.308/30-06 or 9.3x62 mm?

[BigUglyMan]

It is a big push shooting 286 grain bullets though. Last week, I shot a few 235 grain Naturalis. It was so tame and fun to shoot. My savage 99c in 308 kicks harder than that.

You know, it's funny how people on the internet, or at the gun counter, always describe their bigger rifles as "a push rather than a jab" or other similar terms. It has less to do with the cartridge than it does with the overall weight, stock design, and style of shooting, as your comparison with the 99 illustrates. My 9.3x62 is downright violent off the bench. Nothing "gentle push" about it. It takes a run at you and gives you a solid belt in the shoulder and face. But off your hind legs it's not quite as bad as that is what I built the stock for. Also, the rifle weight 7lb 11oz with a magazine full of cartridges and leather sling. Add a scope on that and it would be a different story. I'm also a plenty large man so I tend to soak up a lot more recoil than a smaller shooter would.

My point is, describing recoil without taking into account the body size of the shooter, rifle weight, and dimensions, is an inaccurate metric.

In reality, when presented with the vast majority of hunting situations in North America you will never be wrong with a 30-06. Anyone that criticizes that choice if making unwitting commentary on their knowledge and skills, or is being a contrarian. Now, we the CGN community will debate and cajole all day long, but in the end it's pretty much all in fun...or someone is posting some insane opinion that is pretty obvious. So while the pragmatist in me say that you're fine with the 30-06, the gun nut in me says that you should buy the 9.3.

 

[9.3mauser]

Love my 9.3x62.

I would recommend on.

Scrummy

... now that's an interesting set up. How's the accuracy with the Rigby peep?

 

[Scrumbag]

@9.3mauser.

Not bad, I can hold just over 2" at 100yds

Rigby peep is more for back up these days. Red dot and block comes off with the removal of 3 allen screws

Scrummy

 

[CZ-ER]

Had a battue T3 in 300 win mag, the older I got the harder it kicked(lol). loved the gun, very handy bush or what I call a truck gun. So bought a new battue T3X in a 308 win, haven't shot it yet but hoping it's a little easier on me.

 

[BlackRam]

Definitely notice the difference in felt recoil off the bench between the 285gr ammo and the 250gr ammo in my 9.3x62!
With the 250gr Nosler AccuBond ammo shooting 1/2" groups, it was my choice for chasing moose last fall! Also comfortable to shoot (at least for me!) And no big game that I am hunting with it is going to know the difference.
Just couldn't quite sneak the bullet through the willows and into the boiler room on a nice moose...but not the rifle's fault! LOL

308 or 30-06 will work just fine too. Just a little boring as everybody has/uses these...nothing wrong with them...just ordinary. Using a 9.3x62 puts the whole experience into another class.

 

[kayaker1]

I love the 9.3x62 and like mine very much (CZ) but if I only have one main hunting rifle for deer/moose/bear I would rather have a .308 or .30-06 (or .270, .280, 7mm-08, 7x64). Both are versatile, recoil less, cheaper to shoot. Both will very easily kill any black bear or moose. I run my .308 with 150gr TTSX and bison or large brown bears would be the only NA animals I would feel a too lightly gunned for with that combo, although it would for them too, if necessary.

 

[WhelanLad]

You know, it's funny how people on the internet, or at the gun counter, always describe their bigger rifles as "a push rather than a jab" or other similar terms. It has less to do with the cartridge than it does with the overall weight, stock design, and style of shooting, as your comparison with the 99 illustrates. My 9.3x62 is downright violent off the bench. Nothing "gentle push" about it. It takes a run at you and gives you a solid belt in the shoulder and face. But off your hind legs it's not quite as bad as that is what I built the stock for. Also, the rifle weight 7lb 11oz with a magazine full of cartridges and leather sling. Add a scope on that and it would be a different story. I'm also a plenty large man so I tend to soak up a lot more recoil than a smaller shooter would.

My point is, describing recoil without taking into account the body size of the shooter, rifle weight, and dimensions, is an inaccurate metric.

