Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Anatomy of a Wacko Rifle Purchase - 9.3x74R

A nice story, indeed - a fitting light at the end of this tunnel of winter darkness !

A pretty #1 also, I might add - being a long-time #1 hunter/user, myself.

I agree with your scope theory - I use a similar Trijicon Accupoint Safari variable.

FWIW - I would suggest you try attaching the ammo carrier to the rifle, between the scope rings, ILO your wrist. I have an older, two-cartridge carrier, that carries the shells parallel to the bore, and find reloads both fast and easy.

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Timberline
Outstanding experience! Thanks for sharing the entire story with a well written detailed story.

Ruger #1A's are classic, light and set-up right are downright super all around rifles! My favorite is an old red pad #1A in 7x57mm with a VXIII 1x5 Leupold short tube found in an out of the way gun store while on vacation a few years ago.

Thanks!

Mike

I'd second the notion that you should be published. Stories like this are what I used to enjoy reading in magazines, not the dribble that's so often printed anymore.

So far, I've had 3 scopes on my 9.3x74 and still not sure which one is best....1.75-6x Leupold,3x Lyman and 1.5-6x Swaro..
Great story and good pictures...

Timberline,

What a phenomenal post and awesome pics. I really do enjoy how you make a post come to life. Thank you for that.

CLB

Until I read your post I had successfully put aside an obsession of having this same rifle/caliber for my Africa trip. I certainly don't need it, but wanting is something else.

"Thanks" for resurrecting the urge.

What a great writeup, makes me want to go out and buy a Ruger No 1 in 9.3x74r..I have the same problem during the winter and have expended all monies on a 17 HMR and 7mm-08 wish I read this first.

Ah, yes. Suffer from the same disease. In fact, I gave serious consideration to just that rifle not long ago.
Even as I post this, I'm still considering one instead of the far more practical Remington 760 '06 I've got lined up for a trade.
I'll bet that some day, I'll probably end up hunting with such a rifle. Either a 9.3X74R or an '06.
Very well done post. I'll be looking for more of the same. Do keep posting such great stuff. E

One fine post. Nice rifle and speedgoat-congratulations.

Your rifle may getting to heavy to add any more weight, but on a lighter rifle, a cartridge trap inlet into the stock is a nice way to carry extra ammunition.

http://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/index.html?Cartridge%20Traps%20Page.htm~maindeal

Most are mounted on the bottom off the buttstock, but it works to mount it on the comb of a straight stock.

If hunting antelope with a 9.3X74 is wacko I must really be over the edge. I hunt 'em with a .375 H&H loaded with 270 gr bullets.

How much do you have to lead them?

(grin)

Nicely done, and welcome to the club of #1's in "off" calibres. Got one in a 405 Win. No blood on it yet. Hoping for a nice buck this fall.

Probably the best post I have read here. Thanks muchly. MARK

PS I am also aflicted with Wacko Rifle looneyism. Quite an affliction

I really enjoyed your interesting post. The photos added much to a great story.

BTW, I don't see anything "wacko" about your choice of rifle or cartridge. In fact, I'm considering getting one!

Great write up. I love #1's. I to have been looking at the 9.3 and .375 #1's as my next purchase.

For longer range shooting have you thought about a lighter bullet? I know Norma loads a 232gr Vulcan bullet at a bit more than 2500fps and that should make a great long-distant choice.

I've also been bitten by the 9.3x74R bug but in the form of an O/U rifle but haven't decided on just which one. I'm looking at the Heym but at only 6 1/4 pounds without a scope I'm a bit concerned about the recoil which I estimate to be about 37 or 38ftlbs with the factory 286gr bullet. I've been invited to a driven boar hunt in Europe and I think the Heym would be the perfect choice if I could find a way to add another pound before I install a scope.

If I had to compare the 9.3x74R to other cartridges I'd say it's closer to the 350 RemMag (or 35 Whelan) than it is to the 375 H&H. If you recall John Barnesss and Charlie Sisk but together a 9.3 based on the 350 RemMag case necked up to 0.366 and it was a real thumper.

Power levels have been kept down in Europe becasue 99% of the 9.3x74R's are chambered in either double rifles or drillings and they won't stand the pressure like a Ruger #1 or bolt-gun. I suspect that a judicious search for the proper powder would allow you to exceed factory loadings.

The only problem is the cases are usually only good for one reload before you get cracked necks etc. It's not a cheap toy to feed for sure!

Nice picture and nice story. If you need a little flatter trajectory and enough punch try the handload with Nosler 250BT or AB. The 9,3x74 is loaded low pressure because of older break open double or single but with the Ruger N1 and the strong cases of today you can easily get some more fps...But as it is loaded it's enough caliber for all that walk in North America or Europe.
In Europe it's really the driven hunt caliber together with the 9,3x62. In Africa it's good for all the plains game.
Pleasure to read your story
Dominique

To DB Bill

Using VN140 Powder and 232grs Oryx had no probem to get more than 2600fps and cases (Norma) were good for five reload and more. Pressure stay in the standard low range of the 9,3x74.
Going above that pressure and with o bit more recoil you can get the same velocity with the 250grs Nosler. Can try the Barnes too but need to lower the powder load for pressure reason. Speer, Hornady, Nosler, Vithavuory manuals are good base to begin with..
The VN540 worked well for me with Nosler 250 and CCI primers...
Barrel is 60cm (24in)
Dominique

great hunt! excellent pics too!

loved it all...