9.3x62 vs. .375 H&H
- Thread starter Gatehouse
- Start date
I have owned and currently own rifles in both calibers.
Both are great calibers and cannot see my collection ever being complete without both of them.
Nice thing about 9.3x62 Brass is cheap compared to belted magnums.
I would love a 300 H&H pe-64 model 70 to fill the gap between 30-06 and 9.3.
Any one out there have one for sale???
Both are great calibers and cannot see my collection ever being complete without both of them.
Nice thing about 9.3x62 Brass is cheap compared to belted magnums.
I would love a 300 H&H pe-64 model 70 to fill the gap between 30-06 and 9.3.
Any one out there have one for sale???
Ultramag said:Is Math different in the Yukon ?
beats this does it ?
Although I admittedly went past saying it *kicks the #### out of* it does beat it by about 250 fps on average..............and oh yeah, I have owned several .375, never bothered with the 9.3 though.
UM
UM,
I have owned six 375 H&H rifles over the past 40 years.
As well, I have owned and hunted with four different 9.3 rifles.
Have killed no less than twenty animals with the two cartridges combined, moose, caribou, both bears, woods bison, and can tell you that there is essentially no difference at all in killing power. Certainly not on any game taken inside 300 yards.
That is why I said your statement was spoken like someone who has never used one, and I appreciate your honesty in affirming that.
The wonderful thing about the 9.3X62, as has already been stated, is that it it can be built on a standard length action and it operates at relatively low pressures, when compared to modern magnum cartridges.
Think about it as a 375 H&H with five in the magzine!
Ted
Last edited:
Comes down to what ever you own will do just fine for anything your ikely to hunt, either one has killing power to spare, they both have the same final outcome on game "DEAD" and it's the variety of calibers that keep us gunnutz interested.
I wonder if the 9.3x62 data is soft?
Seems they usually stay at 48 000 CUP or below, while a cartirdge like the 270WIN uses 51 000 CUP as a max.
Similar cases, chambered in similar rifles, etc...
I bet you could load a 9.3 in a modern bolt action right up there with the 375 H&H...
Seems they usually stay at 48 000 CUP or below, while a cartirdge like the 270WIN uses 51 000 CUP as a max.
Similar cases, chambered in similar rifles, etc...
I bet you could load a 9.3 in a modern bolt action right up there with the 375 H&H...
Gatehouse said:I wonder if the 9.3x62 data is soft?
Seems they usually stay at 48 000 CUP or below, while a cartirdge like the 270WIN uses 51 000 CUP as a max.
Similar cases, chambered in similar rifles, etc...
I bet you could load a 9.3 in a modern bolt action right up there with the 375 H&H...
I think most of the data is low for two reasons. First, there is no North American standard for max. pressure. Second, part of the appeal of the cartridge is how effective it is at low pressure. This is especially true in Africa.
The other thing is the performance of factory .375 H&H loads.
Out of a 24" barrel
Federal Premium 300gr Nosler - 2430fps
out of a 23.5" barrel
Winchester 300gr Silvertip - 2380fps
These loads have very taken all sorts of game, yet are similar velocity to a 9.3x62 with 286gr loads, which can hit 2400fps. In other words, there would be no difference between the two.
example:
out of a 22" barrel
Factory Norma 285gr - 2324fps
handload
285gr RWS over 58.0gr IMR4064 - 2457fps
This may be true in some African countries but not in South Africa it was at one point, but that changed a long time ago. I know Most of the professionals would tell you the 375 is the min for dangouras game, the 9.3 will sure as hell drop a Jumbo but when that guy is charging down on me I would prefere an 375. Don't get me wrong I like the 9.3 but I would just feel safer with the .375 to be honest I am not going after elephant, or Buff with anything less than a 404 jeffrey.
9.3 I recon would be great for critters such as Moose, Eland, Kudu, Lion (not legal in most places) and Elk.
So the 9.3x62 is "better" than the 375 H&H? I've seen some "facts" and some opinions, but someone please define "better" and summarize the argument.
Then I will know why the 35 Whelen is better than the 9.3x62, the 338-06 better than the 35 Whelen, the 30/06............
