9.3X62

Very close to our 35 Whelen. Designed for African hunting and was fading out but recently it's seen a renewed interest. In some African countries it's the legal minimum for dangerous game. The 9.3x62 and Whelen had been disappearing because the 'in ' thing was 'magnum ' which everyone wanted. When the magnum fad died down sensible people rediscovered the two cartridges .The perform very well on everything in North America. If you're only hunting in NA take the Whelen .If you are going to hunt in Africa take the 9.3x62 .
 
The caliber is on my short list of calibers to own.

I was going to go with a .375 H&H, but after researching the matter decided on the 9.3 x 62. At present I have a .223 and a .308 for hunting, but want something to fill that gap on the larger end. The 9.3, from all appearances, does that very well.

Biker
 
I built one for a customer a couple of years back. Essentially a metric version of the 35 Whelen, same power range and benefits. Seems like a neat way to get into the big end of things without going magnum.
 
You obviously mend the 35 Whelen is the inch version of the 9.3x62 ;)
I have a Merkel SR1 in this caliber (bought to hunt European boars, just never got to it). With the 285 grain bullets it's one of my heavier recoiling guns, so I don't shoot it too much, but 3500 ft lb out of a semi auto is impressive. In the US outside Alaska the cartridge is probably overkill for anything but elk and oryx. "Cheap" (as in $1 a round) ammo is available from Prvi, so it's not to terrible to shoot.
 
I have a hunting buddy that owns one. Real light weight about 7.5 lbs loaded, recoil with 286 grain bullets is brutal from the bench. Pretty nice carry rifle and not to bad to shoot off hand in field positions as long as your not prone.
 
9.3 is a good "non-magnum" way to get yourself into larger game hunting. I have one that I built for myself and have built 2 for customers after showing and talking about mine. Mine is built traditionally on a Mauser action and in the "Express" rifle design. I have used this gun with great effect on a moose in ME last season as well as a black bear 2 years ago. A few deer have fallen to it as well and though it's a bit large for deer it does a nice job with no meat damage. another member mentioned that it is the smallest legal caliber for certain game in certain regions of Africa and this is true. With proper loads and bullets it's capable of putting down anything. I reload for mine, but several major companies offer factory loadings. I think Hornady actually does as well. The common bullet weight is 286 gr. and both brass and bullets are readily available. There are other choices that will do just as well if your not heading to the dark continent that may be easier to find. .338WM comes to mind immediately
 
I just bought a Blaser R8 with 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 barrels. Though I haven't shot it yet, I'm looking forward to it.
 
You might also consider the 338-06. Plentiful '06 brass, medium powders, regular primers, and bullets from 180 to 250. My converted 700 recoils like an '06 with 180s; however, I'm pushing 200gr Hornadys to 2810. Will shoot flatter than the 9.3, but the critters won't be able to tell inside of 250 yards. They'll be deader than dead with any decent placement.
 
Made this one at least 18 or more years a go.
Mauser commercial banner action on sale 3 for 99$ back then...! Lothar Walther barrel, Timneys trigger and bubinga wood stock of my own design, since 2008 it wear a 3-12x50 A4 reticle 4200 Elite scope( to big but excellent for dawn and dusk ) I reload exclusively with Norma cupro-nickel jacket dual core 286 grain ( discontinued ) over a healty load of IMR 3031 WLR primers.
The large triple shotgun pad and the oversize but reduce the felt recoil to a 30.06 level .
________
roberto
 

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Only real bummer is that .366" bullets are pricey and may be hard to find except with big sellers. Not a cheap caliber to shoot.
 
The 9.3x62 is really a 90% solution to the 375 H&H.

Capable of a 286gr pill at 2400 fps it has proven itself in Africa.

I shoot the Prvi Partizan 285 soft point ammo because it is the only reasonable option as far as price goes. But there are plenty of premium bullets and ammo available for the 9.3s. Just wish I could get a 9.3 bullet die, that would make shooting a bit cheaper.

9.3x62 reloading dies are very reasonable from RCBS and if you really must you can form from 30-06 brass (neck up to .375 then back down to 9.3 to create a false shoulder, then trim and fireform).

Jimro
 
Agree SaxonPig, when I stock up on my bullets it was a tremendous deal, I paid $10 x100units and brass $6 for 20 units , I build the gun on that strenght!! Now the lowest price for bullets is Privi at $46 x100units, Norma from $36 to $45 x50units (Vulkan and Alaskan ) Nosler $59.50 x50 ( partition), Barne $ 57.50 x50 (TSX) and Swift $ 72 x50 (A Frame)...!!!
 
What would be a good scope for that caliber? I recently got a Trijicon 1.25-4x24 for it, but would be open to other ideas. The Trijicon Accupoint has illuminated post reticle. I thought it would be good for big game relatively close, but I know the round will reach out a fair distance, too.
 
All good information. I have never owned one, but I was thinking about changing that. My son lives in Alaska, and I go there to fish mainly, and this year possibly hunt a little. I wanted to find a rifle lighter than my big boomers, and that shoots easier. He would probably practice more with such a rifle, and it would be mainly his field gun when he is out & about... He could use it for Caribou and stuff like that. He doesn't hunt bear, but one never knows if you may get in a pinch and need a little punch ... otherwise a .300 mag would probably fill the bill nicely.
 
ammo for the 9.3

I noticed that Hornady is now making loads for the 9.3! I am a little leery of the bullets that Hornady uses, in house, for dangerous game, otherwise I have had no problems with their ammo. I would prefer other brand bullets like North Folk bullets or Trophy Bonded. I think the standard Hornady bullets would be fine for Caribou or Moose, but in Alaska uninvited guests like the "Ursus arctos" may ruin the party!
 
Bohica6284

Could you build one on my O3'A3 action? It is a perfectly working rifle with a synthetic stock, but, is it strong enough for you to build it up to the 9.3???
 
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