Decisions, decisions..

[flatlander]

Chris, I believe you'll be well pleased with your choice of the 280, though a 7x64 would serve just as well, and have the advantage of locally available ammo.

There are so many excellent 7mm hunting bullets available - bullets that were designed from the start for hunting - that I question why so many shooters recommend using Berger VLDs on tough African plains game. I shoot a couple of straight 284s in LR prone matches here in the states, and am generally very pleased with the BCs & accuracy of the Bergers - but I'm shooting paper & steel with them, not live game.

 

[GSSP]

Chris,

9.3x62 !!!!!!!

Recoil with the 250 Accubond or similar weight bullet is akin to a 30-06 with a 220 gr bullet.

Fits a standard length action. The -62 was designed in 1905 by Otto Bock specifically for the standard length '98 action. The case uses the same .473" case head as the 30-06 with shoulder slightly more forward, so more powder space but the neck is a skootch shorter than the '06 by .054". Some have even converted their '06 cases to use in their '62's though the '62, techniclly, is .009" larger at the base.

Brass available from Lapua, Norma, Prvi, Graf's, Hornady and Remington is even making factory ammo.

No belt so 5 down in a '98, M70 or most standard actions is do-able.

Accepted in many (all?) African countries for BIG game that require 375 H&H as minimum. The cartridge was purpose built for the African colonies and has been extremely successful to that end. Thus, it is grandfathered in so it can be legally used on the BIG 5.

Lots of factory ammo available from various makers. Lots of cult followers of the -62 over on 24hourcampfire.com and accuratereloading.com, to include my self.

I've owned two. A CZ 550 American that went with me to Alaska for grizzly in '08 and an Alaskan purpose built Pre 64 M70 with a D'Arcy Echols Legend stock with a 24" #3 Pacnor barrel with all metal Cerakoted. Shoots very tight 3-shot groups with both 250 AB (Varget to 2600+ fps) and 286 Partitions (Ramshot Big Game to 2500+ fps). Is not a finicky round to load for and with my VX3 1.75-6 scope converted to CDS elev turret I can easily and consistently hit out to 500 yds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3×62mm

Good luck with your choice.

Alan

 

[ChrisNZ]

Now you boys are unfairly tempting me..

BTW, has anyone ever held in their paws a '98-actioned rifle that has had a Voere bottom metal/detachable single stack mag system fitted? Looks pretty elegant and should feed very nicely

Chris-NZ

 

[bozo699]

Chris,

9.3x62 !!!!!!!

Recoil with the 250 Accubond or similar weight bullet is akin to a 30-06 with a 220 gr bullet.

Fits a standard length action. The -62 was designed in 1905 by Otto Bock specifically for the standard length '98 action. The case uses the same .473" case head as the 30-06 with shoulder slightly more forward, so more powder space but the neck is a skootch shorter than the '06 by .054". Some have even converted their '06 cases to use in their '62's though the '62, techniclly, is .009" larger at the base.

Brass available from Lapua, Norma, Prvi, Graf's, Hornady and Remington is even making factory ammo.

No belt so 5 down in a '98, M70 or most standard actions is do-able.

Accepted in many (all?) African countries for BIG game that require 375 H&H as minimum. The cartridge was purpose built for the African colonies and has been extremely successful to that end. Thus, it is grandfathered in so it can be legally used on the BIG 5.

Lots of factory ammo available from various makers. Lots of cult followers of the -62 over on 24hourcampfire.com and accuratereloading.com, to include my self.

I've owned two. A CZ 550 American that went with me to Alaska for grizzly in '08 and an Alaskan purpose built Pre 64 M70 with a D'Arcy Echols Legend stock with a 24" #3 Pacnor barrel with all metal Cerakoted. Shoots very tight 3-shot groups with both 250 AB (Varget to 2600+ fps) and 286 Partitions (Ramshot Big Game to 2500+ fps). Is not a finicky round to load for and with my VX3 1.75-6 scope converted to CDS elev turret I can easily and consistently hit out to 500 yds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3×62mm

Good luck with your choice.

Alan

Alan,
I have heard of this round and was curious about it but never took the time to check it out, looks like a very good close to Med range Elk gun in the heavy brush whee I hunt, thanks for sharing.
Wayne.

 

[bheadboy]

280AI is in my collection, and has done all asked ofit. very accurate, and moderat recoil from a 9.2# 700 with Leu 4.5-14 scope, considering your going after game of that discussed the heavier 7mm bullets available should be all you need.

in the 140's partition etc i get 3140 from a 26" tube, the 160's 2975 and i have not tried anything heavier. the 9twist should work for any of your choices.

Bob

 

[ChrisNZ]

That's about what I figured Bob after a lot of reading. Any of the big bangers might be better on really large antelope but a well-placed premium 160+ grainer out of this calibre should do adequate damage to most antelope.

As I said earlier on, I'd like something I can also use round here on reds, without seriously down-loading it. It should also feed OK through an unmodified K98 action.

I also have a spare scope like yours lying about

Chris-NZ