9.3x62 Noob

[SafariSniper]

Greetings Hunters!

I’ve been scrolling this page as a guest for too long and decided to join the chat, particularly because of my new 9.3 purchase. I’ve picked up some great information along the way and I thought it put my idea out there for some feedback.
I decided on the 9.3 after hours of thought since I really wanted a 1 rifle hunting option, and this formalized when I found a Tikka R7k below market price (New).

For the most part I hunt for biltong so “slow and heavy” made sense especially since I mainly hunt Pongola and Limpopo, and with my luck, every hunt I’ve gone to in Pongola I’ve walked into black rhinos or Buffalo, so the idea was to have a caliber that could help in a pinch.

I should have my firearm in 2 or so months and I’ll start with load development.
My thoughts are to load 250gr ttsx at 2400/2500fps and scope it with a 3x15x44 with a firedot since I’ve had to take a few shots out past 200m, the furthest being 225m for an ostrich.

 

[Puddle]

Good choice of cartridge. Since you handload, I'll note I load all manner of 250 grain bullets to ~2,550+ fps MV. Very effective.

I suggest you locate a copy of the 9.3x62 Mauser Journal if you don't yet have one. There's a whole lotta learning condensed in there.

 

[MS 9x56]

Greetings Hunters!

I’ve been scrolling this page as a guest for too long and decided to join the chat, particularly because of my new 9.3 purchase. I’ve picked up some great information along the way and I thought it put my idea out there for some feedback.
I decided on the 9.3 after hours of thought since I really wanted a 1 rifle hunting option, and this formalized when I found a Tikka R7k below market price (New).

For the most part I hunt for biltong so “slow and heavy” made sense especially since I mainly hunt Pongola and Limpopo, and with my luck, every hunt I’ve gone to in Pongola I’ve walked into black rhinos or Buffalo, so the idea was to have a caliber that could help in a pinch.

I should have my firearm in 2 or so months and I’ll start with load development.
My thoughts are to load 250gr ttsx at 2400/2500fps and scope it with a 3x15x44 with a firedot since I’ve had to take a few shots out past 200m, the furthest being 225m for an ostrich.

My apologies for my ignorance but I have never encountered Tikka r7K. Can you give some specifics on this rifle?

 

[SafariSniper]

Good choice of cartridge. Since you handload, I'll note I load all manner of 250 grain bullets to ~2,550+ fps MV. Very effective.

I suggest you locate a copy of the 9.3x62 Mauser Journal if you don't yet have one. There's a whole lotta learning condensed in there.

I actually haven’t come across that book, much appreciated, I’ll definitely try source one.

 

[SafariSniper]

My apologies for my ignorance but I have never encountered Tikka r7K. Can you give some specifics on this rifle?

Not at all, I was referring to the cost in South African Rands. R7000 which would be roughly 380usd or 360euros. Quite a deal considering the cost of what we pay in South Africa.

 

[MS 9x56]

Not at all, I was referring to the cost in South African Rands. R7000 which would be roughly 380usd or 360euros. Quite a deal considering the cost of what we pay in South Africa.

Thank you for clarifying. At that price I would say jump on it. Tikka rifles tend to be lightweight so recoil may be on the stiff side with 286 grain loads at 2500 fps. Good luck.

 

[AZDAVE]

The 9.3's are my favorite mid bores. I will second @Puddle recommendation of the 9.3x62 Mauser journal. It will be money well spent. It will serve you quite well. I have shot from 232gr to 320gr bullets in my 9.3x62's and generally use the 286gr Aframes with a CEB soild on my belt for those occasions where a solid is needed. I also did a fair bit of testing and hunting with the 250gr class of bullets. The monolithic style bullets; Barnes and Hornaday CX's both work great. Flip a coin on which is better.
With 250 Accubonds I have shot everything from klipspringer to water buck in Limpopo and the eastern cape. A picture attached for inspiration.

