9.3X62 for Cape Buffalo?

[Timbo]

Members, if any one of you experience the same challenge as Timbo experienced, please just pm /e-mail or call me so I can assist any forum member who travel through South Africa , JS Gunsmithing can supply you with much needed ammo..I will courier it to your over night destination or if you use OR Tambo airport I will deliver it to you in person...just let me know please

Thanks Gert!! I'll keep you in mind if it occurs again!!

FYI, the airline refused to board my ammo on my flight. Reason given was my reloads were not loaded to "commercial ammunition regulations"! As such they deemed them as "faulty". So I'd advise all to polish your reloads, and pack them into factory fresh boxes - then declare them as factory bought - otherwise you risk losing all your ammo before boarding!!

 

[WAB]

Sure. I have used it on my last two trips to Africa. Blaser R8 with aluminum action in the all wood sporter stock. Less than nine pounds all kitted up with scope and four rounds of ammunition. 25.5 inch standard barrel on the short Blaser action makes a very compact rifle while retaining a full length barrel. It'll put all four of those rounds whether 300 gr TSX, A-Frame, or Hydro into a thumbnail (ok a big thumbnail - but sub-moa) at 100 meters. I can pick the tick that I want to hit with it. And it has done it on everything from Suni to cape buffalo. It is the easiest travel rifle I own (I hate schlepping multiple rifles); has the finest trigger of any rifle in my gun room (and there are some very finely made triggers in there), and I am convinced delivers as fast an aimed second shot as one of my doubles - and three or four far faster (though I have never had the need). It is the perfect solution for me.

My only point being, I think too many new African hunters get fed some version of the line that a .375 is ok for buffalo, but something bigger is much better - almost always with an implied "if you can handle it." I think that is absolute BS. For me, the .375 is not only an adequate solution for a general game safari that includes buffalo - it is the ideal solution. Particularly in this rifle.

The .375 is an easy transition from deer rifle for an American or European hunter preparing for their first DG safari. And it is probably useful for them to know there are hunters who prefer it to a heavier option.

And I personally can not imagine owning a "rifle" with an 18 inch barrel of any caliber. I hope it works out for you.

That is an absolutely beautiful rifle Red Leg! My wife has been advocating a Blaser. I may succumb just to get her to loosen her grip on my Rigby Highland Stalker in 9.3x62! If I do I will definitely be in touch as you appear to have spec’d the perfect Blaser!

 

[IvW]

9.3 x 62mm

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) Norma Ecostrike 2,641 ft/s (805 m/s) 3,563 ft⋅lbf (4,831 J)
232 gr (15 g) Norma Oryx 2,625 ft/s (800 m/s) 3,551 ft⋅lbf (4,815 J)
275 gr (18 g) Norma Solid 2,450 ft/s (750 m/s) 3,666 ft⋅lbf (4,970 J)
285 gr (18 g) Norma Oryx 2,362 ft/s (720 m/s) 3,544 ft⋅lbf (4,805 J)
286 gr (19 g) Swift A-Frame 2,362 ft/s (720 m/s) 3,544 ft⋅lbf (4,805 J)

300gr also availible

Case capacity 5.07 cm3 (78.2 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi)

9.3 X 64mm Brenneke

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
14.6 g (225 gr) RWS DK 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 5,913 J (4,361 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) RWS UNI Classic 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s) 5,854 J (4,318 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) Brenneke TUG 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s) 5,854 J (4,318 ft⋅lbf)

Case capacity 5.71 cm3 (88.1 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure 440.00 MPa (63,817 psi)

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) Norma Ecostrike 2,559 ft/s (780 m/s) 3,345 ft⋅lbf (4,535 J)
247 gr (16 g) KS 2,460 ft/s (750 m/s) 3,319 ft⋅lbf (4,500 J)
285 gr (18 g) Norma Oryx 2,329 ft/s (710 m/s) 3,434 ft⋅lbf (4,656 J)

