First Trip To Africa

[Morga]

Well I have my first trip to SA coming up in Nov of 2021. I have been waiting for Zastava to release there 9.3x62 Mauser Left Hand Rifle's in the USA. They have been supposed to be released already and after talking with Zastava USA can't get a time frame for them to be sold.
So the option running around in my head is to buy a Left Hand , Remington SPS 30-06 and customize it out the ears. First step have the 24 inch 30-06 barrel Re-bored to 9.3x62 fairly easy conversion, Going to get a custom heavy walnut stock made for it, with a mercury recoil system in the stock. Optics will be a Burris Veracity 2x10x42mm , and top it off with a suppressor OSS HX-QD 338 TI.

Would like peoples opinions on the Build for Plains game hunting. Any advice welcome as well.

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

Living in South Africa, for a couple of years I used Heym SR 20 rifles, left. One in 9,3x62 the other .375 H & H. Both with Zeiss telescopes 1.5-6x42. Excellent rifles. However I’m not very fond of bolt action rifles, therefore I sold them and got a Krieghoff Classic Big Five.

 

[Tgood1]

congratulations on the first time going over. I found the use of an illuminated reticle of great advantage especially if any night hunting is planned. As far as rifle build I did similar 2 years ago by buying a used bolt action and sent barreled action to douglas barrel co. here in wv of which I got exactly what I wanted at a good price and the rifle shoots amazing. November in RSA may be rather warm which means insects and parasites. the last September hunt I did there I treated by clothing with permethrin before leaving the US. I had no issues while others in my party as well as ph's were pulling ticks regularly. practice shooting off sticks, rocks, rails, etc. Contact import company for trophies being brought back, I and several of my customers use Coppersmith. Listen to your ph. Go online and and see photos of game available in your area in case an unexpected opportunity presents itself you know what you are looking at.
Enjoy every minute of your time there.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Morga Welcome to AH.

If you are doing a one gun PG safari and trying to save some money...
You may already have your safari rifle in your safe.
7mmRM or nearly any.30 caliber should be just fine.
The only animals I'd say you would be under-gunned for is Eland or Giraffe.
Of course proper bullet selection, shot placement and practice off sticks with it.
That way you can save your pennies for more animals or taxidermy.

When you are ready to go on your second safari, you will have a better idea of what you want.
Personally, I'd suggest a .375 caliber because if you choose to hunt DG in the future you are covered.
A 9.3 is close to a 375, but not legal in all areas.
Nothing like getting close with a 9.3 and having to start all over with a 375 or bigger.

Personally, I'd choose a 375 H&H.
Relatively easy to learn to shoot, relatively cheap ammo and ammo is easy to find.
Finding a rifle with a Left Handed option will be your biggest obstacle.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Tgood1]

Agree with beemaa, first pg hunt was with 30-06, did fine. Now its .375 h and h, and love it, few solids in belt for the tiny guys

 

[spike.t]

Well I have my first trip to SA coming up in Nov of 2021. I have been waiting for Zastava to release there 9.3x62 Mauser Left Hand Rifle's in the USA. They have been supposed to be released already and after talking with Zastava USA can't get a time frame for them to be sold.
So the option running around in my head is to buy a Left Hand , Remington SPS 30-06 and customize it out the ears. First step have the 24 inch 30-06 barrel Re-bored to 9.3x62 fairly easy conversion, Going to get a custom heavy walnut stock made for it, with a mercury recoil system in the stock. Optics will be a Burris Veracity 2x10x42mm , and top it off with a suppressor OSS HX-QD 338 TI.

Would like peoples opinions on the Build for Plains game hunting. Any advice welcome as well.

Just out of interest why do you want a heavy stock and a mercury recoil reducer in a 9.3x62....?

 

[meigsbucks]

Welcome to AH Morga. You’ve come to the right place for learning about African hunting and rifles. Everyone on here is more than willing to answer your questions / give their opinion. Congratulations on your first safari. I’m sure it will be only the first of several.
Not knowing what quarry you’re after, but as BeeMaa stated, unless giraffe or eland is the target a .308, .30/06, 7mm mag or .300 mag would be great for PG.
IMO: If the big boys are on the table you would be better served with a 9.3x62 or .375. If you intend to pursue DG sometime in the future, a .375 is legal everywhere. Not so the 9.3, but it would be great for all PG.
As far as your question about buying / building a 9.3, I’d go with the build for two reasons. First, the Zastava LH may never be available. Second, by building it, you create exactly what you want.
For an African hunting tip(s): practice, practice, practice. Practice off sticks. Offhand. Kneeling. All of your practice doesn’t have to be with your hunting rifle. Shoot .22’s and 223’s for cheaper practice. Also, dry fire at a animal picture will help a lot. Of course, make sure your rifle is unloaded.

