Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Whelen vs 9.3x62

Much difference? Pros/Cons?

Always liked short 35s - but had an interest in a 9.3 someday.

Do you have to get to a 286 in 9.3 to see an advantage? I am not sure what handloads can do in each so......who wants to enlighten me?

Also, I heard long ago the Whelen had a smallish shoulder and could cause misfire's - is that BS?

I've had both in AK for years, once Barsness began beating the 9.3 drum, immediately more good components became available, I favored the 9.3 for no earthly reason whatsover.

The 400 Whelen can be tricky but the 35 Whelen has plenty of shoulder.

The 286 is nice to have and it's hard to get bullets that heavy for the 35 Whelen. The 9.3x62 will also push a 250 almost as fast as a 338 with less recoil, which is nice.

Specific performance has more to do with barrel length, rate of twist, and each barrel's individual qualities than any real differences between the two cartridges.


Okie John

I’ve got two Whelen and a 9.3x62 and can’t find much difference between the two of them. I’ve not shot Bullets heavier than 250 grains in either one yet, but I’m not going to be surprised when they’re about the same.

Twist as another fella mentioned means more than much else in my book. The 9.3 is a 10 twist and the one 35 Whelen is a 14 while the other is a 16. The Whelen easily topped 2600 and change with a 250 and RL15 and the 9.3 does the same with very similar powder charges.

Components are about the same to me on many sites for availability as well. I’ve taken bear, deer, and elk with the Whelen using the 225 TSX, 250 PT, 225 Accubond, 250 Speer and 225 Sierra GameKing. My only real problem bullet was the 200 grain Remington PSP that wouldn’t make it through a broadside deer, but otherwise the rest have been great.

I expect the 9.3 to act the same when I do use it.

There are good bullets for use in both sizes, but the over-view suggests the 35 has more bullets available for easy expansion and the 9.3 has more with thicker jackets and offering and deeper pentation. But that not a limitation on either one. There are "very soft" 9.3s and some "very tough" 358s. So take your pick. Both will cover the bases just fine.

The 9.3X62 has a slight lead in power as a rule, but in the game field I doubt that an animal exists that could tell the difference between the 2. The 9.3s do have heavier bullets available and I like what I have used, but I can't say from experience that a 250 grain Partition or Solid Expanding 35 cal would not work just as well.

I own a 9.3X62, but I think all I ask of it could be done as well with a 35 Whelen. If an upgrade in power was needed I doubt a 5% or 7% upgrade would be adequate. If you need more power than you can get from a 35 Whelen you probably don't need a little more. You need a LOT more.

If I need more power then I can get from my 9.3X62 (or, if I owned one, a 35 Whelen) I think it's likely I would jump to my 404 Jeffery or even a 458 Winchester. In N. American I see no such eventuality being realistic.

About the only real advantage of the 9.3x62 is that it's the legal minimum for larger dangerous game in some (not all) African jurisdictions. Also, if you hunt in Africa, factory 9,3x62 ammo is fairly likely to be stocked in local stores, and .35 Whelen isn't--just in case you get separated from your handloads.

Have also generally found the 9.3x62 to be more accurate, but not enough to make any difference on big game shot at typical .35/9,3 ranges.

My experience is what Steve suggests, that if you need more power and bullet weight than the .35 Whelen and 9.3x62 provide (or think you do), then you need to step up to a .40+ caliber cartridge with quite a bit more bullet weight. The one I used for years was the .416 Rigby. But after buying and using my first 9.3x62 almost 20 years ago, it filled the "medium bore" slot so well that I rarely hunted with my .338 Winchester or .375 H&H.

Total BS

I have a passion for super quality brass. I mean, I built a wildcat based just on the fact I could use Lapua 8x57 brass. Lapua makes 9.3x62 brass. Not sure what high quality brass exists for the Whelen....duh, I just remembered Lapua makes 30-06. Forget I said anything. These 12 hour graveyard shifts at Barnes Bullets are quite difficult.

Alan

Yeah, you can’t beat the great Lapua brass for it. I’d think you’ll like either or if you twist them right.

Two peas in a pod for north American game..I am a 35 caliber fan but came across a CZ450 FS in 9.3x62 and being a man locker Looney I had to have it. With same weight bullets you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. I will say that CZ is the most accurate rifle I own.I do feel the 9.3 comes in better rifles but that's just my opinion.I never met a 35 I didn't like.

