Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338-06 vs. 9.3x62

Which one of the two....and why

Now if you've already got a 30-06, which one of the two...

9.3 cuzz it's enough bigger to make a difference.

The advantages of moving up to a bore larger than .30 are really only apparent when you start moving bullets over 250gr, and with bullets of that weight and above the 9.3x62 is the superior round.

Now, if all you wanted to do is shoot 210gr Nosler Partitions (which isn't a bad plan, really) then the 338-06 deserves a look.

The 35 Whelen is the way to go.....with all of these calibers, you won't be going to a gas station or Wal-Mart to pick up a box of ammo if you loose your shells.

I have them both, but my vote would be the 9.3.

I think it would depend on what a person wanted to hunt with those particular cartridges. While both are excellent rounds with distinct advantages and disadvantages, I would base the cartridge on animal I'm hunting and terrain I am hunting in. Bullet selection is much better in .338 than .366 In this regard I agree with Oregon45 if shooting longer distances with a 210 partition the 338-06 would be the way to go or the 200gr Accubond. It would be a great open country elk load. But when getting up in bullet weight there's no comparison. The 9.3 shines over the 338-06 in 250 and above weight bullets. For the bigger animals like moose and browns the 9.3 is my choice. One other thing to consider is finding a rifle you like in your choice of cartridges. CZ makes a wonderful 9.3 either in American style or shorter mannlicher. For 338-06 I think Weatherby might be the only commercial maker. There's always the custom route too. Either way both cartridges are proven performers.

The 9.3 is nice and that is what I wanted when I was building a stillhunting rifle.

I got the 338-06 instead.

The bullet selection is so much greater in .338 compared to 9.3.

That is a point for the 338-06. Bullets are available from 160 to 300 grains in .338 with several of each brand at 250gr or larger.

Most bullets in 9.3 are 286gr. The euros have a couple lighter and a couple heavier but mostly 286gr.

These two cartridges are so similar that it really comes down to what you'd rather have stamped on your barrel.

Personally I think both are good rounds, and basically what one will do the other will do.

The 33's heavy is gonna be the 275 SAF and or 300 Woodleigh but I think the 275's it's best heavy. The 9.3's heavy is (I think) the 286 and I really don't think there's a hill of beans diff tween the two.

The 9.3's got a bit more weight but I feel that push comes to shove the 275/33 will give a bit more penetration.

Long ago I ran a 9.3x64 and liked it and think it's fairly close to the 375 H&H.

Lastly, I've used the 338/06 quite a bit and have only shot the 9.3x62 at the range so take that for what it's worth.

Dober

35 Whelen.

The 9.3 doesn't get you any more and the 338-06 gets you less, any way you slice it.

The 338/358/366 arguments seem worse than the 270 v. 280 ones since brass availability, headstamps and bullet selection are a lot more defined and easier to decipher....

The problem with the 35 cals is bullet availability... the BC/SD of those available, I mean.

The 9.3 has the 320 gr Woodleigh, but the 286s have a great combination of BC/SD/KO.

They are all three awesome rounds though.

I have a 338-06 that I love but intend to pick up a 9.3x62 someday (have a 9.3x57 currently).

Depends a lot on what you're hunting. If you're going after elk and deer and might have a little longer shot the 338 would be my choice, while the possibility of big bears or africa would favor the 9.3 in my mind.

Only in my mind though. I think at the end of the day, as far as the game is concerned, HawkI's final analysis is correct.

Personal taste is probably the biggest factor in answer your question.

In 6mm, 6.5, and 7mm, I like having bullet options, paper, varmints, deer, etc.

On mid bore, I found w/338/06 I used 2. 200 BT for deer, and 225 PT on elk.

For a 350RM, I used 2 for hunting. 225 Sierra deer, 225 PT on elk.

Plinking sometimes done w/cheaper 158s and 200 CLs.

My Point is, bullet selection is nice, but when I am using a mid bore, the rifle is predominantly loaded for big stuff. ONE good bullet will do the job. Well, if you place it

Choice? I like both, flip a coin and ENJOY, it's small potatoes IMHO.

Never understood the 'There are 14,587 bullets for caliber X but only 87 for caliber Y stance'


Bullets are like women, you don't need a 1,000 different ones just one good one.


Since it weren't asked I didn't say but I'm with Hawk, 35 Whelen all the way.

My 9.3 RWS factor ammo gets 3842ft/lbs at the muzzle, without raising a pressure sweat!

The 9.3 has history & proven throughout the world. So 9.3 for me, unless I can have a 338WM. Even then, I would need to think it over a few whiskeys

The 9.3X62 has been the easiest cartridge to work up accurate, full velocity loads for I have ever worked with.

I started out to build a Mauser based 35 Whelen, but I ended up being able to get a much better deal on a good barrel by going with a Lothar-Walther in 9.3x62.

I shot a buffalo with the 338-06 and a moose with the 9.3. I will take the 9.3 every time. Ammo is actually more available in 9.3 and bullet selection in loaded ammunition is a lot better. The brass is better and the bullets much heavier.

Ruger(HE) should of chambered the 9.3x62 instead of the 35 Whelen.

Me thinks Ruger might end up doing a 9.3x62 in their future HE lineup. Tipping sales will keep it going for a few years too.

I don't own either but 338's in general make me myopic,sleepy.....

If I wanted something like that it would be the 9.3 for sure.If you're gonna go above 30 caliber,might as well get some bore diameter working for you.....I just never understood what a 210 gr-338 does that a 200 gr-30 cal does not....

Dude??

WTF?

You feeling okay?

You didn't buy any rings lately did you? Any other stupid schitt we need to know about, like a fresh little jungle cracker coming into the world?

I own and hunt all three using 210's in the 338, 225's in the Whelen and 250's in the 9.3 and see no reason to settle on one. All have performed equally on the same or similar sized game.