Then I will know why the 35 Whelen is better than the 9.3x62, the 338-06 better than the 35 Whelen, the 30/06............
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Andy said:
Well for one thing the 9.3 can be built on a standard length action resulting in a lighter, shorter, less expensive rifle. Mauser brought out the 9.3 for farmers in RSA who were unable to afford the propriety .375. The 9.3 apparently kills as well as the .375 (on game up to the size of buffalo in any case) with less recoil. Often experienced African hunters use a 9.3 or slightly down load their .375's to reduce the likely hood of a solid passing through a buffalo - or other herd animal - and wounding another.
IMHO, the .375 wins in virtually all catagories at any range but 250-300 yds is a good cut-off.
better ballistics with equal bullet weights
better selection and availability of bullets for the handloader
better availability of brass(real brass not .30-06)
better availability of factory ammo
great history
manageable recoil
We can talk all day about the 9.3 equaling the .375 in a given bullet weight and barrel length. It ain't going to happen. The traditional velocities for the .375 with 270 gr bullets is about 2700 fps and with the 300 gr about 2500 fps. These were velocities developed by H&H at lower pressures suitable for use in the heat of Africa. I defy anyone to achieve these speeds with the 9.3 at similar pressures.
The downside is that the .375 needs a long action or at least a magazine that has been lengthened ie Mauser 98
To me the appeal of the 9.3 X 62 is the ability to use a non-altered Mauser 98 and the increased ammo capacity(5 down) as opposed to the .375(3 down). I also like the idea of owning a less common caliber. (I'm having a 9.3X62 built as we speak)
For the handloader the variety of bullets is improving. Speer with their 270 gr Spitzer and Nosler with their 250 ballistic Tip are two conventional types at a reasonable price. There is a rumor that Hornady may be bringing a 9.3 bullet to market in 2006. I hope it an Interloc.
There is no shortage of premium bullets - Nosler, Swift, Barnes,
Perhaps, we need a new thread entitled "the 9.3X62 Mauser Vs the .35 Whelen"
better ballistics with equal bullet weights
better selection and availability of bullets for the handloader
better availability of brass(real brass not .30-06)
better availability of factory ammo
great history
manageable recoil
We can talk all day about the 9.3 equaling the .375 in a given bullet weight and barrel length. It ain't going to happen. The traditional velocities for the .375 with 270 gr bullets is about 2700 fps and with the 300 gr about 2500 fps. These were velocities developed by H&H at lower pressures suitable for use in the heat of Africa. I defy anyone to achieve these speeds with the 9.3 at similar pressures.
The downside is that the .375 needs a long action or at least a magazine that has been lengthened ie Mauser 98
To me the appeal of the 9.3 X 62 is the ability to use a non-altered Mauser 98 and the increased ammo capacity(5 down) as opposed to the .375(3 down). I also like the idea of owning a less common caliber. (I'm having a 9.3X62 built as we speak)
For the handloader the variety of bullets is improving. Speer with their 270 gr Spitzer and Nosler with their 250 ballistic Tip are two conventional types at a reasonable price. There is a rumor that Hornady may be bringing a 9.3 bullet to market in 2006. I hope it an Interloc.
There is no shortage of premium bullets - Nosler, Swift, Barnes,
Perhaps, we need a new thread entitled "the 9.3X62 Mauser Vs the .35 Whelen"
Last edited:
Gatehouse said:
Only if you find a way to defy basic physics.
The 375 HH has a case capacity of 95.4 gr water and the 9.3x62 is 75.9 gr water (from the Barnes reloading manual #1). That is a 25% increase.
On top of that, the 375 HH has a small advantage in bore (think piston) area (around 5%)
loaded to the same pressure and equal SD bullets and barrel length, the 9.3x62 will not equal the 375. It can't.
Now in comparison on effectiveness on game, that is another matter.
As far as the other arguments, what common rifle action will the 9.3x62 fit into that a 375 H&H won't (besides the Ruger 77) ?. Just get a pre-64 M70 action and you are good to go. 4 round mag capacity in 375 H&H and CRF.