 

[SafariSniper]

The 9.3's are my favorite mid bores. I will second @Puddle recommendation of the 9.3x62 Mauser journal. It will be money well spent. It will serve you quite well. I have shot from 232gr to 320gr bullets in my 9.3x62's and generally use the 286gr Aframes with a CEB soild on my belt for those occasions where a solid is needed. I also did a fair bit of testing and hunting with the 250gr class of bullets. The monolithic style bullets; Barnes and Hornaday CX's both work great. Flip a coin on which is better.
With 250 Accubonds I have shot everything from klipspringer to water buck in Limpopo and the eastern cape. A picture attached for inspiration.

Thanks for the feedback and inspiration, That’s quite the picture!
I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for 286 Aframes, I did search around but no luck so I’ve settled on two boxes of the ttsx for now, but your setup is exactly where my thoughts were, 286 Aframes and a solid, preferably next up in the magazine for in case.

Really appreciate the input

 

[SafariSniper]

Thank you for clarifying. At that price I would say jump on it. Tikka rifles tend to be lightweight so recoil may be on the stiff side with 286 grain loads at 2500 fps. Good luck.

Most welcome, indeed, jumped on it immediately. The bonus was it came factory fitted with a threaded barrel so I’ll put a silencer on it to deal with that and because most farms prefer silencers.

To be honest I’m not keen on spicey recoil since I loosened an implant in my jaw shooting a 375 this hunting season

My 300prc is pretty much the area where I can shoot and not hate recoil.

 

[AZDAVE]

@SafariSniper If I am correct you are based out of South Africa? if so Rhino bullets make some very good softs and solids for the 9.3

 

[SafariSniper]

@SafariSniper If I am correct you are based out of South Africa? if so Rhino bullets make some very good softs and solids for the 9.3

I am indeed! the land of Biltong, beer and braai!
I’ve seen so, on this platform I’ve seen quite a few debates on the Rhino/Woodleigh/Norma bullets.
If you’ve any experience with either of the above I’d appreciate some insight, I went for the ttsx as it was all I could get my hands on at the time and I hunt with ttsx in my 30. Cal rifles so I went with what I know.
After reading debates here I still don’t know if there is a unanimous winner between them and I’m sure I’d have to just do the load development and try for myself, but Rhino is definitely on the top of the list

 

[MS 9x56]

Not a cull in the lot. You picks your poison and pays the price.

 

[1dirthawker]

i really like my 9.3x62. i have been using CFE 223 powder and my rifle likes it. it moves a 286gr a frame at 2500 fps.

i think you have made a good choice.

 

[Fryeguy]

Great buy! I saw a tikka t3 with really nice wood in Ellisras a few years ago, and would have loved to bring it home with me. I have used the norm 232 oryx on a couple of critters and they did great! My son shot a blue wildebeest at a much greater distance than I would have allowed, but I was not beside him on the stalk. Just the PH. Also I took a warthog with it that had huge tusks. It wasn’t an animal I had in the list at the time, but it stepped out when I had a rifle so it was dispatched. I have also used 286 aframes on eland, waterbuck, nyala, blue wildebeest and it was great performing. Last year I used nosler partitions and they also did great, I have only used the 250 accubonds on a deer and a few coyotes in USA. None recovered but I didn’t track anything either. Lapua mega did well on a coyote also, but there isn’t much for testing on those sized animals other than it just about cut it in half.

 

[wildwilderness]

I really like the 9,3x62 - mine is a rebarrelled Ruger M77

I have a vortex 1-8x24 scope on it and has always worked well. I think a 2-10x would be the highest magnification I would go- it’s not particularly fast and with heavy bullets it’s not a long range cartridge. Especially if dangerous game is a possibility the low end Magnification is more important.

I hope you enjoy it

 

[John Wasmuth]

I think this link will take you to the journal

9.3 x 62 Journal – This book is a must for all serious enthusiast who own or shoot the 9.3 x 62 Mauser Cartridge, and will become an important reference for the avid hunter of big game around the world who want to hunt with bullet to stop a charge! I

93x62journal.co.za