.375 H&H Vs .338win VS. 9.3 X62?

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lyle1

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I would like to hear peoples' thoughts on these cartridges for Elk and Moose
hunting only. Maximum ranges would be 200 yard bush hunting. Are these guns too much? I like the idea of heavy, slow bullets for close up bush hunting, rather than light bullets at high velocitys. Real world experiences on game effectiveness and recoil would be appreciated. Also thoughts on higher end, particular brands, and models of rifles, would be great.;)
 
All right here is some limited experience. Inside 200yds there is a pile of cartridges that will do the same job here. Your choices aren't too much provided you are comfortable shooting them. I've shot elk with 35 whelen, 308 Norma Mag, 30-06, and 270 win. The norma is the only one that dropped the elk on the spot, but it was more to do with the shot placement. All the others expired inside of 100yds or so. Find one you like, my last two were taken with the 270, and I have to say it did pretty much the same job as any cartridge would to. My meager load pushed a 140g tsx out at 2880, elk were taken at around 275yds. I'd take the whelen over the 9.3, but can't really back that up with any data, I just like it. Handle alot of rifles, and get what you like, some guys like stainless/synthetics, most of the smart guys :) like nice walnut, and bluing. Get yourself some higher end glass as well, you won't ever regret spending on optics.
 
If it's "just" elk and moose hunting, you forgot the 35 whelen. Seriously though, all of those will work; in fact, they're all a bit more than you need. No elk or moose won't fall to a 30-06, and if it doesn't, the shooter needs to look at himself, and not the gun in his hands. I plan on eventually getting a 375H&H.........not because I think that I need one, but because I want one.
Mike
 
.375 Ruger

What else do you have in your lineup? If you have a .300 or 30-06 you may want to just jump past the .338 and 9.3 into the .375.

They will all kill an elk or moose quite well, so it comes down to your preference in rifle, availability of ammo if you are not a handloader andyour recoil tolerance, as the 9.3 likely will give you the least amount of kick.
 
375

375 H&H is a great bush gun. That is what I use for my elk hunting. I hunt in pretty thick bush. I have tried others and they work. But I always go back to the H&H it works the best. smashes bush and bone
 
You don't really need to go as big as you're suggesting. 30-06 works perfectly for your application. A 338 WM would be a fine choice as would be the 9.3x62. Easier to find ammo for the 338 but at the expense of more (slightly) recoil. I love my 9.3x62 btu am also considering building a 338 WM.
 
I'd be more concerned with learning to create optimal opportunities to shoot an elk or moose. The choice of cartridge is much less important.
 
My "big" gun now is a .300 win Mag. It is a great cartridge, I am have used it for years, but I have the "bug" for one of these "big" bores. I really have bought into the heavy, big bore cartridges, at slower velocities, for under 200yard bush shooting. I know the 30:06 class of calibers would do a good job as well, but one of three previous cartridges I mentioned would be alot of fun as well.....:) I have handloaded my own shells for years, so availability of factory ammo is not a concern. What would you expect the real life recoil
differences between the three cartridges assuming rifles of the same weight?
Any suggestions, experiences, with the various "European" rifle brands?
 
lyle1 said:
My "big" gun now is a .300 win Mag. It is a great cartridge, I am have used it for years, but I have the "bug" for one of these "big" bores. I really have bought into the heavy, big bore cartridges, at slower velocities, for under 200yard bush shooting. I know the 30:06 class of calibers would do a good job as well, but one of three previous cartridges I mentioned would be alot of fun as well.....:) I have handloaded my own shells for years, so availability of factory ammo is not a concern. What would you expect the real life recoil
differences between the three cartridges assuming rifles of the same weight?
Any suggestions, experiences, with the various "European" rifle brands?
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Well, if you have a .300, skip over the .338's for close work, they really don't have much more to impress in this situation. Go right up to the .375's and feel cool. FOr sub 200 yards the 300 gr Hornady Round nose looks badass and kills good...:p
 
I've been looking at the new CZ550 carbine w/kevlar stock, 20" barrel, in 9.3x62. Compact rifle with some decent thump that won't beat you up too much.
 
My preference of a medium bore is the .375 as I believe it to be the most versatile of the options. Seeing that you currently shoot a .300, the .375 will be manageable and probably exhilarating. Remember, its not about what you need, its about what you want.
 
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I have a 375h&h the 338win and a 9.3 x64. I have taken game with all of them. There is not much difference in killing power in my opinion. The 338 caused a bit more meat dammage and makes up for the smaller diameter bullet with the extra velocity. Nosler Partitions were used in all 3 rifles.

The biggest difference is the rifles them selves.

The 375H&H is a Win mod 70 with a 24" bbl. It is the biggest, heaviest and most clumsy, especially due to the long magnum length action.

The 338 is a commercial 98 action and, at the time had a 24" bbl and is the lightest due to bbl contour.

The 9.3 is a 98 action with a 22" bbl and very short LOP. Despite the bbl being heavier than the 338, it is the quickest and most lively rifle of the 3 rifles and is my favorite by far.
 
Out of the 3 you mention I'd go with the .375. Between that and your .300, you would have most everything covered, never mind 200 yard moose. You have that now with your .300.

Recoil is a funny thing, I find the kick of a .375 to be less than the .338 in similar rifles. A 10 pound .375 is easier to shoot than some light .300s as well. My .338 Win is only 7 pounds, and gets right lively.
 
The very clear choice is the 9.3x62 of the 3 you mentioned.(if you handload) It has the least recoil. Can be loaded with 250 grain bullets to the same velocity as the 338 Win with 250 grain. Then if needed you can load up 286 grain bullets to very close to 375 H&H 300 grain factory loads. All this in a standard length action that holds 5 down!!! Easy choice.
 
Dogleg said:
Out of the 3 you mention I'd go with the .375. Between that and your .300, you would have most everything covered, never mind 200 yard moose. You have that now with your .300.

Recoil is a funny thing, I find the kick of a .375 to be less than the .338 in similar rifles. A 10 pound .375 is easier to shoot than some light .300s as well. My .338 Win is only 7 pounds, and gets right lively.
Click to expand...

So true. For something in the mid range caliber size, I've split the difference somewhat and went with the 358 Norma Magnum. I hope to eventually get that caliber in a Schultz & Larsen but until then, I have it in a model 1651 Husqvarna I picked up from Why not?. So far, all I've really put through it is some 250gr Norma factory ammo and compared to a few other calibers I have, it's not all that hard to handle.
 
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