Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 9.3x72R capabilities

Does anybody have experience with the 9.3x72R cartridge?
Im looking at a Drilling rifle with 16 gauges up top and then the bottom is a 9.3x72.

Is it capable of cape buffalo or should it be considered a smaller plains game round?

My older brother has one. The cartridge design is not very efficient and the rifles in which it is chambered are not usually very strong. Do not confuse it with its much more powerful cousin, the 9.3x74R. For practical purposes, use it like a .30-30. Additionally, please note that unlike the 9.3x74R, which uses .366 bullets, the 9.3x72R normally uses .364 bullets.

PS - I have noticed on GunBroker what I regard as a disturbing tendency to list obsolete old 9.3x70/72/80R rifles as 9.3x74R. If someone does fire a 9.3x74R in one of those, it is likely to end badly for the rifle and/or shooter. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting a chamber case and bore slug done. I emailed one seller to ask about a rifle and he informed me that he had a chamber cast done. I called him and discussed the dimensions he reported. Even after we agreed that his "9.3x74R" was actually a 9.3x72R, he kept it listed - and sold it - as a 9.3x74R.

9.3x72R = 185-195 grain bullet at just over 2000 ft/sec.

Which is basically .35 Rem ballistics.

Not what I would contemplate for a Cape Buffalo or smaller plains game at any considerable distance.

The 9.3x72R was originally a black powder round. I am working on getting a fine old cape gun my wife inherited up and running. Hers was originally proofed with a lead bullet and black powder, but later re-proofed in the 1920's for smokeless and a copper bullet. I'd compare it to a 38-55. Hers spent many years on a homestead in Alaska starting in the 40's and must have some interesting stories behind its wear and tear.