First Trip To Africa

[BeeMaa]

In regards to the suppressor, and without starting too much of a S*&%storm...

Is it mounted directly on the barrel or is there...dare I say it...a muzzle brake?
Can you take the muzzle brake off and install a threaded cap to protect the threads?
Just wondering...

 

[Hogpatrol]

One caveat with mercury recoil reducers, a heavy contour barrel (5, 6 or Sendero) helps tremendously with rifle balance. With a skinny barrel handling could be problematic, BTDT.

 

[Nyati]

You can shoot nearly everything in Africa with a .300WM

 

[fourfive8]

If the 9.3 is fairly stout, not a lightweight and fits well- the recoil should not be an issue. Just pad up with a "sissy" pad at the range until you get used to it. Make sure it shoots well and you get enough practice at the range and with off-the-sticks type practice. Use a good quality, tough bullet that is accurate in your rifle. You don't need gadgetry nor high power scopes. You need an accurate rifle you shoot well that is reliable with quality ammo and quality bullets. Of the game you listed the eland is by far the biggest and toughest, so plan accordingly. You should not "need" to shoot past about 200-250 yds at any game. To do so means you want to do so. Don't over think the rifle. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[WAB]

the biggest I have currently is a 300 Winchester Mag.

You should not need the recoil reducer or extra weight in a 9.3x62. It is a very pleasant caliber to shoot.

 

[M McDindi]

Congratulations on your first of what I hope are many for you. Once bitten, there is no cure.

My council would be, since you're not going after DG and the largest species on your wish list is eland and you already have a 300 WM that your familiar with and comfortable shooting. I've taken a lot of firs timers over who've had perfectly adequate .30cal class rifles, spent good money on something "bigger". Sometimes, too frequently, they don't have enough trigger time with it or they don't KNOW the actual ballistics the new caliber etc and it turned out to be a bit of an expensive proposition.

As others have said, practice standing off sticks. Keep the scope magnification down as you will end up over correcting all your movement - chasing the wiggle. Get to where you can keep EVERY shot inside a 4" circle at a 100m as a MINIMUM. With the excitement and your heart pounding from maybe a brisk walk and you may only have 15-20 sec to get the shot off.

We've all likely experienced "buck fever". Well, it happens there too but as a multiplied factor. Something you've always dreamed of. Not familiar with the body sizes of the various species so range estimates maybe aren't as good so your unsure of holdover and mostly SHOT PLACEMENT into where the vital area is on African PG compared to US whitetail. The added preasure of knowing if you screw up the shot and draw blood and it's not recovered, the trophy fee is still payable.

Due to the above, my advice is to use your 300wm with 180gr TSX. Save your money on the rifle and put it towards and extra trophy species. Then once you've "popped your cherry", and decide on to pursue DG on your next trip do your custom build on a rifle.

I love the 9.3x62. I've got one of the Lipsey's special run order of Ruger 77 Safari's. Love it, but as others have mentioned, it's still a "tweener" rifle caliber when it comes to legality for DG in the various countries there. While it has a solid and long reputation on DG and in the hands of most shooters will get the job done, it is still not always legal. Again, as much as I love the 9.3x62, just make the jump to something 375 for your next trip.

 

[Tgood1]

This really is the best platform to learn about firearms, optics , bullet selection etc. Hell that's just fun. But also for the actual trip itself, if you havent done so already, it's very prudent to reach out to 2 sponsors on this site, Travel Express and Rifle permits, I use both and highly recommend them. Henry at rifle permits has an option to have one of his people meet you when you disembark plane, walk you through customs, get your luggage (quickly), take you to SAPS for your rifle permit, and to greeting area very efficiently and securely. It beats the hell out of being stuck in the cattle line of customs for several hours as I've endured once. Lori at Travel Express can also handle your trip insurance which is money well spent. Another small item is footwear, years ago I contacted another sponsor here Africa Sporting Creations and bought a pair of Courtney's, love them, light and cool, I use them in early hunts in south Colorado as well as in my office. You may be covering hot miles.
And bring a reliable digital camera that is easy to use with a good zoom and a couple new SD cards. Many opportunities for photography.
Dont overpack. The ph should provide a packing list. I bring a small kit that includes sunblock, felt for feet blisters, eyedrops as well as a cheap eyewash cup, aleve, benadryl, etc.
Just a few recommendations for a smooth trip to add to your future great Africa experience.

 

[Frederik]

9.3x62 or 300 win mag should be able to handle everything you are hunting.
If you do decide to go with the 9.3 load liighter bullets 250 or 235gr bullets with kudu and if the area is hilly where kududs like to hang out shots up to 300 yards might be offered and 9.3 with 286gr will struggle while the 300 will easily get there.
Your list might only be 4 species but they are not that easy to find so you have quite a hunt ahead of you enjoy it.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I live in Africa, Zimbabwe, and get to hunt once or twice a year. My battery is a Verney Carron O/U double in 375 Flanged Magnum, new addition, that will be for buffalo and close big PG, Ruger no1 in 375 H&H scoped with a Leica illuminated dot 1-6.4 x 24 for buff an down a bit further away, and a 30-30 Marlin with a small Leupold AR green dot scope for impala and warthog size down. All of these rifles are really light, but recoil is not a problem at all on the 375,s. I would rather have a light carry rifle in Africa in November. Also choose thin cotton, not synthetic, and long pants and long sleeve shirts if you are in a tsetse area. We also love our Courteney boots here, unthinkable to hunt without them.

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats on the booking!

