Thinking of getting CZ in 9.3X62

I'm thinking about getting a CZ in 9.3X62. Is this a cartridge that I can expect to find ammo in any of the normal safari countries or is this round just locally popular in South Africa?

Hi Michael, availability of ammo was the reason I went with a .416 Rigby for my CZ, you can get it just about anywhere. Standard stuff. CZ makes a great rifle; enjoy it!

Michael
As Derek mentioned the CZ is a great rifle I own a couple of them, latest being a 458 Lott.
The 9.3 is only popular in SA and no other African country I know of.

The choice of caliber is as far as I am concerned a personal one and the availability of ammunition in other countries other than your own, is not a big factor, mainly because when you go on a hunt you take enough ammo with you?

Also when Buying a "bigger caliber" think if you might sell it again or not, popular calibres sell better than "odd" ones.

Thanks guys I'm trying to figure out what my next rifle is going to be. I'm quite interested in the Weatherby magnums as well. Are their any Weatherby Calibers that are somewhat easy to get ammo for in Africa?

Just about no ammo is readily available for the Weatherby mags in Africa, very few and far between, because they are NOT popular in any African country.
So that is why VERY FEW gun shops even bother to import these ammo.

I sold my 460 years ago because of this!

Remember us Africans don't believe in speed! ;)

Thanks. I was asking because I wonder about things like ammunition being lost in transit or other misfortunes.

Michael,

No doubt its a fine calibre .366 (9.3x62) I had it by Hasqvarna Rifles,had to part with it due to not being universal calibre and the ammo availibilty is scarce. You should opt out for .375H&H mag. as its a caliber very popular and the ammo availability is good and lots of bullet weight choices.and take any game with a correct placed shot, and is optimum for long range shootings too.

Monish

Just reading this old thread. The 9.3x62 is also pretty popular in Namibia. Its a fine caliber and the CZ is a fine rifle. Sure like mine in this cal!

Good rifle and very good cartridge. Ask your PH about availability of ammo in the country you are going to go

I have used the 9.3x62 extensively in Tanzania and So. Africa. I have shot a number of buffalo with it. I can handload my strong Mauser with a 26 inch barrel and long throat enableing me to seat out the bullets to a safe 2450 FPS with RL-15 and and the 320 gr. Woodleigh. I load my .375 to 2500 FPS with a 300 gr. bullet, I have never been able to tell any difference between the two on buffalo. It is a grand caliber set up in such a manor as above and capable of killing any animal on the planet. A requirment of any caliber is proper placement of the first shot, and it helps greatly to do the same on follow up shots. Good shooting and proper bullet construction is the key. not caliber within reason.

Go figure...just zero'd my 550 FS 9.3 today....what a joy to shoot...compact and lethal...1.5" group at 200 yards(factory Norma ammo)......with a 4 power scope with quick detach rings....just in case...I am partial to my FS CZ's....to get a comparable FS gun in a 9.3 you need to spend over 2 grand(if it's German make it 3 grand)....mine cost $700 NIB 3 years ago

Another thought...up until recently many regions allowed Buffalo hunts with a 9.3....before the 375 became the minimum.......so I am sure it can any plains game.....including Wildebeast........besides I am sure your PH will be packing a 416 or larger........

I've found the 9.3 is quite popular in RSA and Zim. Historically it is the calibre of choice in ex-German colonys. It may not be as prominant in Safari camps catering to North Americans.

I have seen Weatherby and 9.3x62 ammo for sale in the major gunshops of Bloomfontein and Jo'Burg but not in Cape Town. I'm confident in saying that they may be the only places you will get some. If in the rare event you lose your ammo your going to lose more than just the ammo. You have more chance of having your ammo seized at home or in transit if you don't have the correct paperwork. Horror storys exist but are in the minority.

If you choose the 9.3x62 you won't be dissapointed. It hits well above its paper ballistics and has been doing so for over 100 years with conventional components.

The 9.3 is quite popular in Zimbabwe and have seen a few hunters use it in Mozambique. It seems to be geting more popular every year I go over.

Im getting the CZ 550 fs 9.3x62 soon and I cant wait. It will take down everything to a buffalo with ease.

9.3x62 is not legal for DG in some countries, where the minimum is .375HH

If you are using this as a primary DG rifle/caliber, why not opt for the 375 H&H, you have already shown concerns about ammo availability in case yours was lost, just another reason to stay with the tried and true. I am sure the 9.3x62 is a fine cartridge, but in my opinion, using the minimum for DG would be out of the question. Just my opinion though...

The CZ550 9.3x62 is a keeper. Worth twice as much as they cost. Bloody good rifle, Bloody good cartridge. If this rifle cost the same as a Weatherby Mark V Deluxe, I would still buy it.

Have mine in a FS model.......with todays bullet quaity I would put a 9.3 or 35 Whelen against any 375 ammo with regard to penetration...speed is the enemy of penetration...any serious shooter knows this....it's about the bullet...my 550FS and Tikka 35 Whelen carry like a dream and imho opinion give up nothing on bullet performance......If I needed a 375+ caliber I would go with my 416 Rigby/458 Lott or 500 jeffery CZ's........just dialed in my custom Tikka...can not wait to take it out on my next Whitetail hunt......but that 20" barreled CZ is hard to say no to........looking to add another CZ to my collection...would make #16........I "pray" for a "find" on a 404 or them to start chambering the 17 Hornet in a 527 FS............Old Tikka's and all CZ's are impossible to beat for the $$$$$$$

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speed is the enemy of penetration...any serious shooter knows this.

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That simply is not true. I have tested way too many bullets to disprove this blanket statement. Good solids will penetrate deeper with more velocity. Good expanding bullets will most of the time. The new style "non-conventional" bullets also like velocity.

Nothing wrong with a 9.3 but it is not a 375 nor is a 375 a 404, etc, etc.