In reality, when presented with the vast majority of hunting situations in North America you will never be wrong with a 30-06. Anyone that criticizes that choice if making unwitting commentary on their knowledge and skills, or is being a contrarian. Now, we the CGN community will debate and cajole all day long, but in the end it's pretty much all in fun...or someone is posting some insane opinion that is pretty obvious. So while the pragmatist in me say that you're fine with the 30-06, the gun nut in me says that you should buy the 9.3.

not to mention those 285 gr ppu loads an such are not laoded wih much oomph, reload that same projectile in modern specs an watch it jump

 

[Johnn Peterson]

not to mention those 285 gr ppu loads an such are not laoded wih much oomph, reload that same projectile in modern specs an watch it jump

I've posted this on another thread previously. Quite a while back, after seeing some of the discussion on the 9.3x62 (aka .366 Wagner), my curiosity determined I 'needed' one. In prep to actually getting one, I started accumulating a selection of bullets to 'feed' it. The first batch included a set of RCBS dies, new Lapua brass and a quantity of 285gr prvi bullets from a site member and regular at the local gun shows. Then, picked up a sizeable quantity of once fired Norma brass. Other bullet variations I accumulated for load testing included Norma 231gr & 286gr, Speer 250gr, and some 290gr from Matrix. I went the 'inexpensive' route and picked up a full wood mannlicher style Zastava from Tradex. While not the smoothness and fine finish one see's on other brand names but I was pleasantly surprised with my initial accuracy results. Sub 1" 3 shot groups @ 100 yds using the 285gr prvi bullets and top end loads using both IMR 4320 and IMR 4064!!! Haven't even 'tried' any of the other bullets as I feel I'd be hard pressed to improve on the accuracy and I've even traded the 290gr Matrix to a friend and site member. Now, to give it some field exercise .

 

[Scrumbag]

Kayaker, you've hit the nail on the head there. A 7x64 and a 9.3x62 is a very nice combo

Scrummy

 

[rral22]

looking for a good hunting rifle for deer, black bears, and occasionally moose (if i ever get lucky enough to get drawn again). the tikka t3x battue looks good just have to decide on caliber. Anyone have any experience with 9.3x62? how does it compare to 308 or 3006?

Then buy a good rifle you like in whatever cartridge you find it chambered for and go hunting. There will be no difference in the consequences of shooting game with any of the rounds you are considering, so stop obsessing over that and get the gun you like. You will enjoy the gun you like way more than you will ever notice the cartridge.

 

[Wild_Thing]

I prefer the .30-06 for the wider variety of options it provides for my hunting needs.

 

[QueensHorseman]

For a one rifle, do anything guy then the .30-06 is always the front runner so long as you can handle the recoil and shoot it well. As others have mentioned, here on the internet no one if affected by recoil (!!?!) however that experience is not born out each fall when the one gun, rarely practices guys go for a sight in! Also as has been said, rifle weight and stock shape have a big impact on how comfortable a rifle is to shoot.

Based on your list, I recommend the .30-06 although I admit the .308 in factory loads does everything about as well. They cost about the same to reload and you really need to learn to reload for more economical, and dare I say it, slightly reduced loads for practice!

If deer and black bears are your most likely game then I personally would recommend a 6.5x55 or 7x57, or even a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. 100% dependable, easy on the shooter, can be had in a nice rifle to carry, etc. For many years I have believed that the 6.5 Swede is perfect with good loads for almost everything.

I play with many calibers because I'm a gunnutz. I have shot two moose with the Swede and 140 grain partitions that worked well but for larger game like moose, I would be more comfortable with a larger caliber. The .30-06 can be perfect and I have saw many moose taken with it, same for a .308, .270, .45-70, etc. So can the .300 H&H and 9.3x62. I like moderate velocity cartridges and even in the .300 H&H, I don't load it to full potential. A WELL PLACED, bullet, of suitable construction is as reliable as anything can be. I do think that larger calibers work better than smaller ones on large game and provide an extra margin of error and a better chance for an exit hole.

So, get together with a few people and pick the rifle / caliber you shoot best. Then choose a bullet / load that is ideal for what you are hunting (I love Nosler partitions in moderate weights) and go practice. Within reason, the name stamped on the head of the case is the least important part of the equation. Perhaps you will end up with a Savage 99 .300 or an Enfield No 4 sporter in .303 and a bunch of practice ammunition! Or a .308 / .30-06 / 9.3x62 and you can spend the rest of your days telling everyone else why your choice is the best one!!

 

[Why not?]

not to mention those 285 gr ppu loads an such are not laoded wih much oomph, reload that same projectile in modern specs an watch it jump

However, a 285 gr .366 bullet doesn't need to be started with much oomph to be very effective.

When it was first produced, the 30-30 of Africa killed thousands of every animal there with 286 gr bullets started out at way less than 2200 fps.

Ted

 

[medvedqc]

However, a 285 gr .366 bullet doesn't need to be started with much oomph to be very effective.

When it was first produced, the 30-30 of Africa killed thousands of every animal there with 286 gr bullets started out at way less than 2200 fps.

