06 March 2006, 06:36
333_OKH9.3X62mm vs. 376 Steyr (9.55 x 60 mm)
I know this was already listed on one of the AR pages but I cannot find it so thought I would start it again, although I am very hesitant to do so. I f I remember right this opened up a lot of strong opinions, but the little 376 seems to be a strong cartridge for areas with less than 250 yard shots.
What do you all think?
06 March 2006, 06:56
vapodogNeither is terribly popular in north America and as an African Cartridge the 9.3 X 62 has to be the better choice.
If the cartridge is primarily for North American use I'd likely opt for something other than either of them. Maybe the 35 Whelen or 338 magnum or even the .375 H&H.
Both are eminently powerful and both have fine bullets available so I'd say that it depends on where you're going and what floats your boat.
Of the two, I'd pick the 9.3 but given other options.....look elsewhere.
06 March 2006, 18:13
SlingsterI have both (.376 Steyr Scout and Blaser R93 in 9.3x62) and have taken both to Africa. I consider both to be excellent general purpose cartridges for Africa. The factory-loaded 270s in the .376 Steyr, however, are too fragile for reliability on bigger game, in my opinion, so one needs to reload premium bullets for it.
I loaded 300-grain Woodleigh PPs in the .376 Steyr and 286-grain Nosler Partitions in the 9.3x62, and velocities were both in the 2330 fps range. Both were heavy hitters and quick killers, and I'd say they're pretty much equivalent in the field.
The .376 Steyr's advantage is that it takes .375" bullets, can be made up in a slightly shorter action, and can be the equivalent of the .375 H&H in a same-length barrel with less recoil. The 9.3x62's advantage is that it has a standard case head and length and is easier to build a custom rifle around, plus there are more factory rifles available.