358 Norma MAG vs 338 WIN MAG vs 9.3x62 vs 35 Whelen

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Omenator

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I’m thinking of getting a bear/moose/elk rifle that provides a noticeable boost in power over a 30-06. I know the 30-06, when used with a good bullet would work fine for my intended uses, but I’d like a rifle-cartridge combo that has noticeably increased penetration and energy when plans start falling apart (also such a rifle would be comforting in grizzly country).

At this time I like the following rifle-cartridge combos:
358 Norma MAG in a Husqvarna 1651
338 WIN MAG in a Winchester Model 70 (either a pre-64 Alaskan or one of the new SS ones), a Ruger M77 MKII Stainless, or a Howa 1500 Stainless
9.3x62 in a Brno ZG47 or a Husqvarna 1640
35 Whelen in something that goes BANG!

I hunt mostly treed areas where shooting lanes and game animals rarely coincide, so let’s say max intended range of 300m or so. I’m just comparing cartridges below, not the rifles, as this post is already getting long.
Comparing the cartridges (assuming a 24” or so barrel to keep things even), I see the 358 Norma MAG as the winner in the external and terminal ballistics. However, it is hard to find brass and loading dies for. The 338 WIN MAG is not too far behind the 358 Norma MAG in power, and it’s the easiest of the bunch to find loaded ammo and components for. Both these magnums suffer in one area compared to the 9.3x62 and 35 Whelen, and that’s magazine capacity. I don’t hike with a loaded chamber and the rifles usually only hold 3 magnum vs 5 non-magnum cartridges. As far as I can tell, the 9.3x62 and 35 Whelen are similar in most measurable ballistic categories, so the practical difference is the 35 cal bullets and brass are more available than the 9.3x62 components. I'm having some trouble comparing the 338 WIN MAG vs the 9.3x62 and 35 Whelen as the 338 uses a slightly smaller diameter bullet going a bit faster and I'm not sure what the terminal performance differences would be.

I was hoping to get some insights from those who have used these cartridges or rifles and to get your thoughts on whether it’d be a useful addition to have a rifle in one of these cartridges if I already have a 30-06?
 
I have a 9.3x62, on a husky, it pack's quite a punch and is accurate, Mine is very light 6, 10oz, with irons, Never had any problem finding ammo for it, but few more choices for hunting supplies in Alberta than Okanagan, I am thinking about picking up a 358 Norma, on a Husqvarna, myself, I have no intrest in the 338 or 35Whelen, but they are fine Med bores.
I think you should also consider, the 375H&H, likely the most versatile of the Med bores,
 
I was also considering the 375 H&H in a Montana Rifle Co. V2 (stainless), but that might be too much gun for me. However, other than the 338 WIN MAG, the 375 H&H is better than the other cartridges I was considering as far as availability goes. I also doubt I'd be wishing for more power, and the trajectory is also flatter than most realize...
 
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I have all four of the cartridges that you first mention, all of them will do the job. I have used the 9.3x62 in Africa for 18 head of plains game, with great success. That said I would take the 358 Norma if I only could have one, but then I hand load. For a non hand loader I would look at the 338 Win Mag.
 
I would pick the 338 for simplicity. Lots of factory ammo choices, dies and bullets easy to acquire. I also have a preference for your M70 decision. There was a very nice 9.3 M70 on the EE the other day. Very sharp.

Good Luck!
 
Check out my recent articles in August, as I make comparisons of those except the .358 Norma. To put things in perspective, I've owned several Whelens, two 350 Rem Mags (which is slightly better than the Whelen), three .338 WMs, a .340 WBY, and three .375 H&Hs (which matches the .375 Ruger in handloads.) My current favorite medium is the 9.3 X 62. It lacks nothing compared to a .358 Norma, .338 WM or .375 Ruger when actual best handloads are put to good use. See this writeup by Dr. Don Heath: www.norma.com/cartridge of the month/9.3X62/.com (I hope that works. If not I can email it to you.) It's a very worth while read from a Dr. of Whildlife Biology in Zimbabwe, a renowned PH and author. He has more experience with the 9.3 X 62 than a combined 100 of Internet "experts", like myself, on every African DG and plains game using his beloved 9.3 X 62.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
The truth be known, nothing lacking on any of the choices you've listed, ;)some of which I have.

A pair of 358 NM's. A model 1651 Husqvarna and below, a model 68DL Schultz & Larsen



A Zastava M70 in 9.3x62



And, a pair of 375's. A Winchester model 70 Super Express and below, a custon job in 375 Chatfield Taylor.



Hopefully, sooner or later, they'll all see field use but until ;)then, fun to reload for and shoot:d.
 
The most practical is the 338WM, as ammo and brass is easy to find. A better choice would be a .375 Ruger as it can do anything the others can but offers heavier bullet selection, and can come in a very handy 20" barrel package.