 

[CBH Australia]

I hired a 7mmRM, I have owned a .300wm, a .458wm and have a ..375H&H.
An earlier suggestion here. Use the .300wm if you are happy to. See if you can try a .9.3, a .375H&H or other in camp. If recoil is a problem try before you buy.
Most everyone will tell you you won’t feel the recoil when you squeeze of a shot on an animal. Range time is different. I say most everyone as I haven’t shot anything bigger than the .458 and they were not heavy loads. Recoil was ok, I’m no too a recoil junkie but if I need a big gun I know it’s going to boot but I’m mostly shooting it in moderation.
I have 2 pair Courteney boots, they are solid, well built and well I wanted Buffalo hide boots. They are claimed to be the quietest stalking boots they do seem quiet. My first pair were pretty tight on arrival, the Edmond pair a much more generous fit, slightly loose. The first pair broke in nicely and I wore them for the duration of my trip leaving Australia with just a carry on for aChange of clothes .
Courtney’s are hand made, I think the fit may vary, try a couple of pair of the same if possible to check fit. If you are going to buy them.

 

[Marty Brown]

My first trip was scheduled for next month but had to be rescheduled for August due to Covid-19 shutdown.......hopefully, we’ll be good to go by then!

 

[Ryan]

I will be taking it easy on the first trip the 4 trophy fees I have in the hunt are for a spiral slam, Eland, Kudu up to 54 inches, Nyala, and Limpopo Bushbuck . Dangerous game will come later if time and finances permit. I currently have a Remington 700 Left hand ,300 Winchester Magnum , 26 inch Barrel, Myrtle Stock, TBAC Ultra 9 CB may have to pull it out of the Gun Safe.

Nothing against the 9.3x62, if you want it get it. As a lefty myself I can say you'll have a rare gun. But for what you are hunting it isn't needed. First I thought just use the 30-06 you want to rebarrel, but I see you have a 300 Win Mag. Go with that. I've used both calibers to drop everything you mentioned.

 

[Tanks]

...
Courtney’s are hand made, I think the fit may vary, try a couple of pair of the same if possible to check fit. If you are going to buy them.

^^^ This and take your time walking around. Last time I was in Bulawayo I tried Courtneys as they were much cheaper than the Russell Moccasins I usually wear. I walked around just a little bit, not much before buying them. After getting home discovered that one of the studs on top right dig into my foot and after 15 minutes the foot gets tender. They are on the back of my closet since then. I did order two more pairs of Russells at DSC so I am set for now.

 

[Major Khan]

9.3x62 mm Mauser is an excellent calibre for every single species of African plains game ... including the massive eland .
With 286 grain Woodleigh soft point bullets or 286 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw soft point bullets ... it can make short work of the largest elands .

For your stock ... use French or Turkish Walnut wood. Avoid American Walnut woods ( such as Claro ) , because they tend to be open grained and are thus ... relatively more likely to split , than French or Turkish Walnut wood .
I am a left hander , too. During our time , the only left handed bolt rifle available on the market ... was the Savage Model 110 bolt rifle . Either was either that , or learn to use a double barreled rifle , or learn to cycle the bolt of a right handed rifle with your left hand .

 

[M McDindi]

Courtney's are nice, got a pair for my wife and I last year in Namibia in buffalo leather. Wore them out of the store.

We've also got a couple of pair each of the Russel Moccasins. Yes, they are pricey no doubt but, for the most part if anything happens to them you can send them back and they can repair/rebuild them to just about like brand new.

 

[Ryan]

Looking at Norma's info on the Bondstrike bullet it appears to be a well made bonded bullet. I'd seriously consider sticking with that out of the 300 Win Mag. You know it works out of that rifle and you're comfortable with it. I dropped my eland with a 300 Win Mag using 180 grain PMP basic factory ammo. Take your time, put it in the right spot and we'll be reading good reports.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well I have my first trip to SA coming up in Nov of 2021. I have been waiting for Zastava to release there 9.3x62 Mauser Left Hand Rifle's in the USA. They have been supposed to be released already and after talking with Zastava USA can't get a time frame for them to be sold.
So the option running around in my head is to buy a Left Hand , Remington SPS 30-06 and customize it out the ears. First step have the 24 inch 30-06 barrel Re-bored to 9.3x62 fairly easy conversion, Going to get a custom heavy walnut stock made for it, with a mercury recoil system in the stock. Optics will be a Burris Veracity 2x10x42mm , and top it off with a suppressor OSS HX-QD 338 TI.

Would like peoples opinions on the Build for Plains game hunting. Any advice welcome as well.

Morga
You could always revote to 35 Whelen, or just leave it as the old ought six load it with 165 grain Barnes or accubonds and have fun. The 06 will do what you need for PG
cheers
Bob Nelson

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

^^^ This and take your time walking around. Last time I was in Bulawayo I tried Courtneys as they were much cheaper than the Russell Moccasins I usually wear. I walked around just a little bit, not much before buying them. After getting home discovered that one of the studs on top right dig into my foot and after 15 minutes the foot gets tender. They are on the back of my closet since then. I did order two more pairs of Russells at DSC so I am set for now.

Tanks
You never know mate someone on AH may like to buy your Courtney boots.
My son and I purchased Magnum security boots. Very soft, quiet and water proof. They fitted like a pair of old slippers from the start. Walking for miles is comfortable in them. For $200 Australian a pair they are good value. I've had mine 5 years.
Cheers mate Bob.

 

[Tanks]

...

Would like peoples opinions on the Build for Plains game hunting. Any advice welcome as well.

I am a Lefty.

I am in the process of a "Build for Plains game hunting" rifle. I am building a .300 RUM. In my view an any place/any distance PG rifle.

Defiant Machine Deviant Hunter LH action with CRF and 3 position safety.
SSK Industries will ream and barrel the rifle (26" fluted).
Accurate Innovations will build the stock for it.