Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 9.3 vs. 35 (again)

That didn't work too well. They didn't retest the loads in "standard actions," but in factory rifles--which have far more variable bore dimensions than pressure barrels. As a result, in one Speer manual their factory .308 Winchester rifle got higher velocities with their pressure-tested loads than their factory .30-06 rifle. They had to print a special paragraph in that manual to explain why.

Yep, I have that manual. So, do you know how they are testing now?

The latest Speer manual, Number 15 published in 2018, apparently uses standardized SAAMI-spec pressure barrels.

Thanks very much for researching that and getting back to us on it MD!
Rex

Honest question-what is a standardized SAAMI-spec barrel?

Generally 24 inches long in most rifle cartridge, with certain exceptions. Also generally with tighter bore/groove dimensions than many factory barrels, with chamber on the smaller side of SAAMI maximums/minimums. As an example, headspace is generally allowed to vary plus/minus .007.

Thank you. I did not know there was a SAAMI spec barrel for each cartridge. Are there any general pearls of wisdom for interpreting data generated from one?

HA!

Even a "good" pressure barrel starts to wear out, especially in the throat area in front of the chamber. Which is why I'm especially suspicious about the loading data from various manuals that continue to list the same factory rifle as the "test gun" for several editions.

Then there are variations in manufacturing lots of powders, bullets and even primers.

But have noted over the past decade or two that due to more stringent standards, loading data has become far more consistent between different sources. Dedicated one entire chapter in my first BIG BOOK OF GUN GACK to that question, titled "Why Reloading Data Varies." Despite many handloaders continuing to bitch about varying handloading data, it's actually FAR more consistent than it was even 25 years ago, despite far more widely varying bullets.

My negative comments regarding loads in Speer manuals are for the early manuals. I don't have the same issue with their newer manuals.

Any more, I will check a couple of sources when venturing into new territory with a new cartridge for me. Since I like odd-ball cartridges there's, at times, further complications.

When I start developing a load, I look at the Gun Gack series, Ken Waters, and Nosler manuals. I'll also look on-line for manuals (if I don't have them) that are for powders I plan on using, bullets that I plan on using etc. On odd-ball cartridges I'll look at Load Data, Ackley, various old manuals, and old Gun Digests. Odd ball cartridges require more serious planning, I think.

I had a Democrat chronograph that was a royal pain to be around. Now I have one that is easy to use and I'll be watching velocity more closely when developing loads that are approaching near maximum. When I've reached a velocity that meets reputable sources loads, I will stop - I may stop earlier if the source is using a 26" barrel since my rifles don't often have 26" barrels. I'm not afraid to use a bigger cartridge if I feel the burning desire to increase velocity.

I firmly believe in being very careful with handloads. I likely take twice as long as the average hand loader to assemble loads, even after the load has been tested for velocity and accuracy.

As far as 35 vs. 9.3x62 goes, I am not as knowledgeable as the writers and other experts on this forum but I think there's been a lot of improvement on bullet design over the last few years (maybe more than a few years). And now, comparing the two is like comparing the 280 and the 270, I suppose, if using a fast enough twist on the 35 for stabilizing heavy bullets. Personally if I go to Africa I'll have a rifle that should work fine on game that I can afford to shoot (It has a belt and has H&H in the name). I'll be lucky at my age if I go big bear hunting though.

Apples to Apples, you'd be a lot closer trying to compare a 9.3 x 62mm to a 375 H&H. There's nothing to compare with the the 35 as stated.

Phil

.366-.358 = .008
.375-.366 = .009

Diameter of a bullet alone has little to do with a cartridge whole design and purpose. Both the 9.3x62 and 375 H&H were designed by country's colonizing Africa and for Africa, Not so with the 35, Also the 2 were designed in the same era. If you were to get specific on the 35 you'd have to wait another half century for the likes of the 358 Norma Mag, 358 STA and the likes.

Phil

Fantasy is a wonderful experience. Even African game is flesh and blood just like all game the world over

What about the .350 Rigby, .350 No2 Rigby and .350 Magnum Rigby

None of which got off the ground because of the 375 H&H...

Phil

How about the 6.5, 7X57, 318 Westley Richards? Were they all designed for 'African"? Bell killed hundreds of elephants with then as well as the 303 British.

Well, good points made by both sides in subsequent posts, but that said:

The top handloads in the 9.3x62 launch a 250 grain bullet at 2650-2700 FPS.
The top handloads in the .35 Whelen launch a 250 grain bullet 2650-2700 FPS.

And top handloads in both also do 2450-2500 with 275-286 grain bullets.

That's pretty comparable, IMO. I own both and love both.

Cheers,
Rex

I have used both cartridges, and don't want to give up either one. I use them for different purposes.
My .35 Whelen is a tried and true Sako AV Classic with custom 24" 1-14" twist barrel. It is my local elk and moose rifle. I have enjoyed a lot of success with it. Even though it is kinda big and heavy is very accurate and easy to shoot well. I can use almost any 250 grain bullet at 2500 fps with no complaints.
My 9.3x62 is a Verney-Carron Impact Plus take down bolt action. It is my travel rifle. It fits in a very compact case and is extra light, handy, and although powerful doesn't kick too much for accurate shooting. I use 286 gr. Norma or Lapua bullets at 2400 fps. It served me well in Namibia last year for Kudu, Gemsbok, and Giraffe.

TCR 83 9.3X74 SSK in the classifieds...

Hey CastnBlast,
Which specific Lapua 286 grain bullet did you use and on what game? Scoring a smoking deal on a bunch of Lapua factory ammo with their 286 Mega bullet, along with a couple hundred of the same loose bullets is what got me on the road to building my 9.3. But I haven't found too much on the field performance of those bullets and have yet to use them on game.

Thanks,
Rex