JeeperCreeper
Member
Well I appreciate all the help on the fmj vs hard cast vs solid debate
The 375 Ruger is what H&H would come out with these days, had they not introduced the great 375 H&H back in the day.Not “legendary” (yet), but I went with a .375 Ruger. Got a good deal on a second hand Ruger 77 Hawkeye African.
The 375 Ruger is what H&H would come out with these days, had they not introduced the great 375 H&H back in the day.
I am a 9.3X62 lover, and I also feel warm and fuzzy about the 375 H&H. I currently have one trim and fast-pointing 98FN action Husqvarne in 9.3X62, a well used 98 FN action custon 375 that has had a Lot of metal shaved all over the rifle to make it a very light elk rifle built by a good local gunsmith 60 years ago, and a pre-64 Mdl 70 375 H&H; it was my dad's 30-06 that he shot with snow in the barrel many years ago. I got an original Mdl 70 375 barrel from my good friend Ray Atkinson and had Dennis Olson install the barrel. He indexed it to the open sights and put a rear safari sight on it, and he refinished the stock and blued the bottom metal parts. It looks like it should be in a hardware store in 1950 with new hanging tags on it.
I shot two cape buffalo with a 9,3X74R, the ballistic twin of the X62 with factory loads, so I have confidence in the 9.3X62.
That said, I would get the H&H for your purpose for three reasons. It has a similar trajectory to a 30-06 with factory 180gr bullets. Premium Ammo is readily available. It works! Neither have as objectionable recoil as a 338 Win Mag, IMO. The 338 RCM would not be a bad choice, however, but you Need an excuse...uhhh...reason to get another rifle.
From everything I've ready, the sweet spot for the 9.3x62 is the 286gr projectile. I handloaded some Hornady Interlocks in that weight. If you push the loads up around the max pressures, you can get 2300-2400 at the muzzle, which is pretty impressive for this cartridge IMO. I would have no hesitation taking it on a DG hunt, if I ever make one.
I have a .375H&H.
I will go against the grain here and say if I knew i would be facing dangerous game and I wasn't in Africa,
The .375 would be staying home and my SFAR would be coming along.
I'll take 20rds of 180gr .308 in a semi auto rifle any day.
I killed one with a Simson drilling in 12/12/9.3X74R with a 285gr Norma Oryx, a heart shot. The bullet demolished the heart and was under the hide on the opposite side of a quartering shot at the rear tip of the right front leg. It went through and broke a middle left rib and on to the hide.Oddly enough, in Alaska it seems that 9.3x62 is about as common as 375 H&H... Meaning only a few special shops have it in stock in small quantities and we can't order online, at least easily.
I really do wish the 338 RCM were supported by Ruger and Hornady. It's a brilliant little cartridge and I got 2 yukon moose with it so far.
Problem is, I have a cache of 200gr SST, but only 2 boxes of 185 GMX. And any handloads can't get close to Hornady's secret factory recipe. And factory ammo is non-existent and dead.
So I'm outta luck with premium bullets for my little mini mag 338.
I do think I'm leaning to the 9.3 though. What bullet did you use for your cape buffalo? And you like your Husky? I lost a bid online for one, I wasn't confident to bid further.
I am comfortably getting right at 2,470 fps with the Big Game and Interlocks. It's like it was designed for the 9.3.Agree.
Settled on Hodgdon's single base Varget powder for both the Speer 270 gr. Hot-Cor and assorted 286 gr. loads.
The Speer bullet makes for an inexpensive utility/hog round.
Use the Hornady bullet for load development, and then either Norma or Swift bullets in the same weight for the good stuff.
And 2350 fps produced about all the equal and opposite reaction I care to endure in me fairly light rifle.
Slower, double base powders like Ramshot Big Game will allow one to up that considerably.
I am comfortably getting right at 2,470 fps with the Big Game and Interlocks. It's like it was designed for the 9.3.
I use the same powder drop for the 250 AB's and get right at 2,500. The Husqvarna Does Kick!
In Africa a $20.00-$50.00 up front gratuity to the government game scout will let you shoot about anything reasonable. I know of several Zim buffalo taken cleanly with 338 Win Mag's and elephant shot with a 30-06. I once owned that '06; bought it from the elephant killer, a Rhodesian ex-pat friend here in NV.9.3x62 Rifles
9.3x62 Rifles in stock, best price, no tax, free shipping - Call (570) 368-3920www.eurooptic.com.375 H&H Mag Rifles
.375 H&H Mag Rifles in stock, best price, no tax, free shipping - Call (570) 368-3920www.eurooptic.com
The .375 is more versatile. Ammo is easier to come by here. It doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. It you ever make it to Africa the 9.3 won't be legal in most areas. It would be hard to fault picking this caliber.
The 9.3 is enough for your needs. One would think it would have less recoil and more ammo capacity. Those are good things for your application. I like that it head spaces on the shoulder. It is popular across the pond so I don't think it will be going away either. For your needs I think it would be my choice.
Current production quality rifles in either caliber are going to be costly. Buying an older one seems prudent. Neither cartridge are considered barrel burners. Some great quality rifles in both calibers have been made for a long time. All things equal, I'd rather have a premium rifle from the past than a current production budget rifle.
PS I'm from Florida so what do I know about hunting brown bear.