How do the 9.3's go

[mickb]

Hi gents, those who have a 9.3 x 74 or 62, how do you find they go on game? Id assume they flatten things but do you find they offer much over the 308 class, also do the big game bullets they use expand on smaller stuff. Any opinions welcomed.

[mchughcb]

I run both using 286gr Hornady Interlocks, Woodleigh RNSP and Bertram's 285gr RNSP.

I've only shot fallow and a couple of sambar with both and they dropped. My go to is the 30-06. I haven't shot enough to say if it makes a huge difference.

Big bullets go straight through so can't comment on expansion.

[bigrich]

I run both using 286gr Hornady Interlocks, Woodleigh RNSP and Bertram's 285gr RNSP.

I've only shot fallow and a couple of sambar with both and they dropped. My go to is the 30-06. I haven't shot enough to say if it makes a huge difference.

Big bullets go straight through so can't comment on expansion.

that's the issue i found with the 9.3x62 on game in southern QLD . pass throughs with most bullets with little or no expansion/energy dump in lighter game . on heavier game weights , feral horse , donkeys and the like, a good 285gn round nose is great . penetration on buff 250 barnes ttsx is the ticket . for stuff up to the size of red deer around where i live , 308 or 30-06 is as big as is practical IMHO

if you have a 9.3, 270 gn speer are cheap, very accurate , and are a soft bullet that work pretty good on lighter game .norma make some good lighter bullets around 230gn , but their unavailable in oz . 250gn noslers are a hard bullet , and unless you hit bone don't expand . once i'd done a trip up north i got rid of my 9.3x62 and use a 308 in my part of the country

[bigrich]

Hi gents, those who have a 9.3 x 74 or 62, how do you find they go on game? Id assume they flatten things but do you find they offer much over the 308 class, also do the big game bullets they use expand on smaller stuff. Any opinions welcomed.

mate if you want a medium bore that flattens things , 35 whelen is the go . my 358win was awesome, but a bit range limited trajectory wise. 35 whelen has roughly the same trajectory as a 308 , so a bit more usable than 358win . american made projectiles are designed for everything from white tail deer to elk and moose . with the available projectiles 35 cal is very flexible, more so than 9.3x62 in my experience . i used to shoot 180gn hp 357mag pistol bullets out of my 358win . gives new definition to the term "paddock pizza" with reduced loads it's perfectly practical to do the same out of the 35 whelen .i love all this stuff, but with component availability/cost i use a 308 as for general use these days . look into 35 whelen though mick , brass ,dies and projectiles are reasonably available from rebel gun works and some of the online stores run by major importers . cleaver firearms supposedly have 225 GK bullets in stock , which are extremely accurate and devastating deer/pig bullet . damn it , you've got me thinking about another project

[bigpete]

BOOOOOOMMMMM ! BOOOM BOOOM !

[bigrich]

BOOOOOOMMMMM ! BOOOM BOOOM !

good on ya pete . happy new year

[mchughcb]

I run both using 286gr Hornady Interlocks, Woodleigh RNSP and Bertram's 285gr RNSP.

I've only shot fallow and a couple of sambar with both and they dropped. My go to is the 30-06. I haven't shot enough to say if it makes a huge difference.

Big bullets go straight through so can't comment on expansion.

I forgot to mention that's 9.3x74R in my double and a 9.3x62. The 9.3x74R is loaded with 65.5gr of 2209 and the 9.3x62 is now loaded with 55 grains of 2206H. Energy is between 3300ftb and 3500ftlb respectively.

[straightshooter]

I have used the following in my Winchester Grand European double rifle in 9.3x74.
Velocities were never measured but I suspect they may be a bit on the low side because my load is a slightly compressed case full of 2213.
I've used RWS Tmantle, Lapua Mega, Speer 270gn and PPU 286gn.
I would rate them RWS, Speer and PPU about the same, then Lapua.
These loads have only ever been used on pigs and goats and none of the shot game ever went far enough to end up being out of sight. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to use this caliber on larger game
The PPU projectiles aren't available in Australia but a kind importer brought a quantity in for me.
A Lapua 185 grain projectile is listed on their website but I have not seen them for sale in Australia nor have I ever seen any Norma 230 grain projectiles offered for sale.

