Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 35 Whelen or 9.3x62?

I had 9.3x62 on a Model 70 action with a Lothar Walther barrel. It was very accurate with 232 Normas and both 250 and 286 TSX. I used Graf's brass and either RL15 or IMR4064. Performance on game was impressive. I bought a nice lightweight Sako Mauser in 375 H&H and let the heavier Winchester go.

I have had both and couldn't tell much difference. Plenty of heavier bullets (275-300) for both. Better selection of 200-225's for the 35.

I wouldn't bother with either again. Couldn't see much of an improvement over a 30-06 with 200-220's. When you need more than a 30-06 you should get a 416 or just be very precise with the 30-06.

Don't believe me...ask 458Win.

I have both

Find the rifle you like

Then see which caliber it is available in

The problem is the choice of rifles are very limited in those calibers.
Some deals pop up here and there, and then they are gone in a hurry.

Given that I am a lefty, I know of no recent manufacture bolt guns that are factory std in either caliber. It will be a semi-custom proposition.

OR you could buy a 338-06 which will kill anything in the lower 48, shoots as flat as a 180 06' and kicks less.

Heck I even have two and one is for sale---- cheap !

I have both in LH

1. Ruger MK2 LH 35 Whelen AI Rimrock stock converted to LH shoot 225 NP, and 250 Speer prob my most used rifle.

2. Win 70 LH 9.3 X 62 ,Pacnor 22" SS barrel, Mcmillion Edge stock 250 N AB or 286 NP

I'm probably not with the crowd. I went 35 Whelen. For one thing I too shoot cast bullets a lot. I own several 35 caliber rifles. 358 Win, 350 Rem Mag's, and a Whelen.

The heaviest bucket I use is 250 grain Nosler Partition and 250 grain Hornady Interlock. The detractors will say the twist rate is too slow for heavier bullets. Yet others will say that a 338 Win Mag best bullets are 200 - 210 grain.

I suppose it will depend on if you're going to Africa, if you shoot cast bullets, if 250 grain premium bullets are too puny for your needs.

SAKO has a lefty 9.3

there is one on gunbroker

I went with the 35 Whelen AI - you get very similar ballistics to the 9.3 and you can still shoot standard Whelen ammo in a pinch. I would certainly not be against the 9.3, but I had an '06 donor rifle and the smith had the AI reamer sitting there, so that made the decision a bit easier. Had a second one built because I had everything to reload already. Next one might be a 9.3.

I have owned a Whelen for a long time now but still haven't loaded a pistol bullet. Going to have to change that and come up with a Trail Boss deer load like you suggested.Should be a fun project.

Sports afield has a story on the 9.3 this month

I am loading 225g nolsers in the 35w and 230g perigine 9.3's In the next couple weeks
Hoping for 2800fps

I will tell u what happens

Zastava's 20" FS and standard 22" both are available in LH, and at very decent prices. In Canada, that is. I don't know about the States.

After having owned a M7400 Remington in .35 Whelen (and a single-shot NEF in .35 Whelen), I'm very impressed with that cartridge when the chamber/action allows long-seating of bullets. I'm talking 2550 fps to 2635 fps from the 250 Speers and Hornadys. Shot a good bear with the 7400 using a 200-X at 2835 fps.

I went looking for another .35 Whelen and came home with a 9.3 x 62 Tikka T3 Lite. It will fire the 286 Nos Partition at the same max speed as the 250 in the Whelen. Easily over 2700 fps from the 250 AB and over 2400 from the 320 Woodleigh PP. There is really not a lot of comparison between 3750 ft-lbs from the Whelen and 4365 ft-lbs from my 9.3 x 62. The 9.3 x 62 is readily available in Canada, as well as components for handloading. You would be hard pressed to find new .35 Whelens and ammo. Remington is the only source when available. It isn't all that popular on this side of the border. The 9.3 x 62 has become a hot number.

In my considerable experience with a number of mediums, including .338 Win Mags, a .340 WBY, .35 Whelens and a couple of .375 H&Hs, the 9.3 is the overall best in my view when ballistics, weight, handiness and recoil are all taken into account. And at over 2000 ft-lbs at 500 yards from the 286 Nos Part, it isn't just a medium-range rifle. Think of it as a .30-06 on steroids.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

9.3X62

.35 Whelen

9.3x62

.35 Whelen

Indecision John?

Think John is saying...buy both.

That would be the RLS (Rifle Loony Solution), which I've often advocated and practiced myself in the past.