96 vrs 98 (9.3x57)

[brybenn]

As a hunting rifle what are the pros and cons for and against. I prefer the 98 but there are many 96s out there.
I hand load for best accuracy not usually for max velocity. Deer wolf black bear and moose under 200 yards is the intended use

 

[Baribal]

Nothing wrong with both action types.
A M/46 or 46A (made on M/94 actions) is lighter, but cocks-on-closing. The magazine lenght is also limited to about 3.240", but std OAL (from the only known standard, Norma) is 3.094".
Really, with that round, the choice is yours.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I prefer 98s.

 

[Rob]

If the cycling speed of the action when the rifle is on your shoulder matters to you at all...the 96-type ####-on-closing bolt action is a faster cycling action than the 98-type ####-on-opening action. This observation is based on many decades of using both. But of course the 96 has a slower lock time and that can affect bench accuracy. In terms of handiness, the 96 is generally a lighter action.

 

[CanadaBoy]

If you don't plan to rechamber to 9.3x62 I think the 96 makes a lighter, better handling hunting rifle. I'd go for the 96, I think they really are under appreciated.