Got a Mauser action ready for a new barrel. Can't decide between the 35 Whelen vs. the 9.3 X 62. Which would you do?

Go with the 9.3x62 and get a pre-threaded, chambered barrel from Lothar-Walter. I did this on a VZ-24 and does it shoot!

I struggle with that same question and it just boils down to this.....(I think)......
If you are heading to the dark continent and want something for Cape buffalo the 9.3 X 62 has acceptance legally in manyplaces.....not so much as that's the best to use....it just might not be....but it's legal!

If one has a 375 H&H then the 9.3 X 62 is redundant as it's close to the same thing.....well almost!

If you're not going to Africa then the 35 whelen is about as good as it gets for large north American big game and one could even take on the big bears with it. Ammo is slightly easier to find locally and is easily made from 30-06 brass. The whelen also has a better selection of bullets with such stellar performers as a 270 grain from Northfork and a 280 grain from A-Frame. 200 grain bullets also allow it to double as a deer rifle and that helps the justification.

Hope this helps.....but it still hasn't caused me to make up my mind as I throw the 338-06 in the mix and then tell myself that there's no need at all for anything between the 30-06 and the 375 H&H...

I've been going through the same debate. I picked up a mauser currently in 30-06 with the intention of turning it into something else.

Doing a little research the available bullets for the 35 Whelen range from 200 gr to 280 gr. Bullets for the 9.3 start at 250 gr. So IF you want to shoot 250 gr or heavier bullets then MY choice would be the 9.3 X 62. IF you want to shoot bullets 250 gr or less than MY choice would be the 338-06. I can't remember where I read it, but the claim was the 338-06 will out perform the 35 Whelen. Plus there is a wider variety of bullets for the 338 than the 35. Depending on what brand and flavor you like this could be another factor.

i am going with 9.3mm

drew

sporterexpress.com

since you live in america...35 whelen

since it is a mauser a 9,3 would keep its bavarian pedigree.

if you want to take it to africa 9,3

if you want more power and reload 9,3x64

if you want even more power the 375 ruger

isnt life fun

If you reload, the 9.3x62 is sweet!

If you don't you will have a better chance finding 35 whelen ammo on the shelves.

I went with the 9.3x62 but, it found me, I wasn't looking for one.

It just seemed right at the time - now my favorite rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
since you live in america...35 whelen

since it is a mauser a 9,3 would keep its bavarian pedigree.

if you want to take it to africa 9,3

if you want more power and reload 9,3x64

if you want even more power the 375 ruger

isnt life fun

If you want to take it africa 9.3
If you want to have more power 9.3x64
if you want even more power 9.3x70

I've never quite gotten the .35whelen, fine cart. I'm sure, just not for me. I have a .338-06 & love it. I would probably go to the 9.3x62. It would be a heck of a timber rifle for elk.

The 9,3mm does offer lighter bullets. You just hear more about the Big(-ger) Game performance capability.
I just flipped my latest Graf & Sons catalog open to page 95, and they show Lapua bullets in "200gr Naturalis-Solid Long-Range as well as the 286gr, page 98; Norma 232gr SP Oryx, and two different 286gr bullets, page 96 prvi partizan 285gr SP...for $80.70 per 500!!!! I just do not see any reason to build or buy either and use lighter weight bullets. Just load 200-220gr bullets in your old 30-06 and be happy. The major advantage with the X62 is its' ability to shoot 286gr bullets close if not over 2500fps. The whelen is a fine cartridge, but the X62 is just a little bigger and heavier bullet at slightly better speed than the whelen. 275 VS 286 at 2450+fps.

Graf's has a very good selection of brass (3 brands) and bullets, and Nosler is gearing up to offer a 220-230gr BT and PT for the 9,3mms.
I wrestled with this question for six months, and ended up with the 9,xx62.

Rich

If it was me 35 whelen! Cheaper brass, bullet availibility and I just like it. And for some reason the cartridge just seems to be accurate. I would go with a faster twist like 1 in 12". For those heavy bullets. Also it's not just a timber cartridge, I'm good to 300 yds. with mine the rifle is capable of further. I just don't get to practice at longer distances. IMHO It's american too!

Mausers and 9.3's are like peas and carrots...............9.3x62 for sure !!

