The Accurate Reloading Forums
Medium bore rifle decision
12 January 2004, 04:40
mcbMedium bore rifle decision
I have a spare 30'06 Remington M700 ADL (in an H-S Precision stock) available for rebarreling and am trying to chose a medium bore cartridge that will fill the gap between my other '06 and my 375 H&H. I've narrowed my choices to the 338'06, 35 Whelen, and the 9.3x62. I don't suppose I really "need" the extra horsepower for hunting around home but I'll have to hunt elk some day, hope to get to Alaska in the next year or so, and plan to return to Africa to fill out my wish list. Any suggestions as how I can move off the bubble? Good hunting! McB
12 January 2004, 05:04
jstevensI was in the same position, was thinking .338-06, but when you really look the 9.3x62 will do what it will, plus you have the 286, 300, and 320 grain capability for some real smash. I bought a CZ 9.3, it shoots 1" with the first load I worked up for it 59 gr RL15 with a 286 Nosler at 2418 fps. I can't think of anything better for large plains game in Africa. Cases are available from Graf's for roughly $30 a hundred, bullets are pretty common now, too. for general plains game I will probably try some 250 grain North Forks at 2600-2650, just haven't tried them yet.
12 January 2004, 05:10
OldsargeStevens is right. Now that components are easy to come by, the ol' 9.3x62 simply overwhelms anything else in the same general class. I suspect that if it had come out a bit earlier or had been chambered in British rifles, even my beloved .318 Westley Richards would have been stillborn. Paul Mauser was a genius, even greater, perhaps, than John Browning because he designed cartridges as well as firearms. Just do it!
12 January 2004, 05:17
SlingsterI also concur on the 9.3x62 as the preferred medium bore rebarreling choice for a .30-06 rifle.
12 January 2004, 07:05
<9.3x62>I am on the horns of a similar dilemma (again): I've narrowed it down to the 338-06, the 35 Whelen and the 8mm-06. I've owned all multiple rifles in all three and have nothing but praise for each of them.
Personally, I use my 9.3x62s *instead* of the 375. Thus, if you want to split the difference between the 30-06 and the 375, I'd suggest the 338-06 (of the choices you listed).
9.3
12 January 2004, 07:08
RicochetAll right then, just to be different, I'll cast a vote for the good old American classic .35 Whelen.
12 January 2004, 07:10
Frank NowakowskiI've got a .338-06 and one of the CZ's in 9.3x62. I like both. The 9.3 does seem to be a bit TOO close to my .375 though. Love these sorts of dilemmas! Which FUN gun to use??
I'm impressed with the CZ platform and the 9.3x62 cartridge. Haven't heard of a single CZ 9.3 that hasn't easily shot well. I can't think of a better choice,especially for the money. then again a Wby Ultra Lt Wt in .338-06 would be cool too!
Elk season of 2004 should finally get the 9.3 bloodied. Looking forward to finally getting some Talleys and mounting a scope on it.
FN in MT
12 January 2004, 08:14
woofereasy, whelen....
woofer
12 January 2004, 14:50
tom ga hunterwhelen, you can order cheep brass.. i will never own another wildcat
12 January 2004, 16:18
Major Caliber35 Whelen, brass, ammo, bullets and dies are cheaper, maybe the 9.3x62 is a fraction better with the real heavy bullets, but the animals will never tell the difference.
12 January 2004, 16:43
SabotAmong you existing choices: 9.3X62, but it is VERY close in field application to your 375 H&H. If you handload down a bit the 375 IS a 9.3X62.
I would do a classic and open up the bolt face to .532 and chamber the bbl to 338 Win Mag. It will sort of do almost anything the 375 OR the '06 will do and is flexible to handload.
The sad truth is that if you have an '06 and a 375, you really don't NEED anything else, especially if you handload.
12 January 2004, 16:51
TC1Quote:
I've got a .338-06 and one of the CZ's in 9.3x62. I like both. The 9.3 does seem to be a bit TOO close to my .375 though. Love these sorts of dilemmas! Which FUN gun to use??
DITTO,Another thing to keep in mind is if you're going to the expense of rebarreling the rifle, opening up the bolt face is only about $30-35 more. Don't feel like you have choose on a 30-06 based cartridge.
Terry
12 January 2004, 17:32
Steve HuntsI'd choose the Whelen hands down. It's the American classic and the cheapest and easiet to get components for. Plus, Finn Aagaard loved it.
Steve
12 January 2004, 18:45
fredj338.338-06, just because & the 9.3 is so close to your .375. It will be a bit flatter shooting, especially w/ the exc/ 210grNP. A great 8# elk whacker!
The wildcat thing is much ado about nothing. Brass is easily made from 06 or Whelen. Huge selection of .338 bullets & you can even have a factory load if you really want one by Weatherby.
12 January 2004, 18:59
kutenaymtnboyI think that you will find that the 9.3x62 was actually designed by Otto Bock, a Berlin gunmaker in about 1905, it slightly precedes the .318 Westley. It would, almost certainly have been as popular as the immortal .375 ouch & ouch, perhaps more so, if it were not for these minor incidents, WW1 and WW2.I have it's rimmed equivalent in a Merkel drilling, the 9.3x74R with 286 N.P.s @ 2300+ and .75" groups @ 100 yds. It do drop 'em!
I have both a Brno ZG-47 and a Mauser "Banner" of 1933 which are becoming 9.3x62s as time and money permit. It's an oldie, but, like the 98, the 1911, the Pre-64 70 and the 1886, it's a goodie!
13 January 2004, 05:51
fish280whelen throated and spun tight for the heavier/longer bullets if you want 'em. for deer, you gots your long but light(er) BTs. for your elk, etc., you got your 250s, even 300s.
but what do i know? just whitetail for me.
13 January 2004, 07:49
Savage99I just don't see a Remington action with it's shortcomings and a blind magazine as that all that interesting as a medium bore rifle.
The 700 is already in the most popular cartridge so it's value is maximum as it is. What could be easier than that? Run the numbers with the 30-06 handloaded with a 200 gr bullet and put it up against a .35 Whelan at 300 yds with whatever bullet is optimum.
If the 30-06 barrel is worn out and no amount of tweeking will revive it then a smaller cartridge would go with the 700's features but not as a heavy game rifle.
Just my opinion.
15 January 2004, 16:46
Whelen35The 35 Whelen improved is the way to go. Easy 2800fps with 225gr bullets, and easy 2600+ with 250's. A out to 300ys gun the is easy to shoot, find brass for, stops stuff fast, and just plain is a cool looking case.
15 January 2004, 19:23
PaulHWell I had two rifles put together when I couldnt decide. One is a 338-06 AI on a Interarms Mark X. The second is a .358 Norma on a '43 M98 action. I love 'em both.
I like the 9.3x62 (I own one) and can attest to the virtues of this round. I have never owned the other two so can't comment. But the 9.3x62 is just great.