[bigrich]

I have used the following in my Winchester Grand European double rifle in 9.3x74.
Velocities were never measured but I suspect they may be a bit on the low side because my load is a slightly compressed case full of 2213.
I've used RWS Tmantle, Lapua Mega, Speer 270gn and PPU 286gn.
I would rate them RWS, Speer and PPU about the same, then Lapua.
These loads have only ever been used on pigs and goats and none of the shot game ever went far enough to end up being out of sight. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to use this caliber on larger game
The PPU projectiles aren't available in Australia but a kind importer brought a quantity in for me.
A Lapua 185 grain projectile is listed on their website but I have not seen them for sale in Australia nor have I ever seen any Norma 230 grain projectiles offered for sale.

the lighter lapua and norma projectiles are reportedly much better on the lighter game like pigs, goats, ect.

[mchughcb]

Hi gents, those who have a 9.3 x 74 or 62, how do you find they go on game? Id assume they flatten things but do you find they offer much over the 308 class, also do the big game bullets they use expand on smaller stuff. Any opinions welcomed.

Here's a Sambar calf being hit at 135m on the run with the 9.3x74R.

https://youtu.be/76SMWvsqJrA

[mickb]

Impressive vid mate. Thanks for the comments fellas. I had a dream of owning a drilling one day in 12/12/9.3 and was getting serious about a merkel a while back but post covid price has jumped to 10-11k so yeah nah I missed that bus. I could always get a 12ga/9.3 combo and carry an extra single shotgun I guess

[bigpete]

BOOOOOOMMMMM ! BOOOM BOOOM !

good on ya pete . happy new year

Ha ha cheers mate.

[mchughcb]

Impressive vid mate. Thanks for the comments fellas. I had a dream of owning a drilling one day in 12/12/9.3 and was getting serious about a merkel a while back but post covid price has jumped to 10-11k so yeah nah I missed that bus. I could always get a 12ga/9.3 combo and carry an extra single shotgun I guess

I'd rather a combo cause they're lighter for hunting. Some cheaper CZ or Merkels about.

[bigpete]

Yes,I've been looking at Cz and Merkel combos myself lately. I've handled a Merkel and really liked it but not a Cz

[mickb]

I was plugging a scrub bull once and never wanted for more than bolt actions usually, but being in close cover I had a fleeting urge for a double rifle this time
I thought at the time a 9.3 x 74 over 12ga firing 600 grain brennekes might even do okay.

[mickb]

Yes,I've been looking at Cz and Merkel combos myself lately. I've handled a Merkel and really liked it but not a Cz

What didnt you like about the brno/CZ's mate. A fella over at Aus hunt was selling a package, reckons it was a good shooter. But I wouldnt know a good combo if it bit my leg.

[Blr243]

Drillings are usually so exp but after my recent trip where I reslly enjoyed using a 12 guage on foxes and pigs , I have been looking into one it’s a Brno A thousand bucks and the rifle is a smallish European rimmed cartridge. But I don’t want to speak about it too much in case one of you buys iit b4 I have a chance to

[bigpete]

Yes,I've been looking at Cz and Merkel combos myself lately. I've handled a Merkel and really liked it but not a Cz

What didnt you like about the brno/CZ's mate. A fella over at Aus hunt was selling a package, reckons it was a good shooter. But I wouldnt know a good combo if it bit my leg.

I've never handled a Cz,only a Merkel

[bigpete]

Drillings are usually so exp but after my recent trip where I reslly enjoyed using a 12 guage on foxes and pigs , I have been looking into one it’s a Brno A thousand bucks and the rifle is a smallish European rimmed cartridge. But I don’t want to speak about it too much in case one of you buys iit b4 I have a chance to

Thats ridiculously cheap just buy it

[Blr243]

Only trouble is Pete I’m waiting for my eureka to turn up and I’m just about to trade in my Adler for a Templeton t2000 so a third firearm is stretching the budget and I’d be guilty of buying too many new toys I can’t afford esp just after Xmas I haven’t been working bringing in money for a spell. I guess I could flick them a deposit and ask if they will hold it for a while.

[bigpete]

I'd chose that over the t2000

[mickb]

I even looked at what my guns are worth trying to convince myself its worth getting a merkel drilling. Like if I sell multiple firearms that equal what a drilling does.... But just not possible to make up $10k worth of drilling by selling an old SXS and one centrefire rifle.
I used every mental trick in the book but couldnt do it.

[Blr243]

When u win lotto mick you will have a whole room full of drillings and then forever be confused not knowing which one to take for a walk

[mickb]

yeah mate if money was no object I would have someone like Rolf Blatnick make me a U/O cape gun in 577 nitro/10 gauge and I would use it for everything, even deer, I'd make it work .