Case capacity 5.39 cm3 (83.2 gr H2O)
Rifling twist 360 mm (1-14.2")
Primer type Large rifle
Maximum pressure 340.00 MPa (49,313 psi)

 

[Gert Odendaal]

9.3 x 62mm

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) Norma Ecostrike 2,641 ft/s (805 m/s) 3,563 ft⋅lbf (4,831 J)
232 gr (15 g) Norma Oryx 2,625 ft/s (800 m/s) 3,551 ft⋅lbf (4,815 J)
275 gr (18 g) Norma Solid 2,450 ft/s (750 m/s) 3,666 ft⋅lbf (4,970 J)
285 gr (18 g) Norma Oryx 2,362 ft/s (720 m/s) 3,544 ft⋅lbf (4,805 J)
286 gr (19 g) Swift A-Frame 2,362 ft/s (720 m/s) 3,544 ft⋅lbf (4,805 J)

300gr also availible

Case capacity 5.07 cm3 (78.2 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi)

9.3 X 64mm Brenneke

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
14.6 g (225 gr) RWS DK 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 5,913 J (4,361 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) RWS UNI Classic 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s) 5,854 J (4,318 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) Brenneke TUG 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s) 5,854 J (4,318 ft⋅lbf)

Case capacity 5.71 cm3 (88.1 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure 440.00 MPa (63,817 psi)

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) Norma Ecostrike 2,559 ft/s (780 m/s) 3,345 ft⋅lbf (4,535 J)
247 gr (16 g) KS 2,460 ft/s (750 m/s) 3,319 ft⋅lbf (4,500 J)
285 gr (18 g) Norma Oryx 2,329 ft/s (710 m/s) 3,434 ft⋅lbf (4,656 J)

Case capacity 5.39 cm3 (83.2 gr H2O)
Rifling twist 360 mm (1-14.2")
Primer type Large rifle
Maximum pressure 340.00 MPa (49,313 psi)

IvW, much , much appreciated Sir...this will benefit a lot of 9.3 x62 owners

 

[Gert Odendaal]

9.3 x 62mm

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) Norma Ecostrike 2,641 ft/s (805 m/s) 3,563 ft⋅lbf (4,831 J)
232 gr (15 g) Norma Oryx 2,625 ft/s (800 m/s) 3,551 ft⋅lbf (4,815 J)
275 gr (18 g) Norma Solid 2,450 ft/s (750 m/s) 3,666 ft⋅lbf (4,970 J)
285 gr (18 g) Norma Oryx 2,362 ft/s (720 m/s) 3,544 ft⋅lbf (4,805 J)
286 gr (19 g) Swift A-Frame 2,362 ft/s (720 m/s) 3,544 ft⋅lbf (4,805 J)

300gr also availible

Case capacity 5.07 cm3 (78.2 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi)

9.3 X 64mm Brenneke

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
14.6 g (225 gr) RWS DK 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) 5,913 J (4,361 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) RWS UNI Classic 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s) 5,854 J (4,318 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) Brenneke TUG 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s) 5,854 J (4,318 ft⋅lbf)

Case capacity 5.71 cm3 (88.1 gr H2O)
Maximum pressure 440.00 MPa (63,817 psi)

Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
230 gr (15 g) Norma Ecostrike 2,559 ft/s (780 m/s) 3,345 ft⋅lbf (4,535 J)
247 gr (16 g) KS 2,460 ft/s (750 m/s) 3,319 ft⋅lbf (4,500 J)
285 gr (18 g) Norma Oryx 2,329 ft/s (710 m/s) 3,434 ft⋅lbf (4,656 J)

Case capacity 5.39 cm3 (83.2 gr H2O)
Rifling twist 360 mm (1-14.2")
Primer type Large rifle
Maximum pressure 340.00 MPa (49,313 psi)

