9.3x62 Mauser vs .35 Whelen

For me the 9.3x62 always shines with the heavy 293 gr bullets it was designed for. If you want something lighter and faster you go with the 35 Wheelen. Or, in my case with a 9.3x64 (.470) which is a basically a 366 Wheelen from before WWI. Proving again nothing is really new.
 
reloading

Since you currently don't reload ammo is VERY expensive for those two rounds compared to other more available ammo. This might actually push you to reloading after you purchase the rifle and some ammo. Something to think about is which of these two would be easier to reload? I know the 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 headspace off the shoulder. Both of which have a very small shoulder so this can be hard for a beginner reloader to reload (so I've heard) because if you set back your shoulder to far it throws your headspace off...

just something to think about. I will say the ease of which 35 Whelen brass can be made from 30-06 brass gives it an edge over the 9.3x62
 
I know the 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 headspace off the shoulder. Both of which have a very small shoulder so this can be hard for a beginner reloader to reload (so I've heard) because if you set back your shoulder to far it throws your headspace off...
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Simple solution if starting from scratch:
Have the chamber cut for .35 Whelen Ackley Improved, or .358 Hawk.
 
In a controlled round feed action such as Mauser, Ruger, or Winchester classic, the shoulder is a non issue as the claw extractor holds the rim against the bolt face.

The 35 Whelen developed a bit of a reputation for small shoulders when chambered in the Remington pump rifles. A more pronounced shoulder is advised for that application, as well as more moderate pressure levels to aid in extraction.

I wouldn't worry about a push round feed action like a Rem or Savage with either 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 as long as the headspace is set correctly.

Jimro
 
I would think the performance would be virtually identical given the extreme similarity of the two cartridges. May be more bullects available in .358 than in in 9.62mm...
 
A quick check at Midway shows 33 bullet choices in 358 and 26 in 9.3. As the 358 includes thin-skinned ones for the 35 Rem I'd say the supply is about even.
 
The jacketed bullet options are similar, and adequate in both cases for a hunter. Neither round is particularly suited for target work or plinking.

But to paint a fuller picture....

Midwayusa.com lists 101 0.358 caliber bullet molds.

And exactly "zero" 0.368 caliber bullet molds.

I know of one fella who paper patched up a 250gr .358 cast bullet for use in his 9.3x72r Ruger #1 because he didn't have a 9.3 bullet mold to use. Worked out just fine for hunting.

I jumped at the chance to pick up a NOE .368 caliber mold when it was in stock. Swede says he's got a lot of good feedback from users in 9.3x62.

Still, if that mold doesn't work out well for my particular rifle, it's not like there are a lot of other choices.

Jimro
 
Good thing about 35 Whelen is loaded ammo is just not limited to Rem. Barnes,Horandy,Fed,Nosler and Buffalo Bore is making some. I'm not sure how much is made for 9.3x62 Mauser but cost may be the same.

Myself I shoot 35 WhelenAI.
 
I'm sure bullet molds are somehow relevant to the subject of 9.3x62 cartridges. So I'd admit never seen someone use non-jacketed bullets in the caliber.
 
I've never seen someone shoot a cast bullet out of a 35 Whelen either, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In fact I know that it does happen, just not in my shooting circles.

It was the cost of those jacketed bullets that got me looking for a 9.3 bullet mold in the first place. Even the 270gr Speers are 43 cents a pill right now at the cheapest place I could find.

Still I got my mold, and I have my rifle, and if I ever get around to that African Safari I'll not cheap out on the ammunition. But a heavy cast bullet at moderate velocity is just fine for deer hunting, and I believe in practicing with the load you hunt with as much as you can.

Jimro
 
I made a 9.3 out of an old M1917, the WW I rifle that's not a Springfield. It had been sporterized and had a gorgeous stock, so I got the barrel made in the same contour and after all's said & done it goes about 10 1/2 lbs. Probably not a good stalking rifle, but with a thick Kick-Ez pad it's a joy to shoot. The 1917 has a generous mag box, I took just a little off the rails and buffed the follower pretty hard and it feeds easy. The cartridge loads nice. I haven't worked with it too much, haven't been able to shoot since November, but starting out about the middle of published data gets you around 2200 to 2250 with a number of powders and 286 gr. bullet. I'm looking forward to more shooting when weather permits.
 
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Some good points being made here..........

I can only speak from my perspective on this subject, so take my opinions for what they're worth to you.

1. I'm cheap, I shoot cup and core bullets almost exclusively. My "premium" bullet tends to be the old tried and true Partition and I don't shoot many of them. No way on God's green earth I'm going to spring for Buffalo Bore, Nosler, Norma, or other such spendy ammo.
2. I'm a reloader, have been for forty years. Doesn't save me money, just lets me shoot three times as much for the same money.

Having established those facts:

I have owned one 9.3x62, a CZ 550 American. Great rifle, great round, a real thumper on elk. I'm sure it would be an excellent choice for an Alaskan or African rifle. First thing I did when I bought mine was go to Graf and Son's and load up on brass and bullets. I sold the rifle to a friend in the PacNW, he loves the rifle. Bullet weight adds a lot in the recoil dept. My CZ shooting 270 Speers at 2500 fps kicked a heck of a lot harder than my Whelen shooting 250s the same speed. Recoil is highly subjective, so I'll leave it at that.
I have owned three Whelens, all bolt guns. My current is a 35AI on a 1903A3 action, 24" medium weight barrel. Puts 225 Partitions into the same hole at 100 yards. 60 grains RE15 pushes them to 2825fps with zero pressure signs. I have cases that have been reloaded ten times, no signs of splits or separation. Leupy 2.5-8 B&C reticle gets me easily to 400 yards with lots of elk thwack left.
I buy rifles and cartridges that are "magical" to me. I love the Otto Bock story and the history of the 9.3 in South Africa and Rhodesia. I love the whole history of the Whelen too. Townie wandering off into the Canadian wilderness by himself in his early twenties, his history at Frankford arsenal, his relationship with Howe, his military service, his writing, and not to forget all those beautiful Sporters built by Sedgley et.al. The 35 Whelen is beyond a magical cartridge for me. Arguably THE classic All-American cartridge. How it compares ballistically to the 338 WM, or ANY other cartridge is meaningless. It is MY perfect elk rifle.
You can cite trajectories, and b.c's, and energy and velocities 'til the cows come home. What a sterile way to choose a rifle and cartridge that is going to be your companion on those few precious life moments when you're in the mountains doing what you love most. Pick the one that "pushes your buttons", they are both great cartridges. My only admonition would be that they are both effectively reloader's cartridges from a convenience and price standpoint.
 
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