Lion Hunting-Cartridge

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If it's the 375 H&H, then I must go shopping for another double rifle; none for sale in Canada from my internet search. Funny, I ask myself, if a minimum of 375 H&H is required, how-come bows and arrows are allowed?

Because archery exceeds the "killing power" required. Arrows do not kill with kinetic energy, but the hemorrhage they cause is massive. When it comes to dangerous game, the problem with "death by hemorrhage" is that it takes at least a few seconds to incapacitate... a lot can happen in those few seconds. However on an archery lion hunt, there will be a minimum of two stopping rifles along in capable hands.
 
While it's true that .375 H&H is frequently the legally stipulated minimum for lion, I've yet to meet a PH who felt that made a lot of sense. Cats of all sizes are made the same way -- they're designed to dish out damage, but they're not really made to take it. Moreover, their highly attuned nervous system does seem to make them more susceptible to system shock than many similar sized animals. At least, that's been a notable observation in my own experience having shot lynx, cougar, caracal, leopard, lioness and lion.

Not for a moment am I suggesting that a 450 lb lion isn't something to take extremely seriously -- in fact, there aren't many critters you should be taking more seriously. But there are a whole lot of PH's out there who feel that something along the lines of a .300 Magnum shooting a 180 grain premium softpoint is all that's really needed -- and that it's possibly even better than a .375 with its lower velocity and more heavily constructed (and often slower expanding) bullets. Of course, YMMV, and it's never a bad plan to stick with whatever the regs say in the region you're hunting.
 
I took a quick look on the Africa Hunting forum, my favourite source of answers for such questions. I found out that South Africa regulations depend on the province, but "Most provinces do not have a minimum equipment requirement for rifle hunting and rely on common sense." Most outfitters would say your 9.3x74R IS a common sense choice for lion hunting.

your 9.3x74R double rifle would certainly be legal for hunting lion in Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe,
but not in...

Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania. Namibia does not have a minimum caliber requirement for rifle hunting and rely by law on minimum energy - Minimum energy, dangerous game = 5400 Joule ( just a bit more than is safe load in a 9.3x74R)

Botswana and Tanzania have a minimum of caliber .375" for dangerous game.

Other less popular destinations are also listed in African Hunting forums.
 
Hell the Maasai only use sticks to hunt them hehehe.
I have seen a couple lions killed with 12 gauge ssg's, I wouldn't think twice to hunt them with a 180grs partition in a 30.06.
certainly the .375H&H is more than adequate.
 
If I would be buying a double for an African hunt it would be rimmed cartridge the 375 flemged nitro express!!
Man that would cool!!
Good luck and if you end up buying a new gun please share cause I like to see your guns!!
 
I think the 9.3mm (it's a .366 calibre) would be plenty in a 74 mm rimmed case.

I would not hesitate to shoot a cat with that.

And "Doppellauf" is definitely a bonus...
 
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