I own two 9.3x62. One, you could compare to your FN, is an Obendorf built in 1914 (family herloom). Great rifle, light and handy. No scope on it, just wonderfull. I use it with Norma Oryx 285 gr which is just perfect on medium/heavy size animals. The other one is a Sako 85, with two scopes (Meopta R2 1-6X24 for driven hunts and Africa, and Zeiss V8 1.8-14X50 for stalking) fuelled with French ammo FIP Sauvestre 251 gr (non lead with an internal hardened steel arrow). This gun/calibre/ammo is what I use 9 times out of 10 when I go hunting. I have shot wild boars, hartebeest, gemsbok, kudu, zebra etc.. with it. Most of time, one shot kill. It is a great combination for the globe trotter hunter, hunting non dangerous game, although I would use it on buffalo and big cats. But if you like shooting over 250 yards, this is not your rifle. Once again, it is a rifle for hunting and stalking medium/heavy animals more than varmint shooting.
@Quaticman if you really want to know what the AH community thinks about your rifle/cartridge combination just list in the classified section. I'd be shocked if it lasted two days. You have a real treasure on your hands, if it where mine I'd never part with it.
This is an interesting thread. The 9.3 x 62 sort of disappeared from the African hunting scene for some time after WW2 (with a few exceptions) but it has been making a great comeback in recent years. It works well in short barrels (22") and fits into a standard length action. These characteristics coupled with relatively mild recoil mean that you can have a 9.3 in compact , lightweight, fast handling rifle - which is exactly what you want in a bush rifle. Any .375 H&H is much longer and beefier by comparison. Terminal effect is much the same as a .375, in fact often better as muzzle and impact velocities are lower, which reduces the problem of bullet disintegration. Meat damage is also less, for the same reason. If loaded with a lighter bullet (say a 250g monometal) it can be used effectively at longish ranges - not .338WM ranges but definitely to around 300m. The 338WM (for a long time my "go to") is a better long range calibre but its advantage is limited to deserts and mountainous terrain where shots in excess of 200m are the norm - with 300- 400m shots not being uncommon. The 9.3 x 62 is legal for use on dangerous game in most African countries and those who have used it for that purpose speak highly of it. Personally i feel more comfortable with a bigger rifle (.416 or .458 cal) for specifically going after big game or as a back up weapon simply because of the bigger permanent wound channel and better "knockdown" effect. Apart from that application the the 9.3 x 62 is arguably the best all round calibre for African bush use, especially when hand loaded. The late Don Heath (Ganyana) was a big fan of this calibre , which he used on all species including elephant.
I see you’re new Tom Dissinger to AH! Welcome aboard! When you get the chance, give us an introduction at https://www.africahunting.com/community/introductions-greets/
Hey Hammergun, I did exactly the same thing! I'm sellin' off stuff to keep an overdue date with a Big Tom before it's too late. Mine has a Hogue stock, Dednutz mount, Bushnell 3200 1.5-4.5x scope, 3-pos safety, and a straight down bolt handle.
I always liked Don's articles when they showed up in Rifle/Handloader. I thought he wrote from a "No Bull; Just Fact" perspective. TD
I have two 9.3’s, a Rigby highland stalker and a Ruger No 1. We will spend the month of August on safari. The Rigby will be my PG rifle and my wife’s buffalo gun (I use a Lott for buffalo).
@SWARA and Clodo Ferreira thanks for the loads. The 250 gr. loads you've related are the velocities listed for the 35 Whelen in the Nosler reloading manual. (2637 max). I've always felt that the Whelen can do what the 9.3 x 62 can do but it has a much more available selection of lighter projectiles. The problem for me is it is tough to find current CRF actions in 35 Whelen. Nice to know the 9.3 has these velocities.
As you can see from my avatar the rifle worked great. It was very effective. My PH said I could bring it back for buffalo but I'll probably take a 416. We'll see.
The correct answer is it doesn’t meet legal minimums in any country that has them, but every PH we ever spoke with said to bring the 9.3, they’re excellent on buff. We’re hunting with WAB in August and I’m debating on taking my 9.3x74R.
@Rick Cox. No, it's not been restocked. Although it was hand picked for me at Beretta because of the wood.
