9,3x62 bullet selection

[BobT]

I have started the early planning process for my first safari. I plan to hunt plains game in RSA and am taking my Husqvarna 640 in 9,3x62. I will handload my ammo but I'm not quite sure what bullet to use. I plan to try Kudu and Waterbuck for sure but would like to be able to shoot some of the smaller stuff without excessive damage. The bullets I'm considering are Swift A-frame, Nosler Partition or Accubond, Woodleigh Weldcore and Norma Oryx in no particular order. I have not had good luck accuracy wise with the mono-metal bullets so will probably stay away from them. I have thought about working up 2 loads but I am guaranteed to have the wrong one loaded when it's time to shoot something.

Thanks in advance!
Bob

 

[tarbe]

It's all part of the fun, isn't it?

Any of those bullets will likely give you good results on Kudu and Waterbuck, within their velocity limits. Good thing about the 9.3x62 is that at the velocity you can achieve with this cartridge, none of these bullets will be stressed (like might be the case using a Woodleigh 400gr Weldcore in a 416 Weatherby and smacking something with it at 2,600 fps impact velocity!).

If ballistic coefficient is important (ie you think you might be stretching the range) the Accubond might win.

I see MidwayUSA has one box of the Oryx left, on closeout at a very nice price!

Tim

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Hi Bob.
My proposition cartridge 9,3 x 62 from Norma with bullet ORYX 286gr.
You'll be glad.
I used to use 9,3 x 62 with bullet Oryx in Namibia.
I was pleased.
Good luck in Africa.
Witold

 

[tarbe]

I might also mention this (considering this is your first safari) - do study the anatomy of the animals you intend to hunt as their critical parts tend to be in slightly different places than us American deer hunters are used to!

One thing that seems to happen often with us first-timers is we tend to shoot the African animals a little too high, and a little too far back.

At the end of the day, this placement issue is more critical to your success than any difference between the terminal performance of an A-Frame vs Woodleigh vs Norma vs Accubond.

Have fun planning!

Tim

p.s. I am going through this analysis right now on Buff bullets for the 416 Rigby. Fun, fun fun!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I agree with Tarbe.
Witold

 

[K-man]

Get ahold of the paperback copy of Dr Robertson's perfect shot placement and go over it with your P.H. every morning. Also much use of the threads here on shot placement especially from different angles. Good luck on your first trip and take what shoots the best.

 

[bassasdaindia]

firstly use premium bullets , secondly use what your rifle shoots and groups the best.

Personally I would pick Swift A Frame .

 

[sestoppelman]

In mine I have used 250 Nos Accubonds and Barnes 250 Triple Shocks, both with satisfaction and both shot very well in my CZ.

 

[Bruce]

Swift A Frame gets my vote...

 

[Code4]

One load. Only take one load and learn its trajectory back to front.

From your list the Waterbuck and Kudu will be the toughest and they aren't that tough. I used my 9.3x62 on everything from Warthog to Eland and I'll go against the grain here and say a heavier premium is simply just not required for that size animal if you want to minimise exit damage.

I used a 286 Woodleigh PPSN at ranges from 20 yards on a cull Impala doe, to 50 yards on my Eland and to approx 260 yards on my Kudu. (Lots of Kentucky hold over for that shot I can assure you). None expanded so it was like using solids and I had to change shot placement for a hit on the skeleton.

I will agree with sesstoppleman and recommend a 250 weight projectile. They shoot just a little flatter and transfer energy just a little quicker.

RWS 256 grain H-Mantle ammo shot very accurately in my custom rifle and I would use that ammo again if I went back to Africa with a 9.3x62. Any exit holes will be 9.3mm in diameter. The projectiles are available to reload.

Norma make great projectiles also. If you feel the need to go heavier a conventional, really soft RNSP would be my choice for the plains game you list. This combo cleared tens of thousands of all size PG from German colonial farming land in the first half of the 20th century and still works today.

 

[stug]

@BobT Google "9.3x62 bullets sectioned" the first link has some great photos of sectioned projectiles also some information about penetration tests etc.

 

[watman]

I used 250 Gr. Barnes, now you already said you haven't had mono metal group well. But one shot did my Kudu and same with the Gemsbok. I tried the same bullet type 150Gr. in the 308 and found on the lighter animals they just didn't expand quickly enough with lots of poke throughs.... I just used 165 Gr. Nosler Ballistic tips on an Antelope out in Wy with great success... all that said they don't make a ballistic tip in 9.3 so I'd give the accubonds a try if they group well for you.

 

[BobT]

Thanks for the replies gents, looks like I have some shooting to do, never a bad thing!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Hi guys.
Today I bought 9,3x62 Hornady with bullet InterLock SP 286gr.
It looks nice.
Witold

 

[wiml76]

Hi guys.
Today I bought 9,3x62 Hornady with bullet InterLock SP 286gr.
It looks nice.
Witold

Witold, is this your first experience with the Interlock? Also, I've seen in other posts you recommend the Oryx. Did you, or anyone else, have issue with this round performing in any situation?

Thanks

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Hi wiml76.
Always I hunt with a bullet ORYX. This is a very good bullet.
This is my first experience with the Interlock.
I bought it out of curiosity.
All the best.
Witold

 

[Halfnelson308]

Use the premium bullet that shoots best in your rifle! Every rifle shoots bullets differently, you have to find which one your rifle likes. The monolithic bullets are usually very accurate in a lot of rifles; especially the Barnes TSX/TTSX. They do have some different loading procedures, like loading the bullets deeper into the cartridge (start at .050" off the lands) Another great bullet maker is NorthFork bullets. Not sure of that countries rules, but some countries did not allow people to take reloads into the country. (commercial ammunition only). Check with ur PH/Outfitter

 

[stug]

One of the beauties of the 9.3x62 is that the velocities are not high and a standard cup and core projectile of sufficent weight will kill a plains game animal. Pick any of the 286gr projectiles and you will be fine. The Speer 270gr has a very thin jacket and would probably not be suitable on the larger antelope.
Remember the 9.3x62 has been around over 100 years and was the favorite of the early settlers for a reason.
To quote John Taylor "In spite of all the modern magnums and supers the 9.3mm still remains the favourite medium bore of many experienced hunters"

 

[Code4]

One of the beauties of the 9.3x62 is that the velocities are not high and a standard cup and core projectile of sufficent weight will kill a plains game animal. Pick any of the 286gr projectiles and you will be fine. The Speer 270gr has a very thin jacket and would probably not be suitable on the larger antelope.
Remember the 9.3x62 has been around over 100 years and was the favorite of the early settlers for a reason.
To quote John Taylor "In spite of all the modern magnums and supers the 9.3mm still remains the favourite medium bore of many experienced hunters"

Exactly. Old cartridge / standard velocity = standard projectile.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I agree with Stug and Code4.
Witold