9.3x62 vs 338 win mag

What do I do?

  • 9.3x62

    Votes: 80 53.7%

  • 338 Winchester Magnum

    Votes: 69 46.3%
  • Total voters
    149
  • Poll closed .
I've never used a 338, but I have a 9.3x62 and I like it. Used it for water buffalo in Australia.
I've never had any issues finding factory ammo, dies, brass, or bullets.
I'd likely be just as happy with a 338, but I don't have one. Yet.
 
when the 338 win mag was out it used 300 grains like the 9.3x62 and 375hh for the same kind of velocity ... there is many places where i cant find 375, 9.3x62 or 338 but only 30-06, 308 and 303 is that mean i can use only that?
 
I look at the .338 as a fat .300 WM, and the 9.3 as a pocket .375 H&H. Bullet weight for bullet weight, there isn't a huge difference in velocity, but the .338 carries more sectional density.
 
9.3mauser said:
I look at the .338 as a fat .300 WM, and the 9.3 as a pocket .375 H&H. Bullet weight for bullet weight, there isn't a huge difference in velocity, but the .338 carries more sectional density.
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dont you think the quality of a bullet do more than just a number like the sectionnal density? not bullet are born equal ...
 
Ardent said:
The .338 carrying the “magnum” moniker skews perception a bit, I see magnums as overbore, which it is not. It’s actually a very well balanced case size for a .338, only 10% bigger than the 9.3x62 case capacity wise.
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Fair Call Ardent.

i had to look this up an yeh, there isnt much difference between charges for 2208 and 2209 with similiar or same bullet weights..... i thought she'd chew alot more powder than that....
some combos up to 10grains more, not here nor there though.
 
Haven't used a 338 WM. But I've used a 9.3 x 62 with basic PPU factory ammo. When time permits I'd like to load the 9.3 with a 270 grain bullet to get a tad more velocity. Looks like I'll get a chance to try a 250 grainer too. It may be the only caliber that I would go with a lighter bullet as opposed to the 285 grain bullet.
 
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I shot the 338 for many years and it always did what I wanted, but I did lose some meat due to the velocity and bullet expansion. I have been shooting the 9.3x62 for the last four years and taken a couple of animals, an elk and a couple of blacktails, didn't lose any meat and animals didn't take a step. Recoil on the 338 while not terrible in my Sako was not as nice in my T3 light, while the 9.3 recoil is pretty mild in my M98, I would definitely go with a 9.3 if I was starting over.
 
9.3x62 because:
- it is more versatile for me - I can have it in a 20" barreled gun and not risk losing both my hearing and eyesight at the same time...
- I have seen much more people flinch when shooting 338 WM compared to 9.3x62...
You go from 7mm to 30 cal (or 308 to 338) because of 17-20% bigger cross sectional area (hits harder with better energy transfer) and using bigger bullets. The same should be true for 338 to 9.3 since the cross sectional area is again roughly 17% bigger.
 
You go up in bullet diameter to gain bullet weight not diameter generally. The difference between .338” and .366”, .028”, isn’t making one iota of difference in terminal effect. Both the .338 and 9.3 sling equal bullet weights, the .338 just has more options and better BCs. Of the two, it’s more versatile as it can handily be a mountain sheep rifle, or a bison rifle, and effective from 10 to 1000 yards. Not saying just anyone with a .338 should shoot game at 1000, just that a .338 Win will do that better than most.

The one place the 9.3 wins for me is Africa, as the 9.3 is permitted on dangerous game in some jurisdictions. On blast there really isn’t much difference between a 20” .338 or a 9.3, both are loud, the .338 isn’t a big magnum or overbore. I don’t own a .338 but respect the round, it’s a heck of a North America cartridge for all round, long mountain shots included.
 
Having owned and shot both a lot I still have a 338. Comparable weight bullets going faster out of the 338 more comfortable to shoot. What more do you need. However stock design makes a difference, big time.
 
I voted for the 9.3, because I have a thing for the metrics. I shoot a TikkaT3 in 6.5X55 when I need some reach, and a Cz550 Fs in 9.3x62 when I want to thump things.
 
I have a 30-06 Sako Finnlight and a Sako 9.3x66. When I pick either up with my eyes closed I can not tell the difference between the two.

The 9.3 will run 250 gn bullets ~2700 ft/s and 286's at 2550 ft/s. The 250 gn Accubond (G1 BC of 0.494) really makes the 9.3 shine, similar trajectory to the 30-06.

The 'knock down' power of the 35's and above is noticeable compared to the 35's and below, this includes the 338wm.
 
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