The Accurate Reloading Forums
Tikka 512S 9.3X74R REGULATION and other rifle issues.

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/760101804/m/655108976

30 May 2007, 10:11
HAMMER'em
Tikka 512S 9.3X74R REGULATION and other rifle issues.
Ok, I'm a neophyte double rifle owner. I've installed a new "ghost ring" rear and correspondingly high front ramp to replace the anemic original factory irons. Found a load (53 gr 4064 with Privi 286 softs from Grafs) that "regulates" top/bottom barrels within 1/2 inch of each other...dead center bull @ 40 yards. Put on a 1.75 x 5 Redfield Widefield (don't ask...just what I grew up shooting) This same load cuts 2 shot cloverleafs at 40 with the scope. So I begin to "play" @ 100 yds bottom barrel 2" low / top barrel 5" high.
200 yds top barrel 1.5" low. 300 yds using top of the "post" where the duplex shrinks to fine is 2" low. I realize that this is not "regulated" per traditional definitions.....but I find I'm hard pressed to change anything.....I sorta like the way it is shooting. From limited testing @ 40 yds with same load but substituting 286 gr Barnes FP Solids are shooting to same point.

I feel like it is shooting pretty well....but that brings up the rest of story.....I've never actually shot any game with it......(this particular rifle or this cartridge)

I am going to Namibia in mid-July for a 12 day Plains game/leopard hunt..... Then on to Zim for 10 a day Buff & tuskless cow hunt. I am going to carry a Win Safari Classic in 416 rem in case I decide that the 9.3 is a little anemic once I get close to the big stuff! Did I mention that this is my first trip over?

My main problem is that I still want to carry my 338 Win Mag for the pinpoint accuracy (can you say leopard)and potential long range shots at plains game in Namibia.

However, I do not want to wag 3 rifles all over Africa,........ but I could break the double down and carry it in my "suitcase" (a pelican 1660), my other 2 rifles would go in my pelican 1750 rifle case.
After Namibia, I could send the 338 home with my brother-in-law & sister and continue on to Zim with the Tikka 9.3 and the 416.

Or I could use the 9.3 on every damn thing and leave the other 2 rifles at home!

Softs on PG/leopard.......
soft/solid on buff.....
solid/solid on ele!

WHAT should I do?

Any suggestions to ease my pain ......I'm stuck on the horns of a dilemma?


DRSS
30 May 2007, 15:02
JudgeG
I'll bet that the first time you have an elephant waving ears around and generally raising hell at you from just 15 yards, you'll wish you had a .500 N.E. in your hands (or better yet, an RPG).

Of course, a 9.3x74 WILL do the job (I have one, btw), but for your first trip, I'd take all the rifle I could accurately shoot.

As to multiple rifles, I just got back from an elephant/PG hunt with "only" a .404 Jeffery. I found loads that shot Swift A-frames and Woodleigh solids close enough that my iron sights were just fine for close shots at elephant and long shots (say 250 yards with a QD scope) at game as small as springbok.

JMHO.


JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.