9.3x62mm vs. .375 H&H Mag

[Warren Knudsen]

Love your rifle Warren!! Has it the original barrel?

Hi Clodo, no this one is a rebarreld zg47 into 9.3x62, superbly accurate with the norma oryx, and a pleasure to hunt with.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Thank you Warren, I have no doubt must be a pleasure!!

Best!

CF

 

[Milan]

To me it looks like only the action is original. Everything else looks modified or replaced, including trigger shoe.

Ooops…. Just noticed the other replies. So nevermind.

 

[Zinz]

Speaking of 9.3x62…

Someone just got a heckuva deal on a pretty pre-war German Sporter

Emil Kerner & Sohn Mauser Style 9.3x62 Rif(C)14109 | Guns & Military Artifacts Rifles Bolt Action Rifles | Online Auctions | Proxibid

Emil Kerner & Sohn Mauser Style 9.3x62 Rifle in very good condition with light wear. Appears to be a WWII souvenir bring back. Octagon to round barrel with a solid rib. jeweled bolt with paddle handle. Elegant German Engraving. Euro scope mounts. Set triggers. Mannlicher style stock.

www.proxibid.com

Hammered at $850…lucky duck.

Ed Z

 

[RayAtkinson]

Close but no ceegar, but it,ll do for buff or even an elephant in a pinch.. Long live the 9,3x62.

 

[sestoppelman]

I have to concur with the above. I may have commented on this old tired thread some time ago, but not going to go thru 27 pages to see.

Fact is, this is another silly attempt to try to make something look better than something else that it is not equal to.

I just for giggles took an empty case of both calibers and I am well familiar with both. In this pic shown on the left is the 9.3x62 loaded to the gills with IMR 4350 and it tops out at 68.5 grs, tapped in.

Next to it is the .375 with the same amount and type of powder, you can almost see it down there over a half inch down. That should be enuf to settle this, but probably isn't.

The .375 case filled to the top with the same powder weighed in at 89.7 grains for a 21.2 gr difference which is considerable. Boiler room is the deciding factor in these goody comparisons.

Run the .375 to its top end and you will get over 2650 fps with a 300 gr bullet, look at a Barnes manual and find even higher speeds. The grand old 9.3 wont do that, ( within the same pressures ) nor btw will the .35 Whelen, sorry Bob.

Its like trying to say the .308 win is as powerful as the .30-06. It only is if you super charge one, and handicap the other.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Granted , the .375 H&H Magnum is more powerful than the 9.3x62, penetration is also better than the 9.3x2. That said the shot placement and skill of the hunter/shooter makes all the difference and in this sense the 9.3x62 can be the winner in this scenario....or the .375 H&H Magnum can still be the better caliber ...
These comparisons really does not make sense at all..so many comparisons between other calibers have been trotted on that these discussions really peter out long before every participant has voiced his opinion...
Just enjoy and love the caliber you are most comfortable with and have the most trust in shooting it accurate ....that really is the primary goal of having a rifle ...

 

[EfRed]

I’ve found my best preforming load in both my 9,3x62’s is a 285/286 grain bullet at 2500to 2550 fps. It can be pushed faster but I don’t see the reason too. My .375 Ruger like a 300 gr bullet at 2400.

Like your velocity selection. No reason to hotrod unless shooting at long range.

 

[EfRed]

Interesting thought being the caliber that wounds the most animals. How are you coming up with this data point that the .375 is so unshootable?

Forgive me for my ignorance, but I find the most challenging part of shooting some of the larger rifles is due to the increased weight that most folks struggle to steady. Given that so many people are now using stick or rests in the field, the accuracy of the shots must be improved. Offhand shooting is something that so very few actually do anymore given the amount of money involved in the hunt and the limited amount of time available. I haven't really seen the recoil of the .375 to be particularly formidable for anyone that can handle a 12 gauge shotgun with buckshot, slug or heavy charges of fine shot.

If you are a new hunter, know nothing, and ask a clerk, "What rifle should I have for Africa?" he's going to say "a .375." So you buy your .375 and go off to Africa to display the shortcomings of the newbie, eliciting secret ridicule and complaint from your hunter. The many experts who have a .375 and use it well never occasion a remark about their cartridge, because it worked perfectly. Those who bring something different than a .375 selected their own cartridge and are likely more experienced, and less overwhelmed by the apparent need for a .652 Bonecrusher on impala because its African game. Most of the inexperienced probably have 375s, the experienced may or may not and seldom screw up bad enough to elicit notice. Does this seem reasonable?

