The Perfect 9.3x62 Safari Rifle

[homeless]

I have two Mauser M12, one in 7mmRM and the other in 338wm

The 7mmRM with thumbhole

If i need another bolt action rifle I'll buy the third M12

 

[Milan]

Since the OP already has CZ in 9.3x62, I think it's just as perfect a Safari Rifle as any. Full stock and curly, waxed moustaches or not. It's not like the wood on it, albeit usually very beautiful, is grade AAAAAAAAAAAAA. Use it as is or stick a fiberglass/kevlar stock on it, glass bed it. Either way you've got a beautiful rifle to last a lifetime.

 

[Tiger2001]

I'm a big fan of the 9.3x62 as an all around hunting cartridge, and am looking for a handy practical rifle in 9.3x62 that I can use for nilgai hunting in south Texas and maybe even take to Africa at some point for plains game.

I'm considering buying a Ruger Guide Gun in 30-06 and sending it to JES Reboring to have it rebored, but I've read mixed reviews of their work and a fair amount of criticism of the owner's business communication habits (hes super hard to get hold of and he only communicates by voice, apparently).

If reboring is impractical or not advised in my case, I may consider rebarreling altogether but that depends a lot on cost and what the trade offs are as far as losing or retaining features. If I rebarrel, will it still be possible to have the same matte stainless finish, the express sights, barrel band sling swivel, matching brake etc? This isnt some generic Rem 700 action with ez-on, ez-off prefit barrels, its got to be done by a gunsmith, most likely.

Of course there's also buying a rifle already chambered in 9.3x62, and in fact I already have a CZ550 that is, but it's hardly what I would consider a practical rifle appropriate for Texas nilgai or African plains game. It's the "Bavarian" model with full length mannlicher style stock, and while it looks pretty, I think it would be more appropriate for something like a Romanian boar hunt or an Austrian stag hunt or something along those lines. My moustache isn't waxed and curly enough for that rifle.

Anyway, Both Steyr and Mauser (Mauser M12) have 9.3x62 rifles in their catalogs, but few if any are imported into the US, apparently. I'd really love one of those Rigby Highland Stalkers but that's sadly well out of my current budget. I also love the Steyr SBS action on my Steyr Scout and having something like Steyr CLII in 9.3x62 would be perfect, but it would require either importing a rifle from Europe (probably very expensive with lots of annoying red tape) or reboring a 30-06 or .270 version, which may result in a very very thin walled barrel if there isn't much "meat" on the barrel to begin with. At least with the Ruger Guide Gun there appears to be enough additional diameter to the barrel to rebore effectively.

My only real gripe with the Ruger is the atrocious bolt slop that's apparently endemic to the M77 action. I worry about the sloppy bolt getting bound up in situations where I'd need to reload quickly for a follow-up shot. There any way to smooth out and tighten up a Ruger M77 action?

How would you go about it?

Hi there! I just purchased a Blaser R8 Professional (synthetic green stock) in the 9.3x62 and put a new Leica illuminated scope on it. Perfect for everything in Europe and would be fine in Africa--where 9.3 is permitted for dangerous game.... It will take anything the world has to offer save the biggest of the Big Five. I looked long and hard and decided on the Blaser R8 over Sako and Steyr given it's versatility and ease of new parts. I can easily add a 30-06 barrel to this rifle or any other non-magnum caliber. Magnum calibers can be done as well but require a new bolt head in addition to barrel and magazine. Simply more $$. The Blaser in 9.3 can't be beat!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

My proposition: Mauser M98 in 9,3 x 62 or CZ in 9,3 x 62.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

If I were you, I'd restock the CZ-550 and get a classic sporting stock for it. Problem solved.

 

[dchum]

For what it’s worth

We hunt in Falfurrias, TX right in Nilgai country. My cousins vintage Full stock styer manlicher is always in the jeep when we go out cruising. I think if you had one it would fit In right down here in STX.
I say go for it if you see a nice FS cz

Side note because I saw it mentioned above.
I had a Sauer 100 in 9.3 and the cheap bottom metal and plastic parts would flex at the strong recoil and the mag would fall out every single time it was fired.
Good shooting barrel though.

 

[Fallschirmjaeger]

Hawkeye M77 would be a fine choice.

Another would be a vintage Husqvarna 640/1640.

I have a 9.3X62 Husqvarna and absolutely love it. It's not pretty, it's an absolute beater but it handles and holds so perfectly I have kept from selling it even to fund what would hopefully be a better 9.3X62.

Theres been some nice ones on gunbroker sold for $1,000-$1300. Theres one on GB right now in fact, in great shape. Sellers name is "Grouse Grove" a man with a solid reputation and has good quality firearms.