Ivor, I am still busy planning/designing a Big Bore Dangerous Game set up at Dwandzani , where Gerrit Landman, the owner gave me the go-ahead...Gerhard really is a great person and will assist building the course...I really would like you to accompany me after the lock down situation returns to normal to the area where we want to build the course and give your input in regards to how best set up and design the Dangerous Game hunting range....I believe you will give a valuable input and opinion/advice in this regards...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Ivor, I am still busy planning/designing a Big Bore Dangerous Game set up at Dwandzani , where Gerrit Landman, the owner gave me the go-ahead...Gerhard really is a great person and will assist building the course...I really would like you to accompany me after the lock down situation returns to normal to the area where we want to build the course and give your input in regards to how best set up and design the Dangerous Game hunting range....I believe you will give a valuable input and opinion/advice in this regards

 

[IvW]

Ivor, I am still busy planning/designing a Big Bore Dangerous Game set up at Dwandzani , where Gerrit Landman, the owner gave me the go-ahead...Gerhard really is a great person and will assist building the course...I really would like you to accompany me after the lock down situation returns to normal to the area where we want to build the course and give your input in regards to how best set up and design the Dangerous Game hunting range....I believe you will give a valuable input and opinion/advice in this regards

No problem, we just stay in touch till then. Stay safe

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Just to show my sincere trust in the 9.3 x 62 caliber, I will shortly the owner of a great original Mauser 9.3 x 62 caliber hunting rifle ...

 

[Tanks]

Ivor, I am still busy planning/designing a Big Bore Dangerous Game set up at Dwandzani

... we want to build the course and give your input in regards to how best set up and design the Dangerous Game hunting range....I believe you will give a valuable input and opinion/advice in this regards

You might check this out. The big bore DG interactive course starts around 2:30

 

[HWL]

Just to show my sincere trust in the 9.3 x 62 caliber, I will shortly the owner of a great original Mauser 9.3 x 62 caliber hunting rifle ...

Pic is mandatory!



HWL

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Pic is mandatory!



HWL

HWL , yes , for sure...it is still a process to complete the estate process of the person but he had extremely beautiful rifles in his collection...I will be receiving the list shortly ..

 

[WAB]

You need to get roughly 2450 fps with a 286 gr bullet to hit Zim’s energy requirement for buffalo. I was able to achieve this with no pressure issues in my Rigby. It is pleasant to shoot and was very effective on my wife’s buffalo.

 

[Laurie Colgrave]

Just my 2c:

Last year, as many of you probably know, I landed in SA without ammo for either my 458 Win Mag or my 9.3x62. I could only source some 9.3x62 ammo - so had to use that for buff and PG. Having dropped all my previous DG with my 458, I admit I was sceptical of using the 9.3x62 - but everyone assured me it was a great calibre to use. In the end my buff presented a right frontal quartering shot, and went down with a bullet through the heart, and was found in the ribs on the off side.

Backed up by the PH's heavy calibre, I'd have no qualms if I had to do it all over again - which, to me, is the perfect reason for planning another buff hunt!!

Hi Tim, I am interested in your experience. Did I see your pic in a 2020 catalogue? I am going to Namibia in 2021 with Eland on my list & would like to get your take on bullet preference. I have trmendous respect for the 286gn Woodleigh WCRN! This bullet put down six big brumbies at 120m from a dark hide, each animal was hit between flank & girth.... I thought I was going mad til I noticed my rear ring disconnnected from the rifle... All animals were dead when I got to them (2 minutes)

 

[Laurie Colgrave]

You guys know more about calibers than I could ever imagine...........

Hey I love your passion for your favourite calibre fellas, bit like our ladies I reckon! I like my 9.3x62 rifles because they kill reliably all day every day. I have shot thousands of rounds at large ferals in oz, 250kg & bigger! I can state from my experiences that energy figures are fruitless comparisons because no animal has ever been killed by a joule or a ft/lb. Bullets kill live animals & this is achieved by the wound trauma combined with a hit to vitals like brain, spine, heart etc. Wound trauma is achieved through disruption of flesh in either short fat holes (rapidly expanding high velocity bullets)or long narrower holes (slower expanding high sectional density bullets). My experience is that the slower/ longer wound trauma is much more reliable on large animals where the shock factor is nullified (due to cartridge/rifle power limitations). I occasionaly use my .338W on these culling trips in conjunction with my 9.3x62, they perform similarly when 250gn .338 is used & 286gn 9.3 or other combinations where bullets of similar contruction & sectional density are compared, the .338W seems to whack 'em harder but the 9.3 is more reliable due to lower impact velocity having less unpredicatable bullet performance resulting in better penetration more often!!

