9.3x62 Penetration On Large Game

[TOBY458]

I will pick up my new Sako 85 in 9.3x62 tomorrow. I plan to use it as my plains game rifle, and possibly Buffalo if the occasion should arrise.
My question is, how does the 9.3 compare to larger calibers when it comes to penetration on Large animals like, Buffalo, Eland, Hippo, and even Elephant.
Does it offer enough penetration to comfortably take a frontal chest shot on a Cape Buffalo? How about a frontal brain shot on an Elephant?
I know this all depends on the bullets being used, but let's just say they're all using Barnes TSX, Swift A Frame, or something similar. Or solids on Elephant.
Also, how does it do on Lion with lighter weight bullets?
My new rifle is going to be lightweight and handy to carry on all day hunts. I look forward to shooting it and learning more about this legendary caliber.

 

[enysse]

My 2 cents, it’s a great rifle! I’m not sure how it would do on an elephant but the other game I wouldn’t be worried. I used one on a giraffe, lung shot and it didn’t go far with a TSX. Bigger is always better if you can hold the gun straight. The 9.3x62 is pleasant to shoot!

 

[bruce moulds]

300 gn swift aframe 9.3mm bullet at 2400 fps.
a bit faster than a x62, but not much.
600 kg camel bulls through the ribs side on come out the other side and kill instantly.
also camels 1/2 that weight with similar shots.
quartering frontal shots deliberately on the point of the shoulder, bullet stays in, but instant death.
quartering from the rear be careful not to try to drive the bullet through too much stomach.
you will get the camel, but not instant death.
penetration test on bull camel dead lying on its brisket.
would not completely penetrate both shoulder blades, muscle and spine sideways on.
the muscles were bunched up and tight.
I sometimes wonder whether dead muscles are harder or easier to penetrate than living ones?
will a brnesx penetrate more than a swift?
possibly so, as the swift relies on pushing, while the barnes to some degree also relies on cutting as well.
looking at these results, I would shoot cattle and buffalo with a 286 or 300 gn swift, but use a solid if forced to shoot an elephant.
something bigger would be preferable for this.
286 gn nosler partition on donkeys. not sure of weight.
nose blew off when hit shoulder blade and blew back out next to inlet hole.
rest of bullet deflected off course by this, luckily in a good direction.
could have been bad on different game in a different place.this same feature is what makes nosler partitions useful for shooting smaller species with bigger calibres.
body shots on other donkeys not many sudden deaths.
270 gn speer. won't penetrate much at all. would suit small species.
the x62 might do well with the brenneke tug 293 gn for many jobs.
it had dual cores, the front one being softer.
bruce.

 

[matt85]

the 9.3x62 would be fine for buffalo (if its legal) in most situations. however I can assure you if the animal charges then you will find it to be a bit of a "peashooter".

elephant is another matter as I don't even consider the 375 to suitable for elephant and the 9.3x62 is smaller and less powerful. will it work? maybe, but if it doesn't then you are putting the lives of your PH and trackers in danger.

-matt

 

[bruce moulds]

this cartridge could best be described as a good one for top half of the plains game spectrum where you might also encounter a buffalo, lion, or leopard.
it is easier to shoot than a 375, and therefore easier to shoot well.
a good 7mm will complete a good plains game battery.
probably will never shoot an elephant, but would look at a 45 personally.
bruce.

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

Thousands of buffalos and elephants were killed with the 9,3x62. Dr. Kevin Robertson shot a wildebeest bull, using a TUG bullet. It entered the chest and was found at the end of the body. With Kevin's 9,3x62 more than 600 buffalo were killed. I don't need a bigger rifle than my double 9,3x74R.

 

[TOBY458]

the 9.3x62 would be fine for buffalo (if its legal) in most situations. however I can assure you if the animal charges then you will find it to be a bit of a "peashooter".

elephant is another matter as I don't even consider the 375 to suitable for elephant and the 9.3x62 is smaller and less powerful. will it work? maybe, but if it doesn't then you are putting the lives of your PH and trackers in danger.