One big advantage they hold over the 30cal and under club is these middlebores make viable cast bullet launchers. Theres enough diameter and weight thats meaningful and effective. In this way theyre far more versatile then smaller bores.

I like the bullet selection for the .375 Ruger and love the versatility that can be had with handloading. It can do anything the 35 Whelen or 9.3 x 62 can do and more. It uses the same size standard action.

Pass me the whelen

This is interesting this 375 Ruger.

I have both a 35 and 400 Whelen. Neither have any lack of shoulder on which to headspace.

My .338 Winny and 30-06 has been doing a wonderful job on Alaska's critters for 55 years. My Marlin 45-70 and the wonderful Kodiak Bonded bullets have a great reputation in Alaska and I carry it during the "off season" for bear protection. But, by golly I have always liked the thought of medium and large bore bolt action magazine rifles with a wide V Express sight, African style like is on me short barreled shot gun. But, I owned four good Three Seven Five's and never hunted with them and gave last one to a son-in law.

If I ever head to Africa a 9.3x62 would be my choice along with a 30-06, with a Barnes X bullet of some flavor of course.

I have had good luck with Federal nickel plated .35 Whelen brass from fired factory loads. They have been without failure so I don’t even bother to count reloads. I think I had a few loose primer pockets after >10 hot workup loads. Nosler brass that I bought several years ago was a bit soft it seemed. Never met an inaccurate Whelen....

These are the jacketed rifle bullets listed on MidwayUSA (most all unavailable right now). Which list do you like better? It's that simple. Obviously in Europe you will have more readily-available options for the 9.3.


.358" bullets
Speer 180 gr Hot-Cor
Speer 220 gr Flat Nose
Speer 250 gr Hot-Cor
Remington 200 gr Core-Lokt RN
Remington 200 gr Core-Lokt PSP
Barnes 180 gr TTSX
Barnes 200 gr TSX
Barnes 200 gr TTSX
Barnes 225 gr TSX
Hornady 175 gr FTX
Hornady 200 gr FTX
Hornady 200 gr InterLock RN
Hornady 200 gr InterLock Spire Point
Hornady 250 gr InterLock Spire Point
Norma 250 gr Oryx
Nosler AccuBond 200 gr
Nosler AccuBond 225 gr
Nosler Partition 225 gr
Nosler Partition 250 gr
Sierra 200 gr RN
Sierra 225 gr GameKing
Swift 225 gr A-Frame
Swift 250 gr A-Frame
Swift 280 gr A-Frame
Woodleigh 225 gr Weldcore RN
Woodleigh 250 gr Weldcore RN
Woodleigh 310 gr Weldcore RN
Woodleigh 225 gr gr Weldcore PP
Woodleigh 250 gr Weldcore PP
Woodleigh 275 gr Weldcore PP
Woodleigh 225 gr Hydostatically Stabilized Solid

.366" bullets
Barnes 250 gr TTSX
Barnes 250 gr TSX
Barnes 286 gr TSX
Hornady 286 gr InterLock Spire Point
Hornady 300 gr DGS
Nosler 250 gr AccuBond
Nosler 286 gr solid
Nosler 286 gr Partition
Nosler 250 gr E-Tip
Speer 270 gr Hot-Cor
Swift 250 gr A-Frame
Swift 286 gr A-Frame
Swift 300 gr A-Frame
Swift 286 gr Break-Away solid
Woodleigh 250 gr Weldcore RN
Woodleigh 286 gr Weldcore RN
Woodleigh 320 gr Weldcore RN
Woodleigh 286 gr Weldcore PP
Woodleigh 250 gr Weldcore PP
Woodleigh 286 gr FMJ
Woodleigh 320 gr FMJ

I think it depends on which authors you read as a child. I grew up on books and articles about Africa so the 9.3x62 is the way I went. Looking at the above bullet list it is obvious if you want to shoot heavier bullets go with the 9.3 round. I would imagine if you want to also plink or shoot smaller game the Whelen has the advantage of pistol bullets and a better selection of bullet molds for it too. I would think if I found a rifle I like in either caliber I would go with that one

I was going to say, there isn’t a huge difference in top end bullet weights either. Thanks for posting that.