Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser vs Mauser

Just wondering, given the choice, which one would you pick and why.

Zastava m70 375 h&h or

Husqvarna Commercial FN98 9.3 x 62.

The Zastava is virtually new.

I'd choose the 9.3, all else being equal. There's not much between them but I prefer cases which aren't belted, and I've found the 9.3 x 62 (and x74) does a good job on game like our water buffalo as well as anything smaller. Less recoil in a rifle of the same weight too, compared to a .375.

Also more 9,3x62 rounds in the magazine.

Having used both extensively for a combined total of 18 years, I'd recommend the 9.3x62. It will likely be a lighter rifle that holds more ammo. And having killed various deer, mountain goats, and brown bears with both, I cannot tell a bit of difference in performance between them.

I would pick the .375 H&H.

Do you handlaoad?

If not, get the .375 H&H

If you do, then I'd recommend the 9.3 x 62. I have serval, I've taken a bunch of game with that round from impala to elk to sable to leopard to Cape buffalo without an issue. There is less felt recoil in te 9.3 x 62 than the .375 H&H, but I see no difference in performance. As mentioned, 9.3 rifles are made on standrd length actions and tend to be slimmer and lighter. Load with 250 TSX and you have the closest thing to a 1 rifle big game battery as I can imagine.

Any reason to go with the Husqvarna over the Zastava?

From my limited experience the husky will more likely be smoother and more reliable. Some of the recent zastavas I have seen and owned were a little rough and needed some love for 100% reliability and smooth operating.

Ditto. Assuming it's in good working order I'd get the Husky just for the superiority of the workmanship.

I would choose the Husqvarna.

I've owned one recent Zastava and handled a couple more and they can be great rifles but the quality control seems to be all over the place. I had to work mine over to get it to feed and while the bluing is great the wood looks like it was whittled by a parkinson's patient with a rusty butter knife. The Husqvarnas just seem much more consistent from rifle to rifle.

I tried to make a test stock for Mausers that would be drop in with steel bedding.



The Mausers that make trouble are cast receivers. The bottom of the recoil lug does not have a flat surface.

What Mausers have cast receivers? Never seen one.

Me neither!

If the Husqvarna left the factory as a 9.3x62, then I'd take it.


Okie John

If I were in that position I also would take the Husky 9.3.

I am on my 2nd barrel in my own 375H&H and I have killed more animals with that gun than I can count. I was and still am of the opinion it leaves nothing to be desired .

BUT......I became more and more familiar with the 9.3X62 (and the 9.3X74R, loaded to the same velocities as the 9.3X62 Mauser) starting about 10 years ago, and I had to admit I see no difference in how it kills game from my 375. Maybe on the largest of African game someone might see a bit of difference, but maybe not. In N. America, there is none. If I am wrong and there is some difference, I would bet anything the difference is so small as to be insignificant.

As others have said, the Zastavas are a bit rougher and in my opinion, should have about an hour of hand polishing where the Huskys are perfect as they come.
The 9.3 holds one and in some actions 2 more rounds.
The 9.3 kicks less.

If for some reason you do not and cannot ever hand load you ammo I might re-consider my advice, but even if you do not now, keep in mind you can buy a small press and a set of dies, a primer set-up, and make a powder scoop that is just right for one shell and set EVERYTHING up to load that one shell for less the then cost of 2 boxes of 375H&H factory Ammo.

I have had a 41 year long love affair with the 375H&H and I just have nothing at all bad to say about the cartridge, but I also will tell you the whole truth. If I had been introduced to the 9.3X62 back in my early 20s instead of the 375 I may have stopped right there---- and never tried a 375.

From my experience shooting game with the cartridge, and far more with the 9.3X74R loaded to the same speed, as well as now having seen about 20 head of big game killed with 9.3X62s in the hands of other hunters I have been with or guided, I have to believe the 9.3X62 is the equal of the 375H&H in killing game.
On paper the 375 beats it, but elk, moose and buffalo seem to "say" there is no difference.

Like the 9.3 X 62 over the 375 H&H for a hunting rifle.

Pappy and Butch, I think you have seen cast Mauser receivers, but may not have known it.

I could be fooled by rough machining followed with coarse sandblasting, but a Google search will turn up more.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...s/13933792/parker-hale-receiver-castings

Thanks for the input fellas. Looks like the husky and the 9.3 x 62 is favoured by a large margin. I am not one to argue and both cartridges are out of my wheelhouse. I think I will go the Husqvarna route.

Saw Dr,

I agree with above posts regarding preference of 9.3x62 after using 375s for three decades.

Canadians have access to far more of those nice Husqvarnas than we do in the US. I'm envious!