Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 9.3x62, 30-06, or 7x57 for plains game/ N. America

Ya sold me!
I'm taking a .30-06 back to Africa in 2013, with 165 gr. Barnes TSX bullets. The same rifle will get used on stuff as small as springbok (gonna try for all four colors), and as big as black wildebeest. Decided to leave the .300 Wby at home this time- I shoot it well, but could do without the noise, recoil, xtra barrel length, and rifle weight, on a daily basis, when it's really not needed. And, I think you've convinced me as to the logic of using at least .30 cal. bullets.

If I didn't already have eland, kudus, and gemsboks on the wall, I might have considered taking the .375, with 270 gr. TSX bullets.

.30-06 is perfect but too boring. Go for the 7x57, it has no issues and is a classic. If you can tell the difference between a 175 7mm at 2600 fps and a 180 .30 at 2700, you're better than me.

My 7x57 has flattened, kudu, gemsbuck, etc.

Yah it makes sense go to one of the others you'll get to spend a lot more on brass and you'll be able to make your buddys admire you for that.

I can usually get 20 to 60 pieces of 30-06 once fired brass anytime I go the the range during hunter sight in.

I have four .366 caliber rifles and the ballistic equivalent of the 7x57 in 7mm's (though no 7X57) but I would have to pick the '06 for your criteria. Boring, but very effective and versatile.

Unless you're going to shoot Cape Buffalo, I can't see any reason to consider the 9.3, especially as you said you are not going to shoot big bears. If you shoot pronghorns or deer, the 30-06 is a lot better choice than the 9.3. I can't see the point of choosing a 7mm Mauser over a 30-06. It's another one of those "almost as good but more expensive" stories. Why fool with "almost as good?"

Honestly, ease of picking up brass isn't my main concern with choosing a caliber. For all practical purposes, I can hunt with about any rifle and make it work.

How much 17 Ackley Bee brass do you pick up at the range? Be a lot easier to find .223, I would imagine.

I hunted South Africa this year for the first time. I took Red Hartebeest, 2 Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Impala, Eland and Zebra all with a 30-06 shooting 168gr Barnes tipped triple shocks. My wife hunted for her very first time ever and took Blesbok, Red Hartebeest and Impala all with a 7mm08 and 139gr Hornady BTSP.
No problems on any of them. I thought a long while about taking my 375HH or my 9.3x62 but based on personal experience, others thoughts including JJHack and the 30-06 being my personal favorite cartridge, elected to take it.
I would do it again too.

I agree that except for large Bears or angry Moose I don't need my 9.3x62. However with 250 grain bullets it'll shoot flat and far enough to compete with either the 7x57, or the .30-06 on long shots. If the pre-war Winchester Model 70 had been introduced with the 9.3 Mauser rather the 375 H&H perhaps the 338 Winchester Magnum never would have been created. Consider that thought when you have time.

You guys are raining on my parade . . . .

I'm hoping to make it to RSA in 2013 for a PG hunt (Kudu, Gemsbuck, Blue Wildebeast, Impala, Blesbok, and Warthog) and am/was all set to take one of the 3 9.3x62s I have.

Not it looks like I may need to drop back and take a 30-06 - which I don't own. But that in and of itself would be a good reason to buy a Sako Black Bear in 30-06

Ingwe, tell me about the rifle leaning against the kudu...

Its a 1909 argentine built, square bridged etc by Dennis Erhardt of frontier Gunsmithing Helena, Mt. He built it for an old freind who wanted me to take it to Africa...and who am I to say no?
Its exquisite, and the kind of rifle that usually never sees the field, but Dennis built it to be great in the field, and it was. I used 175 gr. Partitions and 175 gr. RN Solids in the rifle...
Another pic...

Thanks. I gots to have me one of those!

Great question..

I was looking into having a rifle made in 30-06, with a custom Mauser action.

For the price, I could build two rifles, using BRNO ZG-47 action,
7x57
&
9.3x62


Or, I could buy a Krieghoff Hubertus in 7x57R and a Chapuis double rifle in 9,3x74R


I still have problems figuring out what to do

Wow, Ingwe. With friends like that, you'd never need to own a rifle...

Now, would you have turned it down if it was chambered for that unmentionable round...?

DF

As has been said by folks here with more experience than me ... any will work fine.

I currently have multiple .30-06's and a single 7x57. The 9.3x62 has moved down the road just because I don't "need" it but it's a fun round as well.

I'd suggest you pick the one that speaks to you. You may also consider the decision based on the rifle that fits you and your hunting style best and that you shoot best. Put a good bullet from any of them where it should go and you'll need a sharp knife.

Model 70 30-06 with 180 grain Partitions. The photos explain why: from my latest hunt in September...
All one shot kills except the elan; 2 shots. None traveled more than 40 yards...

make it the 62, include the big bears and anything else on the planet short of african dangerous game. recoil is not at all an issue. i have a beatiful ruger #1 in 7x57 that seems to get used less and less in lieu of my 9.3 for everything from hogs on up.

I took my 9.3x62 to Africa for a plains game hunt this year and I would take it again. 232/250/286 grain bullets do the job and I don't even notice the recoil. I appreciated the extra punch the round provides. I used Barnes 286 TSX's on my hunt with excellent results. I took a 6.5x55, too, but I only took it out of the sleeve to check zero upon arrival. I was prepared for whatever we found with the 9.3.

For those considering trying to get one gun to "do it all", recognize the gun and ammo costs are a relatively minor part of the Africa trip. Get a solid caliber and learn to shoot it well. If you need or want another gun at home, so much the better! Also, you definitely want to anchor your game - nothing worse than a trophy fee and no trophy, not to mention the problem of suffering on the part of the animal.

Whatever you take, heavy for caliber bullets are recommended.

A lot depends on which rifle you shoot the best. My recommendation is to take whichever one you do your best work with off the sticks, whether it be the .30/06 or the 9.3x62. Either is more than adequate with well constructed bullets, such as the TSX.

Hypothetically, if you shoot them both equally well, I would recommend the flatter shooting .30/06 if you expect savannah conditions and the 9.3 if you expect bushveldt conditions.

I would think that the 30-06 with something like a 220 Partition or a 240 Woodleigh could do as much as the 9.3, could it not?