Anybody hunting in Canada with 9.3x62

I have used various .35 Whelen rifles for my "big" Canadian big game hunting for many years. Found them very effective, especially on elk. Our elk are usually hunted in early season when there is no 'tracking" snow, are more likely than most game to run with a vital hit. 250 grain bullets at 2500 FPS gave me confidence based on excellent results over many years. Quick kills, and even with a death dash, an exit wound could be expected to help with the short tracking job. But my adventures at home have become less adventuresome and somewhat predictable so my hunting interests have shifted to also include Africa. As a result I have recently been using both the 9.3x62 and 9.3x74 R, cartridges. They both have a solid reputation on African big game, whereas the .35 Whelen is almost unknown there. The results on game I've hunted appear to be pretty much the same. Both are able to efficiently take game bigger than you would think when looking at their modest ballistics. The thing I like about a 250 grain .358" bullet at 2500 fps muzzle velocity or a 286 gr. 9.3mm bullet at 2400 fps muzzle velocity is the ability to break big hard humerus bones and keep on penetrating to the vitals. .30 caliber or 7mm bullet just can't do that consistently.
So far I have used my 9.3's to take Elk, Bear, Kudu, Gemsbok, & Giraffe, with perfect results each time. I like the 9.3's.
 
Ghubert, The shot was high lungs, just over the heart. Range was about 150M if I remember correctly. Bullet penetrated the chest through both lungs, lodged under the scapula bone of the far side. Giraffe ran about 20M. I used the 9.2x62 Norma Oryx 285 gr. factory load. Bullet looked like an advertisement. Perfect mushroom and about 90% weight retention. Giraffe are VERY big and tough, with super thick skin. Most PH's suggest only solids for body shots, and .375 or bigger caliber. My PH said don't worry about it - the 9.3 will work fine. And it did.
 
Last edited:
Yep, like the cartridge. Used a variety of bullets from 220-286gr, including some lesser known names like Rhino.
Actually have my CZ FS up for sale right now, but there will be another 9.3 in the safe one of these days...
 
Yep, like the cartridge. Used a variety of bullets from 220-286gr, including some lesser known names like Rhino.
Actually have my CZ FS up for sale right now, but there will be another 9.3 in the safe one of these days...

I so wish I had the money to buy it!!! So wish!!
 
Back
Top Bottom