The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 9.3x62 9.3x64, or 358 Norma?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| 9.3x62 9.3x64, or 358 Norma? | Login/Join |
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I've pretty much cleared out my safe to pay for medical bills (no more big bores  ) , so I've realized that I need a rifle and round that can do it all. I had a mod 70 375 H&H, but sold it as it was a bit heavy for my taste and I wanted something in a standard length action. The only remaining rifles I have left are my 35 Whelen, 358 win, 350 remington mag, 35 remington, and a 338 win mag (which I was going to have converted into a 358 norma). I clearly like the 35 cals, but I can't keep them all. I'm definitely keeping my 358 win BLR as I love it, and it will be my "little" deer rifle... which means I'll be selling the 35 remy and most of the others depending on my final decision. So, my question is, should I convert my Remington 35 Whelen into a 358 norma, or should I sell everything else and get a CZ 9.3x62? My second question is a bit more objective; can I convert my CZ 9.3x62 into a 9.3x64 (rather, can I have a smith do it for me) if I so decide? If I can't could I use any of the other afore mentioned rifles for the conversion? Also, any recs on a good gunsmith to make the necessary changes on the gun will be much appreciated, assuming I go this route. My last question is again subjective and a matter of opinion, if I'm left with only my 358 win, should I go for a 358 norma, 9.3x62, or 9.3x64? I'm leaning for the 64 b/c it's big enough to hunt DG with and almost as flat shooting as the norma mag. I do understand that the other two options are much more available and cheaper in terms of ammo. Many thanks for all opinions, and thanks to those fellas that have helped me out by purchasing my old rifles  ."Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." 470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way | ||
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easy, .358win&.358norma...all you have to do is stock up on .35cal pills, some being useable in both. with the norma youve basically got the field ability of a .375hh. | |||
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An excellent point, and I've already got a bunch of 35 cal pills etc. Do they perform well at those speeds? "Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." 470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way | |||
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The good ones will. | |||
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Like I said earlier, I love the idea of the norma bc I do a lot of elk and deer hunting and may not get to go to Africa for a while if ever because of my medical cluster fu#$. The Norma is a flat shooting round for such a big bullet and really does produce more nergy than the 9.3x62. It would be better than the 62 for longer shots on mule deer and elk. However, I have had an infatuation with the 9.3's, particularly the 64 b/c of its superior ballistics, b/c they are standard length action rounds which means light gun. Also, they have great histories in Europe and Africa, they pack a big punch, and they're different. Everybody has a 375 H&H. Some folks have just suggested I get a 375 Ruger, which is essentially 9.3x64 in terms of ballistics and size etc., but the Ruger doesn't hae the history. I guess I/m a romantic when it comes to bullets... thats akward. "Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." 470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way | |||
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If you chamber to 9.3X62 and decide you want the 9.3X64 it's a re-chamber and open the bolt face........and adjust for feeding. Personally, I'd chamber for 9.3X64........... Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!! Blair. | |||
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9.3x64 gets my vote.   | |||
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I would go with either selling ALL your rifles and then obtaining a matched pair of CRF .338WMs OR a similar pair of 9.3x62 rifles. My buddy has a Ralf Martini 9.3x64 on a ZG-47 action I traded him, (in a weak moment) and it is a "hunter" with a Borden-Rimrock stock. It shoots the 286NP at about 2600 fps and holds 3+1. I have an original Obie Type B in 9.3x62, EAWs and Leupy. I have an original ZG-47 in 9.3x62 with a Zeiss Conquest and another on an FN action is being finished in a much modded Boyd's lam. stock for me, at present. These rifles hold 4+1 and give 2500 fps with the 286 NP and this is, IMHO, a superior choice for most hunting anywhere, such as BC, where some DG exists. The .338WM is superior to the .358NM in respect of availability and anyone who thinks that the Norma round is in any respect "better" has not had much experience with bigger game. The .375s are a bit more, yet, but, tend to be heavier to carry and kick harder, IME. I own five .338WM and two .375H&H rifles and have had a dozen others chambered in these two rounds, so, this is not speculation. All of this notwithstanding, if you just LIKE the Norma or Brenneke rounds more, why, yes, get one of them....any of these are ideal in Elk-Moose-Grizzly country and I have friends who use them all with great success and confidence when packing meat where large, ill-mannered bruins roam. | |||
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There was a good article in the most recent Shooting Time (yeah I know sic) about the 35/338. The fellow took it to Africa and hunted with it, but not the big dangerous game. He thinks it's great for everything in Africa, except the big dangerous game, and also good for brown bear. He stated that it has more muzzle energy with the 250 grain bullet then the 375 does with it's standard weight bullet...out to 400 yards too. He stated two advantages over the 358 Norma, one being brass availability. I forget the second. I know the 338 case is a tad shorter then the 358 Norma, but isn't there available brass that can be used to make the 358 Norma? Joe | |||
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madd, My 2 cents: If me I'd trim down to just a 9,3x62, but since you are planning on keeping the 358 BLR, I'd keep the 338 WM too, leave it as is and save the conversion expense for latter. Given time, you may decide just to keep it as 338. ________ Ray | |||
