The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 376 Steyr vs. 9.3X62Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I want a cartridge with good knock down power for ranges out to 250 yards. I hunt blacktail deer in the brush and timber as well as elk. Additionally, I will use the rifle on wild boar and black bears regularly. On occassion it will go on trips with me for other game, typically in the 400 pound range. The action this rifle will be built on will be a standard length (30-06) action, possibly a 1903 Springfield. I have heard that the 376 operates on high pressures to get the velocity up. If that is true, I might be inclined to not consider it for the rifle build. Now, give me your ideas on pros and cons with these calibers, or should I just forget it and stick with my 338 Win Mag? | ||
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My vote would be for the 9.3 x62mm due to the lower pressures and recoil. It would be adequate for all of the quarry you specified and then some. The availability of .375 bullets gives is a pro on the 376 Steyer, but the extra pressure, noise and recoil hurt it a bit. If you want a little more oomph than the 9.3x62, you can always look at the new Sako 9.3x66. John | |||
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If you are using a 1903 Springfield I would definately go with the 9,3x62. Feeding will be much easier as the 9,3 is about the same size in the body as the 30-06. 286 gr Woodleigh softs and 286 gr Nosler Partitions will work great. I have used those bullets in my 9,3x74R double rifle at @2330fps with excellent results on deer, pigs black bear waterbuck and kudu as well as other game. You could even make your riufle with a 20 or 21 inch bbl and have all the power and velocity you need for the contitions you describe. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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The Styer is a great cartridge but some are afraid it won't last and factory brass will become a problem. Frankly, I think a hundred cases is about a lifetime supply for that class round. The 9.3 has more nostalgia and history going for it; the 376 has more energy and bullet choices. That's not to say the 9.3 bullets are limited; they just don't match the 375 choices. Either can be fitted to an '06 class action pretty easy but the 9.3 is easiest. As far as pressures, the Steyr is around 60,000 psi or in the same class as the 300 Win Mag and brothers. An '03 in good shape can handle that, no problem in Nort America. Lots have been made up into 300 Win, 264, 7 Mag and the like. Max CIP 9.3 pressure is 56,500 psi but most loads are in the 52,000-54,000 range. I would compare the Steyr more to the 9.3 x 64 which happens to be it's parent case. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
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Speer makes a good 270 grn 9,3 vullet and Norma?rws supply bullets in 232 and 256grn. I use the speer bullets for all my plainsgame hunting - a 270grn bullet @2400 fps gets most jobs done well despite the speer bullets being pretty "soft". Obviously, for dangerous game I use Stuart softs or woodleigh solids. | |||
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On a Springfield the 35 Whelen is the way too go  | |||
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I've taken both to Africa and frankly speaking, in the field I didn't see much difference on game. Both hit them hard and put them down quickly (300-grain Woodleigh PPs in the .376 Steyr and 286-grain Nosler Partitions in the 9.3x62, both running somewhat over 2300 fps). In the Springfield action I'd go for the 9.3x62 just for the ease of conversion. --- Eric Ching "The pen is mightier than the sword...except in a swordfight." | |||
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The 9.3x62mm, or 9.3x64mm, would be the way to go. This is based more on ammo availability than anything else. True, there is a wonderful supply of .375 bullets out there, but what are you going to do for brass if and when this proprietary round goes under? The two 9.3mm rounds are here to stay, especially the 9.3x62mm, which is a pleasure to shoot, there's lots of reloading data, and strong popularity everywhere except the USA. LLS  | |||
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Pssst.... Just go buy a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 for about $500 and you're done. | |||
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Consider the 375 Whelen AI. Dies will get you for $100 but you use practically free '06 brass, ballistically as good as the 9.3x62 and you use .375 bullets (ie. the the 235 Barnes TSX, 260 Accubond), NO mag or bolt face alterations at all. Why mess with the Steyr unless you're working with a mid sized Mauser (M48 or 1910 Mex etc.)? The round goes back to at least 1951 which for a young buck like me is plenty nostalgic---and, while we're considering irrelevant but fun aspects...It's American made. Appropriate for the 03. Honestly I'd probably do a 35 Whelen on an 03 just cause I've always wanted one but I wouldn't trade my 375 AI for anything. Shilen makes a #3 .375 barrel, cut it to 21 or 22 and you have a first rate quick handling mountain brush gun. Mine on a VZ will hold 3/4 all day. OK, rant over... In exchange for this sage advice, I want a chunk of that burl.  Jay Kolbe | |||
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There is a lot of history behind the gun and myself, but that is a long story over the last 20 years. 
I have been cutting more of this up and I realized that you guys have not seen the really good pieces yet. I already sealed them for drying with Anchorseal, but I have three more slabs to cut. iwill try to take pictures of more of those soon.  This piece is nice, but I have better. I know a lot of people do not like the graft line in the wood, but i have a piece that has the graft line at about 1/2 down the buttstock section for a double. It is all English in the pistol grip and down towards the butt, but the lower portion at the butt is Claro and heavy figure. | |||
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I vote for the 9.3x62mm. Performance wise, I think that it has the edge on heavy game due to heavier bullet factory stuff (RWS 293 gr, 2430 fps, 3842 fpe) and if you reload to seat the bullets out in both of them, I would put them both in the same class loaded with equal pressures with equal bullet weights. It will fit straight into a standard action without too much fiddling or loosing a round in the magazine and you can get ammo and components about anywhere in the world. The Steyr will be difficult to get outside the States and may or may not be around in a decade. The 9.3x62mm is coming up on the 100 year mark now so I think it would be safe to say it will be still alive an kicking in the years to come. Cheers, Rich | |||
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IIRC, the 9.3x62 was a 1905 invention, so it has now officially passed the 100 year mark... | ||
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333 OKH, I shoot the .376 Steyr, and used it in Zim in September and October. Hot, but no pressure signs. The .376 Steyr is a 9.5X60 in metric terms, and fits nicely in an intermediate-length action. I have a commercial Mauser to complement my ProHunter Steyr -- the Mauser will be stocked in wood. For your M1903 I think I would go with the 9.3X62, it is an easier way to go. jim if you're too busy to hunt,you're too busy. | |||
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Of these two, 9,3x62. Accurate, burns little powder, hits hard. Very easy to handload. | |||
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Thanks all! I appreciate your comments and think the 9.3X62 will be the way I go. It kind over covers part of my 338 Win Mag's territory, but thats okay. | |||
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