The moose rifle selection: 35 Whelen vs. 9.3x62 vs. 375 H&H vs 375 Ruger

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canoetrpr

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Ok I know that both my current hunting rifles will take a moose no problem: Win 70 in 30-06 and Cooper M52 in 280AI. But that's not the point is it?

I have my first moose hunt all booked with some buddies for fall 2014 so in these cold winter months I have nothing else to do other than fantasize about what new caliber might make a PERFECT moose rifle. You know the kind that will knock the critter down like the hammer of Thor. I know, I know, nothing bigger than a 30-06 is necessary with decent shot placement but being only 2 years into guns I don't nearly have enough rifles and a new game animal might as well be an excuse to fantasize about one.

I was convinced that 35 Whelen is the way to go. I like the 30-06 case. Pretty darn efficient caliber to be able to shoot a .358 bullet out of it with decent performance at 200 m. Problem seems to be desirable rifles in this caliber seem hard to come by. I don't want to spend Cooper money this time around. I'd happily get a new Winchester 70 if they made it in this caliber but I'd rather not go and get one custom made as I won't get that money back if I resell at some point. I prefer to keep my purchase stock for this hunting rifle.

Happened to run into the 9.3x62 while researching and it seems the CZ 550 can be had in one. Then I saw a photo of a FS 550. WOW! Pretty nice looking rifle for 1/2 of Sako or Cooper money. I can't figure out who carries these in Canada but they do seem to sell them. Does the FS affect the accuracy of the rifle in anyway? Anyone know what the trigger is like on these rifles?

375 H&H seems handily available and is a classic caliber. Not sure I want a belted magnum but this is probably a good caliber to have after a 30-06 but expensive to shoot at the range I imagine. Likely a bit more punishing in the recoil department? One can dream of a buffalo hunt with this in the safe (even if it is only a fantasy).

375 Ruger seems like an improved H&H. I tend to be drawn towards the classic cartridges but this sounds pretty neat.

I'm leaning either towards the 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 CZ 550 FS if one can be found. I do have quite a bit of time and my wife's put me on a budget so I need to save up for a few months.

Which of these would make the perfect 'bang-flop' moose rifle to you and why?
 
Lol I can't recommend anything because I'm biased... I love the ol' 30-06 that you said you didn't want to hear about lol. I shot my first moose last fall with my faithful '06, and it dropped faster than a hookers bloomers lol. 5 years before I went, one of the guys that went with me got a tag, and had a nice 35 whelen in his gun cabinet, and shot his moose with a .308.

Pick whatever calibre intrigues you the most... They will all work just fine, so I guess the correct answer I whichever one you want.
 
375 Ruger is just a fad, so toss that one... :evil::nest:

375H&H is pretty classic and there is a fair amount of offerings chambered in the venerable H&H.

9.3x62 and 35 Whelen - Both can utilize -06 brass.

As to the full stock CZ, I shot one chambered in 30-06 two weeks ago and was pretty impressed.
 
I had one experience with the .35 Whelen on moose. Large bull(900 plus on the hoof) at maybe 40 yards. Two shots through the lungs broadside, moose turned and began trotting up the powerline, third shot from the rear quartering just ahead of the chops, fourth shot a clean miss(nerves!) and the moose laid down in the brush and died. Load was 225 grain Nosler over 55 grains of 4320, none of the bullets exited the moose including the broadside shots. Although you shouldn't form opinions after one experience I was underwhelmed with the performance of the .35 Whelen on my moose. Although I ended up with a dead moose I thought penetration was lacking especially for a close range opportunity.
 
I have a WAG and also a 9.3X74R... plus the .35 Whelen in three platforms... but I often pull the .358 Win for Bullwinkle (also in three platforms)... I guess if you really pressed me to one pick, it might be the Whelen in a Ruger M77... or...
 
Mike Webb said:
I had one experience with the .35 Whelen on moose. Large bull(900 plus on the hoof) at maybe 40 yards. Two shots through the lungs broadside, moose turned and began trotting up the powerline, third shot from the rear quartering just ahead of the chops, fourth shot a clean miss(nerves!) and the moose laid down in the brush and died. Load was 225 grain Nosler over 55 grains of 4320, none of the bullets exited the moose including the broadside shots. Although you shouldn't form opinions after one experience I was underwhelmed with the performance of the .35 Whelen on my moose. Although I ended up with a dead moose I thought penetration was lacking especially for a close range opportunity.
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Based on our experience and the pool of experience of those that I know hunt with the Whelen, you had bad loads or some kind of mystically applied bad luck...
 
If you want to shoot light plinking loads then the .35 Whelen - but not many options out there in rifles;
A lightweight, handy rifle - like the CZ in FS - certainly the 9.3x62;
A true all around classic that will work on anything - .375 H&H - it will not be that expensive to shoot and every serious afficionado should at least try it once; and
Can't think of a good reason to get the .375 Ruger.

I'd take the .375 H&H with the 9.3x62 a very close second.
 
There is a nice moose rifle in the EE section as we speak.

Zavasta 9.3x62 full stock $650


However when I first saw a Baikal Russian Double Rifle in 45/70 all I could think about was standing in a muskeg on a misty morning calling moose with that double in my mitts.
 
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I know it wasn't in your pics but might I recommend a .338 Winchester mag. It shoots much flatter than the ones you mentioned, all the while hitting as hard or harder. Not sure what sort of terrain you will be hunting but if clear cuts are in order the .338 is clearly superior to those choices. All of the choices you mentioned will work very well also just another thought. Happy hunting.
 
I've owned and hunted with the four calibers-all in Mauser 98's.

The .35 Whelen is a hammer on moose. Used 225 and 250 gr bullets. Didn't matter.

The .375 H&H unfortunately didn't account for any game in the short time I owned it.

The 9.3X62 Mauser was also a hammer. I've only used 286 NP's and the moose and elk were impressed. That rifle has gone to another home in Whitehorse and I will probably be building another for next season on a ZG47 action that came from Whitehorse.

My FN .375 Ruger is one of my favorite rifles. I had the rifle built by Bill Leeper. The Rugers cartridge is a perfect fit to the FN action and will perform at a somewhat higher level than the Holland. But really, what one can do, the other can do equally as well. And it too is a hammer.
 
canoetrpr said:
Anyone know who actually stocks the 9.3x62 CZ 550 FS. The rifle intrigues me as much as the caliber.
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I either have or have had all of the rifles you listed and I probably carry my CZ 550 FS 9.3 more than any.
My hunting load is a 286 gr. any brand of bullet over a case full of 4320 powder usually grouping anywhere from .55" to .80 " which I think is adequate for a full stock rifle as is out of the box..... no tuning or fancy bedding.
Its just over 8 lbs. with a 1.5-5 Leupold in Warne QD mounts, iron sights are sighted in for 75 yds.
Function and quality of workmanship is excellent.....
 
I must be missing something but a quick look does not show .366" bullets in the obvious places that I look. Is this the right bullet diameter for a 9.3x62 ? If so, where the heck does one acquire these??
 
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