Was just wondering if any one out thier would think if a 9.3X62 would be over kill for White Tail deer ???

Overkill? Sure, probably by someones definition. Why should that keep you from using it if you want to? Next month I'll be in Tx with my 400PDK for whitetail and hogs.

Dead is dead. And, unlike some rounds, at least the 9.3 won't tear up a ton of meat.

I am not sure about a 9.3x62-
Last 3 yrs I used a 338 WinMag and none got away. This year I am hunting with my new 416 B&M. It should do well for hogs and WT Deer.

And no I am not making fun-thats what I like to shoot.

SSR

was just thinking that the bullet would have a higher desity to the jacket and perform better on a slightly lager game.. or some thing with bit more mass like elk or moose... But a hevy slow bullet dose penitrate nicely..

The 9,3x62 is a great deer cartridge! Energy transfer is excellent and meat damage is less than a .270 Win.

I have had more DRTs with it than anything else I've used.

You have to enjoy shooting the rifle you have. I like mine. Mine is short (CZ 550 FS) and set up to reduce felt recoil. And I have shot it enough to have confidence. I added weight and have a low-power scope set as far forward as I could set it. It is heavier than a typical .243.

Be aware of trajectory. I have it sighted in to be 5" low at 200 yds. That will be my maximum range for this rifle.

I had it out hunting for whitetail deer today. Did not see one.

After many years and hunting in Africa I have come to the conclusion that 'overkill' does not exist in fact only in somes imagination. I have actually shot ground squirrels with a 458Win. Fairly effecient too.

I'd think the low velocity would minimize meat damage and the large diameter and weight bullet would promote quick clean kills.

I used mine on moose last year and found both these points to be true.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
After many years and hunting in Africa I have come to the conclusion that 'overkill' does not exist in fact only in somes imagination. I have actually shot ground squirrels with a 458Win. Fairly effecient too.

WOW! Twice in one evening I see you as point on. roger

I think the 9.3x62 is a great deer cartridge. A few years ago I was thinking about a light weight but powerful rifle for deer and also bear. I wanted an open sighted rifle that I could use on drives and also for hunting in heavy cover for bear. I ended up with an old beat up Mauser in 9.3x62 and love it. I have killed many deer with the rifle with open sights (it was never drilled for a scope) and I love the rifle and caliber. I use a handloaded 286 grain Hornady at 2360 fps and it is deadly. You can't go wrong with a 9.3x62, it's one of the great ones.

9.3 is my favourite caliber,it will be less meet demage than some magnum caliber and will knock down animal very fast,every year i hunt white tail with my merkel double ,its just perfect for running deer

There is no such thing as overkill. Yes the 9.3 is more than needed but if you enjoy that caliber then I suggest buying more ammo or components and shoot it until your hearts content. I will be using my 376 Steyr and 416 Remington on deer this year. Why? Because I enjoy them and I hunt because I enjoy it. If I can find any more ways to increase my hunting enjoyment I will do it.

For years I basically hunted with a 7mm Rem Mag and it worked fine. I have found that larger calibers are a blast to shoot so why not shoot them whenever I get the chance. Never worry about what anyone else thinks but try to enjoy the time you have in the way you want.

Dead is pretty much dead and, as others have pointed out, a heavier, slower bullet doesn't ruin as much meat

quote:

Originally posted by 500MagMan:
Was just wondering if any one out thier would think if a 9.3X62 would be over kill for White Tail deer ???

Short answer is NOPE!

Yes. But what is wrong with overkill. Sure beats the alternative.

I load 250 Accubonds in mine for whitetails and it smacks them. You don't have to use a max load. I have mine about 3 grains under max and it is a pleasure to shoot and works!

I've shot 3 whitetails with my 9.3x62. All of them with handloaded 286 gr Woodleighs.I'm sure if you could ask the deer, they would say it was overkill But is you ask me, I'd say it is more than good.

One of the deer I shot was a fair sized 6 pt. He was facing me dead on at about 150 yards. I shot him at the base of the neck and the bullet exited just below the tail. A complete pass through end to end. The amazing thing was there really wasn't much meat damage. That slow heavy bullet just puched its way through. Very little bloodshot.

One of the few calibers that have been used worldwide for decades. Tested in most the game fields of the world and always effective. An all time great.

I know alot of guys that use the .35 Whelen , that don't feel overguned . Not much difference between the two !

My two "Go To" deer rifles are my 375H&H and my 35 Whelen. I have killed a couple of deer with a 458. This season I am going to try and get one with my 38-55.

Dead is dead, there is no overkill, unless you throw a grenade at the deer and blow it to pieces.

Use what you want to and tell the "Peanut Gallery Nay Sayers" to stick it up their jumper.

Best of luck on your hunts.

The bullet selection is more a factor than caliber so as long as the bullets choice is soft it shouldn't matter what large bore caliber is used.