Hmmmm . . . I have two 9.3x62s and no .35s. So, you can guess my vote.

raybass,

can't get much cheaper than $35 per hundred for the X62 brass from Graf's. The Whelen is the one that would concern me, Remington is the only mfgr that offers it...if they decide to drop it you are SOL. As far as fireforming from other cases, either one can be made from 30-06, going to .366" instead of .358" is about the difference between a BCH and a red one.
I am definitely NOT blasting the whelen, it is a marvelous big game cartridge with, IMHO, a 300 yard effective range on Big/DG; about where the 9,3x62 works. .008" difference is not much, but it is quantifiable in calculating ME. Just as an adddendum, they will let you hunt Africa with the X62, the 9,3mm is the single exception to the minimum .375" caliber for dangerous game. I do not think anybody makes a 35 bullet heavier than 250gr. If so, that is a trememdous advantage for the X62.

Just a teensy bit better mousetrap...

Rich

9.3X62


Terry

Another vote for the 9.3 X 62. I just bought a new CZ 550 Full Stock and it's a real beauty. I don't know where a lot of the people here say that the CZ's are ugly? I bought some of the ammo, brass and bullets that Idaho mentioned from Graft, but will have to wait until next week to shoot as it's snowing heavily here at the moment. I wasn't considering a 35 at the time so don't have anything pro or con on it. The fact that it is "old", used in Africa a lot in the "old days" and is pleasant to shoot clicked my clock. I asked a lot of questions here prior to my decision and want to thank everyone who helped out.

Guess I'll go clean it again this evening, even though it's never been fired. Getting familiar with your firearm, I think it's called.

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
raybass,

can't get much cheaper than $35 per hundred for the X62 brass from Graf's. The Whelen is the one that would concern me, Remington is the only mfgr that offers it...if they decide to drop it you are SOL. As far as fireforming from other cases, either one can be made from 30-06, going to .366" instead of .358" is about the difference between a BCH and a red one.
I am definitely NOT blasting the whelen, it is a marvelous big game cartridge with, IMHO, a 300 yard effective range on Big/DG; about where the 9,3x62 works. .008" difference is not much, but it is quantifiable in calculating ME. Just as an adddendum, they will let you hunt Africa with the X62, the 9,3mm is the single exception to the minimum .375" caliber for dangerous game. I do not think anybody makes a 35 bullet heavier than 250gr. If so, that is a trememdous advantage for the X62.

Just a teensy bit better mousetrap...

Rich

http://www.northforkbullets.com/358-270.htm

they make 250's as well

speer makes heavy 358's too

9.3x62

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
9.3x62

X2 .

I just looked in my rack.... No 35 Whelens ..But 3 - 9.3 X 62's.
I had a 35 Wh. and can't bad mouth them, they are great. Just once I had the 9.3 I will never look back.. 35 Whelen on steriods... My $.02
Thanks Maddog

My tag say's it all!

A 9.3 is my vote.

i swear a.r. is a support group for 9,3 people

Go bigger caliber: 9.3x62

I currently have 2 9.3X62 Mausers. Had a .35 Whelen and sold it after getting my first 9.3.

Both are peas in a pod essentially duplicating each other. My preference would be 35cal with a 1:12" twist barrel ... but then I like the 35cals.
Cheers...
Con

I had a 35 Whelen, loved it, killed everything DRT, provided I used good bullets.

I now have a 9.3x62, love it, killed everything so far DRT.(Learned from the 35, NP and bonded bullet only.)

Differences? 250gr bullets faster in 9.3 and you get good selection of 286gr bullets to really wack stuff with. Both calibers are pretty much a handloading only situation if you want maximum preformance out of them. However, excellent, though not inexpencive, factory ammo is available for both. Seems that the selection for 9.3 is better though.

9.3 is legal for nasty stuff in some African locals, 35 is not, but both are not 375 H&H's. That's also an advantage, lighter rifle, less recoil, higher magazine capasity, whatever.

Of the 3 similars, 9.3x62, 35 Whelen and 338-06, I chose the 9.3 and I'm very happy with it.

I don't think it matter much,
I have a whelen and i like ut a lot, but sure i would be just as happy with the 9.3.
Componants are more plentifull for the whelen,
I get 2600 Fps with 250 grain bullets from my mauser with a adams and bennet barrel...tj3006

The 35 Whelen should never had been invented. It followed the 9.3 x 62 by 16 years, has 10% less powder capacity and shoots a smaller bullet.

