Ugly question: 9.3x62 vs .338WM

[Velo Dog]

Velo Dog
The ideal action for your 404 would be a P14 or M17, both are already close to magnum length and is an easy conversion. Both actions are stronger than the Mauser as well
Cheers

Bob,

As is often the case, I totally agree with you.

Cheers,
Velo.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have heard nothing but good reports on the Norma "Oryx" bullet, from hunters with various calibers.
Compared to other bullet brands, not very many people where I live know of it but, among those who do use the Oryx bullet, all of them seem to "sing happy songs" about it.

Velo Dog
Some one on the posts said the Oryx is just a woodleigh PPSP under a,different name. I don't know about that but the Woodleigh would be ideal in the 9.3 with weight from 232 grains up to a 320 grain PPSP, they also do a 35 cal from 200 to 310 grains.
Cheers Paul
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Both calibres are perfect ... and I love them equally . However , I personally prefer the .338 Winchester magnum calibre . You cannot go wrong with either choice . Howe , the .338 Winchester magnum calibre has a flatter trajectory based on my personal experience .
Unless I am very mistaken ... 300 grain bullets are now available for the .338 Winchester magnum calibre .

My dear friend Ponton
Yes Woodleigh do indeed make a 300 grain .338 projectile both a full metal jacket solid and a round nose soft point.
Your friend
Bob Nelson

 

[bruce moulds]

the 318 w.r. is virtually the same calibre as 338.
there are those who have and do like its ballistics.
with regards 338 mag vs 9.3x62, there is a way to have both, plus the power of a 375.
it is called the 9.3x64.
bruce.

 

[BC.Pat]

I have 7 rifles in 9.3 x 62 including a M1 Garand . so I say I have cast my vote

 

[CM McKenzie]

9.3 for me.

 

[Major Khan]

My dear friend Ponton
Yes Woodleigh do indeed make a 300 grain .338 projectile both a full metal jacket solid and a round nose soft point.
Your friend
Bob Nelson

What is really interesting to me , Bob ... is that Woodleigh also offers a 300 grain solid metal covered bullet variant for their .338 Winchester magnum calibre line , as well . African White Hunter , Mr. John Coleman ( of Eastern Cape ) actually used a .338 Winchester magnum calibre Fabrique Nationale Mauser 98 action custom made bolt rifle and 275 grain solid metal covered Winchester brand cartridges ... to dispatch countless African Cape Buffaloes and African Elephants , with utter impunity .

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What is really interesting to me , Bob ... is that Woodleigh also offers a 300 grain solid metal covered bullet variant for their .338 Winchester magnum calibre line , as well . African White Hunter , Mr. John Coleman ( of Eastern Cape ) actually used a .338 Winchester magnum calibre Fabrique Nationale Mauser 98 action custom made bolt rifle and 275 grain solid metal covered Winchester brand cartridges ... to dispatch countless African Cape Buffaloes and African Elephants , with utter impunity .

My dear friend Ponton
Attached is a copy of the Woodleigh catalogue for the 338

You will also see special projectiles for the smaller 338 federal as well
Keep safe and well my friend
Bob

 

[John Telford]

This is a tough one ! I have both calibers so here goes...
My 338 with 250 g Hornady has super penetration . Two seasons back I shot a Gemsbok (Oryx) at 100m from the front and the bullet traversed the right through and took the tail off on exiting! This caliber is actually ideal for heavy game up to 300. Such as kudu bulls , wildebeest etc on the plains or hills.
I was asked to assist in a zebra cull in the Kalahari so I loaded 225grainers as I expected the ranges to be at the 3-400m mark but sadly lockdown prevented me from traveling. ThisJapanese HOWA 1500 rifle has been pimped so I know it can do the work. I jokingly call it the “scooby” which is the slang name for subaru- a Japanese car that our locals pimp out with bigger turbos etc.I added a Boyd’s stock , bedded it down and added a silencer as is the current fashion in South Africa.
I would never do this to my 9.3’s especially my double square bridge Mauser! It is as she left the factory in Germany in 1937.
My other 9’er is a Belgium built Mahillion circa 1960. This one has a scope and after market trigger package.they both like 286 gn bullets.
The 9.3 x62 is actually better suited to close up action meaning under 150m . It shoots like a 30-06 but delivers like a .375 enough said.

