Robie
.275 member
Reged: 04/04/03
Posts: 61
|
|
I am considering a "new" rifle, based on a Brno or CG action. For a long time I kind of wanted the .338-06, but after reading that the 9,3x62 is doing a come-back I wondering if it might not be better with the 9,3.
Anyone out there that had to make the choice between the .338-06 and 9,3x62, and what did you choose?
Robie J. 
|
gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
|
|
I havent had to choose myself as of yet but i would jump on the nine point three as they are such a great round
--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
|
DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27783
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
|
|
In power, the 9.3x62 is ahead of the .338/06 as well as being ahead of the .338/06IMP.
: Case capacity of fired Sako 6.3X62 brass is 78gr.
: Mine did 2,518fps with 286gr. Norma's and 2,610fps with 270gr. Speers. There are now "X" bullets of proper weights for the 9.3, so there is no benefit for the 338 bore size. The 9.3x62 easily makes over 4,000ft. lbs., if that is a number you like.
: The .338's higher Sectional Densities are of little real use as the premium bullets today have replaced Sectional Density benefits with better construction, giving equal or increasd penetration with lighter bullets which also have flatter trajectories.
: That said, most big game here in B.C. is shot at 100yd. or less.
: Either is good but the 9.3 is better.
--------------------
Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
|
Oldsarge
.300 member
Reged: 07/02/05
Posts: 180
Loc: SoCal Borderlands
|
|
Fond as I am of the .338/06's ancestor, the .318 Westley Richards, I must admit that for practicality's sake, the 9.3 is the better choice. Ammunition availability, though far from universal, is much better. The bullet choice is just as outstanding as the .338. You will get basically the same number of rounds in the magazine with either one and for both North American and African game the greater punch of the 9.3 will be greatly appreciated around big bears, big antelopes and the occasional big problem. Admittedly, for a safari rifle I consider it a "heavy light". In the hands of a truly exceptional shot it will do as a World Rifle like the sainted .375 H&H, though I would be reluctant to use it as such. However, for the bulk of the planet's hunting where 250 kg animals are the norm (or at least really common), it's hard to beat.
--------------------
Sarge
Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle!
|
500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
|
|
Well said oldsarge, couldn't agree more or said it as well.
Go 9.3 x 62.
Also has better / easir resale value if and when you ever want to sell it.
500 Nitro
|
BFaucett
.333 member
Reged: 13/01/04
Posts: 472
Loc: Houston, Texas
|
|
Robie,
I owned both a .338-06 (in a Weatherby) and a .35 Whelen (in a Ruger M77 MkII) before I got my 9.3x62 in a CZ 550 American. I sold my 338-06 and my .35 Whelen after I started playing around with the 9.3x62. I just recently took my 9.3 to South Africa and had a great run with it. (See the thread: Back from RSA - photos ) My handloads push a 286 gr Woodleigh RN at 2390 fps (and that's a conservative load) which generates approximately 3600 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That's a lot of power from basically a .30-06 size case. I don't have anything against magnums as I also own a .338 Win Mag and a .375 H&H, but I REALLY like my 9.3x62!! It's a great cartridge.
Just my two cents worth...
-Bob F.
|
vapodog
.300 member
Reged: 28/12/04
Posts: 237
Loc: Nebraska USA
|
|
This .338-06 VS .35 Whelen VS 9.3 X 62 thing has one stumbling block.....the 9.3 is accepted legally in Africa for DG and the others are not.
If I was looking to hunt cape Buffalo I'd be looking to the one that was legal.....but most of us wouldn't use any of them opting for more....like a 416
The 9.3 is very close in performance to the .375 H&H and that's very impressive. This takes it out of the class of the .338-06 which most would agree is relegated to plains game.....IMO it's plenty for that.
The .35 whelen is stranded in the middle.....nice round...no home.
I have little doubt that if I was hunting eland and came across a cape buff that was great and had no time to change to a bigger gun, the .338-06 would do the trick. That said....it's not going to be the first choice.
I see it this way.....the .338-06 is a fine plains game rifle.....the 9.3 is marginal as a DG rifle.....the .375 H&H is not hard to get so why are we talking? As much as I'd like to build a 9.3 X 62, I just can't find a reason to do that instead of the old .375
I just am not going to buy that the 9.3 is a better plains game round than the .338-06.....
Maybe the thinking will change tomorrow!!!!
--------------------
|
DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27783
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
|
|
The only thing better in a non-magnum case, than the 9.3X62 is a .375/06IMP. Mine likes 300gr. RN's at 2,470fps and 285 Grand Slams at 2,525fps. 235gr. Speers for Deer/Caribou run 2,845fps. All print into a very nice group - at the same POI.
: The 9.3X62 does have a factory ammo advantage, but is down slightly in power - which the game probably doesn't feel. Sako ammo is excellent in the 9.3X62.
: The above 235gr. developes 4,240ft.lbs. and the others, just over 4,000ft.lbs.(whatever that is)
--------------------
Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
|
bipbigbore
.224 member
Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 42
Loc: USA
|
|
I've never hunted with a .338-06, but I have hunted with 9.3x62. Last spring, I shot a 7'6" black bear with it and dropped him in his tracks. I was very pleased with the killing power of the 9.3. I have also hunted in Europe and 9.3 (either x62 or x74r) has long been favored for big game.
|
Taos
.300 member
Reged: 09/05/04
Posts: 169
Loc: Nevada, U.S.A.
|
|
I have hunted quite a bit with a 338-06. with 210 grain noslers at about 2700 it kills elk very well with decent hits. I would have no problem hunting eland with one, but I don't think I would use it for something that was way large and bites back in close cover as it would lack the stopping power of the large bores.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
