356 or 9.3x62?

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revolver_ocelot

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i've been looking for a 356 winchester for some time now, and everybody seems to be asking quite a premium for these. i know they are rare, but its kind of funny that they are that way because nobody wanted them in the first place. anyhow, i've had a few guys asking around the 1000 mark, some nice, some not so nice condition and some with a few extras. best example a gentleman has with lots of brass and some leads and bases. nice guy too.

now, i can get a brand new cz 550 lux in 9.3 for about 969 taxes in and shipped. my concern with the 356 is if they stop making brass and discontinue the ammunition, which i suppose could happen. i would think the 9.3x62 will be around for a long time to come.

is the 356 really worth it under these circumstances? i really like the idea of the 356 but am having a hard time justifying it compared to the cz?

any guesses on whether components will be around for a long time?

cheers
 
"...my concern..." Buy brass(as much as you can afford), dies and a shell holder even if you don't reload now. Ditto for the 9.3. Neither cartridge is exactly common, but having the reloading kit for 'em means you'll never be without ammo.
In any case, the .356 was dropped by Winchester in 1987, re-instated then dropped again in the mid 90's. So you're looking for a used rifle. The ammo is still being made though.
 
I'd go with the Mauser 9.3x62. It's been around a 100 years and is designed for bolt action rifles. Whereas the 356 is for a lever action rifle. The brass on the 356 differs due to it being semi-rimmed for extraction. If I were spending 1K$, components/ammo availability + proven big game ability + a CZ platform = a winner in my opinion.
 
.358, there's always going to be .308 brass, perhaps not .307 semi-rimmed brass, otherwise essentially they are the same cartridge... I have a rechambered .35 Rem in .358/.356... I cut the rim channel so that I can shoot either of the cartridges out of the same chamber.
 
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Comparing a lever and a bolt rifle is a bit apples and oranges, and comparing the .356 and 9.3x62 is also apples and oranges too.

If you've got your heart set on a .356 then basically that's that (do it:)), but looking at it from purely a practical sense, it's a no-contest in favor of the 9.3, particularly if you are willing to pick up a nice used one for about half the cost of the lever.
 
Northman999 said:
Comparing a lever and a bolt rifle is a bit apples and oranges, and comparing the .356 and 9.3x62 is also apples and oranges too.

If you've got your heart set on a .356 then basically that's that (do it:)), but looking at it from purely a practical sense, it's a no-contest in favor of the 9.3, particularly if you are willing to pick up a nice used one for about half the cost of the lever.
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The .356 doesn't have to be a lever... there are also singles and double rifles as well as some converted bolt actions... my rechamber was on an H&R Handi rifle... the rim is preferred by many in a break action for the positive extraction.
 
hoytcanon said:
The .356 doesn't have to be a lever... there are also singles and double rifles as well as some converted bolt actions... my rechamber was on an H&R Handi rifle... the rim is preferred by many in a break action for the positive extraction.
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Yes, you are correct, of course, most anything could actually be chambered for this cartridge.


I kind of assumed he was referring to a lever, as those are all I've personally ever seen, and the $1000 price tag the OP was finding seemed to also indicate one of the now highly sought after levers.
 
SuperCub said:
A far better 35cal lever action choice would be the BLR in 358Win.
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thought about that too, and i think a new one can be had for similar money. had a 356 many years ago when i was a kid. wish i hadn't sold it so long ago. i just feel kinda funny paying such big bucks for it, especially when i know what i bought and sold mine for years back. 700 for a complete set up would be acceptable, but 1000 just seems steep.
 
The .356 and 9.3x62 are quite different animals. You could obviously load a 9.3x62 down to .356 levels if you wanted to, but in that case why not just go with a 9.3x57 from Trade-Ex? On the other hand a 9.3x62 with higher intensity loads is nipping at the heals of the .375 H&H in terms of practical performance.
 
Get both. They're two completely different rifles and yes, they're both awesome in their own way. I have a CZ 9.3 x 62 and it's great. I also have the BLR 358 and wouldn't part with either.
 
A quality Win 356 big bore should come up for sale every now and then for about the 650 mark - or a little more if pristine. That's what I have seen IME in the past few years here in Ontario. However bidding your time and then buying without any delay when one is sourced will be required. That said, prices do inch up over time on quality specimens.

The 9.3x62 bests the 356Win ballistically for big game. However in the handy-to-carry consideration, the 356Win BB carries light like any thutty thutty but with significantly more authority.
 
Finger Toes said:
Offering a BLR as a choice over a traditional lever action is like dating Amy Farrah Fowler instead instead of Penny.
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Valid, but Amy is randy as a two-peckered goat and just happy for the attention. There's something to be said for enthusiasm.

But I digress...You don't have to worry about 9.3x62 brass. It can be readily formed from 30-06 brass. You can get a good 9.3x62 for much less than the price of a new CZ by shopping the Mausers at TradeEx. It's the legal exception to many ".375" minimum" rules for dangerous game which is telling too.

And keep in mind that the 366 Wagner (as it's properly called) is the official rifle of CGN's most discerning gunnutz. That should be reason enough.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Valid, but Amy is randy as a two-peckered goat and just happy for the attention. There's something to be said for enthusiasm.

But I digress...You don't have to worry about 9.3x62 brass. It can be readily formed from 30-06 brass. You can get a good 9.3x62 for much less than the price of a new CZ by shopping the Mausers at TradeEx. It's the legal exception to many ".375" minimum" rules for dangerous game which is telling too.

And keep in mind that the 366 Wagner (as it's properly called) is the official rifle of CGN's most discerning gunnutz. That should be reason enough.
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:) Bingo. There may be a need to add one more to my little family,;) a 366 Wagner. At the moment, the closest I have is a 'pair' in .358 Norma Magnum, one of which I purchased from said gunnut.

 
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