I own a 9.3x62. This is the best choise for me. When I was looking for something differant, 10 years ago a storeowner/gunsmith brought out his 9.3x62 and 9.3x64. I shot them both just to see which one I would like. The 9.3x62 just felt right for me. At that time Norma made a 232gr. loading so that is what I used. Now I use the 250 gr. Balistic tip.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
OK ,how about some experiences with the various 9.3 bullets.
bullet selection aint't that bad..
A while back I was chatting with Ted about a few things, including a Spanish mauser that I was thinking of building something out of. I was wanting to do something a little different and was actually looking into a .375 Scovill and asked him if he happened to know if anyone had a reamer for the Scovill.
He didn't but as you have seen he is want to do, he steered me over to the 9.3X62 idea. What he said made a lot of sence. I mean this cartridge was designed for the mauser action for god's sake and would "feed like a fat boy at a banquet".
One of the things I liked about the Scovill idea was the availabilty of piles of .375 bullets made of course for the H and H that would work just fine. The price of dies and having the thing built are up there though. The 9.3X62 would be easier/cheaper to do. I was concerned though that the bullet selection for the 9.3 would be limited. That's until I checked. There's new 9.3 offerings recently and probably more to come.
Here's a quick look at what Wholesale shows in 9.3 for instance:
Speer: 270gr semi spitz
Nosler: 250gr bal tip, 286gr partition
Barnes: 250gr tsx, 286gr tsx
Not bad. And there's european and specialty companys making them too. When I'm able to go ahead with this project I'm thinking it wil be a 9.2X62..
A while back I was chatting with Ted about a few things, including a Spanish mauser that I was thinking of building something out of. I was wanting to do something a little different and was actually looking into a .375 Scovill and asked him if he happened to know if anyone had a reamer for the Scovill.
He didn't but as you have seen he is want to do, he steered me over to the 9.3X62 idea. What he said made a lot of sence. I mean this cartridge was designed for the mauser action for god's sake and would "feed like a fat boy at a banquet".
One of the things I liked about the Scovill idea was the availabilty of piles of .375 bullets made of course for the H and H that would work just fine. The price of dies and having the thing built are up there though.
The 9.3X62 would be easier/cheaper to do. I was concerned though that the bullet selection for the 9.3 would be limited. That's until I checked. There's new 9.3 offerings recently and probably more to come. Here's a quick look at what Wholesale shows in 9.3 for instance:
Speer: 270gr semi spitz
Nosler: 250gr bal tip, 286gr partition
Barnes: 250gr tsx, 286gr tsx
Not bad. And there's european and specialty companys making them too.
When I'm able to go ahead with this project I'm thinking it wil be a 9.2X62..rgv said:
Standard length M98 Mauser - which is the best action, IMO, for a big game rifle that might see use on dangerous game. Sure, you can cut it up an make it work, but that is hardly the ideal way to go. Also, consider the breech pressure issue, which affects the possibility of lug set-back. The 9.3's breech pressure is ~30% lower, this is a substantial amount, especially in an old M98.
Also, Boer Seun: You mention charging elephants...I doubt the .375 is considered adequate for such use. In other words, that scenario is outside of the envelope of use for both cartridges.
If you haven't already done so, check out this article in African Hunter magazine. It is an interesting history lesson and gives a good perspective on the effectiveness of the 9.3x62
http://www.african-hunter.com/the_9_3_x_62_mauser.htm
They also have an article on the .375 H&H:
http://www.african-hunter.com/375_magnum.htm
1899 said:
So a proper conversion of a 98 takes some bucks and a good gunsmith. In these days of $11,000 ATV's and $60,000 pickups, why should you settle for a lesser cartridge because you don't want to spring for Blackburn bottom-metal and fitting ?
A M98 pattern rifle in 375 H&H "... is hardly the ideal way to go." ? Many would disagree with you.
I read a lot about fears of lug set back from the feed ramp/lower locking lug being ground away, but there are zillions of factory 98 pattern rifles (whitworths and Browning safaris among others) that are 375 length and don't seem to have difficulties.