Right here. I would take a Husqvarna 1640 in 9.3x62 over a pile of Rugers and Winchesters. They also come with a set of simple express type sights and classically continental stocks. If you dont prefer the schnabel, have someone chop it off, install an ebony tip at your desired forend length, and checker the forend. Maybe tweak the trigger and safety to your style and add a pad.

 

[BeeMaa]

If you want to upgrade your current CZ550 9.3x62 (which it sounds like you do) there have been some great suggestions made like the Blaser R8, Rigby HS and Sauer 505.

I’m in the camp of owning fewer things of higher quality. Having just a few really nice rifles, like the wall that @WAB has, will allow someone to hunt every animal in the world with class.

It’s not an easy path. Having the financial discipline to execute this can take a lifetime. But enjoying a beautiful rifle on a hunt is its own reward.

 

[Milan]

If you want to upgrade your current CZ550 9.3x62 (which it sounds like you do) there have been some great suggestions made like the Blaser R8, Rigby HS and Sauer 505.

I’m in the camp of owning fewer things of higher quality. Having just a few really nice rifles, like the wall that @WAB has, will allow someone to hunt every animal in the world with class.

It’s not an easy path. Having the financial discipline to execute this can take a lifetime. But enjoying a beautiful rifle on a hunt is its own reward.

I agree but I also struggle with this on more fronts than one. I think the concept of fewer but higher quality things applies to everything in life or any hobby/passion/needs you have really. On the other hand, if we stick to subject of rifles...once you find a rifle that does everything you need it to, also assuming you picked one you actually like look and feel-wise, what is the point of spending even more money on something else, especially much more expensive? For a long time I desired an Oberndorf Mauser for all the reasons people usually do. Then I got my hands on one for few thousand $$, imported it from US to Canada. That cost additional few hundred $$. And it is a beautiful piece of work, but in the end as beautifully crafted as it is, it really is not better than my Brno 21/22 just different or just "original". Yet the price difference was multiples of the Brno. Which one do I like more? I like them both and you can't beat 1926 Oberndorf Mauser. It is sweet. But if I were to keep just one, the Brno stays.

 

[WAB]

I agree but I also struggle with this on more fronts than one. I think the concept of fewer but higher quality things applies to everything in life or any hobby/passion/needs you have really. On the other hand, if we stick to subject of rifles...once you find a rifle that does everything you need it to, also assuming you picked one you actually like look and feel-wise, what is the point of spending even more money on something else, especially much more expensive? For a long time I desired an Oberndorf Mauser for all the reasons people usually do. Then I got my hands on one for few thousand $$, imported it from US to Canada. That cost additional few hundred $$. And it is a beautiful piece of work, but in the end as beautifully crafted as it is, it really is not better than my Brno 21/22 just different or just "original". Yet the price difference was multiples of the Brno. Which one do I like more? I like them both and you can't beat 1926 Oberndorf Mauser. It is sweet. But if I were to keep just one, the Brno stays.

There is no right answer. It really depends on the value you place on fine craftsmanship. It is very much like the Rolex/Omega/Timex discussion. Personally I place a high value on traditional craftsmanship, particularly the hand work. I get more pleasure using a fine firearm, however, I do not kill more animals because of it. If your perceived value is lower than the cost, you will come up with a different answer.

 

[BeeMaa]

I agree but I also struggle with this on more fronts than one. I think the concept of fewer but higher quality things applies to everything in life or any hobby/passion/needs you have really. On the other hand, if we stick to subject of rifles...once you find a rifle that does everything you need it to, also assuming you picked one you actually like look and feel-wise, what is the point of spending even more money on something else, especially much more expensive? For a long time I desired an Oberndorf Mauser for all the reasons people usually do. Then I got my hands on one for few thousand $$, imported it from US to Canada. That cost additional few hundred $$. And it is a beautiful piece of work, but in the end as beautifully crafted as it is, it really is not better than my Brno 21/22 just different or just "original". Yet the price difference was multiples of the Brno. Which one do I like more? I like them both and you can't beat 1926 Oberndorf Mauser. It is sweet. But if I were to keep just one, the Brno stays.

I get it. All I would say is that when you look at your rifle does it bring you joy? Does it make you happy? Or does it remind you of the rifle you wished you would have saved for?

I didn't go the wicked expensive full bespoke route with my choices, but I am completely THRILLED every time I pick them up. The rifles weren't cheap, hurt a little bit at the time...but IMO was totally worth it. Choose wisely. Also called "buy once, cry once".

You have no one to please but yourself.

...and the internet. Have to keep the internet happy too.

 

[Milan]

I get it. All I would say is that when you look at your rifle does it bring you joy? Does it make you happy? Or does it remind you of the rifle you wished you would have saved for?

