9.3 x 62 or 338WM for medium rifle

[jimmyp50]

The only rifle category that I am really missing is something over 30Cal. I shoot 180's out of a 300WSM just fine at 2950FPS but have a desire for a larger caliber rifle. I probably will never have a real use for the gun except as a back up on an elk hunt we are planning next year but to my mind a medium rifle should be considered if one needs to shoot something heavier than the 210 grain nosler partition.  I note that in the 338WM you can launch a 275 grain with about 70 grains of powder near 2500 FPS or in the 9.3x62 you can launch a 270 at near the same with 66 grains of powder. No doubt a 300 from a 338WM at 2350 will out penetrate a 300 from a 9.3 at 2200, on the other hand a CZ550 Kevlar stock/7.4 pounds/24 inch barrel holds 5 shells, while a new Win model 70 extreme weather is SS/26inch/7pounds and holds 3 shells.  I am posting as the 338WM route seems more logical for flexibility and cartridge availability/commonality, but the 9.3 seems to do about the same with less powder! Any thoughts?

[Dave in WV]

If you don't keep the rifle the .338 would be easier to get your money back. The 9.3x62 has a long reputation for getting the job done and can be used in several countries in Africa for game the .338 can't.  I like the idea of the 9.3x62 because it's different and my kick a little less.

[wganz]

You can find some 9.5x57mm rifles here.

http://www.allans-armory.com/aaresult.php?PageId=65

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Like Dave said, resale on the 9.3 would not be that great unless you are lucky.....if you want a 33 cal. I would go with the .338.....Over the years I have had 3 or 4...I never felt they were that much better killers on elk than a good .30 cal. mag...plus the .30 kicks less...to get more than you have in your .30 you have to go to either 225 or 250 in the .338 with the .250's the drop becomes afactor if you will do any long shooting...and in much of the west elk are now found in very open country...not all, but they are in places they were not located years ago..due to a friend, I was given a 33 barrel several years ago...having had the 338 I made a 340...I like it well enough...if I ever get a chance at brown bear, it would be my pick...it has a beautiful custom stock, and shoots well, but it doesn't, kill better than my .300 win...all of my elk have been shot with 210's or 225....IF my pal had not given me the barrel, I would probably sell or trade it...If you are looking at a back up rifle, when you all ready have one of the best elk guns around, you might consider a .375 ....I have the H & H...it would be a great timber round, and carry fairly well in semi open country...plus if you have any desgins on big bear or Africa, it would be perfect...either way you go,  I would certainly look at the used gun market...in the west there are usually used .338's floating around all the gun shows, and some 375's...that way if you don't like it or want another caliber later, you won't take a deadful beating on the price.......I have been there many times..I know...one other thing, sometimes on the east coast you can get an excellent deal on these bigger calibers...when I was visiting Pa. several years ago, I spotted a C grade Rem. in .458 from the custom shop...itwas only $600.  It was worth far more, like a fool I waited til I got home an called...they sold it that morning............

[jimmyp50]

I looked at the CZ full stock today, they still have that high bolt throw.  I looked at a new model 70 extreme weather and liked it better, wish they made a 9.3! I just cannot justify that CZ at the new price of $840.00 for a blue steel gun.  Can you rebarrel a 270 winchester to make it into a 9.3 or is the bolt face different?

[RaySendero]

I chose the 9,3x62.

[Catfish]

The game you shoot at, hit or miss, will not be able to tell the difference.

[jager]

   I own and shoot the .375 H&H and 9.3X62, and have owned the .338. Among the three, I would chose the 9.3X62 because it will do what the other two calibers will do with less recoil in a lighter weight rifle. If you don't like the CZ550, you may have already narrowed your choices to the other two. If you like to trade guns often, it doesn't really matter since the "market" will dictate your choice.
   I'd just as soon be "kicked" by the "375" as "slamed" by the "338" while launching a bigger bullet out of a "African" legal caliber (no disrespect to the .338 intended). For an African legal caliber with the ballistics of a .366 diameter "Brown/Whelen", the 9.3X62 gives you a bigger "hole" with respectable speeds available from 232, 250, 286, and 310gr (RWS) bullets. Handloading the proper bullet for the game makes all the difference in the 9.3's performance to equaling either of the other two calibers by a few yards and "foot-pounds" (not to mention "Kinetic" energy).
   It sounds like you've got "long range" Elk covered with your .300WM, why not make a move to the next "level" just to avoid duplication?  Ain't choices fun ?