-matt

I agree that bigger is always better if you can handle it. I'll be pairing this rifle with a 416 Rem Mag or 416 Ruger, so I don't plan to hunt buffalo with it. But just in case we run into a big bull while plains game hunting, it's nice to have something adequate for the task if needed.

 

[Shootist43]

Toby, something tells me that you already knew the answer to your question before it was asked. The 9.3 x 62 has been taking all kinds of African Game for over a hundred years. That being said the psyche of the modern hunter is a bit different. We strive for a quick, clean, humane kill. That was not exactly the mantra of the folks shouldering this rifle back in the day. In today's world Eland would be my top of the line. If however you found yourself in a position where it was the only thing between you and teeth, tusks, horns, claws, paws or hooves intent on doing you bodily harm pull the trigger, you might get lucky. I myself would not seek out such a position intentionally.

 

[TOBY458]

Toby, something tells me that you already knew the answer to your question before it was asked. The 9.3 x 62 has been taking all kinds of African Game for over a hundred years. That being said the psyche of the modern hunter is a bit different. We strive for a quick, clean, humane kill. That was not exactly the mantra of the folks shouldering this rifle back in the day. In today's world Eland would be my top of the line. If however you found yourself in a position where it was the only thing between you and teeth, tusks, horns, claws, paws or hooves intent on doing you bodily harm pull the trigger, you might get lucky. I myself would not seek out such a position intentionally.

You're correct in thinking that I already knew what the answer was. I was just hoping to hear some first hand experience, and maybe see some pictures of animals taken and bullet performance.
And.....I'm just trying to get my mind around taking something to Africa that's smaller than a 375 H&H.

 

[Shootist43]

On our Group Hunt last July I took my 404 Jeffery and my 35 Whelen. For your next hunt you are looking at a 416 (something or another, no offence ment) and a 9.3 x 62. In my book "sameo, sameo." I never felt under-gunned for a second, neither should you.

 

[AZDAVE]

Here is a excerpt from a penetration test with 9.3 softs done for African Hunter magazine

 

[Shootist43]

An excellent article Dave, thanks for sharing.

 

[TOBY458]

Here's my new pea shooter. All dressed up in a Leupold 2-7×33 scope. Weighs in at 8lbs 1oz. Shot it with some medium loads to get a feel for it. Very smooth shooting!

 

[Hammergun]

I took a 9.3x62 to SA last year for plains game. Luepold 2-7x 33 scope and shooting 286 grain A frames. Worked great and really thumped everything. No tracking really. A gemsbuck went about 100 yds, everything else much less. If I had a chance at the right buff I would've used it for that too. In fact my ph suggested that I bring the 9.3 back for buff next trip. He was very happy with my results.

 

[TOBY458]

I took a 9.3x62 to SA last year for plains game. Luepold 2-7x 33 scope and shooting 286 grain A frames. Worked great and really thumped everything. No tracking really. A gemsbuck went about 100 yds, everything else much less. If I had a chance at the right buff I would've used it for that too. In fact my ph suggested that I bring the 9.3 back for buff next trip. He was very happy with my results.

Sounds like you had a great trip! I hope to try mine on an Eland, Oryx, Impala and maybe a lioness.

 

[rnovi]

It’s not quite the same but I broadsided my 900# North American Buffalo with a 286 partition. Full penetration with predictable effect.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Thousands of buffalos and elephants were killed with the 9,3x62. Dr. Kevin Robertson shot a wildebeest bull, using a TUG bullet. It entered the chest and was found at the end of the body. With Kevin's 9,3x62 more than 600 buffalo were killed. I don't need a bigger rifle than my double 9,3x74R.

+1

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

one of the best calibres ever made

its the perfect calibre for a bushveld african safari, take a steenbok to a buff!!!

 

[Shootist43]

I hope to try mine on an Eland, Oryx, Impala and maybe a lioness.

Using the 9.3 x 62 on these animals is a well matched pair. Sort of like ham and eggs, bread and butter, toast and jam. I'm sure there are more but you get the picture.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

one of the best calibres ever made

its the perfect calibre for a bushveld african safari, take a steenbok to a buff!!!

I agree with Tally-Ho Safaris.