 

[nomspc]

Like many of you I’ve taken big animals with both of these calibers. From the point of view of external ballistics, there is not a lot of daylight between them. Consider two Federal loadings of the Swift A-frame, the .375 300 grain at 2450 fps and the 9.3X62 286 grain at 2360 fps:

And energy:

While the 286 gr A-frame has a higher BC, both these bullets have the same sectional density, .305, so we would expect them to penetrate equally well. And this is why the 9.3 is such a good killer. SD counts. From a terminal ballistics point of view, I can’t tell any difference in the results I’ve had in the field, although I’ve only used the .375 on buffalo.

 

[Puddle]

My current favorite fun hunts are cow buffalo and I've used the 300 grain A-Frame out of the 9.3x62mm exclusively. Performs as you would expect and without any drama.

 

[SStomcat]

With enough practice, nearly anyone can learn to shoot a 375H&H. The problem is those learning how to can't START with a 375H&H, they need to have shot all the lower calibers like 22lr, 270WIN, 30-06, 300WM...etc before stepping up. Working up in caliber slowly with lots of dry fire practice will instill the proper technique and habits so that when they move to a mid-bore like the 375H&H...they are properly prepared.

Believe me, I just went the other way around. In retrospect I wouldn't have changed anything

 

[BeeMaa]

Believe me, I just went the other way around. In retrospect I wouldn't have changed anything

We don't always choose the smartest route. As long as we end up learning something along the way, even if it's what not to do in the future...it's a worthwhile journey. Cheers.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I have to concur with the above. I may have commented on this old tired thread some time ago, but not going to go thru 27 pages to see.

Fact is, this is another silly attempt to try to make something look better than something else that it is not equal to.

I just for giggles took an empty case of both calibers and I am well familiar with both. In this pic shown on the left is the 9.3x62 loaded to the gills with IMR 4350 and it tops out at 68.5 grs, tapped in.

Next to it is the .375 with the same amount and type of powder, you can almost see it down there over a half inch down. That should be enuf to settle this, but probably isn't.

The .375 case filled to the top with the same powder weighed in at 89.7 grains for a 21.2 gr difference which is considerable. Boiler room is the deciding factor in these goody comparisons.

Run the .375 to its top end and you will get over 2650 fps with a 300 gr bullet, look at a Barnes manual and find even higher speeds. The grand old 9.3 wont do that, ( within the same pressures ) nor btw will the .35 Whelen, sorry Bob.

Its like trying to say the .308 win is as powerful as the .30-06. It only is if you super charge one, and handicap the other.

View attachment 646778

"nor btw will the .35 Whelen, sorry Bob". LOL. Well, you have no idea what velocities Townsend @ Bob Nelson 35Whelen can achieve with his .35 Whelen. Using his own proprietary powders concocted in his kitchen and Revisionary Ballistics brand chronograph, his velocities can surpass those of the 9.3x62, .375 H&H AND the magnificent .338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM cartridges without the barrel breaking (not braking) a sweat. LOL

 

[runningman]

There is a huge recoil difference between the calibres you're talking about.

In ft-lbs you're talking about something like 25ft-lbs for the 9.3x62mm, 35ft-lbs for the 375H&H and 40ft-lbs for the .375 Ruger.

The .375 options are a lot of gun for deer. How often really do you think you'll be doing the buff thing?

Just personal here but I don't enjoy shooting such heavy recoiling calibres. Wouldn't want one for my .375 options for my daily shooter, especially with how much overkill it'll be for deer

 

[Piet-Vis]

I've own and owned several 375`s, and have taken everything up to elephant with them.
I've recently commissioned a 9.3 as I can't find a niche for my 375 in my mind. It is to big for antelope and too small for dangerous game.
Make no mistake, they work real well in the larger antelope species, but I am principly a meat hunter and throwing away a entire eland shoulder due to bruising is not OK.
I also like the bigger calibres and can't see myself hunting any DG species with a 375 if I have something that passes the old African DG rifle test - the ability to push a index finger down the barrel.
There is one exception, and for that reason only I don't plan to sell my current 375 - large, super smart, man or stock eating crocks. These animals are very sly, and don't give much shooting chance. Most shots are at them swimming or of them running towards water. A 300 grain 375 bullet is exactly the medicine needed to permanently remove a man killer from circulation.
There is no doubt that a 375 is a killer.

