9.3x57 vs 9.3x62?
- Thread starter MD
- Start date
62 all the way:
- decent cheap factory ammo (PRVI)
- much better choice of factory ammo (Nosler, Barnes, Hornady, Federal plus all the Europeans: RWS, Norma, Lapua, PRVI, S&B) in everything from 185gr all the way to 325gr
- much better choice of rifles incl. new ones
- better stopping power and range
- decent cheap factory ammo (PRVI)
- much better choice of factory ammo (Nosler, Barnes, Hornady, Federal plus all the Europeans: RWS, Norma, Lapua, PRVI, S&B) in everything from 185gr all the way to 325gr
- much better choice of rifles incl. new ones
- better stopping power and range
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
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9.3x57 in a nice HVA commercial '96 action would make a great short range, light weight stalking rifle. Anything ammo related be it factory or reloading gear will be much more expensive however. Something like this I would not scope, and I would find the nicest unmolested example Tradex has in stock. I'd load 285gr PRVI to ~2000fps and be happy with that, won't rattle your teeth with that load.
9.3x62 is still made by a variety of gun makers, so your options are much broader. Ammo and reloading components are easy to find and no more expensive then most (I'm using Lee dies, $45 from Higginsons). It's got a bit of punch to it, my current load is 285~2500fps which is just under 4000ft/lbs of energy. It's not a ton of fun to shoot....but will take down anything on the planet pretty much. Both mine are built on '98 actions, one an HVA 9.3x57 reamed to 9.3x62 by a long time member, the other built on a DUV42 K98 with all FN commercial parts and a Shaw 26" barrel.
9.3x62 is still made by a variety of gun makers, so your options are much broader. Ammo and reloading components are easy to find and no more expensive then most (I'm using Lee dies, $45 from Higginsons). It's got a bit of punch to it, my current load is 285~2500fps which is just under 4000ft/lbs of energy. It's not a ton of fun to shoot....but will take down anything on the planet pretty much. Both mine are built on '98 actions, one an HVA 9.3x57 reamed to 9.3x62 by a long time member, the other built on a DUV42 K98 with all FN commercial parts and a Shaw 26" barrel.
I own rifles in both 9.3X57 and 9.3X62, all Husqvarnas and one Stiga M96 Mauser based sporter. My own personal opinion is that for a non-handloader the 9.3X62 would be the road to take because of the availability of factory ammo.Most of the gunshops here in SW Ontario that I drop into usually have some in stock. The 9.3X57 appears to be pretty scarce stuff from what I have seen when it comes to factory loads.
This is not an issue for me since I handload for both rounds. These are definitely some of my favourite rifles, light and handy to carry and naturally point well in my experience. The 9.3X57 is no slouch on it's own, and the 9.3X62 really takes it up a notch or two.
This is not an issue for me since I handload for both rounds. These are definitely some of my favourite rifles, light and handy to carry and naturally point well in my experience. The 9.3X57 is no slouch on it's own, and the 9.3X62 really takes it up a notch or two.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Riddle me this.....
B-Cup or D-Cup?
That's what I thought.
Realistically, I don't even really dislike the x57 at all. It's a great balance of power and shootability. The x62 is just more, which is rarely a bad thing. The only thing that turns me off about the x57 is that you usually find it in the 96 Mauser which I never did warm up to. To me, a Mauser should be a 98. I just like them more. Now, admittedly, this is very subjective and when the rifle goes bang and the bullet is on the way it doesn't matter at all whether it came from a 96 or a 98. That's just the way my mind is made up. I just find the 98 to be more classic and the x62 to be more of a good thing. Plus the x62 is legal for dangerous game in some countries. The x57 is not. That tilts the scales too.
B-Cup or D-Cup?
That's what I thought.
Realistically, I don't even really dislike the x57 at all. It's a great balance of power and shootability. The x62 is just more, which is rarely a bad thing. The only thing that turns me off about the x57 is that you usually find it in the 96 Mauser which I never did warm up to. To me, a Mauser should be a 98. I just like them more. Now, admittedly, this is very subjective and when the rifle goes bang and the bullet is on the way it doesn't matter at all whether it came from a 96 or a 98. That's just the way my mind is made up. I just find the 98 to be more classic and the x62 to be more of a good thing. Plus the x62 is legal for dangerous game in some countries. The x57 is not. That tilts the scales too.
I own (several of) both, while my go to rifles usually are X62, I must say that the X57 have little to conceed to it's bigger sister.
Anthony from Trade Ex have shot a polar with open sights with his X57 with a 250 grains AB @ 2200 fps.... one shot. So there is very little argument to haveabout which can kill more and cleaner than the other.
Anthony from Trade Ex have shot a polar with open sights with his X57 with a 250 grains AB @ 2200 fps.... one shot. So there is very little argument to haveabout which can kill more and cleaner than the other.
I actually prefer a nice full B cup over a saggy floppy D cup. That being said, 9.3x62 is my choice, and besides the crappy trajectory I really like my Ruger. It's got beautiful wood and shoots incredibly with factory Norma ammunition.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I know. I said "usually" but admit there are some other interesting things out there. I just have a soft spot for the old-fashioned M98...flag safety and all.
more like 308 win vs 300 win mag ;-) - not exactly the same...
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