Drilling in .30/06 or in 9.3X74R?

[THE_HUNTERIAM]

Looking in the future if I ever get the cash at a drilling in 12 gauge and in either .30/06 or 9.3X74R. I know .30/06 is a standard and can be found anywhere, especially in Alaska where I plan to live if I can land a career up there...but the 9.3X74R is supposed to be heavier and can be handloaded over the 06. Reloading recipes, thoughts, etc. greatly appreciated! If I run into a Kodiak brown bear while shooting hares, would like to have a fighting chance. 

[AkMike1]

The 9.3X74 is heads and shoulders above the `06 already. It's just a bit below the power of a 375 H&H.
 
 If you want to avoid a Kodiak bear.. Don't hunt rabbits on Kodiak Island! But I've never seen any rabbits/hares on Kodiak. I think there's too many foxes.
 I normally hunt rabbits/hares in the winter and then there is no bear danger. They're taking a nap.

[dougk]

Hey Hunteriam,


look at it this way 180/200 gr or 286 gr.


Norma makes the Oryx in 180 and 200 gr for the 30-06 and the Oryx is available in 286 gr for the 9.3x74r.


I have both and in Texas my go to round in the 180 gr 30-06.  But for elk I used the 9.3x74r.  After the shot the elk slowly took 20 steps and dropped.


I am being serious why not get both?  also, have you considered the 7x65r as an alternative to the .30-06.
 

[THE_HUNTERIAM]

Cost wise .30/06 would be better, but the extra punch in a single shot drilling combo, I would like the most punch. Would like both one day, curse my rent payments! 

[pastorp]

Yes cost always is the limiting factor. Especially when you have more bills than income. Of course a combo gun of some sort would be much more affordable. Maybe even a savage M24 in 30/30 over 20ga. Just to get you started. 

Just something to think about.

[phoneman7]

I have a valmet 12/308 i'll let go if interested.  With scope mount.

[pastorp]

Hunteriam, that's a nice entry level quality combo gun that phone man is offering. If its in good condition it would do what you need. And if the price is right would get you into the combo guns without breaking the bank like most drillings will. 

Regards,

[phoneman7]

its a peach.  Will shoot 1/2" with factory 150 core lokts.  I just need some $$$ for something else

[pastorp]

Hunteriam, just curious but did you look into the Valmet? And you mentioned a job in Alaska, what kind of work are you qualified for?

Regards,

[THE_HUNTERIAM]

I have a Bachelors in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science, soon to also have a degree in Parks and Recreation Management in one semester. Hoping to get something either on the pipeline near Fairbanks or something at Denali...just want to get up there at this point. No money yet for a new firearm at this point, barely making rent out of college with my wife and myself. I do have Savage 24's in .22 and 20 gauge, love those but not to move up in caliber. Would be nice to also have 2 shots with a 12 gauge on top of a heavy caliber rifle. I own a Stoeger Coach Gun in 12 gauge and that is my go to for small game. I feel most comfortable with 2 shots out of a 12 gauge and the feel of a double.

[SHOOTALL]

For cheap a 12 ga pump might be a wise investment . As to the choice you noted . In any break open gun and more so for one that might be called on to defend ones life I would think the R  in 9.3X74R means rim like a flange as the guys in England call them not like an 06 has and that would be a good thing for a more positive extraction of spent cases ? Nothing ties a gun up better than a case slipping past the lifter or ejector . Just a thought.

[THE_HUNTERIAM]

True on the rim. Maybe the rimmed heavier weighted bullet would be a better pick. I would just have to handload my loads and save the shells. Part of my future hobby anyway. 

[pastorp]

Hunteriam,

Sounds like you have a fine start on a life in Alaska, I have really enjoyed my Alaska years.  I wish you the best in your pursuits.
Just remember Bears are not behind every bush. And you will use a medium caliber much more than a heavy. 

Regards,

[saltydog]

For N.A. big/dangerous game knockdown there is no comparison between them. The 9.3x74R would be the choice for living in Alaska over the 30:06 REM for your stated use in a drilling type rifle. Costs - I doubt you will be shooting either caliber for pleasure and a box of factory shells will last you hunting a long time. You can get a box of Hornady's or NORMA 9.3x74' shells or reload your own. I reload for my 9.3x74R and brass and components are easy to obtain. The 9.3x74R power is between a 35 Whelen and a 375 H&H. 

[THE_HUNTERIAM]

Sounds like the 9.3X74R is the way to go. Now I just need cash and Alaska...

[Savage_99]

I have hunted with my Sauer drilling for over 50 years.  Its a well made gun and I treasure it. 

I would not use it in wet weather anywhere including Alaska.

