I’ve got a .338WM barrel for my Blaser R93 which I would use for any of the above if I was expecting shots to exceed 200 yards. But I just got back from South Africa where I hunted with a borrowed 9.3x62. It worked really well on a couple of large antelope species but the longest shot was only 150 meters. Since the Blaser 9.3 barrels are 3” shorter than my .338WM barrel and additionally I would go with a lighter profile and no recoil reducer in the butt, the rifle would be 3” shorter and about 1.3 pounds lighter than it is now. So a 9.3 would definitely be lighter to carry and a little easier to maneuver in bushveldt or thick brush.

For those of you with direct experience with these calibers:

Under 200 yards will the 9.3x62 be as or more effective than the .338WM on the largest North American game? (elk, moose, and brown bears?) Assuming 286gr Nosler Partitions in the 9.3 and 250gr Nosler Partitions in the .338WM.

I have never used a 338 Win Mag, or a 9,3x62, but I have used a 340 WBY mag a little, and a 9,3x74R a lot.

For NA game under 300 yards I do not think there would be much diference.

With 210 to 225 gr bullets the 338 would shoot a little flatter farther out, and arrive with higher velocity which would help with bullet expansion, where if you took a 350+ yard shot, it might be a little adantage.

Since you have a full length 338 barrel, if I was going to get a 9,3x62 barrel for a R 93 I would get a Tracker barrel [50cm/19 3/4"].

I have Tracker barrels, and full length barrels in both the 308 and 375 H&H. I use the Trackers much more often, I like them.

Also Jack, to keep you ammo suply simpler, just get a Blaser standard weight barrel in 338 Win Mag cut down to 20".

Rifle magazine had a short article on the SAKO Handy rifle in 338 and 375 H&H. Both had 20" barrels and they were surized on how little velocity the 2 cartridges lost in the 20" barrels.

Or you could tet a Tracker in 375 H&H or again just cut down a standard weight H&H to 20".

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Also Jack, to keep you ammo suply simpler, just get a Blaser standard weight barrel in 338 Win Mag cut down to 20".

Rifle magazine had a short article on the SAKO Handy rifle in 338 and 375 H&H. Both had 20" barrels and they were surized on how little velocity the 2 cartridges lost in the 20" barrels.

Or you could tet a Tracker in 375 H&H or again just cut down a standard weight H&H to 20".

I had not thought of that. I actually have a .338 std barrel that I got in a 3 barrel deal that I was planning to sell. I just figured the recoil would be too obnoxious and that a 22.7" or 20" barrel would be too much of an ear splitting flame thrower.

Just so you know, my 9.3x62 Tracker does buck and snort a little too.

If my shots were never going beyond 200yds, I would want the 9.3. It's going to hit very hard w/ a larger frontal area & heavier bullet.

quote:

For NA game under 300 yards I do not think there would be much difference.

Research in Norway and Sweden shows that the 9,3 is at least as effecktive on moose as the 338.
Lots of advantages; less blast&noise, 5 in the mag, larger frontal area, better bullet behavior etc

M

Jack you could always taylor some loads specifically for the 20" 338.

For instance for deer, wild pigs,and black bear, and elk, in the thick, a 200 to 250gr bullet loaded with a faster powder, like IMR 3031. [I say 3031 just because I have a bunch of it on hand].

With a 200 to 250gr bullet 52 gr of IMR 3031 will give you around 2400fps, ie 35 Whelen ballistics. [Source Lyman 45th Edition]

Hunting brown bear and moose in the thick just use full power ammo, of course "35 Whelen" baallistics would do good on a Brownie as well, IMHO.

Aleko at Heritage Arms has a Gun Smith that has cut some Blaser barrels down.

Not enough difference between the two cartridges for me. The choice should be made based on finding the gun that fits you best and that you shoot well. I chose the 9.3x62.

.338 is enough frontal diameter.

9.3 is limited past 250 yards.

a better comparison to the 9.3x62 is the 35 whelen. The 338 win Mag is a step up.

quote:

Originally posted by Iron Buck:
a better comparison to the 9.3x62 is the 35 whelen. The 338 win Mag is a step up.

338 Win is a step up if you like velocity. Some people prefer bigger bullets.

That velocity advantage translates into more FPE.