The choice is easy.

(note: I am a reformed 35 whelen owner and now I have 9.3s instead.)

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
i swear a.r. is a support group for 9,3 people

We won't rest until the 9.3 is in prominance, where it should be!!

Use the 9.3x62mm, it is more versatile than the .35 Whelen, and absolutely efective

Go with the 35 whelen & never look back. MUCH easier finding bulets & basically the same performance. This is the USA....Metrics just don't cut it. No matter how much everyone here seems to want that to be the case.

what 500 Grains said!

Lemme see:

X62 from every major european manufacturer, since 1905.
220, 232,250, 286 and 320gr bullets available in factory loads or as compenents.
Legal for everything in Africa...can we extrapolate that that means it will do for the world?

35W currently loaded by ONE us mfgr in one bullet weight since 199?. Brass available only from that same company.
200-270gr bullets available.

The X62 shoots the 286gr bullet the same speed as the 270gr 35W...that's a 10% heavier bullet with at least some serious increase in ME.

If you do NOT reload, the whelen from Remington, with it's bullet weight/length-limited 1:16" twist will not stabilize even those 250gr, let alone the 270's.

The whelen just is not the first choice anymore for its niche: as a medium heavy Big/DR rifle.

Rich

No doubt in my mind:9,3x62. This 102 year old cartridge was made for a Mauser action.

There are plenty of really good bullets for both, and with such, no beast nor shooter will ever feel the difference.

Pick the one closest to your heart!

I have both calibers but in 2 differents models of firearm.

One pump rifle Rem 7600 in .35 Whel
One Tikka T3 battue in 9.3X62 bolt action rifle

Both calibers are great but I prefer the 9.3X62 for bullet's choice,....

If you prefer bolt action rifle the ONLY choice is 9.3X62

I don't know where the idea started that the 1:16 twist on Remington rifles in 35 Whelen won't stabilize 250 gr. bullets adequately.

I have a Rem 7600 in 35 Whelen. It shoots 250 grain Grand Slams, Woodleighs, A-frames and Nosler all quite nicely - about 1 MOA. The factory Remington ammo shoots at .75 MOA. Never tried anything bigger but I had Superior Ammo make me up a sample pack of 250's and all were great shooters.

The idea that the twist rate in Remington rifles for 35 Whelen is somehow wrong for at least 250 grain bullets is incorrect, in my experience. Opinions vary, though.

quote:

Originally posted by Daks:
I don't know where the idea started that the 1:16 twist on Remington rifles in 35 Whelen won't stabilize 250 gr. bullets adequately.

I have a Rem 7600 in 35 Whelen. It shoots 250 grain Grand Slams, Woodleighs, A-frames and Nosler all quite nicely - about 1 MOA. The factory Remington ammo shoots at .75 MOA. Never tried anything bigger but I had Superior Ammo make me up a sample pack of 250's and all were great shooters.

The idea that the twist rate in Remington rifles for 35 Whelen is somehow wrong for at least 250 grain bullets is incorrect, in my experience. Opinions vary, though.

I agree with all of this, I use Honardy interlock 250 gr RN with my Rem 7600 in .35 Whel. With handloads the Honardy bullets have same accuracy than Rem factory loads.

Daks,
The Whelen was designed as a US heavy game cartridge capable of using 275gr and 300gr projectiles. The 1:16" hampers that design intent. With modern projectiles it's argueable whether you actually need a 275+ gr in a Whelen (or 9.3 ) but the original intent was to allow for their use. I've had the 310gr Woodleigh start to tip at 200m through a Rem700 with 1:16" ... if say I wanted to take on a water buff with a 35Whelen then I'd sure like to use the 310gr Woodleigh FMJ ... but its just not an option in a 1:16".
Luckily my 350RemMag has a 1:12"
Cheers...
Con

I couldnt decide either so I had the whelen built on a vz-24 action and now I'm gathering the parts for a 9.3x62 on a BRNO action. Best of both worlds.

I'm aware of the design intent of the Whelen. However, the point I'm responding to is not whether the 1:16 twist rate is suitable for the cartridge's original intent. I'm responding to the statement that a 1:16 twist rate will not stabilize 250 gr. bullets. It works just fine in my rifle.

If someone wants to shoot heavier stuff, perhaps they will need a different twist rate, as your experience shows. However, for standard 250 grain bullets, the 1:16 works just fine.