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

[burnt_servo]

I chose the 9.3x62 .... but I went one step further as I was going to have to get a reamer anyway , I got one with the maximum dimensions possible , yet still able to use factory ammo .

the result was it has a 40 degree shoulder and holds around 10% more case capacity .

the rifle its self started life as a husky 1600 series featherweight in 270 . the 9.3 barrel was off of a husky with a 96 action .

the barrel is now just over 20 inches , the rifle its self is easily under 7 pounds wearing a old 4 x redfield widefield scope .

I look at it as having all the horsepower of a 338 magnum , and then some , but without having to try to impress people by saying I have a " magnum " ..... guys who have no idea what a 9.3 is , don't get it ..... guys who do understand , their eyes light up when you mention it is a 9.3x62 ........ and then a animated hour long conversation always seems to follow .


my feeling about this rifle is the same feeling I have about german shorthaired pointers ..... go on youtube and watch gsp's doing work , they are always having fun , always glad to see you and always wanted to do more stuff that is fun .

this rifle , when I pick it up wants the same thing .... " lets g out and have fun "

 

[c-fbmi]

So are you saying that the 325 wsm is better than the 338 win mag?

Actually dgrad, no one here has even mentioned the 325 WSM..................nor are likely to.............

 

[Northman999]

I have three of the four (no 358 Norma...yet) the OP listed and they're all very good all-arounders.

I'd have to go with the .338 win mag if I was to only own one though. Way more rifles around, way more factory ammo, way more bullets, and better if you're shooting 300+ yards.

Honestly though, any of the cartridges listed, in a rifle that suits a fellow, with a nice stock of reloading components, and a guy is basically set for larger big game....

 

[Northman999]

Actually dgrad, no one here has even mentioned the 325 WSM..................nor are likely to.............

Agreed...

 

[8x68]

I have a 9.3, and a 338 which shoot quite well. My choice would also include the 8x68S. Almost duplicates 338wm ballistics with less ouch. Can hunt all North American game and African PG with it. Too bad it hasn't had a larger following in North America as it is an outstanding cartridge.

 

[Omenator]

I have a 9.3, and a 338 which shoot quite well. My choice would also include the 8x68S. Almost duplicates 338wm ballistics with less ouch. Can hunt all North American game and African PG with it. Too bad it hasn't had a larger following in North America as it is an outstanding cartridge.

There are quite a few European cartridges that fit into the "medium" class, unfortunately most are extremely uncommon in Canada. However it does seem like the 9.3x62 is now popular enough to buy one and not being stuck with it as would likely happen if one were to buy one of the really rare cartridges.

 

[BigUglyMan]

BigUglyMan: It's my long term plan to move from the 30-06 to two different rifles, one in a "light" chambering (6.5mm, .270 or 7mm/.280) and another in a "medium" (.338, .358, 9.3mm or .375).

I've thought on several occasions that there is a lot of merit in this. I just can't get there.

 

[patricksbb391]

I have to agree with 8x68, but a beast to find brass for and I may be wrong but 8 mm bullets are not being updated.

P.

 

[dgradinaru]

I have a 9.3, and a 338 which shoot quite well. My choice would also include the 8x68S. Almost duplicates 338wm ballistics with less ouch. Can hunt all North American game and African PG with it. Too bad it hasn't had a larger following in North America as it is an outstanding cartridge.

I agree it's a great cartridge, same goes for the 325 wsm and 8mm Rem mag. The serria 220gr are great bullets and when some one wants a heavy moderate speed bullet they can get woodleighs 250 gr bullets. To get back on track I would go with the 9.3x62 .

 

[sharp shooter]

So this may be a bit off topic but to those on here with experience - how does a 260gr NAB perform out of a 375 H&H on game?

 

[SuperCub]

So this may be a bit off topic but to those on here with experience - how does a 260gr NAB perform out of a 375 H&H on game?

Small bull moose broadside lung shot. I was surprised that they wouldn't pass through. Bull never flinched either shot. I laugh when people talk about dropping moose one shot, spine shot maybe but not a lung shot.

 

[sharp shooter]

Thanks for the reply SC. I haven't shot anything with mine yet but can't wait to.. Maybe one year we will draw a bull tag....but probably not.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Small bull moose broadside lung shot. I was surprised that they wouldn't pass through. Bull never flinched either shot. I laugh when people talk about dropping moose one shot, spine shot maybe but not a lung shot.

You & me both. Any details Paul, as far as distance, calibre, load including bullet specifics etc?

 

[SuperCub]

You & me both. Any details Paul, as far as distance, calibre, load including bullet specifics etc?

I don't recall the load, but MV was approx 2700fps. 375CT

 

[Dogleg]

Small bull moose broadside lung shot. I was surprised that they wouldn't pass through. Bull never flinched either shot. I laugh when people talk about dropping moose one shot, spine shot maybe but not a lung shot.

Really? I've had more drop at the shot than not, just using the same bullets that some are convinced are too soft for deer and muzzle velocities of 3000 plus. Sometimes plus 500. The two slowest kills were with a .300 and .338 Win Mag and the darling of the mono-bullet crowd.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I don't recall the load, but MV was approx 2700fps. 375CT

Thanks Paul. I wondered if it was the 375CT. Still, that size/calibre, velocity and on a young bull, still suprised it didn't pass through. To test and feed the 375CT, I picked up some 270gr and 300gr
from Marshal at Matrix Bullets.

 

[MiG25]

I'd handle the rifles and see which one you like the best and not even worry about the cartridge.

 

[Why not?]

In reply to SuperCub, it seems that prevailing opinion is that 250 grains is too much for the 358 Win. Current factory loads are 200 gr. and load data limits out at 225 gr. it is a small case and 250's start to limit powder capacity.

Choose a great 225 bullet like a Swift, Nosler or Woodleigh and drive it fast as you can.

P.

All we ever loaded in two 358 Winchester rifles were 250 gr Speer spitzers ahead of 45-47 gr of Ball C2. The velocity is a tad less than 2300, and many, many, tons of moose, caribou, and bear have been put into Yukon freezers using that load over the past forty-some years.

The longest-serving rifle is a little first-generation Rem 600 35 Rem with the factory 18 1/2" barrel adorned with the Delrin rib. Somewhere along the way someone had it rechambered. My friend Bert, whom both SuperCub and c-fbmi know, still owns and hunts everything with the same rifle and nothing else. One moose he killed with a single shot was so far away that the bullet did not expand at all. It was at least 400 yd. Except for the rifling marks and the lead nose dubbed flat, the bullet was still good to go. We were going to load it again, and have him shoot another moose with it, just for the story, but he misplaced the bullet.

He even carries that 600 for sheep hunting! All up, with four in the magazine, it is a pound lighter than his Parker-Hale 308 Norma Magnum, so why not?

Now this advice right here I totally disagree with, the 358 Win does NOT require premium bullets and may actually be handicapped trying to use them. I personally would use the 225 Sierra BT or the 220 Speer and for a heavy bullet exactly what you said SC, the 250 Speer HC. I wouldn't go closer to a premium bullet than the 225 AB, which I use in my 350 RM and it opens wonderfully. The 220 Speer HC, the kid uses in his 350 RM to great success and picture perfect expansion, the 358 would work with either of these but going to a premium bullet would cause exactly what I experienced with the 338. The 225 Nosler Part may be the exception as the nose will expand easily and the shank will penetrate, even at 358 Win velocities.

The second rifle is the one Doug is mentioning here. It was my lovely wife of 48+ years rifle. He got it for a song, only because it was for his number two son, who shoots it better than most men can handle their 308s, and has done so since well before he entered his teen years.

Ted