Both my 9.3x62's can drive the 286gn bullet at over 2600fps due to the long throats that come free when using a cartridge combo designed for the mauser '98 action length... I have data chronographed for the following ( please keep in mind doubters that I have only experienced one blown primer in 45 years (a factory .270W )

232gn Norma Vulkan 2800fps & mild but too fast for this bullet
250gn Woodleigh RN/PP & Nosler @ 2650fps also not max
270gn Speer 2500fps mild & maybe too fast for this bullet
286gn Woodleigh 2625fps close to max (Re17)
320gn Woodleigh 2520fps similar to above & Re17

My .338W loads
225gn Woodleigh 2800fps
250gn Woodleigh/ Nosler partition 2665fps

There are positives & negatives with all these experiences like with every cartridge.... (I carry my .338 now & then 'cos it shoots a bit flatter, never seems to work out that way). My heavy loads with 286gn & 320gn in my 9.3's kick much harder & the rifle torques in my hands much more than the time proven 286gn 2400fps recipe. I rarely shoot beyond 250m because I am not that great off hand & this seems to be close to my steady limit in a true field situation especially where animals are milling or moving.

Next trip I plan to cut out some more bullets to post as photos comparing the variables like velocity, range, impact point & bones etc. to get an honest story if only I can stop the 286gn pills escaping....

PS I think the 35 Whelen is a similar good story to the 9.3x62 when heavier bullets are used & can be housed easily in a rifle scope combo of 8.5 lbs, the great .375H&H often weighs much more than this due to cartridge oal etc.

cheers

 

[Timbo]

Hi Tim, I am interested in your experience. Did I see your pic in a 2020 catalogue? I am going to Namibia in 2021 with Eland on my list & would like to get your take on bullet preference. I have trmendous respect for the 286gn Woodleigh WCRN! This bullet put down six big brumbies at 120m from a dark hide, each animal was hit between flank & girth.... I thought I was going mad til I noticed my rear ring disconnnected from the rifle... All animals were dead when I got to them (2 minutes)

Hi Laurie!!
Nice to meet you!! As you probably know the 286gr projie made the calibre's reputation. I like the Woodleigh 286gr RNSP as they've deliberately set out to emulate the old Kynoch ballistics, and as the game hasn't changed, those projies would be ideal.

But in saying that, the degree of cover that you'll be hunting in would also influence your choice of bullet. I'd be asking your PH what would be the thickness of cover, and ranges you're likely to be hunting in at the time of your hunt (and also the type of weather to prepare yourself for). That should give you a good idea of the type and weight of bullet to use. PM me if you want to discuss further.

Best of luck with your hunt - and please post up a report and some pics!!

Cheers!
Tim

PS: Yeah, that was me in the catalogue.

 

[Laurie Colgrave]

Question to owners of the 9x3 x 62 caliber hunting rifle:
What is the smallest animal you have hunted with the 9.3 and what is your largest animal??
Do you use your 9.3 x 62 as a plains game hunting rifle?

Smallest game dingo (wild dog) 15kg.....
Largest wild cattle bull weighing 750kg+ & plenty in between!!

 

[Wayne t]

So has anyone tried the Lapua 220 naturalis in this caliber would be really interested to hear from anyone that has on results as just gonna load some up to test

 

[dchamp]

So has anyone tried the Lapua 220 naturalis in this caliber would be really interested to hear from anyone that has on results as just gonna load some up to test

They don't make the 220gn anymore, only in 250gr. I have a load for them but have not kill anything with it.yet.

 

[Wayne t]

They don't make the 220gn anymore, only in 250gr. I have a load for them but have not kill anything with it.yet.