Ted

Ted,

this is the 21st century where everything is going faster lol.

a PPU at the speed we measured during our test is more than enough. we measured the factory at 2277fps 6 paces (+-8fps) from the muzzle given at 2265fps for a 23.6 inches barrel by the factory.

mine is only 22 inches.

faster for what? and you need a really strong bullet made but again that is not what the 9.3x62 was made for.

 

[WhelanLad]

For a one rifle, do anything guy then the .30-06 is always the front runner so long as you can handle the recoil and shoot it well. As others have mentioned, here on the internet no one if affected by recoil (!!?!) however that experience is not born out each fall when the one gun, rarely practices guys go for a sight in! Also as has been said, rifle weight and stock shape have a big impact on how comfortable a rifle is to shoot.

Based on your list, I recommend the .30-06 although I admit the .308 in factory loads does everything about as well. They cost about the same to reload and you really need to learn to reload for more economical, and dare I say it, slightly reduced loads for practice!

If deer and black bears are your most likely game then I personally would recommend a 6.5x55 or 7x57, or even a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. 100% dependable, easy on the shooter, can be had in a nice rifle to carry, etc. For many years I have believed that the 6.5 Swede is perfect with good loads for almost everything.

I play with many calibers because I'm a gunnutz. I have shot two moose with the Swede and 140 grain partitions that worked well but for larger game like moose, I would be more comfortable with a larger caliber. The .30-06 can be perfect and I have saw many moose taken with it, same for a .308, .270, .45-70, etc. So can the .300 H&H and 9.3x62. I like moderate velocity cartridges and even in the .300 H&H, I don't load it to full potential. A WELL PLACED, bullet, of suitable construction is as reliable as anything can be. I do think that larger calibers work better than smaller ones on large game and provide an extra margin of error and a better chance for an exit hole.

So, get together with a few people and pick the rifle / caliber you shoot best. Then choose a bullet / load that is ideal for what you are hunting (I love Nosler partitions in moderate weights) and go practice. Within reason, the name stamped on the head of the case is the least important part of the equation. Perhaps you will end up with a Savage 99 .300 or an Enfield No 4 sporter in .303 and a bunch of practice ammunition! Or a .308 / .30-06 / 9.3x62 and you can spend the rest of your days telling everyone else why your choice is the best one!!

Well said man.

 

[Kudu]

.280 rem (7x64 if you want the real McCoy) Is a real all rounder - you can hunt anything in NA comfortably with this caliber, if you want to reach out a bit further then the 300 Win will be the the go to (all be it a magdumb) I know quite a few people on here and elsewhere who won’t leave home with out their 300 Winnie and they always have a freezer full of venison- lol

 

[TylerM]

For .30-06? Any good bear loads for full grown bears meaning 1,000 pounds plus? I'm not talking about taking the dream shot after waiting all day. I'm talking about Yogi Bear coming up behind you, tapping you on the shoulder and then he pulls out his fork and knife, at which point you very abruptly and violently sh*t yourself. It's the nightmare scenario: charging monster of a bear that's barrel-a$$ing straight for you and you only get one chance to save your life. The ones I've found so far are:

-Barnes TSX/TTSX
-Federal Berger 168 gr
-Win expedition LR 190 gr
-Nosler accubond 180
-Nosler partition 180 gr
-Federal Trophy copper 180 gr
-Hndy Superformance 180 gr
-Federal terminal ascent 175 gr

Did I miss any? Anybody know of any others against a charging bear?

 

[Mik123]

I've read that Phil Shoemaker touts the 200g and 220 grain Noler Partition as a fantastic loading for the 30-06. From his test it outpenetrated the 375H&H. I think I read that on 24hourcampfire.

For .30-06? Any good bear loads for full grown bears meaning 1,000 pounds plus? I'm not talking about taking the dream shot after waiting all day. I'm talking about Yogi Bear coming up behind you, tapping you on the shoulder and then he pulls out his fork and knife, at which point you very abruptly and violently sh*t yourself. It's the nightmare scenario: charging monster of a bear that's barrel-a$$ing straight for you and you only get one chance to save your life. The ones I've found so far are:

-Barnes TSX/TTSX
-Federal Berger 168 gr
-Win expedition LR 190 gr
-Nosler accubond 180
-Nosler partition 180 gr
-Federal Trophy copper 180 gr
-Hndy Superformance 180 gr
-Federal terminal ascent 175 gr

Did I miss any? Anybody know of any others against a charging bear?

 

[cody c]

You can go bigger than 180 grain, 200 grain NAB’s for instance, but if it’s bears your scared of I’d stick with the old benchmark, the partition...

 

[Power Pill]

I love my 9.3, but ammo availability and cost can be annoying