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i agree with dugaboy that the 9.3x74R is a ballistic twin to the 9.3x62.

i have a double rifle in 9.3x74R made by -- i think -- "Bemesu", whoever that is.....and i have a new CZ 550 in 9.3x62 replacing a much older ferlach 9.3x62. i get virtually identical maximum muzzle velocities from the 9.3x62 and 9.3x74R using 300 grain swift a-frames (but with quite different powder loads).

but being identical to the 9.3x62 means that the 9.3x74R has VERY LITTLE edge over a .35 whelen! and the .35 whelen sure as heck is NOT a cartridge for african dangerous game!

look at the numbers: a .35 whelen will give a 0.358 diameter 275 gr bullet about 2300 ft/sec and a 300 gr about 2225 fps.

either the 9.3x62 or the 9.3x74R will give a .366 diameter 270 gr bullet about 2300 fps and a 293 gr about 2225 fps. maybe youi could safely get the 9.3x74R up to 2300 ft/sec without shooting the frame loose but you would have to re-regulate it because it surely wasn't regulated for 2300 fps with 293's.......

and obviously .366 is a tad closer in diameter to .358 than it is to .375, but it surely isn't a meaningful difference either way: .358 is 2% smaller diameter than .366, and .375 is 2% larger than .366 and the animal isn't carrying micrometers to check the size of the hole in his hide.

so if both 9.3's move the "same" diameter & same brand/type bullets at the same weights at the same velocities as the .35 whelen, they will perform the same on game. there is no voodoo involved.

now the 9.3x64 brenneke, that is in the .375 belted H&H class, a big leap above the whelen.

but sorry, the 9.3x74R and the 9.3x62 and the .35 whelen just aren't reliable IMHO for dangerous african game. i use mine routinely for large wild boar, also for black bear, and soon hopefully for moose.

if you are "brave" enough to use a 9.3 on something nasty, may i recommend woodleigh's 320 gr weldcore at about 2100 fps? that is one tough bullet, and a real stopper.

regards

lapsub

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