9.3x74R for eland - which bullet?

[Rimshot]

Here we go. First up just wanted to show how close the weights are with these Raptors - talk about precision machining!

Next, I had never seen data on what the retained weight/shank vs blades should be with the 200gr 9.3mm. This bullet entered the back of the giraffe near the spine and was found in the lungs. From here I surmise that each of the 6 blades that shear off are ~10gr each. Average "expanded" diameter was about .410" No exits from giraffe chest. The other animal with no exit was a broadside kudu at ~75 yards thru the shoulder, but the shank was just under the skin so I assume trampoline effect. 286 A-Frame exited kudu on a similar shoulder shot, however, the Raptor hit a lot more bone, completely shattering the on-side shoulder into gravel.

Here is a 7mm bullet recovered from the same giraffe, I believe from the chest but not certain. Based on the information I was given, it was in the giraffe for >1 year. Expanded diameter ~.480". Make unknown. Looks to be conventional cup and core. No way to know original weight but a lot of the jacket is peeled back so I assume fairly heavy. 160gr would be 68% weight retention and 175gr would be 62%.

The only thing that dropped at the shot was the kudu, but it was already wounded by someone else. Everything besides giraffe ran wildly for 5 - 10 seconds with some flipping, rolling, or somersaults, then piled up stone dead - bushbuck, warthog, and blesbok.

With the giraffe my first shot was a little back, or maybe I had the quartering angle wrong, but he was still noticably disabled compared to the other giraffes who made quick escapes. It took a going away shot thru the back and 2 more frontal chest shots to bring him down. I think he was probably already dead on his feet though. PH was entertained by my quick reloads of the BD-14 while running into follow-up shot positions.

 

[Velo Dog]

My 9.3x74r double rifle regulates very well with 200 grain cutting edge raptors and 325 grain Norma oryx bullets. So much for double rifles needing to shoot about the same speed to regulate. My next African adventure will have tracking eland at the top of the list. Which bullet would you choose?

Greetings Mountaineer,

I applaud you for hunting big game with your double rifle.
Few things if any, are as satisfying as hunting in Africa with traditional rifles and cartridges, IMO.

Eland hunting conditions (most African hoofed game actually), do not really require bench rest competition / world record accuracy.
As long as your double will put shots from both barrels into about minute of grapefruit, I strongly recommend the Swift brand A-Frame, 286 grain bullet.

That said, I have every faith that your 325 gr Norma brand Oryx bullet would also be very excellent for eland.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Mountaineer]

@Velo Dog , did you shoot that buffalo with a 286 A-Frame.

 

[Velo Dog]

@Velo Dog , did you shoot that buffalo with a 286 A-Frame.

Nope, I confess that I do not even own a 9.3x74R rifle.
The reason I posted the buffalo pic was to underscore my comment saluting you for using a double rifle for African big game hunting.
My double at that time was a vintage Army & Navy, (I suspect it was built by J. Manton).
It was a .450 No2 NE and the much misunderstood and much misused (IE: loaded way too fast) Hornady 480 grain DGX and DGS early, non bonded bullets.

Absolutely knocked him off his hooves twice, via a classic left and right soft and solid.
He was dead both times but did not agree until I raked him with the solid quartering away as he got back up to run.
Tough critters.

I do own the ballistic twin of your caliber, built on a 1950’s vintage FN Model 98 action, the 9.3x62 Mauser.
However, my preference for buffaloes would definitely be the various classic African nitro calibers of .40 and upwards, such as the .450/400 NE, .404 Jeffery, .416 Rigby and .425 Westley Richards.

That said where legal, I suspect your 9.3 double would work for Buffalo.
From what I have seen so far, I am very impressed with the A-Frame bullets.
That is the reason I recommend them.

 

[Rimshot]

Here is the buff cow I got with 286 a-frame. Yeah, not as tough as a bull, but this was a huge old cow, missing most of her teeth and almost bald on the rump. One shot quartering in the shoulder around 40 yards. She ran maybe 25-30 yards, and we heard the death bellow by the time we walked to where she was shot.

Back in '22 I shot an eland with a 180 Win powerpoint from a 300 win mag (PH rifle). It was about 100 yards broadside, and all I had was a high shoulder shot due to thick brush. The eland dropped, it was still alive when we got up to it, but it never got up again. Bullet shed most of it's weight. Not that I recommend that combo or would ever use it again, but it worked once.

Having used the 325 oryx, 286 a-frame, and 200 raptors out of my 9.3x74R on African game, I'd take any of the three and shoot an eland with confidence. You might be limited by availability since I haven't seen the A-frames or Oryx for a while now. I would make dang sure that no brush is in the way to deflect your bullet though. A lot of PHs I've had seem perplexed that I take no chances now with brush. Even the 325 oryx will deflect and destabilize when hitting a small branch, depending on the angle it hits (personal experience). So don't buy any BS about big calibers and heavy bullets letting you get away with sticks in the way, it's a lie.

 

[Huf453]

For tracking eland, go with the 325gr Norma Oryx.

Eland are big, tough, and often require deep penetration on follow-ups in thick stuff. The heavy Oryx will punch straighter, penetrate better, and deliver more momentum classic for DG plains game like that. The 200gr Raptor is great for lighter game or flatter shooting but risks less reliable performance on a big eland at closer ranges.

Load up with the 325s and carry a couple 200s if you want versatility. Solid regulation on both is a bonus enjoy the hunt!