 

[Morga]

Just out of interest why do you want a heavy stock and a mercury recoil reducer in a 9.3x62....?

Hello well I thought it would help with the recoil a bit I have never had one before heard mixed things on the Mercury Recoil systems, do you feel they are not worth it.

 

[spike.t]

Hello well I thought it would help with the recoil a bit I have never had one before heard mixed things on the Mercury Recoil systems, do you feel they are not worth it.

Never considered a 9.3x62 that fierce when it comes to recoil....really don't see the need for a recoil reducer in one...what is the biggest calibre you have fired ?

 

[Morga]

I will be taking it easy on the first trip the 4 trophy fees I have in the hunt are for a spiral slam, Eland, Kudu up to 54 inches, Nyala, and Limpopo Bushbuck . Dangerous game will come later if time and finances permit. I currently have a Remington 700 Left hand ,300 Winchester Magnum , 26 inch Barrel, Myrtle Stock, TBAC Ultra 9 CB may have to pull it out of the Gun Safe.

 

[Tanks]

For gunstocks I use Accurate Innovations ( https://www.aigunstocks.com/ ). They have built multiple gun stocks for me and they can accommodate any type of gun stock you want (not plastic) and can do mercury recoil reducers as well.

Here are some pics of the stocks they have done for me.

.458 B&M Wildcat

• Tanks
• Feb 7, 2020

-- Model 70 CRF medium action with 18" barrel.
-- Accurate Innovations Turkish stock.
--...

500 MDM Rifle

• Tanks
• Jan 27, 2020

These were Bastogne walnut.

 

[Morga]

Never considered a 9.3x62 that fierce when it comes to recoil....really don't see the need for a recoil reducer in one...what is the biggest calibre you have fired ?

the biggest I have currently is a 300 Winchester Mag.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

There's a left handed Dakota in 375 H&H on GB, currently a little over $2k being bid.

There are left handed Rugers to be had for $1k or less. Buy one of these, top it off with a scope and go hunting.

 

[spike.t]

the biggest I have currently is a 300 Winchester Mag.

Shouldn't have any problem with a 9.3x62 then...or do you have a recoil reducer in the 300?

 

[Morga]

the TBAC Ultra 9CB , is a dual purpose system a recoil brake shrouded in the silencer

 

[Morga]

There's a left handed Dakota in 375 H&H on GB, currently a little over $2k being bid.

I had a friend buy a Ruger hawkveye .416 Ruger, ent on Safari they lost his ammo somehow on flight , he could not even find replacement ammo for that rifle had it been 416 Rig or 416 Remington no problem but the Ruger cartridge was no available.

 

[spike.t]

the TBAC Ultra 9CB , is a dual purpose system a recoil brake shrouded in the silencer

Ok haven't a clue what that is....did you ever shoot the 300 without it?...if so the 9.3 wont be a problem

 

[Morga]

Ok haven't a clue what that is....did you ever shoot the 300 without it?...if so the 9.3 wont be a problem

Oj yes I have fired the 300 Win Mag without the Supressor can handle the recoil. I just have never Fired the 9.3x62 I would deffinately fire it now before deciding if the recoil needs to be worked on, Ty

I know I may have to go with something heavier for Eland but I normally use: Norma Bondstrike Extreme .300 Winchester Magnum 180gr

 

[spike.t]

Oj yes I have fired the 300 Win Mag without the Supressor can handle the recoil. I just have never Fired the 9.3x62 I would deffinately fire it now before deciding if the recoil needs to be worked on, Ty

You wont find it a problem then if you can shoot the 300 ok without the thing on it

 

[375Fox]

Here are two good recent threads. You’ll be fine with 300 and quality bullet on an eland. I would save your money on a new rifle/scope and shoot an extra animal or two, especially being your first safari. When you are there I’m sure they can arrange for you to shoot a 375, you’ll see the recoil is very manageable.
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...gton-magnum-adequate-for-hunting-eland.55935/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/recoil-insights.56029/