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Go for the 9.3x62. Why? The .358 Norma is a .375 H&H in a .358 diameter. The 9.3x62 is a pussycat compared to the .358 Norma with regard to recoil. But I'm curious why you want to easily part with your .35 Whelen. Fantastic round that will do anything a 9.3x62 will do in NA. Whatever decision you make will be the right one. Based on your choices, you won't go wrong.  | |||
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Lots of mention of hard to find anything for the 9.3x64. Living up in central B.C., I found some. It just takes some phone calls. I don't have anything bad to say about the x64. It thumps moose and bear, with authority. | |||
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I'm not quick to get rid of my Whelen at all. It's one of my favorite guns and round. I might keep it over the 358 wm, I just need something at the top like the 9.3x64 or 358 norma (contemplating norma bc I have all the loading equip for 35 cals). I think I've decided to get the 9.3x62 cz and shoot a little with it before deciding to convert it to a 9.3x64 as I have a box of 9.3x62. I had a friend point out that the additional recoil of the 64mm might eb an issue for the cz stock. I'm also not sure there is enough room in the cz action for the 64mm. If/when I can sort these things out, I'll probably convert it to a 64mm. The question is now wether I want to keep the 35 WHelen or the 358 win. Thanks to all for help and opinions "Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." 470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way | |||
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I dont know your tolerance to recoil or what distances you plan to hunt at....,but if need be, with 9,3x64,358nm,375ruger you can: >run lighter monometals in place of heavier cupcores,[together with faster powders] for milder recoil... >with option of being able to press those rounds hard if necessary... > ability to seat long bullets without long throating and still achieve a decent velocity. I dont see the practical point in getting 9,3x62 to maybe rechamber in 9,3x64B...when you already have .35Whelen which could go .358nm.....also-ppplenty cheap practice bullets in .35 cal.. | |||
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MW, Smart would be to sell everything except the .358 Winchester and use the money for a new CZ550 in 9.3x62. You mentioned DG hunting, if you were referring to Africa then here is a by country listing that I put together from an African Website listing their caliber/energy requirements:
You’d have to check with your PH to determine if South Africa, Tanzania, or Zambia has an exception that would allow the use of the 9.3x62 for DG. Of course if you’re talking non-African DG; e.g. Alaskan brown bear, Canadian polar bear, black bear, mountain lion (cougar), etc. then you would be well served with the 9.3x62 or the .358 Norma Magnum. Just make sure if you go with the NorMag that you specify a 1:10 to 1:12 twist rate else you’ll not stabilize most if not all of the heavy 270gr.-310gr. bonded core or mono-metal bullets. Enjoy, Jim  "Life's hard; it's harder if you're stupid" John Wayne | |||
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I'm partial to the 9.3 x 62...have shot that cartridge in a Sauer full stock rifle on wild hogs, red and spotted deer. Comfortable to shoot and very effective. Have never taken anything beyond 150-170 yds with it..never thought of it as 2-300 yd cartridge..probably because I think there are cartridges that do better (always used the old reliable 300 WM when I thought a longer shot was in the cards). Couldn't see why the 9.3 x 62 cartridge wouldn't take any game in NA. I had an 8 x 68 in a Mauser action as the next step up .. but not as comfortable to shoot IMO. Never used it that much. Ran across a 235 grain bullet for the 9.3 years back...offered some versatility. | |||
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I think the 9,3x62 is a great calibre for a bolt rifle. I have used a 9,3x74R double a great deal in North America, Canada, and in Zimbabwe. The 35 Whelen is a great NA calibre. Since you have and like it, I would by pass the 9,2x62 and get a 375 H&H for Africa. However a 450/400 double and a 9,3x74R scoped double would be a PERFECT PAIR for most of Africa. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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If you like drama the 9.3x64 is probably your catridge as if you for some reason show up at the hunting area without ammo, you will be screwed. I think the 9.3x62 is the easiest to feed. I have only seen 358 Norma ammo a couple of times in a store. But why not get all 3? | |||
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Yes, that is the BEST option!!! I find that if I TRY to cut down to a few basic rifles, I get very tense and sweat, endure chills and tremors and just plain feel like crap....sooooo.....better get all three! | |||
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I got the cz 9.3 on the way, and I'm going to play with it first before changing it into a 64mm. I onky had to give up my 338 and my 300 weatherby. I'll also probably sell my 350 remy mag, but I'll have a shiny new 9,3, a 35 Whelen, and a 358 win... A bit redundant I know, but it will have to do for now, or at least until I rechamber for a 64mm. Someone mentioned that a 9.3x74 and a 450/400 double would be the perfect combo, and it would but I had to give both up in order to keep the man off my back. Thanks for the suggestions as always fellas. "Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." 470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way | |||
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1. Covert Remington 35 Whelen into 35 Whelen Ackley Improved or .358 Norma Magnum. 2. Don't know. 3. Go with the .358 Norma Magnum. More versatile. | |||
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The CZ550 in 9.3X62 is a little portly. Not too bad but you said you didn't like the M70 .375H&H because of the weight. Just something to consider. Terry -------------------------------------------- Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 9.3x62 9.3x64, or 358 Norma?
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