Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 9.3x62 for Buffalo/Leopard

Is the 9.3x62 legal for Buffalo and Leopard? What about Lion and Elephant? Would it be enough gun for Elephant? I am talking as a gun for a client and not as a stopping rifle.

I have used it successfully for buffalo and leopard in Zambia, and on buffalo in Cameroon and Tanzania. No PH has ever had an issue with it.

There is some debate about whether or not it meets requirements in Zimbabwe, but I'd ask your PH.

As much as I love the 9.3 X 62, I won't recommend it for elephant. It has worked uncountable times over the past 100 years, but I think that elephant medicine starts at .375 H & H and goes up. My 2 cents.

It has already been discussed here but with its ballistic twin, the 9.3X74R. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/4833409/1

I've used it on buff and hippo but won't do it again. The .375 H& is my personal minimum. I was not happy with the 9.3's performance on a buff that I shot very well twice.

9,3x62 have been one of most used gun in Africa hunting history and it's OK for Buffalo and Leopard...but the Elephant minimum in most of African countries start from 375 H&H...even this might be not enough. Therefore if you are looking for Elephant you should find something bigger...I don't think you will be please if PH should help you to get your first Elephant. But for more details ask from your PH. Also here on site are some guy's from RSA who can advice you about that issue. Never hunt Elephant (to expensive for me) but having the pleasure to be in RSA several time for hunting and have spoken with my PH Mike Birch about that (http://www.huntthesun.com). By his word's technically my gun 9,3x64 brenneke is enough for any big animal in Africa, also for Elephant and he can accept it but law is law...for Elephant 375 H&H is required minimum...

I wouldn't consider it ideal for big game but it is legal in Zim and one or two other countries for buff and up but not many and not in Tanzania for example.

That said, it has killed an awful lot of African animals and in over 30 years of working in the safari industry, I can't remember a time when anyone has wanted to check a calibre or legality.

Let's also not forget that Bell killed umpteen elephants with a variety of small calibres so it's not impossible by a long chalk.

Which bullet were you using?

I do not consider it ideal for elephant. Maybe Buffo is OK but not sure as there is no solid available in factory ammo side and max bullet TUG is only 295gr (RWS or Brenneke). I'm not specialist in reloading but Woodleigh 320gr solid should make job from my barrel. IF one day will have enough $ for such nice trophy will have also $ to buy proper side by side 458 lot or similar

The first was a 286-grain A-Frame through both lungs and the second was a Barnes solid up the rear and into the chest cavity. Both did a tremendous amount of damage but it charged with astonishing speed and determination 40 minutes after taking that first shot. It was the only one of my 14 buffalo to charge. I shot 7 with a .375 H&H, and the rest with various .416s, a .458, and a .470. All were essentially dead after the first shot, though I always pay the insurance.