I can't say.
I owned and used a 338 Mag for several years and with good bullets I never had a thing to complain about. (some of the 225 grain bullets I used were poor and broke up too much to give me the penetration I wanted)
I now own a 9.3X62 and for about 6 years before I made one for myself, I'd made about a dozen for customers and went hunting with several of them, so I got to see the effects of the 9.3X62 several times before I made my own. I have seen about the same number of kills with the 338 Win as I now have with the 9.3X62. (Probably about 1/2 of those 338 kills were mine and the other half done by hunting partners) The 338 shoots flatter but kicks a bit more (faster kick so it seems) but the 9.3 has been wonderfully effective.
The 9.3X62 holds 5 rounds in it's mag where my 338 held 3.
The 9.3 works very well in a shorter barrel. The 338 Mag does better than many would think it would with a 20" barrel, but it does give up a larger percentage of it's speed with a shorter barrel then the 9.3 (I doubt it really matters in the field)
The largest animals I have seen both cartridges used on were Bison. (neither were my kills) Again, no real difference so far.
I like the 9.3 and no longer own any 338s. But if I am honest with myself I have to admit that killing about 20 head of game with the 338 and about 10 with my 9.3X62 as well as about 30 with my 9.3X74R, (same bullets at the same speed) some of my love for the 9.3s may simply be a love grown from success, and having more kills with my 9.3s (two 9.3X57s one 9.3X62 and one 9.3X74R then I did with my 338s. It may just be a matter of 'emotion'.
Neither will be a bad gun or cartridge. Just use a bullet that is not prone to break up much at close range in either gun and you'll be fine. As with all big game rifles the real secret is not the shell case but the quality of the bullet you use. Given a good tough bullet I doubt there would be enough difference between them to really tell.
Last edited by szihn; 02/22/24.
