9.3x74 or 405 Win for Lion

[AZDAVE]

Got a return from my PH that 375 is min for dangerous game so Looks like I will go into serious testing for, hornaday, woodleigh and hawk soft points for the 405.
Will have to use the 9.3 on moose and bear at some point. Will post as I test results and what I decide based on the testing what will go with me next year

 

[sestoppelman]

Where will you be hunting?

 

[AZDAVE]

Authentic African Adventures in the Limpopo Province SA.

 

[edward]

just shot a cape buff with my 9.3x74r using the woodleigh 286 gr hydro statically stabilized solid, 55-60 yards,through shoulder and complete pass through off side ribs.insurance shot behind left shoulder,exit out the head,through the boss 1 inch over right eye.great solid for dangerous game.took a oryx at 129 yards with same woodleigh,complete pass through,left shoulder was totally destroyed.
no meat was useable.great soft point for thin skinned animals.just what i experienced.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have read good things about the woodleigh hydro's, I have some northfork cup points for the 9.3 I want to test. I ordered some 350gr CEB solids for my 405 to see if I can get them to regulate. But most of my effort will be to test the softs for my 405. as I have the 450NE dialed in very well for the cape Buff. If the wind will ever quit blowing here in AZ I will get to the range and post some results.

 

[edward]

good luck.when i knew i would be forced to do this safari with my double i realized that as a handgun hunter i would have to do a lot of practice.living in idaho didnt allow me all the time i wanted.WIND WIND AND THEN,MORE WIND.

 

[spike.t]

good luck.when i knew i would be forced to do this safari with my double i realized that as a handgun hunter i would have to do a lot of practice.living in idaho didnt allow me all the time i wanted.WIND WIND AND THEN,MORE WIND.

just wondering what wind, wind , wind has to do with using a double, and being a handgun hunter?

 

[edward]

trying to practice in 35 mph wind + isnt what i call very productive.you talked about AZ wind.i prefer to practice in the field,and i wasnt allowed as much time as i wanted.but,everything worked out perfectly anyway.was replying to another member.

 

[spike.t]

trying to practice in 35 mph wind + isnt what i call very productive.you talked about ari wind.i prefer to practice in the field,and i wasnt allowed as much time as i wanted.but,everything worked out perfectly anyway.

yup but good practice for off hand shooting with your double sorry but what is ari wind bit?

 

[AZDAVE]

I agree about practice in the field, have several targets that I position in field environment to practice around trees get angles right, and to teach my better half where to shoot and how to prep for shots. I even have a hald size impala with AS500 behind the vitals so she gets an audible of a good shot. But for pure ranges session I want as few a number of variables as possible to confirm my loads. With a double will admit that at 50yards even at the 15-35mph winds won't effect the impact by much. However most of my range session I take a big bore416 Rigby and up, mid bore 338Wm-405 Win and something little, below 338. and while the wind won't effect most of my double shooting, will reek havoc on a 800 yard shot with my 308 or 17 fireball at 300. I have my 450NE dialed but neet to work on the 405 a little with the woodleigh and hawk bullets to get a good load I have confidence in. The hornaday factory loads shoot great but not sure I want to rely on it for lion. Would feel better with a premium grade bullet. On the good side the winds usually die down for the most part Jul through Feb. I just need to be patient

 

[Russel. G. Keith]

Hi Guys.
I am not familiar with the 405 but I do know the 9.3 and the 450 both more than suitable for the big cats and anything else with due care. However just remember that you will be doing a lot of walking and you will want to be careying your rifle espesialy if you are after lion. Use the rifle you are most familiar with and are able to shoot best after a long hard and HOT hunt.