ligonierbill
New member
Glad you brought up that classic, one of my favorites. Here's an interesting comparison with the 338 Win Mag. With 250s, my 338 shades my 9.3 by 150-200 fps. Better BC, too, so the 338 wins out at moderately long hunting ranges. I might get more out of the 9.3 safely, but accuracy falls off over 2,500.
But if I were going "in the alders", I would load 275 Swift A-Frames in my 338. They go 2,491 avg and are very accurate. Or, I might just take the 9.3, loading 286 A-Frames at 2,472. Also very accurate. I should note that my Sauer 9.3 gives up 2" in barrel length to my Savage 338.
So, at least in my rifles, they are awfully close. I'd probably take the 9.3. How about recoil? Yes, I have fired these rifles back to back, and cannot honestly detect any difference. You don't have to call yourself a "magnum" to hit hard (at either end).
PS: Folks worry too much about bears. There are lots of hazards that you face everytime you leave camp. Or, in camp, those ornery pack mules scare me.
But if I were going "in the alders", I would load 275 Swift A-Frames in my 338. They go 2,491 avg and are very accurate. Or, I might just take the 9.3, loading 286 A-Frames at 2,472. Also very accurate. I should note that my Sauer 9.3 gives up 2" in barrel length to my Savage 338.
So, at least in my rifles, they are awfully close. I'd probably take the 9.3. How about recoil? Yes, I have fired these rifles back to back, and cannot honestly detect any difference. You don't have to call yourself a "magnum" to hit hard (at either end).
PS: Folks worry too much about bears. There are lots of hazards that you face everytime you leave camp. Or, in camp, those ornery pack mules scare me.