Using a double rifle for stalking

[deeangeo]

If I was after dangerous game, going into the thick stuff, I would be carrying a double rifle in hand with a cartridge capable of taking the fight out of a big dangerous animal. Rifle would not have a sling - they just get caught.

This is how many many professional African Hunters do it. African Jesse bush and elephant grass are very thick. You want a fast handling rifle that carries the energy to put things down.

470 Nitro Express - a 500 grain bullet @ 5,000 plus ft lbs of Muzzle Energy

44 Magnum - 300 grain bullet @ 1,500 ft lbs ME

243 Win - 100 gn Bullet @ 1,800 ft lbs

Pistols might be handy and are better than nothing, but when your life depends a proper rifle is so so much better.

I've never hunted in Africa - been there in various parts many many times, but only with a camera. Out hunting in Pennsylvania up in the hills the bush can be thick & I'm told bear (Black not grizzly) come out very fast from cover. I wasn't hunting bear, just deer really & only saw bear come out to the cooking area outside Barts lodge. Came onto the lodge porch & scurried about a bit, but we didn't shoot it - I'm not sure for myself that I want to shoot bear anyway. Out in the trees & bushes we definitely carried a pistol in hand - just in case! Saw lots of bear tracks in the snow though.

 

[8x57]

Thanks Oh6, I did see that ad and was tempted but the Chapuis are built a bit light for the 9.3 I think.

Do you mean a bit light for you regarding recoil as Chapuis in both SxS and O&U are certainly built substantial enough to handle the 9.3x74R round.
I have a 9.3x74R UGEX and will admit that with some rounds especially if shooting from the bench gets slightly uncomfortable after more than half a dozen rounds However when shot freehand as intended in the woods you simply don't seem to notice the relatively mild mannered 9.3 as you're concentrating on a possible follow up shot.
I love stalking with my Chapuis, as Heym mentioned previously there's something about the feel and style of a double that a bolt action just doesn't have.

 

[Matabele]

Do you mean a bit light for you regarding recoil as Chapuis in both SxS and O&U are certainly built substantial enough to handle the 9.3x74R round.
I have a 9.3x74R UGEX and will admit that with some rounds especially if shooting from the bench gets slightly uncomfortable after more than half a dozen rounds However when shot freehand as intended in the woods you simply don't seem to notice the relatively mild mannered 9.3 as you're concentrating on a possible follow up shot.
I love stalking with my Chapuis, as Heym mentioned previously there's something about the feel and style of a double that a bolt action just doesn't have.

Yes, that's what I meant, a bit light in physical weight. Chapuis, I've no doubt are great guns and can certainly handle the rounds chambered for it...and they are pretty!
Can I ask what your go to round is for stalking with the 9.3?

 

[Jagdmatch]

I have used Lapua and Norma projectiles in mine but find the MME offering the most accurate. I reload for the rifle, a Browning CCS.

 

[Matabele]

I have used Lapua and Norma projectiles in mine but find the MME offering the most accurate. I reload for the rifle, a Browning CCS.

Thanks for the reply Jagdmatch, I hadn't heard of MME before you mentioned them. I hope he has some solid copper options in the works though!

 

[8x57]

Yes, that's what I meant, a bit light in physical weight. Chapuis, I've no doubt are great guns and can certainly handle the rounds chambered for it...and they are pretty!
Can I ask what your go to round is for stalking with the 9.3? This load regulates well

My favourite round in the 9.3 is 250grn Nosler Ballistic Tip over 55.6grns of N140. In my rifle that load produces 2240fps and 2787ft/lb of energy. That load regulates well in my rifle.

Another load that I have developed to use 193grn Sellior & Bellot S.P. bullets also utilises N140 but is unlisted in the Vhitavuori tables so I won't mention it. All I will say is that recoil is sharp and it doesn't shoot anywhere near as good as the Nosler load,

 

[Matabele]

My favourite round in the 9.3 is 250grn Nosler Ballistic Tip over 55.6grns of N140. In my rifle that load produces 2240fps and 2787ft/lb of energy. That load regulates well in my rifle.

Another load that I have developed to use 193grn Sellior & Bellot S.P. bullets also utilises N140 but is unlisted in the Vhitavuori tables so I won't mention it. All I will say is that recoil is sharp and it doesn't shoot anywhere near as good as the Nosler load,

Cheers for that!