sgt_zim, if it was me and I had the slightest inkling that my 9.3 might not make it I would work up a load for your 280AI very easy with the 155 or 160 Hammer Bullets I have taken 12 animals in Africa with only one shot each and only 3 recovered bullets they are great and the best thing is they are in stock always, very accurate, load work very easyFinding myself approaching the point of being in a pickle
As much as I like my 45-70 and can shoot it well, and i think it would be more than adequate for shooting conditions in Limpopo, that isn't the gun I want to bring.
- My 9.3x62 has been in the shop since October for stock work and a bit of metal work on the extractor; I'm expecting it back soon, but who knows.
- My 404J has a nice load with Hornady bonded DGX, but they're as hard to find as A Frames
- My 280 AI has 2 nice loads, 160 A Frame (see point the 2nd) and 175 gr Partition (also see point the 2nd)
- my 45-70 is ready to rock. I have about 30 or so 425 gr loads in the cartridge box, another 50 of those bullets in the box waiting to be loaded; and about 40 525 gr in the cartridge box.
Heaviest Hammer I can put through my 9.5 twist 280 AI is 141 gr, I believe. I'm sure it would work, I just prefer heavier for caliber. One bullet that is in abundance is the NAB LR in 175 gr. That's what I'm really thinking about. A 1MOA load at even a modest 2650 fps would still let me reach WAY out there with that 0.648 BCsgt_zim, if it was me and I had the slightest inkling that my 9.3 might not make it I would work up a load for your 280AI very easy with the 155 or 160 Hammer Bullets I have taken 12 animals in Africa with only one shot each and only 3 recovered bullets they are great and the best thing is they are in stock always, very accurate, load work very easy
@sgt_zim You may want to run those numbers through a ballistic calculator. I shot those bullets in a 28 Nosler but they were going considerably faster (3100+)and a in a Benchmark 9 twist. Accuracy was good but not as good as Berger 168s.Heaviest Hammer I can put through my 9.5 twist 280 AI is 141 gr, I believe. I'm sure it would work, I just prefer heavier for caliber. One bullet that is in abundance is the NAB LR in 175 gr. That's what I'm really thinking about. A 1MOA load at even a modest 2650 fps would still let me reach WAY out there with that 0.648 BC
You may be right. It looks as though Hammer has changed their recommendations. It wasn't very long ago, some time in 2023, that they recommended a 9 or 9.25 for anything heavier/longer than their 141 gr, and that had been the recommendation for quite a long time - I had looked at Hammers when I first bought my 280. Looking at their info right now in a different tab, it would seem the 160 gr shock hammer will stabilize in a 9.5 twist.@sgt_zim You may want to run those numbers through a ballistic calculator. I shot those bullets in a 28 Nosler but they were going considerably faster (3100+)and a in a Benchmark 9 twist. Accuracy was good but not as good as Berger 168s.
JBM - Calculations - Stability
www.jbmballistics.com
@mdwestKeep working all of the first 3 points.. one of them will work out... The 4457 and rifle permit application can still wait a few months if youre not hunting until August.. I'd guess one of those items will come together with time to spare..
Or..
you could just go buy yourself a new rifle in a new caliber (maybe something pretty in 300 H&H or 375 H&H?)... and start fresh!
I've already been offered the use of a 375H&H. Unfortunately, 90% of the population shoots from the wrong side of the gun, so my choices are a bit limited.
@sgt_zimTime until departure to Johannesburg, RSA:
Weeks: 23
Days: 5
Hours: 21
Minutes: 50
They want their loads to fit any rifle, you can tailor them to fit YOUR rifle.View attachment 601711
A new scope. At the top are some Speers for getting on paper.
In the middle are 258 gr Shock Hammers.
At the bottom are 286 gr A Frames.
Hammers and Swifts starting at 58 gr of 2000MR, 10 shot ladders for each from 58 to 62.5 gr.
IDK why all of the MFGs specify such short COAL. Hammers are set to 3.30", A Frames to 3.32"
Let's see what we get. Range report tomorrow afternoon or Sunday.
Oh, yeah.
Time until departure to Johannesburg, RSA:
Weeks: 16
Days: 0
Hours: 22
Minutes: 27
Seconds: 6
Milliseconds: 527
Don't worry much about fancy boots. Typically not rough country for those animals and usually the stalk is not far from the vehicle. You do NOT want high topped laceup boots. Too hot and heavy. A pair of medium uppers hiking boots are fine. I wear Georgia Boot "Eagle Trail" lightly insulated hikers. SUPER comfortable and very reasonably priced. Laces were junk (paracord crap) but the rest of the boot held up well till I walked the treaded soles flat. Lots of guys hunt Africa in running shoes and seem to do okay. Not for me though. Take two pair. Wear one on the plane and the other in checked bag. You need an alternate pair in case boots get wet or have a blowout.A question on foot gear.
I have a nice pair of heavy-soled Merrills and a pair of vibram-soled Justin lacers. The lacers aren't great hiking boots, they're kinda heavy. But they have 10" heavy leather uppers.
My issue on finding boots is I wear 13B or 14A. I'd like to get a pair of Courtneys, but I imagine they'll flop around on my feet like my under armour slides.
Congrats on making decision. Great choice of rifles, and solid choice of animals, although i suspect you could add some additonal animal of opportunity.!