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

Which is the most popular in the US? Which has the most ammo sale?

Same question for world wide?

I have a 35 Whelen but am considering converting an 8mm Mauser to 9.3, but it was made in the late 1930's.

Am pretty sure the 9.3x62 is more popular world-wide, due to Africa, where quite a few hunters still use it, as do a lot of European hunters.

In North America the .35 Whelen is more popular, but not like it was when Remington first turned it into a factory round. What I heard through the business is they sold around 20,000 Whelens the first year, and then sales dropped considerably.

Well you already have a .35 Whelan, so why not the 9.3x62? It definitely would be a better choice if Africa is in your future! Unfortunately Africa won't happen for me, but if it did I would get a CZ rifle in 9.3x62.

Would you convert the Mauser to 9.3x62 or just buy a new one. If new, then why not buy a Ruger 375 African?

You clearly need all three.

i89nteresting as I just happen to have a 9.3 X 62 barrel for sale.....it's Douglas ultra rifled and I'm rebarreling the action to .35 Whelen

It's threaded and chambered for a large ring Mauser 98 and fired less than fifty rounds.

I have a .375 H&H for Africa should I make a third trip but want the Whelen as it can shoot lighter bullets for less recoil. We all have our weaknesses it seems.

I've never owned either one. Are they pretty much equal in performance?

The Mauser donor would be a great candidate for this rebarrel. And should be much cheaper than the Ruger African. But then again maybe you want a .375. All I can say is that for the U.S. the 9.3 is looked at by some as over kill, but I just love the way it knocks game down for the count wihtout killing the shooter. And as for weight, my 8x57 is heavier. And it's pretty accurate. Hard hitting, not excessve recoiling, not too heavy, and pretty damn accurate. What's not to love?

I doubt if any game in America would be able to tell the difference in the 9.3 and the .35, What's the difference,...8 or 9 thousands of an inch? Even so, personally I would rather have a 9.3 than an 8mm to go with my .35 Whelen. Nazis shot at my Dad with an 8mm!

In my experience, yes, and I'll throw in the 338-06 too.

Make the 8mm an 8x68 and never look back!

The 9.3x62 is becoming more popular here in Australia. It is available in the Tikka which is light, affordable and widely available. Apart from a run that Ruger did a few years ago in the Hawkeye and Remington too in the CDL, new Whelen rifles are a thing of the past now. A lot of the 9.3s are being bought for sambar deer.

I figured 9.3 is becoming more popular in North America and ammo can probably more easily be found in Africa than 35 Whelen. I make 35 Whelen brass out of 30-06. Don't know if I could do that converting 30-06 to 9.3 or not. 9.3 x 62 may need a little longer brass than the 30-06 cartridge can resize to.

...why not buy a Ruger 375 African?
The 375 Ruger is a great round. However in Africa the ammo is difficult to find but the 9.3x62 is way more available. The other advantage for the 9.3x62 is magazine capacity.

You can make 9.3 brass from 30-06, though not quite as easily as converting to 35 Whelen. It comes out a hair short too, but still usable. With Privi and Hornady brass available, along with Norma, I don't bother anymore.

Pluses for the 9.3 over the 35 are heavier bullets and it's legal for dangerous game in a lot of African countries. I love my Ruger Hawkeye African. It does everything I need it to do with a lot less recoil than the 375 Ruger.

If you are gonna go with a 9.3 why not the x64 Brenneke?? More juice, a TRUE dangerous game round, short enough to fit in a standard 98

I defy anyone to tell me they can see a difference in effect on at least NA big game animals under normal hunting conditions out to say, 300 yards.

I have yet to detect any difference in results on big game, whether in North America or Africa, between the 9.3x62 and .375 H&H.

Better yet is the 375 Ruger. It's what H&H would have developed, had they brought out the "H&H" today.

I love my 9,3X62 and haven't shot any of my three 375s in anger for ten years...2 ea H&H and 375 Wby. I've owned several 375 Rugers and find no fault with them, none. The Brenneke was a very good round and still is, but try in a pinch to find ammo and brass, especially at any kind of price that's at or below the platinum melt value.

The 115 year old Otto Bock is just perfect for my medium bore needs, especially with the great new powders and bullets.

Not long ago winter flights to Stockholm were stupid cheap. Like under $300. I considered going over there, because Tikka's website said the 9.3 x 62 was available in the T3 Stainless LH. But, the dealer listed in Tikka's info did not have the gun in hand. Probably a good thing.