Ugly question: 9.3x62 vs .338WM

[B9.3]

I like the 338 Win. My own personal 338 was a 340 Weatherby with 26" barrel. I used to load 225gr @ 3000 fps & 250gr @ 2800 fps. I have been using my CZZ550 9.3x62 for just about everything for a few years. I rarely use my 300 or 375 anymore since I have been loading my 9.3 with RL17. I swear my 9.3 hits noticeably harder than my 340 Weatherby. My standard load drives the 250gr @ 2700 fps & 286gr Nosler Partition @ 2550 fps with no visible pressure signs & long case life.. I cannot detect any difference in killing power between it & my 375. It is my go to for just about anything be it Pig, Dog, Deer or whatever. I really believe that bullet weight & bore size makes a huge difference in impact & killing power..

 

[Velo Dog]

Never shot a 338Win but I do have a 338-06 wildcat, probably less kick than the Win-Mag Dead ass accurate and a joy to shoot,,,Still on topic I saw several Husqvarna 9.3s for sale at a local gun store and wonder if they are worth a look and would they make a good action for a 404Jeff conversion?

Many Husqvarna 9.3's are 9.3x57 cartridge, made on Model 1896 Mauser actions and definitely are not suitable for conversion to .404 Jeffery.
However Husqvarna also made quite a few Model 98's in 9.3x62 and those are very strong / well made rifles.
A Professional Gunsmith could possibly convert one to .404 (I'm not sure either way) but even if possible, the work involved would break your bank account in labor costs alone.
I too am interested in a .404 Mauser but after searching the Internet and researching having one built on one of my existing Mausers (.375 H&H), it is clear to me that I will save one or two thousand if I just calm down and wait until I find one already built (but used) for the right price.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I think the same as Velo Dog.
Witold

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Thanks Paul.
Witold

 

[Rob404]

I think you guys are right,,the reason I.m looking is the Minnesota winter is rapidly approaching and I was looking for a Hibernation Project

 

[southernidahohunter]

.338 Win. Mag all day. I would love to own a 9.3x62 someday, but for me, the .338 is a far more practical choice as ammo and components are more available and less expensive here in Idaho.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

.338 Win. Mag all day. I would love to own a 9.3x62 someday, but for me, the .338 is a far more practical choice as ammo and components are more available and less expensive here in Idaho.

9,3 x 62 ? Try and you will certainly fall in love.
Witold

 

[8x68]

In the US, Midwayusa, Midsouthshooterssupply, Brownells has a good selection of 9.3x62 reloading components.
Everyone has their own reason for having either but it depends on what your comfortable shooting, and terrain/animal being hunted. I hunt in bush so the CZ550FS 9.3 x 62 (using a heavy RN bullet) is ideal. If I was going to an open area where shots could reach out to 400yds then I would tend towards the .338 (actually I would use my 8x68S but that's not included in this thread). Bullet choices for example may include: Nosler's 210gr Partition or Hornady 225gr SST, or Barnes 250gr series of bullets. There are other mfg's out there for .338 bullets so "to each his own".
I do love the 9.3 though it is a great calibre and hurts this old man's shoulder less.
I like using Lapua 9.3 x 62 brass. I have PRVI, Speer, Hornady, Woodleigh, & Lapua bullets. I haven't "played" with the 9.3 much, but so far the Lapua 285gr MEGA bullets seem to have the edge in accuracy. The best load for the 9.3 so far for me (again I haven't shot it a lot...yet) is a max charge of 57.5gr of Varget, w/285gr Lapua MEGA bullet, & WLRMP. Avg velocity was 2296fps for 3 shot string. Chronograph was 10" from muzzle. Any closer and it fall down. It doesn't take kindly to muzzle blast. Grouping was 1.29" at 100yds.

 

[Ardent]

Here in British Columbia the .338 Win Mag is immensely popular, and the 9.3x62 is slowly picking up traction. Of the two, both will kill anything you point it at though the .338 Mag is significantly more versatile. It is ballistically superior in nearly every aspect from velocity, to trajectory, and sectional density. This said, in 99% of hunting, that being inside 200 yards, they both will handle anything you can hunt.

 

[Steve Steyr]

I have owned both, as well as a .35 Whelen. The .35 Whelen has less recoil and muzzle blast than the .338 Win Mag in a rifle that weighs 1 pound less. The .338 Win Mag has slightly more muzzle energy.
The 9.3x62 splits the difference between the .35 Whelen and the .338 Win Mag. in terms of recoil, rifle weight, muzzle blast, and muzzle energy. The 9.3x62 has a wider variety of heavier weight bullets than either the .35 Whelen or the .338 Win Mag.
My choice would be the 9.3x62 over the .338 Win Mag.
This is in no way meant to dis the great .338 Win Mag and I have no argument with anyone who would prefer it over the 9.3x62. It's just that I just enjoy more shooting with a rifle that has less recoil but which I know is fully capable of taking any animal in the world, the 9.3x62 Mauser.

 

[Russel. G. Keith]

HI Guys.
Just to add fuel to the debate how about the 338 Sabi
Basically a 338 on a a 9.3 x 62 case.
I have never used one. I owned and used a 9.3x62 for many years and would use it rather than a 375
h&h
But those who have swear by the Sabi
Enjoy and keep safe
Russel

 

[matt85]

i feel this thread is comparing apples to oranges... the only thing the 338 WM and the 9.3x62 have in common is that they are both medium bore rifle cartridges. comparing these two cartrides to each other isnt fair to either cartridge.

-the 9.3x62 is a close range heavy hitter ideal for large game in thick brush.

-the 338 WM is a medium/long range hammer for times when you just cant get any closer then 300 yards.

-matt

 

[bebo]

Hello, Thanks for your very interesting opinion .
I use RWS Uni Classic - Brenneke TUG 293g (Same product ...)

New : Brenneke TOG not TIG for PG 247 grs
Vitesse [m/s]: ((V0) 810 / (V 100) 740 / (V 200) 674 / (V300) 612
Energie [Joule]: (E 0) 5249 / (E 100) 4380 / (E 200) 3634 / (E300) 2996
No opinion about it ...

 

[bebo]

CZ 550 9.3x62 Mauser 20" synthetic stock
Leupold VX2 3-9x40

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Very good choice Bebo.
All the best.
Witold

 

[bassasdaindia]

i have always liked the CZ 550 with the 20" barrel in synthetic , great little African bush rifle.

 

[doodsangel]

I'm a bit of a .338Win Mag fan. Very nice calibre for those long range shots, but works well for me at short range with minimal meat damage.

Animals harvested at short range (under 300m) includes Impala at 40m, Zebra at 80m all the way up to Eland at 230m successfully. Barnes 225gr TTSX at 2850fps.

 

[bebo]

Somebody has used the 9.3x62 to hunt Lion ?
Is it a good ammo for lion's hunt ?
What is the distance (max ) to shoot (9.3 Mauser) a lion with care ?

 

[stug]

I saw an article by Don Heath where he/someone used a 9.3 to shoot a man eating lioness. Can't remember where it was though.

 

[AZDAVE]

Haven't shot a lion yet However based on the less than 20 yards my cape eland went after he was shot with a 9.3x74 300gr A-Frame, 2350fps I wouldn't have any reservation with shooting a lion with a 286gr Woodleigh soft point at 2500 out of a 9.3x62. Hopefully you can get a reply from someone on the fourm that has actual experience.