Is the 9.3 x 62 enough gun?

[Quaticman]

Would you consider a bolt action 9.3 x 62 an adequate cartridge to hunt the big coastal grizzly bears of BC/Alaska?
Other potential candidates in my gun safe are a .338 RUM, .458 Win Mag both bolt actions and a double rifle chambered in .500 Nitro Express.
Of these four firearms, which do you think is the best choice?

 

[John Wasmuth]

The 9,3x62 is plenty enough.

 

[375Fox]

What are the scopes on the 4 choices? That should be the deciding factor. What are expected shooting ranges and light conditions? Your 9.62 or 338 would seem to be best choice.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

9.3x62 is more than adequate for anything roaming around in North America, even polar bears.

 

[Quaticman]

What are the scopes on the 4 choices? That should be the deciding factor. What are expected shooting ranges and light conditions? Your 9.62 or 338 would seem to be best choice.

The 9.3 x 62 has a peep sight, the .338 RUM has a Nikon 6-24x, the .458 Win Mag has a 1-4x Trijicon and the .500 Nitro Express double has iron sights regulated at 50, 75 and 100 yards.

 

[Alaska Luke]

I shot Noth my grizzlies with a short barrel 375 Ruger and 260 grain. Nosler Partitions going about 2520 fps at the muzzle. Not a lot more than a 9.3x62 if I recall.

First bear took a hit through the lungs, spun a couple times and dropped. The second was hit through the lungs. He rolled over and turned towards me and I took a brain shot. I have no idea how far he would have made it without the second but probably not far. We've shot lots of black bears with a 308 and they don't go far with a lung hit.

So your 9.3x62 will work, just take a good lung shot.

Now here is what is more important.
1. Alaska can be wet. I'd take whichever rifle is most weather proof. Not a place for a classic double!

2. I would want a lowered powered scope. You could shoot a bear a 200 yards (if the guide trusts you) or it might be close.

Also, a lot of guys talk about breaking a bears shoulder. I've seen bears traveling very fast with a broken shoulder. I think a big hole in the heart/lung area is more important. Learn bear anatomy. There lungs are a bit farther back than in a whitetail.

 

[375Fox]

The 9.3 x 62 has a peep sight, the .338 RUM has a Nikon 6-24x, the .458 Win Mag has a 1-4x Trijicon and the .500 Nitro Express double has iron sights regulated at 50, 75 and 100 yards.

I went on one unsuccessful spring hunt in Southeast Alaska. We didn’t find the bear we were looking for but I was anticipating a 100-200 yard shot in tide flats in spring. In fall walking salmon streams I understand the shot can be in very dark conditions. I’d ask other’s opinions but I would invest in a low power illuminated reticle for your 9.3x62 if that’s what you’d like to use.

 

[1dirthawker]

The 9.3 x 62 has a peep sight, the .338 RUM has a Nikon 6-24x, the .458 Win Mag has a 1-4x Trijicon and the .500 Nitro Express double has iron sights regulated at 50, 75 and 100 yards.

i would put a 1-6x quality scope o the 9.3 and take it hunting.

the 338 rum is over scoped for brown bear hunting

the 458 win mag would do a fine job as well and is well scoped

the 500 nitro will limit some of your opportunities due to no scope and the rifle will take a beating in the harsh alaska environment. but, if you get a closer range shot on a brown bear will of course smash it with extreme prejudice!

 

[sgt_zim]

The 9.3 x 62 has a peep sight, the .338 RUM has a Nikon 6-24x, the .458 Win Mag has a 1-4x Trijicon and the .500 Nitro Express double has iron sights regulated at 50, 75 and 100 yards.

I'd opt for the 9.3x62 or the .458 WM. WAY too much scope on the 338 if the bear happens to get danger close before you can pull the trigger. And I'm pretty certain I wouldn't want to hump around a heavy double in the kind of terrain where bears are ordinarily found.