Larger bore bullets have plenty of mass and tend to be contructed for heavier game leading to over penetration with minimal expansion as opposed to smaller bullets that over expand with minimal penetration.

Again it comes back to personal preference, ethics, common sense and what you have to hunt with.

I say as long as you apply common sense to your selection it shouldn't matter in the least.

Anything more than an old 30-30 or 32 spl is over kill on deer. So using a 9.3X62 is as justifiable as using a 270 or a 30'06.

I always found the blast and recoil of my 9.3 CZ to be much less than a 300 Win Mag and it ruined less meat.
As far as overkill goes, I wouldn't use a 458 Lott in a tree stand.

Cheers, John

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Anything more than an old 30-30 or 32 spl is over kill on deer.

If you're talking about deer where the shot won't run more than 100 yards, I'd agree with the above. But, if you hunt whitetails in the open plains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains like I do, 100 yard shots aren't that common. The 30-30 and 32 Win Special are virtually worthless out there due to long range. That's why my primary rifle will always be a 7mm Rem Mag. But my 9.3x62 has worked out to about 250 yards so it will probably get more field tiome in the future.

just think of it as a 35 Whelen on steroids.

No such thing as overkill. How can an animal be "deader"? An animal can be "not dead" or wounded. As a hunter it is our highest priority to assure a quick clean kill.

Naw, not overkill. I used to use a 35 Whelen when stationed at Ft. Benning. Loaded w/200 Sierra RN's @ 2570 or so. Worked great.

Overkill? By any standard, more than you need.

As long as you can shoot it well, it doesn't matter.

Sure it is overkill, but what should happen? The meat damage will be probably less then with a .223, just the holw will be bigger...

and: why not? I go hunting foxes and roe deers also with my .375H&H and 300grs bullets... they are dead, that´s all...

As someone else said, dead is dead. If you consider anything more than is required to cleanly kill a deer at most shot angles, anything much bigger than .260 Remington is "overkill". As long as you can shoot it well, I don't see any good reason not to use a 9.3x62 on whitetails.

No! To my my mind it's better than the 223 for deer..not that there is anything wrong with the 223.

It's a great deer caliber..Use the 286 Noslers and you won't get a lot uo bloodshot meat like you do with a 243 or 270 for instance. I have shot a lot of game with the 9.3x62, its a great caliber for anything and a spectacular elk/moose round.

quote:

Originally posted by 500MagMan:
Was just wondering if any one out thier would think if a 9.3X62 would be over kill for White Tail deer ???

Only to the extent they can be "too dead".

Shooting across farm fields from an elevated stand as (for instance) is often done in Minnesota, it would not be my first choice for reasons of trajectory and price...I'd prefer something like a .25-06 or .270. But it certainly won't "over (excssively) kill" them.

No.

quote:

Originally posted by 500MagMan:
Was just wondering if any one out thier would think if a 9.3X62 would be over kill for White Tail deer ???

500,
Overkill = NO. Good rifle for deer and hogs = YES.

I usually pick a one of my 270s for my deer hunts and my 8mm Mauser for hogs. However, have used my 9,3x62 for both with great results!

On deer, the 270 gives me either a bang-flop or 30-40 yard blood trail. On hogs, the 8x57 freezes'em for a second, They may stumble some then run for 25-30 yards.

The 9,3x62 is different - It has knocked over every deer and hog I've shot. They kick but haven't ever gotten back-up...All have been DRT!

I realize the momentum of a 286 NPT is not near that of getting hit by a 200 Lb line backer, but Its certainly a step up from my 270 and 8mm.

I have always wondered about the, "Damage less meat", excuse. Wehre are you guys placing your shots? I personally do not aim for the hind quarters and never noticed much meat loss from any heart/lung shots.

Nothing personal, just poking fun at the logic!

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Finlander:
I have always wondered about the, "Damage less meat", excuse. Wehre are you guys placing your shots? I personally do not aim for the hind quarters and never noticed much meat loss from any heart/lung shots.

Nothing personal, just poking fun at the logic!

Can't talk for the others, but when I'm talking about meat damage I'm generally talking about the severe bloodshot meat that often occurs with the higher velocity magnums.

For instance, with my 7mm Rem Mag on deer at closer range there is always a lot of jellied blood on the far shoulder and usually a lot of bone splinters from the shoulder bones or blades. With my 9.3 I don't see nearly was much of that type of thing. It makes a nice hole all the way through without the severe bloodshot damage and bone splinters.

To paraphrase on old saying" You can eat right up to the bullet hole".

Ray,
What you have seen is exactly what I have seen.
Its the same reason why I use it for everything except varmint hunting.
My gimpy ass does NOT want to track anything.

Cheers, John

I don't think so

No problem, it will kill a deer, cleanly and ethically.

I've shot a number with a .416. This year, I'm hunting my does with a .458 Lott. I use deer season as a warm up for the next African hunt and use the same rifle[s].

you really don't even need to use solids, and I wouldn't under .40 calibre. Good Luck and good hunting.