Consider a slug gun as a rough and ready 'combination' gun.

My Ithaca Deerslayer in 12 ga is very acccurate to 100 yds with slugs and  it's also and excellent grouse gun with bird shot!

They cost a lot less than drillings also!

[Black Fly]

I have given this one a lot of thought. I've not had an 06 drilling, but have one in 7x65 and 8x57 as well as in 9.3x74. If I only had one, and did for a number of years, I'd have the 9.3. In a drilling, you can load it down a bit or load with cast bullets and have a great 150 yard whitetail rifle with your shotgun. With factory loads, you will have a nice medium bore that will work for moose, elk, bear or Africa. I've found 9.3x74's in most well stocked gun shops or available on order,except for the last while when nothing is available.  I use mine in all kinds of weather and for all kinds of hunting. I've put Einstecklauf's in mine to use 22 WRM in the right barrel. just my thoughts.
Bfly

[THE_HUNTERIAM]

A guy can dream at this point until I get the money to act on it. Once I get up North with a good career, my choices made now can be bought then. I do like the one gun does all. I have Savage 24's in .22mag/20 gauge and .22LR/20 gauge and love em. Very versatile. Now the next step when I get to bigger game. 

[dougk]

A guy can dream at this point until I get the money to act on it. Once I get up North with a good career, my choices made now can be bought then. I do like the one gun does all. I have Savage 24's in .22mag/20 gauge and .22LR/20 gauge and love em. Very versatile. Now the next step when I get to bigger game. 

I go back and  forth if one gun can do it all.  A 7x65R drilling would be tough to beat.

[RPRNY]

Love the 30-06 and it will do for any bear with appropriate bullet construction and judicious shot placement. Having said that, a drilling would not be an ideal defensive bear gun. A 12ga pump with Brenekke slugs would serve you better.

Nevertheless, a drilling you want. Break action rifles prefer rimmed cartridges. I would want an ejector rather extractor and I would want the 9.3×74R for greater throw weight and bullet diameter. I would also want two Brenekke slugs in those 12 ga barrels....

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[pastorp]

Of course one gun can do it if you want it to. Here in the USA were just used to having so many choices.
Moving back to Florida is confusing after living in a bush village in Alaska for so long. Too many choices.
Same with guns. There's no reason to need more than a 30-06 to live anywhere. Truth is we just want a large variety.

Actually we don't need a 06 most of the time. My friend has a 257roberts & I have one and we shoot most everything with them. Possum after the chickens or a boar hog tearing up the pasture it works on them all. And so would any number of calibers. 

[RevGeo]

'Ain't nothin' in this world that you can't fix with JB Weld or a thirty-ought-six'.


Rev George

[dougk]

Of course one gun can do it if you want it to. Here in the USA were just used to having so many choices.
Moving back to Florida is confusing after living in a bush village in Alaska for so long. Too many choices.
Same with guns. There's no reason to need more than a 30-06 to live anywhere. Truth is we just want a large variety.

Actually we don't need a 06 most of the time. My friend has a 257roberts & I have one and we shoot most everything with them. Possum after the chickens or a boar hog tearing up the pasture it works on them all. And so would any number of calibers. 

Byron,
Guns are very similar to tools.  You could make a multi tool work for everything.   
Like tools there is always the right firearm for the application.  I guess it depends on the application and what firearm you have.


Doug

[pastorp]

I really don't believe I'm stretching the limits of the Roberts Dough. And neither did Jack Oconnor. His wife Elizabeth shot a awful lot of game with the Roberts and the 7 mm Mauser. Of course the Roberts is simply a 7 mm necked to 257.

  I know in Texas everything is bigger & better. And we used 30-06s in Alaska for mosquito guns. 

[45-70.gov]

i finaly decided  not to wait any more decades to get my drilling
and  got an affordable  baihal  in 308 X 12ga  combo gun


[308 chosen over 30-06...should be slightly better with reduced cast]


sure the  9.3  beats the 30 cal....if all your shooting  is bears
for every thing  else the 30-06 should be fine or better.....and cheaper and less recoil..and  etc


even  if the 30-06  is boarderline for bears
your  holding  a double  12 ga  back up already in your hands

[dougk]

Nice choice.


I have both the 12/30-06 and 12/308 and both are great.  My choice is 12/30-06 because ummm....  I started with the 30-06


I personally think when we talk 30-06 vs 308 we are talking tomato vs tommato.   There is one perception point the 30-06 is no longer a military round where the 308 is currently a military round. 

[45-70.gov]

that is spelled tomaito


i started with the 308.....and the numbers grew

[Graybeard]

Let's bring this one back up and see if folks might want to talk more about it.