Since you are going to handload anyway, just pick the cartridge that interests you the most. Of the 4 you list, the 9.3 is probably the coolest. I find the 358 Norma the least desirable since if I'm going to have a "magnum" size case I would prefer the larger bullet of the .375's or the better bullet selection of the .338. They will all work fine to fill your needs though, so perhaps you should pick the rifle you like the best and use whatever cartridge it is chambered in.
 
bigborefan: Thanks for the links! Was reading some of your articles on your website, interesting reading and related to what I am asking about. I agree that if I was looking for strictly a bear stopping cartridge, I'd go either 458 WIN MAG or 375 H&H as many of the other "safari" cartridges are uncommon and very expensive.

Johnn Peterson: How do you like the Husqvarna 1651? How many cartridges does it hold in the magazine? Does the action feed the belted mag cartridges smoothly?

Gatehouse: Good point with 338 WIN MAG being the most practical choice as far as logistics goes. Never been much for the 375 Ruger, if I got a 375 it'd be a 375 H&H.

Seems like even more suggestions are popping up, waiting for someone to tell me I don't need anything bigger than a 7mm-08 (all great suggestions so far)
 
Omenator said:
Other than possibly buying some loaded cartridges to get some brass I plan on hand loading. Is there a particular reason you would choose the 358 Norma MAG over the others?
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The 358NM is an excellent med bore. If you are a handloader, there really is not reason not to choose one. Brass is easy with reformed 300WM brass and there's more than enough good bullets to keep any shooter happy.

All four choices are excellent choices. All have good points. The 338/06 could be added to the list as well, but I would tend to like the 35Whelen for practical reasons. Lower recoil, easy brass with reformed 30/06, lighter bbl contours, etc.
 
SuperCub said:
All four choices are excellent choices. All have good points. The 338/06 could be added to the list as well, but I would tend to like the 35 Whelen for practical reasons. Lower recoil, easy brass with reformed 30/06, lighter bbl contours, etc.
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Where the points you listed for or against the 35 Whelen?
I personally don't really see the point of the 338/06 if one already has a 30-06 as the bullet diameter is not much larger and usable bullet weight seems to max out about 250 grns. That's why I only listed the 35 Whelen as it looks like there would be a noticeable increase in performance over the 30-06.
 
Omenator said:
Where the points you listed for or against the 35 Whelen?
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Lower recoil, easy brass with reformed 30/06, lighter bbl contours, etc.

Omenator said:
I personally don't really see the point of the 338/06 if one already has a 30-06 as the bullet diameter is not much larger and usable bullet weight seems to max out about 250 grns. That's why I only listed the 35 Whelen as it looks like there would be a noticeable increase in performance over the 30-06.
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I would agree with that observation.
 
Omenator said:
Johnn Peterson: How do you like the Husqvarna 1651? How many cartridges does it hold in the magazine? Does the action feed the belted mag cartridges smoothly?
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It's a beauty:d.





My interest in that calibre started with the decision to 'collect' the big three efforts of co-operation between Norma and Schultz & Larsen as on the cover of the old Norma reloading manual.



Top down, a model;
- 68DL in 7x61 S&H
- 65DL in 308 NM
- 68DL in 358 NM

During my 'search',Why not? offered the Husqvarna 1651 and after seeing photos of it, I couldn't resist. I had a 'deal' pending on it a short while ago but I didn't really want to part with it and priced it HIGH.
Back to some of your questions, both the S&L and Husky, three in the mag and one in the breach. Also, both feed well without problem.
 
I have a Husqvarna 1640, Winchester Model 70 (Pre-64) and a Brno ZG47 (all 30-06). Of these three, I like the Brno ZG47 the most. The trigger on my Husqvarna is pretty stiff and non-adjustable (I think stoning the trigger is the only way to reduce the pull weight?) and the Winchester Model 70 just doesn't seem to have the build quality of the Brno (flame suit on!).
 
Omenator In post 11 you mention your 7-08, I have one and it's great I've taken elk and bear with it so obviously I bought a 350Rem Mag to back it up. There are many great medium bores mentioned and a lot of good advice but I'd cross the 338 off just because you have to eliminate at least one choice. ��

I would have back the 338wm but I did read some stuff by Nathan Foster that was a little less than favorable.

The one on my wish list is the 358 Norma
 
I've found the 30-06 is a good-for-everything, but great for nothing cartridge. That's why I'm after a medium bore, so instead of splitting the difference with a 30-06, I'm planning on having a light rifle in 6.5mm or 7mm and another in a medium bore. This would cover everything from coyotes to bison.
 
Omenator said:
I've found the 30-06 is a good-for-everything, but great for nothing cartridge. That's why I'm after a medium bore, so instead of splitting the difference with a 30-06, I'm planning on having a light rifle in 6.5mm or 7mm and another in a medium bore. This would cover everything from coyotes to bison.
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sound logic, 9.3 x62 gets my vote, wide range of bullet weights , hits hard , dosnt beat you up-only way to get good is to shoot it often ,
 
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