Mediums that perform

Doug Hamilton · Mar 23, 2023

MS 9x56 said:
In early America it was considered a small game rifle.

In early America they didn't have smokeless powder or jacketed bullets. So compared to the 4 and 8 bore rifles that were used for dangerous game my .54 caliber muzzle loader would be considered small. Those numbers don't really apply today.

Bush Buck · Mar 26, 2023

I agree with Doug that, from an African hunting point of view, a medium is larger than .30 and smaller than .40. From a practical standpoint .338 to .375.
If my history is correct the 375 H&H has been the most popular and most widely available medium for about 75 years now (I'm speaking of it's international acceptance rather than it's introduction).

I find mediums to be useful and interesting but the only reason to use anything but the 375 H&H is because you want a handier rifle or less recoil - or you like to play with hunting rifles - like me.

Wishfulthinker580 · Mar 26, 2023

Bush Buck said:
I agree with Doug that, from an African hunting point of view, a medium is larger than .30 and smaller than .40. From a practical standpoint .338 to .375.
If my history is correct the 375 H&H has been the most popular and most widely available medium for about 75 years now (I'm speaking of it's international acceptance rather than it's introduction).

I find mediums to be useful and interesting but the only reason to use anything but the 375 H&H is because you want a handier rifle or less recoil - or you like to play with hunting rifles - like me.

The 40s are large mediums ending at .435 diameter. Big bores start at .458 caliber. I would start the medium bores at .323/8mm

WAB · Mar 26, 2023

Wishfulthinker580 said:
The 40s are large mediums. Big bores start at .458 caliber. I would start the medium bores at .323/8mm

I think this is probably right, start with the 8x68/.325.

I am torn between two mediums; a highland stalker in 9.3x62 and a custom M70 in .375 H&H. Both have taken plains game and buffalo. I see no practical difference in terminal performance. The 9.3 is handier but the .375 is a stunning rifle and holds a lot of memories from Alaska to Africa. It’s a good thing we are not restricted on how many rifles we can own!

Wishfulthinker580 · Mar 26, 2023

WAB said:
I think this is probably right, start with the 8x68/.325.

I am torn between two mediums; a highland stalker in 9.3x62 and a custom M70 in .375 H&H. Both have taken plains game and buffalo. I see no practical difference in terminal performance. The 9.3 is handier but the .375 is a stunning rifle and holds a lot of memories from Alaska to Africa. It’s a good thing we are not restricted on how many rifles we can own!

I would love to own a Highland Stalker one day! And Amen!

C.W. Richter · Sunday at 5:26 PM

K95 said:
No one has mentioned the 8x68s. It’s a great medium bore. Power wise similar to the 338 win mag but shoots a bit flatter. I have hunted Alaska twice with it taking Dall , caribou, moose and brown bear, all one shot kills. If your after something that you probably won’t find in camp the 8 x68s won’t disappoint.

I'd have to add the (oddball to America) 8mm (8x416) Rem Mag. It's a powerhouse and it'd be great on PG and many guides love heavier calibers for Goats to plant them where they are (in the cliffs!) 325 WSM?

steve white · Sunday at 6:31 PM

This is a category where the 9.3X62 really shines. When I first got onto AH, I was astounded that the 9.3X64 was not more popular. It is after all, much more powerful, and to my mind, not a medium, just a 9.3 that is not always legal to DG. But I have learned to keep my mouth shut about the 9.3X62--it just has too loyal a fan base here. Still, I consider it a medium and not a large bore, and as such there are better long range mediums, like 338 WM or 340 Weatherby--now THERE is a reach out and touch someone round for heavy PG.

Antho9364 · 2025-04-14T06:05:01-0500

8 mm
The 8x57js, the excellent 8x64s, and the high-performance 8x68s.
9 mm
The 358 Norma Mag must be very good.
The wonderful 9.3x64 Brenneke (my favorite)
375 hh

Buckums · 2025-04-15T14:16:16-0500

For the 9.3x62, I see a lot of people using 286 and 250 grain for PG. Anyone had experience with 300 grain 9.3 bullets for PG? It seems like 300 gr A Frame at 2200 or so would be serious medicine under 200 yards?

Antho9364 · 2025-04-15T14:22:57-0500

It can only be a good choice.
Why not in 320-325g?
The 9.3x64 in 320g is also very good.

shootist~ · 2025-04-15T16:40:36-0500

Buckums said:
For the 9.3x62, I see a lot of people using 286 and 250 grain for PG. Anyone had experience with 300 grain 9.3 bullets for PG? It seems like 300 gr A Frame at 2200 or so would be serious medicine under 200 yards?

I used the 9.3 with the 300 gr A-F for a warthog and an Impala. Distance was roughly 120 yards +/- for both. MV was 2,300 fps. This was my cape buffalo load an the only rifle and edit:[soft] loading I took.

Both were hit a bit further back than ideal and both had a death run of 80-90 yards, IIRC. The blood trail for the warthog was impressive.

For PG, a lighter/faster bullet would be a better choice, IMO.

Bob Nelson 35Whelen · 2025-04-15T17:20:27-0500

Buckums said:
For the 9.3x62, I see a lot of people using 286 and 250 grain for PG. Anyone had experience with 300 grain 9.3 bullets for PG? It seems like 300 gr A Frame at 2200 or so would be serious medicine under 200 yards?

@Buckums
The beaut of the 9.3 is you don't really need premium bullets for 90% of game the old cup and core at those sedate speeds do just fine.
Bob

Mediums that perform

Doug Hamilton

Bush Buck

Wishfulthinker580

WAB

Wishfulthinker580

C.W. Richter

steve white

Antho9364

Buckums

Antho9364

shootist~

Bob Nelson 35Whelen

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