Cheers for that
Didn’t realise they had stoped doing this head now
I’ve gone with 58 grains of N140 see how they run
W

 

[bruce moulds]

Hey I love your passion for your favourite calibre fellas, bit like our ladies I reckon! I like my 9.3x62 rifles because they kill reliably all day every day. I have shot thousands of rounds at large ferals in oz, 250kg & bigger! I can state from my experiences that energy figures are fruitless comparisons because no animal has ever been killed by a joule or a ft/lb. Bullets kill live animals & this is achieved by the wound trauma combined with a hit to vitals like brain, spine, heart etc. Wound trauma is achieved through disruption of flesh in either short fat holes (rapidly expanding high velocity bullets)or long narrower holes (slower expanding high sectional density bullets). My experience is that the slower/ longer wound trauma is much more reliable on large animals where the shock factor is nullified (due to cartridge/rifle power limitations). I occasionaly use my .338W on these culling trips in conjunction with my 9.3x62, they perform similarly when 250gn .338 is used & 286gn 9.3 or other combinations where bullets of similar contruction & sectional density are compared, the .338W seems to whack 'em harder but the 9.3 is more reliable due to lower impact velocity having less unpredicatable bullet performance resulting in better penetration more often!!

Both my 9.3x62's can drive the 286gn bullet at over 2600fps due to the long throats that come free when using a cartridge combo designed for the mauser '98 action length... I have data chronographed for the following ( please keep in mind doubters that I have only experienced one blown primer in 45 years (a factory .270W )

232gn Norma Vulkan 2800fps & mild but too fast for this bullet
250gn Woodleigh RN/PP & Nosler @ 2650fps also not max
270gn Speer 2500fps mild & maybe too fast for this bullet
286gn Woodleigh 2625fps close to max (Re17)
320gn Woodleigh 2520fps similar to above & Re17

My .338W loads
225gn Woodleigh 2800fps
250gn Woodleigh/ Nosler partition 2665fps

There are positives & negatives with all these experiences like with every cartridge.... (I carry my .338 now & then 'cos it shoots a bit flatter, never seems to work out that way). My heavy loads with 286gn & 320gn in my 9.3's kick much harder & the rifle torques in my hands much more than the time proven 286gn 2400fps recipe. I rarely shoot beyond 250m because I am not that great off hand & this seems to be close to my steady limit in a true field situation especially where animals are milling or moving.

Next trip I plan to cut out some more bullets to post as photos comparing the variables like velocity, range, impact point & bones etc. to get an honest story if only I can stop the 286gn pills escaping....

PS I think the 35 Whelen is a similar good story to the 9.3x62 when heavier bullets are used & can be housed easily in a rifle scope combo of 8.5 lbs, the great .375H&H often weighs much more than this due to cartridge oal etc.

cheers

laurie.
your description of 9.3 bullets ties in with my experience.
I have not used light bullets like 232 gn, as I would use my 7mm rifles for those applications.
your summation of the 270 gn speer paralells mine.
where it is useful it has a place, but not at the bigger end of town at those speeds.
heavier bullet wts 286 and up at your speeds offer comfort on heavy game due to proven reliability.
looks like re17 is an excellent powder for the x62.
once you get bullets of that wt going that fast, you will of necessity get violence when you fire them.
this reflects power being delivered.
your loads are up there with the 375 in power.
your ballistics are in fact almost the same as loads I use in my 9.3x64, so I have witnessed how they work at the receiving end.
when you start driving 9.3 bullets at those speeds, you need better bullets as most of them are designed for x62 factory speeds.
Woodleigh is a bare minimum.
I personally prefer swift for their ability to open up quickly, even at 200 plus yards, while being safe at really close ranges, a comforting thing when hunting cattle.
I would like to try the 286 barnes, but it encroaches on powder capacity due to its length.
might try the 250 barnes one day, but feel it is a bit light for really big things.
it would shoot flatter, and would be plenty of bullet for donkeys etc.
bruce.