I had both a 338 win mag & (2) 35 whelens. I have since otten rid of my 338. I just did not need the advantage that the velocity offered.

I agree with he comment that larger frontal is an advantage. One that is not easy to quantify. But I have had many "bang flops" with my whelens on deer and black bears.

I don't put much stock in foot pounds.

I have used a 338 quite a bit and like it a lot-presently have two.My 9.3x66 Sako is just as good but recoils less.

Jack, I dug that article out, it is in Handloader 136.

Actually, the SAKO Handy in 338 Win Mag had an 18 1/2" barrel.

According to the article when Winchester 225gr Power Point was shot in a 24" Model 70 the velocity was 2728fps.

Then you would have a Tracker barrel, in a calibre that you can find ammo nearly anywhere Big big game is hunted.

When shot out of the 18 1/2" barrel of the SAKO the velocity was 2680fps for a loss of only 48 fps.

I think I would cut down that standard 338 barrel to 19 or 20".

Either will work. The .338 Win. Mag. and a 250 grain bullet have plenty of bullet weight and frontal area for any North American critter and it has a flat enough trajectory for a 400 yard shot.

quote:

9.3 is limited past 250 yards.

I have used the 9.3 x 62 in Germany on mixed bag hunts (roe, fallow and red deer, hogs). I would agree with 225-250 yds as a practical range for this cartridge, especially if you're shooting the 286 grain or larger. I have only shot a 338WM once, but from recollection would say the 9.3 is a lot easier shooting gun..less recoil and blast.

Never shot anything over 400 lb live weight..so I'll leave the comments on big bear or elk to others but has always been a 1 shot DRT cartridge for me if I do my part. That 232 grain (Norma Vulcan) is an interesting faster/flatter shooting bullet but sort of negates the down range energy...anyone have experience with that cartridge? I think Heym regulates its OU DR (26B) with that cartridge, which I never understood.

Here's another vote for there's no difference on game, AS LONG AS both get a tough enough bullet to do the job.

I haven't shot a lot of big game with my 9.3's but i have with my .338. There's no doubt that with good bullets, the .338 Win. mag. works very well on the biggest brown bears on down, i've never felt undergunned.

If i was back in those same willows tracking bears on Kodiak today or the Peninsula hunting big browns, i'd have my double 9.3 in my hands and still not feel undergunned.

DM

I´d say that the difference would be negligable, I´ve hunted a lot with the 9.3x62 (eland to roedeer) and some with my 8x68. The advantage of the 8x68 is range -packs a punch waaaay out there.

It would be hard to go into a sporting goods store and buy a box of 9.3 X 62 ammo. Not so with the 338WM.

I like the 9.3X62, a classic that just does what it needs to do. Does not have the range of a 338WM, but will do anything that it will with 250 yards or so. I think perhaps even better in some cases. I am comfortable shooting the 9.3X62. Less recoil, less muzzle blast. To me I am a better shot with one than a magnum. I have used the 232 Norma on several whitetail deer, longest shot was perhaps 100 yards. Only one deer went beyond dropping right where it was shot, that one went about 20 yards and laid down. It did not get back up. Most were shot thru, I did recover one bullet from an off shoulder. Weight was about 190g with the tip blown off but the core held and the brass jacket was turned back to about double caliber.

Obviously both will get the job done and both will do it well. It's all good.

That said, when you're undecidied on what to go with, always take the bigger caliber with a heavy bullet, especially if you're shooting relatively short distances such as less than 200 yards.

9.3x62 is better caliber than 338winchester period

Am fortunate in having decent rifles in both calibers. In 9,3x62 I have a CZ 550 American and a utility custom built on a VZ.24 action with a synthetic stock. The .338 WM is a pre-64 M70 custom with a Krieger cut rifled barrel fitted to a very nice McMillan stock.

I've taken 9,3x62 rifles to Africa twice. Performance was simply excellent. Performance of the .338 Win Mag has been superb in North America.

My rifles show a difference at range. The 9,3x62s easily hold 1" groups at 100 yards. My .338 WM has delivered 2" groups at a zero'd 300 yards where it has a zero hold impact circle of 5" radius to 350 yards.

If the weather is decent I'll take a 9,3x62 out if the ranges are likely to be 250 yards of less and the .338 WM if ranges are likely to be longer.