I got a question about the required minimum caliber for hunting dangerous game in Africa. Not that I could afford such a hunt but out of curiosity. I have read that the minimum required caliber for hunting the big five is .375 H&H. I have also coma across some mentions of an exception being made for 9.3x62 Mauser. I have never hunted in Africa but the beauty of this forum is that some of you are bound to be more fortunate than me. What is the story on this? Are there areas where exceptions are made for 9.3x62? If so why do you think the minimum is .375 H&H and not 9.3x62? What are your thoughts?
African dangerous Game Minimum
- Thread starter efendi007
- Start date
AirForceShooter
New member
for all around shooting 375 H7H is fine.
If you're going for the BIG stuff, 55 Nitro Express and back up.
AFS
If you're going for the BIG stuff, 55 Nitro Express and back up.
AFS
The continent of Africa is divided into many separate countries, each a sovereign nation, and each with their own ideas about how to manage their resources, how to manage hunters, and how to control access to firearms. In some countries they have minimum energy requirements, in others they have lists of allowable cartridges, in others they specify what caliber (bore diameter) rifles can be used, etc. There is no uniform law, so there is no one answer.
In the 1950s. there was a regulation used in the Commonwealth countries that specified a rifle of .375" bore to be used on dangerous game, but some countries (specifically the former German colonies) also allowed the 9.3X62 and 9.3X64 becasue of their widespread availability and good performance on dangerous game.
Many nations now require rifles of 40 caliber or larger due to their increased margin for error when used on dangerous game. In some countries, the laws only apply on state-owned lands and not on private ranches, in others they are universally applied.
In the 1950s. there was a regulation used in the Commonwealth countries that specified a rifle of .375" bore to be used on dangerous game, but some countries (specifically the former German colonies) also allowed the 9.3X62 and 9.3X64 becasue of their widespread availability and good performance on dangerous game.
Many nations now require rifles of 40 caliber or larger due to their increased margin for error when used on dangerous game. In some countries, the laws only apply on state-owned lands and not on private ranches, in others they are universally applied.
Charles Ellis
New member
From what I have read the 375 H&H is the smallest that can be used for dangerous game.Power wise the Mauser equivilant is the 9.3X74mm cartridge.While they are in no way close to being interchangeable they are ballistically very similar,and it was very popular in the German controlled territories prior to WW 2.
Seems that all of this is accurate. Various regulations, some .375 minimum, some .40 minimum, and some put the minimum at .45 One region that I read about has what they call a "ballistic pendulum" and if your off regulation load transfers enough momentum to that device you can use it there on their game.
It is safe to say that in general .375 is the minimum. It was in most of the places I've read about, and in general, other than elephant, I think it is enough for african game.
It is safe to say that in general .375 is the minimum. It was in most of the places I've read about, and in general, other than elephant, I think it is enough for african game.
RangerHAAF
New member
I've never hunted Africa but when I get my business back to where it's profitable I'm going to make the trip. I think I'll pack Ruger #1s in 375 and 416 Ruger,respectively.
jglsprings
New member
I consider the 375 H&H a minimum for elk here in Colorado......
It was the only way I could justify buying one
It was the only way I could justify buying one
the 375H&H is the legal minimum for Africa. now being from Africa i can tell you one thing. to use the words legal and Africa in one sentence is pushing it. having exposure to the local hunting industry i can tell you that law in the bush is what the PH says it is. dont worry this is good news since this is his source of income, so he would look after you. but, it is wise to do lots of communications with him beforehand. having said that the majority of PH's would tell you for Dangerous Game bring what you know WELL!!! as long as it is a not smaller than the 375 with the 9.3 as an exception to the rule.
now for plains game the minimum calibre tends to get confusing. i have red many times in American hunting and related magazines that the so called experts say the min calibre for plains game in Africa is a 338wm. this is pure nonsense. the 30-06 is well suited for all plains game. an American friend of mine which i came to know on this very web site, came here last year and between him and his son they took 26 heads of game. all with a 270win and 325wsm. all but one was a one shot kill and my friend immediately confirmed pilot error.
now for plains game the minimum calibre tends to get confusing. i have red many times in American hunting and related magazines that the so called experts say the min calibre for plains game in Africa is a 338wm. this is pure nonsense. the 30-06 is well suited for all plains game. an American friend of mine which i came to know on this very web site, came here last year and between him and his son they took 26 heads of game. all with a 270win and 325wsm. all but one was a one shot kill and my friend immediately confirmed pilot error.
Charles Ellis
New member
On checking in my copy of "Cartridges of the World" the 9.3x62mm,9.3x74mm,and the 375 H&H all have virtually identical ballistics and should all preform identicially on game.The only reasons to choose one over the other would be,what do you already own,what is available in your area,and what is legal in the area you intend to hunt.
stevedscross
New member
As was said already africa is a big place. However most of the regs that require a .375 H&H allow an exception for the 9.3x62mm. This is for several reasons. First it is a great caliber with most of the power of the .375 H&H but with less recoil.
The second is that there are so many 9.3x62mm's over there that they know it works and almost everyone who hunts has one or knows someone who does. I personally love my 9.3x62mm and would tackle almost anything with it. I bought mine just after I got back from my first Africa Trip. I planed on using it for Bear Hunting in alaska. I have not yet hunted with it as its mostly been smaller game since I got it, but one day I would like to hunt moose and bear with it.
The second is that there are so many 9.3x62mm's over there that they know it works and almost everyone who hunts has one or knows someone who does. I personally love my 9.3x62mm and would tackle almost anything with it. I bought mine just after I got back from my first Africa Trip. I planed on using it for Bear Hunting in alaska. I have not yet hunted with it as its mostly been smaller game since I got it, but one day I would like to hunt moose and bear with it.