Trying to weigh out the pros and cons of each caliber. Looking for a medium bore rifle and these are the two I have been considering. I will be handloading my ammunition. Both bolt action rifles are similarly priced. Thanks!
9.3x62 vs 338 win mag
- Thread starter rci2950
- Start date
If you're hunting wide open spaces, the .338 is a little flatter shooting. Bullets have a little higher sectional density, weight for weight. The 9.3 is useable out to 300 yards, which is about as far as I'm likely to shoot. Two extra rounds in the magazine, burns less powder, less recoil. Lots of bullets and brass available.
Since the 35 whelen was absent i chose the 338wm. More bullet choice and more versatile. With fast expanding lighter bullets its easily loaded for thin skinned game and can be loaded hot and heavy for anything our continent provides.
more bullets choice lol did you ever checked all the available for the .366 calibers? most of them are really good which cannot be said of the .338 and the high velocity of some lighter bullets.
9.3x62 should be compared to the 375hh and it was there even before not bad for that old cartrdige.
Moose Masher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oak Hammok Manitoba
Really, you need both.
They are both great cartridges and some companies offer both in the same rifles...
So it really comes down to what you want to do with it and and the normal hunting conditions, terrain and ranges that you want to do it in.
Myself, I have owned the 338 Win Mag and want another, having had very good results with it in the field over the years. Have found the one I want at a really good price...just need to sell some items to raise the funds for it.
I have a 9.3 x 62 coming (already paid for) and cannot wait to get it sighted in and start using it in the field!
So it really comes down to what you want to do with it and and the normal hunting conditions, terrain and ranges that you want to do it in.
Myself, I have owned the 338 Win Mag and want another, having had very good results with it in the field over the years. Have found the one I want at a really good price...just need to sell some items to raise the funds for it.
I have a 9.3 x 62 coming (already paid for) and cannot wait to get it sighted in and start using it in the field!
I think that it depends on what else you have in your rifle quiver, and what you mean to use it for. The 338 WM will have a bit more recoil and better range. The 9.3X62 will be a better brush cartridge. Neither is a proper deer rifle, although there is no such thing as too dead.
I bought a 9.3 for $360 about a month ago, open sights of course. Called a local gun store to see if he could order some ammo for me, turns out he had 2 boxes of Remington 285s he sold me for $40 a box......perfect! Some guy ordered them years ago and never picked em up. Not planning any long shots with it, maybe hammer a bear this spring.
MuleyStalker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Wainwright, Ab
I have both... a Ruger No.1S in 338 Win Mag and a Zastava 98 in 9.3x62....Oh! I also have a 338-06 that I am taking to Africa in June!! 
MS
MS
- Location
- Alberta, North America
need I actually say anything?
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I tried 210 Partition in my 338 Win Mag, but it prefers 225 Accubond. 250 Accubond in my 9.3x62. 260 Accubond in my 375 H&H. For "serious" (which I will never really face here in the Canadian Prairies) there are 250 Partitions in 338; standard 286 Partitions in 9.3 (and heavier from Woodleigh); and old standby 300 RN in the 375 H&H. Just have to make sure I grab the correct box of ammo with whichever rifle - all of them are a decent step up from the 30-06 or 7mm Mag, either of which can pretty much handle anything here...
lol of course you need to claim to the world your love of the .338 lol
Rightio.
I've used a 35 Whelen as per the user handle, an then went lighter weight rifle in a similiar Cartridge in form of 9.3x62.......... former a Ruger, latter a Tikka..
I've not used the 338 Win Mag an perhaps wont because the fact it is a "Magnum" , everything is bigger- from the Bolt face to the Brass and powder consumption.. for me theres no need for one but it is a highly common Sambar Rifle down under..
I chose the others for use of Standard brass 30-06 or similiar in terms of the x62mm... .366 Woodleighs are fantastic , 232gr up to 300gr.... (250gr/286gr)
The recoil is not wild in the Ruger but is a little punchy in the Tikka, i wouldnt like to shoot a stout 338 win mag in a Tikka, but no worries in the Ruger...
Totally depending what yer huntin an where ya huntin an how ya huntin it
id say the 9.3 just cos, im using mine back here in Aus for the Fallow and Sambar this month!
I've used a 35 Whelen as per the user handle, an then went lighter weight rifle in a similiar Cartridge in form of 9.3x62.......... former a Ruger, latter a Tikka..
I've not used the 338 Win Mag an perhaps wont because the fact it is a "Magnum" , everything is bigger- from the Bolt face to the Brass and powder consumption.. for me theres no need for one but it is a highly common Sambar Rifle down under..
I chose the others for use of Standard brass 30-06 or similiar in terms of the x62mm... .366 Woodleighs are fantastic , 232gr up to 300gr.... (250gr/286gr)
The recoil is not wild in the Ruger but is a little punchy in the Tikka, i wouldnt like to shoot a stout 338 win mag in a Tikka, but no worries in the Ruger...
Totally depending what yer huntin an where ya huntin an how ya huntin it
id say the 9.3 just cos, im using mine back here in Aus for the Fallow and Sambar this month!