 

[John Telford]

Velo Dog
The ideal action for your 404 would be a P14 or M17, both are already close to magnum length and is an easy conversion. Both actions are stronger than the Mauser as well
Cheers

There is a 404 on a P14 action up for auction this weekend from Classic Arms . Just don’t bid on the other 404!its mine!

 

[Daga Boy]

I think the 9.3 had a fair bit more energy than the 338.
Both are excellent but the 9.3 I feel had the edge and is fairly similar to the 375 H&H.
The 338 I feel is more suited to slightly smaller dangerous game such as bears.

Sorry, that's not correct. The .338WM is significantly more powerful than the 9.3 x 62. The smaller diam/high ball coefficient projectiles make it a very good long range rifle. In fact retained energies at 100m plus exceed that of .375H&H. It can be loaded to perform well in the bush. One just has to be quite careful in bullet selection in order to avoid blow-ups.
9.3 x 62 is essentially a bush rifle. It can be loaded to perform adequately to around 300m, but that's not its ideal application. Energy transfer and bullet performance at bush ranges is generally better than that of the .338 due to slightly heavier bullet and larger calibre (there is a very noticeable difference in frontal areas of expanded bullets). 9.3 is also less likely to pass through , which is an advantage when shooting herd animals.
The main practical differences are that the 9.3 is legal on DG in virtually all African counties whereas the .338 cartridges are legal in some but not others. In these parts the 9.3 is considered the equivalent of the .375 H&H for most applications.

 

[bruce moulds]

the 9.3x64 is more than a consideration.
it really is equal.
bruce.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

the 9.3x64 is more than a consideration.
it really is equal.
bruce.

Bruce moulds
I reckon a 35 cal 225 grain accubond at 2,850 fps would give the 338 a good run for its money out to any sensible game range as well mate.
Cheers Bruce
Bob

 

[Daga Boy]

the 9.3x64 is more than a consideration.
it really is equal.
bruce.

Definitely

 

[Wyatt Smith]

the 9.3x64 is more than a consideration.
it really is equal.
bruce.

If you keep it up Bruce, I’m gonna have to get one.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If you keep it up Bruce, I’m gonna have to get one.

Wyatt Smith
Forget the 9.3x64 it's a brilliant caliber for sure, just give me a properly loaded 35 Whelen. There ain't no flies on a,250 grain partition or Speer hotcore at 2,700+fps either.
Cheers Wyatt
Bob
Yes I am biased to the 35 Whelen since I found out it's FULL potential not wimpy factory loads.

 

[Daga Boy]

If you keep it up Bruce, I’m gonna have to get one.

Its a great calibre, but difficult to come by here . SAKO's 9.3 x 66 is also good, but SAKO's are pricey, and the trade off between additional recoil and a fairly minor gain in V0 does not seem to be justified. Hence my choice of the 9.3x62 - in CZ550, which is a great workhorse rifle and well priced.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I agree with you Daga Boy.

 

[krish]

What is really interesting to me , Bob ... is that Woodleigh also offers a 300 grain solid metal covered bullet variant for their .338 Winchester magnum calibre line , as well . African White Hunter , Mr. John Coleman ( of Eastern Cape ) actually used a .338 Winchester magnum calibre Fabrique Nationale Mauser 98 action custom made bolt rifle and 275 grain solid metal covered Winchester brand cartridges ... to dispatch countless African Cape Buffaloes and African Elephants , with utter impunity .

He must have used speer AGS SOLIDS 275 GRAIN. They are not manifacturing that any more. They were made in early 1990's. I have a picture

 

[krish]

One more view of the 338 AGS SOLID BULLETS.