.375 vs 9.3x62mm

[MeccaOz]

I know all 3 of those get a work out both here and in Africa, and all have taken Buffalo, I'd give the usual line about shot placement and any of the above should work, but I have yet to shoot a Buff myself.

But I myself would Love a 375 H&H for nostalgias sake

[Bennybigbores]

I'd go the ruger, later of calibres only would have improved ballistically in theory. Plus all reviews read pretty positively and I'm a fan of ruger full stop, probably the more versatile of the three.

[Harts]

I'll be the voice of a sissy here and say it

There is a huge recoil difference between the calibres you're talking about.

In ft-lbs you're talking about something like 25ft-lbs for the 9.3x62mm, 35ft-lbs for the 375H&H and 40ft-lbs for the .375 Ruger.

The .375 options are a lot of gun for deer. How often really do you think you'll be doing the buff thing?

Just personal here but I don't enjoy shooting such heavy recoiling calibres. Wouldn't want one for my .375 options for my daily shooter, especially with how much overkill it'll be for deer.

2c.

[yoshie]

I've shot a 375 H&H and own a 9.3x62. Recoil is less with the 9.3. All 3 will do the job. I've yet to use my 9.3 on a buff. Most guys up that way use 308s and snub their noses at anything bigger. I'd want as big a gun as you can manage as you may have to put in 1 or 2 follow up shots fairly quickly, if you can't shoot 3 shots of 375 quickly then it's probably to big . 3 shots of 308 are better than one miss hit with the biggest gun. I'd also want a good mate standing behind me with another big gun. See if you can fire off a few at the range, where are you located?

[Pilch]

I'd also want a good mate standing behind me with another big gun.

To hold you up when you fire your .375 Ruger?

[yoshie]

I'd also want a good mate standing behind me with another big gun.

To hold you up when you fire your .375 Ruger?

Pretty much. I don't mind shooting big guns, 458 WM is too much for me, and I found 338 WM unpleasant. The 9.3x62 and 444 marlin is just about perfect for me. I've seen people struggle to shoot 30-06. The trick is finding the gun that suits you.

[VICHunter]

Another option could me .35 Whelen (necked up 30-06.)

You could use 180gr loads for your deer for friendlier cartridges and go up to 250gr for hunting up north.

I'm no buff hunting expert but I think that will get you in the door?

[bigrich]

i'm resurrecting a very old post , but i've been debating between these two myself . just read a article about a yank handloading a 9.3x62 with 286gn up to 2622 fps with over 4300 foot pounds of energy anyone got any input or experience on this topic ?

[Oldbloke]

Ouch, my shoulder hurts.

[bigrich]

my interest in these is to shoot in the "big game" comps at my local range . 9.3x62 is the most affordable in it's class , 35 whelen is good too but you can go up to over 300 gn with woodleighs in the 9.3 whereas the whelen tops out at 250 gn . a NT buff hunt could be in my future as well i think , the 375 h&h would be more capable , but a handloaded 9.3 would seem to have the goods to get the job done

[SCJ429]

Would you consider a .416? The step up in recoil and the price of projectiles is not that big. I have shot the Ruger 416 and it was quite pleasant compared to a 378 WM and a 460 WM / 450 Rigby. I have a 416 Rigby and it is the most enjoyable big bore that I have shot.

[Bill]

big fan of the 9.3x62mm, I first bought a german sporter Mauser 9.3 about 16 years ago when I was travelling to the NT almost yearly for a hunt. 5 shot mag capacitty gives it the edge over the 375 H&H and factory ammo use to be a hell a lot cheaper too.

Culling Donkeys in Buff country its an easy choice, the 9.3 to get the job done. firing 20-30 rounds doesnt beat you up either.

[animalpest]

I have a 375 H&H and also bought it for its history and its capability. You certainly dont need more power than this cartridge in Australia.

I shot hundreds of buff in the 1970's but only used a 30/06. Wish I could have afforded one then.

[SCJ429]

I have a 375 H&H and also bought it for its history and its capability. You certainly dont need more power than this cartridge in Australia.

I shot hundreds of buff in the 1970's but only used a 30/06. Wish I could have afforded one then.

You may not need any more power but there is no harm either. You don't need any more power than a Toyota Prius to get you to the shops.

