads me to consider a 9.3x66 which Z-hat offers. The leap to a 411 Hawk or 400 Whelen is an easy step from there.

Would a downloaded 375 or 416 Ruger be a better option to train with? I'm assuming I can safely download to something similar to a 9.3x62 recoil level and work my way up to full power loads in a couple of years as I prepare for Africa. The cost of a 375/416 Ruger or 9.3x62 CZ-550 rifle is about the same but, I don't have to worry about rechambering and ammunition availability if go with the Ruger option.

Words of advice, recommendation, and general insights are appreciated in helping me pick my next rifle.

Thanks!

Sid you and others have raised the question of the 9.3x66 before. In a 06 length magazine for a handloader the gain over a 9.3x62 is small if any. Sure a 411 Hawk or Whelen would get the job done. The by far simplest and cheapest is simply go with a 375Ruger or wait for a 416 either could be loaded up or down. Remember this is from a guy that just built a 380 &400PDK. In a 400 my case is 86grs and I can push the right 400gr at 2250. But the 06 based case is better suited for 300gr.

My guess is a 416Ruger would be loafing at my max. Check out Jeffe's 416AR for a comparison.

American hunting rifles makes a 380 Howell will chamber your rifle and sells dies and brass to boot. Basically a 9.3x66 in 375.

A 350 grain 411 bullet has a 296 SD

in an 06 based case going 2350+

Where are the flies on that?

quote:

A 350 grain 411 bullet has a 296 SD

Yep but 350s aren't a run of the mill 411 bullet. Cheapest are the Hawk but I think they are way to soft.

Boom you going to be at the shoot on 5/2. I'll have the 400 there.

Thanks Paul --
you can download the 416 AR (just a little larger than then ruger) to 400gr at 2200 .. which is easy on the shoulder.. or 350s somewhere close to that.. easy to do, man .. really.. just use rl 15 or rel 19 and you'll be down there

The AR series of cartridges is a good one. However, I'm missing what they offer over the Ruger cartridges. Limited load data shows the 416's are equivalent so, wouldn't factory support for the Ruger tip things slightly in favor of that rifle and cartridge combination?

Buying a factory rifle eliminates the expenses of fitting a new barrel. RUM brass is cheap enough but, no fireforming and trimming is attractive with Hornady factory ammo. Also, headstamped brass will be easy for the Ruger if that is needed for any trips to Africa (or someplace else).

quote:

The AR series of cartridges is a good one. However, I'm missing what they offer over the Ruger cartridges. Limited load data shows the 416's are equivalent so, wouldn't factory support for the Ruger tip things slightly in favor of that rifle and cartridge combination?

Sid
The 416AR really doesn't offer anything over the 416Ruger.It only has a couple grains of cpacity over the Ruger. I just mentioned it as a check to see what velocity the 416Ruger should be able to do. Sicne I hadn't seen much 416 Ruger data.

AR headstamped brass and dies are available. But like I tried to say the 375 or 416 Ruger would be the esiest and cheapest to do. Yes they can be loaded down

Sid,
Funny enough, I didn't do a 375 AR, a YEAR before the 375 ruger was annouced, and my 416 has been shooting since december of 2005 (wow, its been THAT long?)

The 375 and 416 ruger are EXCELLENT factory rounds, and offer the same design that I did on the ARs (a couple years ahead of the rugers) and performance. For the SAME reasons.. meet the performance of the "full length" HH cases in a standard action. I am not the first one, that is certain, but I did it, on 416, 458, and .475 bullets... and even .510

with the 416 ruger being a factory round, the 416 Accrel, like the 416 hoffman vs 416 remington (or rigby ve rem vs dakota vs weatherby - all 416s) makes it an interesting race.

Some folks don't like the Ruger name .. i do, then again, I like belts, shoulders, no belts, rims, rim fire, centerfire.. in short, I like just about every cartridge made.

Rip is even working on a 458 ruger case. It will have less shoulder/headspace than the 470 Accrel, but may work just fine.

its about choices, right? After all, the 8x57 IN ORIGINAL LOADING will kill anything on the planet.

quote:

Some folks don't like the Ruger name .. i do, then again, I like belts, shoulders, no belts, rims, rim fire, centerfire.. in short, I like just about every cartridge made.

Rip is even working on a 458 ruger case. It will have less shoulder/headspace than the 470 Accrel, but may work just fine.

its about choices, right? After all, the 8x57 IN ORIGINAL LOADING will kill anything on the planet.

Yep some of us just like to be different. Boy it sure would be boring if we all shot the same thing. Can't imagine a hunting camp without a "discussion" on whose rifle and cartridge is best.

Sid Post,
I have not had the Ruger cartridges.
I have the 9.3x62 ,the 9.3x74, the .411 Hawk, the .405 Win, the .375 H&H, the .378 Wby, etc.

Recoil of a well built 9.3x62 is not severe, some of the very light small ring Huskys are an exception to that.

If you look at the aspect of "lost" ammo, the 9.3 has an "African" advantage as to replacement.

As to rifle cost, you can find used CZ's in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby etc for $6 to 900.

I see used large ring 9.3 x57 Huskys at about $450 that you could ream to 9.3x62.

Get what you want, but a .375 or a 9.3x62 works well and ammo is factory available lots of places.

just buy a CZ 9,3x62 mannlicher stocked carbine. Trim, light weight, and legal for anything in Africa. Mine is a dandy, and an moa carbine.

Rich
Buff Killer

9,3x62. It is one of the very few calibers (the other one being 6,5x55) which works in the real world so impressive that it is really convincing.