 

[Rule 303]

There is a huge recoil difference between the calibres you're talking about.

In ft-lbs you're talking about something like 25ft-lbs for the 9.3x62mm, 35ft-lbs for the 375H&H and 40ft-lbs for the .375 Ruger.

The .375 options are a lot of gun for deer. How often really do you think you'll be doing the buff thing?

Just personal here but I don't enjoy shooting such heavy recoiling calibres. Wouldn't want one for my .375 options for my daily shooter, especially with how much overkill it'll be for deer

What are you talking about Willis. I use my 375 on anything from cat, rabbits and up. Put the rifle into a synthetic stock, a cheap one like the Rem SPS and you have the felt recoil of a 30-06 and shoots as well as if in any other stock.

 

[sgt_zim]

There is a huge recoil difference between the calibres you're talking about.

In ft-lbs you're talking about something like 25ft-lbs for the 9.3x62mm, 35ft-lbs for the 375H&H and 40ft-lbs for the .375 Ruger.

The .375 options are a lot of gun for deer. How often really do you think you'll be doing the buff thing?

Just personal here but I don't enjoy shooting such heavy recoiling calibres. Wouldn't want one for my .375 options for my daily shooter, especially with how much overkill it'll be for deer

Meh. The recoil difference isn't THAT big. A 286 gr bullet at 2350 fps out of a 9.5 lb rifle checks in at about 33 ft lbs. A 300 gr bullet at 2500 fps out of a 9.5 lb rifle checks in at around 37 ft lbs.

375 H&H is no more overkill for deer than 9.3x62. While 375H&H is fast for a DG cartridge, it's quite modest for the world of deer cartridges. The things that ruin meat are high impact velocity (say 2700 fps or faster) coupled with a thin-jacketed cup-and-core that fragments at impact.

Neither of those cartridges will ruin very much meat. I've ruined a good deal more meat with 150 gr bullets fired at 2900 fps than any of the slow-movers I use on deer these days - 45-70 (425 gr at 1625), 6.5x55 (160 gr at 2400), and 9.3x62 (285 gr at 2250)

 

[sgt_zim]

I have to concur with the above. I may have commented on this old tired thread some time ago, but not going to go thru 27 pages to see.

Fact is, this is another silly attempt to try to make something look better than something else that it is not equal to.

I just for giggles took an empty case of both calibers and I am well familiar with both. In this pic shown on the left is the 9.3x62 loaded to the gills with IMR 4350 and it tops out at 68.5 grs, tapped in.

Next to it is the .375 with the same amount and type of powder, you can almost see it down there over a half inch down. That should be enuf to settle this, but probably isn't.

The .375 case filled to the top with the same powder weighed in at 89.7 grains for a 21.2 gr difference which is considerable. Boiler room is the deciding factor in these goody comparisons.

Run the .375 to its top end and you will get over 2650 fps with a 300 gr bullet, look at a Barnes manual and find even higher speeds. The grand old 9.3 wont do that, ( within the same pressures ) nor btw will the .35 Whelen, sorry Bob.

Its like trying to say the .308 win is as powerful as the .30-06. It only is if you super charge one, and handicap the other.

View attachment 646778

I agree this entire thread is straining at gnats. I have great respect for your opinions, here we simply don't quite see things the same way.

375 H&H is "better" but is it "better enough" to make a difference? Neither of them are stopping rounds, and neither is particularly a good choice for certain shot angles. There is no shot I would take with my wife's 375 that I wouldn't take with my 9.3x62.

No less authority than Kevin Robertson has asserted that the "ideal" MV for both on buffalo is ~2400 fps owing to some elastic property of buff hide.

With respect to Ruark and "bring enough gun," 375H&H is only marginally more gun than 9.3x62. For a week long or 10 day dedicated buff hunt, I'm not bringing the 375 or the 9.3x62, I'm bringing my 404 Jeff. For a PG hunt with a good opportunity for a buff as an add-on, a hunter would be just as well-served by the one as the other.

 

[Boris11]

I have a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 that I absolutely love. Might want to check them out also.