After much consideration, I have decided that I'll give the 9.3x62mm a miss.

This is due to the fact that too many people consider the small ring M98 action a bit weak. Also when considering my ultimate aim of a light and handy carbine for 200m shots (on sambar), it does not make much sense.

Since I have a couple of .308's, I'm also discounting the 8x57mm as I'm after something that can use 250gr bullets.

Therefore the choice came down to the 9x57 and the 9.3x57. After looking at the range of bullets that are available and various ballistics info, I'm leaning towards the 9x57 with a .358 barrel.

I feel that with 20 inch barrel that I would be too slow (under 2000f/s) to use the 286gr 9.3 bullets which appears to be the most common. So looking at the lighter .366cal bullet weights, only the 236gr appears to be easily available.

The .358cal allows me to use bullet weights from as low as 180 to over 270gr. Also for the lighter bullets (<250gr bullets) the BC's of the .358cal will tend to be better compared to the .366cal bullets, which ultimately means a little flatter trajectory.

George