You didn't say when you were going, so I assume either June or August/September next year. That's enough time to buy some glass for the 9.3 and get it dialed in. I have a 1-5x24 VX5 on mine, and have no trouble shooting 200 yards with that setup.

If you don't want to take that route, then the 458 sounds like your best option, maybe 350 gr Barnes at around 2400 fps will have plenty of energy and still be flat enough to take a 200 yard shot without having to muck around with holdover.

 

[CM McKenzie]

9.3x62 has been enough for everything I have asked of it. I have the utmost confidence in it to ask it much more.

I know it to be a perfect bear cartridge.

 

[WAB]

No bear walks the earth that can’t be handled with the 9.3. As others have suggested, I’d fit it with a low power scope. For a bullet, I find the swift A-Frame is excellent bear medicine.

 

[double rifle newbie]

Plenty of gun. Bring a gun you wont mind getting beaten up. the alaska bush can be brutal on gear. i put synthetic stocks on all the guns i use in alaska, for jumerous reasons. u will more likely than not hunt in rain, cross rivers, etc. i have a couple doubles but wouldnt take to the alaska bush.

a 1-4 or 1-6 (sturdy!!!) scope with quick detach capability is my go-to for a “bear specific” hunt. i have leupolds or zeiss on my alaska guns. dad too. he lost his footage traversing a river and completely submerged with his gun and was in the river for a minute or so before being able to get to the rivers edge. his gun had a leupold. he changed clothes, dried off his gun and test fired it. hie leuplod held zero with no moisture in the scope.

he got his griz too.

my 2 cents gentlemen

 

[MS 9x56]

I would use the 9.3x62 and stick with the peep sight just take the insert out you want the largest orifice you can get. Now you are ready from 5-200 yards. I would use either partitions or A-frames.

 

[perttime]

How good are you with the peep sight. Much practice for snap shots?

 

[R eight]

As others have said the 9.3 x 62 with a premium 286 grain projectile is an excellent bear cartridge. Alaska is hard on rifles, I’d prefer a synthetic stocked rifle. Fit a good quality low power variable scope in QD mounts and make sure your iron sights are zeroed too.

 

[BeeMaa]

Yes, the 9.3x62 is enough gun...however.

Have all the previous posts missed the obvious CORRECT answer? A trip to Alaska for Costal Brown Bear is the perfect reason for a new rifle. Maybe go stainless and synthetic for weather considerations. Fill that gap between 9.3mm and .458 caliber with a 416RM or maybe even a 404J! I'm sure there is something in the classifieds that will look pretty good under the Christmas tree.

 

[Luvthunt]

9.3x62 or the 338 would do it for me. I’m with the rest reduce the scope power on the 338. Nosler part or Swifts for me.

 

[double rifle newbie]

Yes, the 9.3x62 is enough gun...however.

Have all the previous posts missed the obvious CORRECT answer? A trip to Alaska for Costal Brown Bear is the perfect reason for a new rifle. Maybe go stainless and synthetic for weather considerations. Fill that gap between 9.3mm and .458 caliber with a 416RM or maybe even a 404J! I'm sure there is something in the classifieds that will look pretty good under the Christmas tree.

i like your gap filler. my 416rm is for my “bear only” hunts.

 

[YancyW]

9.3x62 is plenty, but all other things being equal, I would use the 338. No way I would hunt with a 6-24x scope, but that is a very easy fix.

 

[Beck]

Would you consider a bolt action 9.3 x 62 an adequate cartridge to hunt the big coastal grizzly bears of BC/Alaska?
Other potential candidates in my gun safe are a .338 RUM, .458 Win Mag both bolt actions and a double rifle chambered in .500 Nitro Express.
Of these four firearms, which do you think is the best choice?

I shot this black bear with a 9.3 x 62 - obviously not a coastal brown, but he did come in at over 500 lbs. I used Nosler accubonds, and it left an almost softball sized hole in the bear. Would think it should be more than enough for a coastal brown.