Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Down to these choices: 9.3X62 or 375 Whelen on a FN Mauser?

I want to build a dangerous game rifle for my fianc�e, and am looking at all-around cartridges that still make the DG minimums in Zimbabwe.

what's the downside of the 375 Whelen? Properly stamped brass, I think is one, and wildcats on safari is another.

Is the 9.3X63 the solution?

There is nothing more classic on a FN Mauser then the 9.3x62. It is still factory and can be found in much of africa. Your points on the 375 Whelen and correct. Why invite trouble in a far off land??? there may be issues you need to deal with and you do not want your rifle / ammo being one of them.

The unimproved Whelen is just a touch slower than the 9.3 x 62, but not enough for any animal to notice. The wildcat and headstamp issues are real considerations which would nix the Whelen for me for African use. The 9.3 is a classic medium, and would do anything you might call on a .375 for except in those countries where the .375 caliber is minimum for some species. Perfect in the FN Mauser.

David,

I used a .376 Steyr on a hunt in Zim in '01: I was impressed on the light recoil compared to my .375 H&H rifles. I still have the .376, but I sold the .375s. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If you search using google.com you should find articles that I and Eric Ching have done on hunting with this cartridge.

jim

No-Brainer between the two, 9,3x62. Why bother with wildcat brass etc. when you can buy superb quality factory brass in a classic cartridge? The 376 Steyr however does have a lot to offer..........DJ

I have two FN 9.3x62's, actually one is a Husqvarna on an FN action and they are probably the last rifles I would ever give up. I used one (the non-Husky) in Africa a couple of years ago on game from springbuck through eland with the 250 gr Barnes X bullet loaded to 2630 fps. Excellent performance including relatively distant shots on the lighter game as well as a 25 yard shot on the eland that just rolled him over right now. This combined with ammo availability as mentioned by the others make the 9.3 tha hands down choice IMO.

Tony, what load did you use for the 250gr X?......DJ

My thoughts, exactly.

RSY

Just a thought, but unless you like fooling with something different, why not just buy a .375 H&H and load it down to where it's comfortable? That's what I did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have both, since I like 'em both. The .375 would be more rational, since it is the minimum in some other African countries, and ammo and components are easier to get. I admire the .375 no endf, and have taken all sorts of game from springbok to buffalo with it.

But everybody who tries the 9.3x62 falls in love with it. The rifles are generally lighter, and recoil is noticeably lighter. Most I've seen put all bullet weights very close together, which contrary to popular belief is not all that common with .375's. Plus you can have a 5-round magazine without extra expense, or that bloated looked of drop magazines. Killing power is so close to the .375's that you'll probably never see the difference. I have generally given up the use of both my .338 and .375's because of the 9.3x62, at least when I can legally get away with it.

MD

MD,

That's how I feel about my 35 Whelen. I just figured since I was going to rebarrel, might as well get her the minimum legal in SA and Zim.

If she NEEDS a 375 H&H, I have one she can use.

Thank you sir!

My friend Don Heath (Editor of African Hunter) shoots the 9.3X62 and loves it. Don is also a PH and is one of the examiners for the Zim Proficiency Exams.

He took a burst of 7.62X39 in his right shoulder during the Rhodesian War, and he says the 9.3X62 is just the right medicine for him.

No doubt it is trendy among the rifle loonies now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Since my .376 Steyr is based on the 9.3X64 case necked up to 9.5 and shortened to 60 mm, I figure I can check my 9.3 box.

jim

I've used the standard .375 H&H for twenty-five years and the .375 Scovill - aka 9.5x62 for six or seven. Both are great rounds and nothing you ever hit with one could tell the difference. I have not used the 9.3x62 but with identical bullets I have no doubt it would be in the same catagory. From my experiences around the globe I'd recommend a standard factory round rather than a wildcat.

Thanks, Phil.

Who would you recommend to convert the FN into a 375 H&H?

dww

Converting the FN to .375 H&H is a harder question. Gunsmiths I have confidence in can be found on both sides of the issue. I'd say as long as you intended to stick to factory ballistics or less you should be safe in doing so. The 9.3x62 is easier to do, holds more and is realistically just as effective.

Understood.

I'm ordering the barrel tonight from Lothar Walther.

9.3x64!!!

I know a gunsmith in Northern Idaho who has the reamer for a 9.3x64 and is willing to use it for a reasonable price. He said he would chamber, thread, crown and install a barrel on one of my 1908 Brazilians for $100 and charge a little more to open the bolt face. Just might be my graduation present come April. I just can't seem to find much for brass. I know RWS makes it but I wonder if I could just neck down Hornady 376 steyr...Hmm??

I'd choose 9.3 for readily avaliable brass..

A compressed charge of VV-N550 in Norma brass.