[Dave in WV]

The 9.3x62 uses the same bolt face as a 30-06 case. Rebarreling a .270 can be done. Classic Barrel works can do a rebore on the barrel and rechamer a rifle to 9.3x62 but the bore size must be at least a .308 caliber. You would need a long action and the barrel would need to be set back.
http://www.cutrifle.com/reboring.html

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

jimmy, you have been given some excellent options....if you really want the 9.3 and are willing to bear the cost..it would be a fun project...at times it has crossed my mind to try these calibers...normally something different doesn't bother me if it is something I really want....If you are a reloader, you can load down the 375 or 338 to equal the smaller cased 9.3.....or just go with a 35 Whelen...game will never tell the diff....and you can get bullets anywhere.,...I would ask my self when was the last time you saw 9.3 on the sporting goods store shelf, or any 366 dia. bullets...since I am  retired, I travel quite a bit..usually hit every gunshop, etc. that I come across...I don't when I saw RWS bullets for sale if ever, and I have seen some 9.3 ammo, but it was pretty pricey...all the more you will shoot it it might not be an issue for you.....it is something to consider...with the tight reloading supplies that we face, if I didn't want either of the mags. and wanted a o6 size case, the 35 Whelen would be the way I go....as for Africa, unless you get into some really dangerous game in a fairly pricey country, your .300 will take all the game you will hunt in Africa....been there done that...good luck...decisions like this are fun...

[RaySendero]

I've not had any problem finding reloading supplies for my 9,3x62.

Lee has dies
Graf has cases
IMR-4320 is a good powder (hear Reloader 15 is, too)
Found Prvi 285 gr bullets for a low cost work-up loads
Found both 286 NPTs and 300 Swift "A"s for hunting reloads

[cole k]

I looked at this a few years ago and chose the 9.3x62.  And it has worked very well.

You may also wan t look at Ruger Hawkeye in a 338 RCM.

[jimmyp50]

the Ruger 338 RCM crossed my mind, I have seen a 275 grain load for it, not a 300.  The 9.3 is the most logical choice regards lighter rifle, less recoil, does as well or almost as well as a 375 or 338WM.  I may have to build it.  The new 338 Winchester model 70 in the extreme weather model sure looks interesting.  In equal 8 pound full up rifles I suspect the 338WM shooting a full house 250 might out kick the 9.3 x 62 shooting a 286, I just don't know as I have not shot any of them.  My very light Benelli Montefeltro 12 guage shooting 3 inch turkey loads does not hurt me but it sure is a nasty to shoot.  Wonder if a 8 pound 338 WM would be the same.

[roper]

Years ago got a 338mag figure might be a good elk rifle here in Co it did kick wasn't a rifle want to shoot very much at the range finally sold that rifle.  I've never need more than 30 cal for my deer/elk rifles in an earlier post I mention buying a project 35 Whelen build on a Rem action with kreiger barrel 1/12 twist 24" long never been fired.

I finally got to fire that rifle last week recoil wan't bad groups were good  hoping for mid 2700fps with either 225gr accubond or TSX be a nice 300 max 400yd elk rifle.  I've got a bull elk hunt planned for Oct this year going to take the 30-338mag and the 35 Whelen as a back up might even hunt with it for acouple days.  I 'd also got good group from 250gr Hornady.

We have some guys who shoot the 375 H&H for elk and swear by it as the perfect elk rifle but the only time you see them with those rifles is just before season to check zero.  Myself I want something I can shoot all year long and enjoy it.  Well good luck
 

[jimmyp50]

your post is what holds me back regards the 338WM, the 9.3 x 62 is said to kill as effectively but not kick the snot out of you.

[jcn59]

I had a 9.3 CZ FS & it was nice to shoot off the bench but the comb was way too low for me.  Kicked about like my heavy .35 Whelen.  Got tired of carrying the .35 & just bought a .338 Win Tikka Lite, new, and low price off Gunbroker.  I intend to load it down to the .35 Whelen ballistics.  I would rather have just bought another .35 Whelen but could not find a reasonable priced lightweight version.
My Whelen.

[jimmyp50]

I had a FS 550 in 308, accurate gun but your head could not touch the stock if you looked thru the scope, too much drop at comb for my tastes as well.  I think I am going to conjure up money to send my Mark V to pac nor to be rebarreled with a 9.3 x 62 barrel.

[tdn]

Have you considered a 338-06 (maybe even AI'd) ?

Can usually come w/in 100fps of 338WM (AI version) and can be had in a nice light rifle and easily availible brass and bullets, and without the heavy recoil.
Just a thought...

[jcn59]

The 9.3 is not much different than a metric 35 Whelen.  I recommend the Whelen.  Problem is you could pay lots for a lightweight 35 Whelen to be used as a "backup on an elk hunt".

That's one of the reasons I went with the .338 mag in a Tikka lite.  Plus they come with a one inch guarantee, and they mean it.  This is a 200 yard target showing the 13, 14, & 15th time I shot this rifle.  The group measures a tad under 2" @ 200 yards.    I suppose it will do better in time.  Can't say I care if it shoots any better.  It's good enough for what I want.

[Coyote Hunter]

I'd go with the .338 Win Mag withoug a second thought.