I didn't go the wicked expensive full bespoke route with my choices, but I am completely THRILLED every time I pick them up. The rifles weren't cheap, hurt a little bit at the time...but IMO was totally worth it. Choose wisely. Also called "buy once, cry once".

You have no one to please but yourself.

...and the internet. Have to keep the internet happy too.

The problem I have is that they ALL bring me joy. What is good is that even the "cheaper" ones do and to the same level of enjoyment. I guess I'm worried that as much as I'd like a Rigby Stalker in .257 and 9.3x62 or a new Mauser 98 (they're all $10K+ over here) that in the end while I would enjoy them, I would pick up that Brno for example or another old Mauser and go "Why did I bother?". This thing is just fine, just as "fancy", lighter, handier or just as handy and all at a fraction of a cost. I could sell everything and just buy the "good" stuff but I know I would miss some of the old guns immensly. I have even custom rifles built for competition. I spent $$$. And as nice as I think they are I now go: "Hmmmm...I only need/want one and now I have 2. Do I now throw away the modified Rem with Anshutz trigger on it and use my new toy or do I sell the new toy." Keeping both gives me a rash. As I never know which one to take shooting when taking both is not practical. When it is, there is no issue. I take both and alternate and enjoy them both. But during some matches you can only use one and when hunting people don't typically take more than one rifle either. At least not for the actual stalk. So less is more in the end IMHO, but boy-oh-boy it is really hard to even dwindle what I have let alone convince myself that if I sell everything I then have a reason to go for the exclusive stuff.

 

[Milan]

Choose wisely. Also called "buy once, cry once".

You have no one to please but yourself.

My problem is I buy more than once and then cry more than once also. I buy the "inexpensive" because I'm "sensible". I end up liking it. No crying yet. Then I buy something "nice" because I always actually wanted the "nice". And because I deserve it, right? Then I cry how much it cost. But I only cry once, because I always wanted it and it is "nice" and I like it and besides the deed is done now. No sense in crying anymore. But I do not sell the "inexpensive" because it is actually "nice" and I don't buy "crap" to begin with. So now I have the "inexpensive nice" and I have the "expensive nice" and because they are both "nice" I can't decide which one to sell and I cry and cry and cry.

I need counselling.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Milan - I admit to being one of one. I hold no sentimental value for anything. ANYTHING! Belonged to my grandfather, don't care. Shot my first deer with it, so what. Went to Africa and took the biggest, baddest Cape buffalo...does nothing for me.

If I like it, it stays. If not, I will allow that item (firearm, car, knife...whatever) to continue it's journey with someone else.

What you place value in is your own. Be true to yourself and you will be happy.

Counseling session complete. I'll be expecting a deposit in my PP account shortly.

In all honesty, I wish you the best. It's a journey for everyone and no one has the same one. Best of luck with it.

 

[Milan]

Hehehe. Good one @BeeMaa. I did manage once in my life to sell pretty much the whole gun collection because I was planning to move out of the country. Told my friend, pawning off my stuff, to hang on to two just in case. A .22 and a post-war Czech Kar 98. He did. Years later when I renewed my license, I picked them up and still have them. I was going to add only another "proper" hunting rifle (scoped one) as hunting with the 98 was cool but I could no longer take long shots (aging eyesight). Added a CZ550 in 9.3x62 mentioned in some other threads. That's the one I took to Africa. But then it somehow spiraled out of control again.

I don't have a problem selling what I don't like. I have a problem liking too many of the same.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@Milan - I admit to being one of one. I hold no sentimental value for anything. ANYTHING! Belonged to my grandfather, don't care. Shot my first deer with it, so what. Went to Africa and took the biggest, baddest Cape buffalo...does nothing for me.

If I like it, it stays. If not, I will allow that item (firearm, car, knife...whatever) to continue it's journey with someone else.

What you place value in is your own. Be true to yourself and you will be happy.

Counseling session complete. I'll be expecting a deposit in my PP account shortly.

In all honesty, I wish you the best. It's a journey for everyone and no one has the same one. Best of luck with it.

Hmmm. With that attitude you must have a divorce lawyer on permanent retainer.

 

[Milan]

Hmmm. With that attitude you must have a divorce lawyer on permanent retainer.

He said knife, not wife.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm beginning to feel like an outcast. I will spend tens of thousands on my dogs but only have a handful of guns. None are fancy, most are hand-me-downs, and none are/were expensive. They are tools and a few do have sentimental value.

 

[MS 9x56]

I have a personal rule in my gun collection. No 2 guns of the same caliber and no 2 guns of the same model. Keeps the herd under control and leads to more trades.

 

[BeeMaa]

I have a personal rule in my gun collection. No 2 guns of the same caliber and no 2 guns of the same model. Keeps the herd under control and leads to more trades.

I hope that doesn’t apply to shotguns. I have four different models but all are 12 bore and have very different purposes.