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Hmmmm, the use of 286 NPs in the 9,3x62 and ownership/use of MANY .338WMs.....obviously, a HIGHLY intelligent and wise man......!!!!

My 22" 9.3 X 62 gets right over 2625 FPS with 250 Gr bullets and RL 15. With 286 Gr bullets and RS Big Game 2525 FPS both loads
very accurate. With 286 Gr bullets and RL 15 could not exceed 2420 FPS.

Gunner

Dewey,

I've pushed 250's to 2750 in my .338's, with all the powders you mention plus H4831, but after using the .338 in Africa decided that was pushing the envelope. In Montana in November they worked fine, though then the Reloder powders handloads weren't even getting 2700. I've had the best cold-weather results with H4350 and H4831.

Most published .338 data with tougher 250-grain bullets these days tops out at around 2650. Vihtavuori lists a couple of loads at 2750 or so, but with boattailed cup-and-cores, which have shorter bearing surfaces and are generally "softer" when engraved by the rifling as well. Nosler does list 2780 for the Partition with H4831, the powder I've used in Africa, but it still got a little wonky at temperatures well above 70. (The so-called temperature stable powders are actually just temperature-resistant. Pressures still increase when its warm, though not as much as what might be termed "standard" powders.) As a result, when I returned from that safari I decided to reduce the load somewhat, since 100 fps doesn't really mean much in the field.

My 250-grain handloads in the 9.3x62 have been pressure-tested at right around 60,000 psi, which is .30-06 level, and 4000 psi below the SAAMI average maximum for the .338. Pushing the 9.3 to 64,000 would result in about 2750 fps, but as with the .338 I haven't found any reason to do so in recent years.

I've come to the conclusion that bullet diameter does make a difference on animals larger than deer, especially a diameter of .35 caliber or larger, after having used both the .338 and 9.3x62 considerably in both North America and Africa. The .338 has been used with 200-250 grain Barnes TSX, Hornady Interlock, Nosler Accubond/Ballistic Tip/Partition, Speer Hot-Cor/Grand Slam, and Winchester Fail Safe bullets. The 9.3 has been used with Barnes TSX, Norma Oryx, Nosler AccuBond/Partition and Speer Hot-Cors in weights from 232 to 286 grains.

Penetration has never been a factor with any of the "premium" bullets, despite differences in sectional density. In fact it's only been limited with lighter conventional .338 bullets. The 200-grain Speer Hot-Cor .338 penetrates deeper and holds together much better when loaded to .338-06 velocities, rather than the 3000 or so possible with the .338 Magnum.

Ranges have been from around 50 to 300+ yards with both rounds, and animals have ranged up to well over 1000 pounds. Obviously there'll be some overlap in performance, but overall there's been a noticeable difference in the way the two cartridges affect larger game. On average, animals react more to the impact of the 9.3 bullets, and go down quicker. They react to hits from .338 bullets more like they do to a .300 magnum, and react to 9.3 bullets more like they do to a .375. Or at least that's what I've observed.

Like you, I use a lot of 200-grain bullets in my .300 magnums, where they work great. All of which is why I haven't hunted nearly as much with the .338 since acquiring my 9.3. The .338 doesn't really do anything the .300's can't with 200-210 grain bullets, and doesn't perform quite as well as the 9.3 on larger game with heavier bullets. Don't get me wrong: The .338 is a fine cartridge, and unless I quit hunting m rifle will be here, partly because we've had too many adventures together. But these days I prefer the 9.3, and not just for the performance on game.