The 450/400 Jeffery 3 inch is a case with a long history in Africa, if that case design is something that appeals to you then it could be considered. Ruger brought out a run of them for their #1 rifle and that means that cases and dies are available. It is almost guaranteed that you won't see another one when you are on the line at the range.

[Oldbloke]

Hornady do these. Might do the job in 30-06. Or maybe something with a bit more weight retention.

Screenshot_20201219-102213_Chrome.jpg (183.55 KiB) Viewed 10430 times

[animalpest]

Sure, go for more power than the 375 H&H if you want to, but as I said, you dont need it. If its because you just like it, go for it.

More important than extra power is the ability to shoot it

[mchughcb]

i'm resurrecting a very old post , but i've been debating between these two myself . just read a article about a yank handloading a 9.3x62 with 286gn up to 2622 fps with over 4300 foot pounds of energy anyone got any input or experience on this topic ?

My 9.3x62 sort of tops out at 3600fltb with the 286gr. Going to 4300 ftlb is now getting up there with my 416 RM. I don't know what powder he was using but the pressure must be through the roof.

[bladeracer]

i'm resurrecting a very old post , but i've been debating between these two myself . just read a article about a yank handloading a 9.3x62 with 286gn up to 2622 fps with over 4300 foot pounds of energy anyone got any input or experience on this topic ?

Did he mention the powder he's using, his CoaL, or his barrel length?
Or what he chronoed it with?

That's a good 200-250fps higher than ADI lists, and those are already compressed loads. AR2208 and AR2209 are making about 40-50fps per 1.5gn to 2gn more powder, so you'd need about another 6-8gn, or 10% more than ADI lists. With a very long throat it might be possible I guess. The Partition is 1.375" long and ADI lists case length at 2.431" and CoaL of 3.225", the bullet thus seated .581" into the case. A long throat might let you seat the bullet 80-thou and gain a half-inch of neck length for powder. Wouldn't want to use it in a repeater but a single-shot rifle would work okay.

[Bello]

Just prior to Covid lockdown, I bought a Sako Kodiak 375 H+H.
I am hanging to get to the range to do load development.
I have some Hornady 270gr sp-rp interlocks to have a play with.
Also have some 300gr Woodleigh RN SN, that were given to me.

[bigrich]

i'm resurrecting a very old post , but i've been debating between these two myself . just read a article about a yank handloading a 9.3x62 with 286gn up to 2622 fps with over 4300 foot pounds of energy anyone got any input or experience on this topic ?

My 9.3x62 sort of tops out at 3600fltb with the 286gr. Going to 4300 ftlb is now getting up there with my 416 RM. I don't know what powder he was using but the pressure must be through the roof.

from memory , he seated out for more case capacity and the powder was reloader 17. i doubted these figures, which is why i posted the question on EG . the guys argument was load data is "soft" because of old rifles . as a 6.5x55 shooter i can relate to this .......

[bigpete]

my interest in these is to shoot in the "big game" comps at my local range . 9.3x62 is the most affordable in it's class , 35 whelen is good too but you can go up to over 300 gn with woodleighs in the 9.3 whereas the whelen tops out at 250 gn . a NT buff hunt could be in my future as well i think , the 375 h&h would be more capable , but a handloaded 9.3 would seem to have the goods to get the job done

The whelen doesn't top out at 250. There are 310gn pills and load data for it.

[bigrich]

my interest in these is to shoot in the "big game" comps at my local range . 9.3x62 is the most affordable in it's class , 35 whelen is good too but you can go up to over 300 gn with woodleighs in the 9.3 whereas the whelen tops out at 250 gn . a NT buff hunt could be in my future as well i think , the 375 h&h would be more capable , but a handloaded 9.3 would seem to have the goods to get the job done

The whelen doesn't top out at 250. There are 310gn pills and load data for it.

with regards to projectile weight for the 35 whelen , i'm refering to readily available projectiles . if there are heavier projectiles for 358 cal , except lead , i wasn't aware .
are you playing with 35 whelen as well as 358 win pete ? if everything goes to plan i'm finally going to get my 358 out in the paddock over xmas

[bigpete]

There are readily available pills from woodliegh.
Yes I am

[bigrich]

There are readily available pills from woodliegh.
Yes I am

358 bore is a very interesting caliber ,ballistically speaking . choice of projectiles to suit different performance is very interesting

hmmm. maybee i should consider 358 norma mag over 9.3x62.......

[bigpete]

Why not 35 whelen AI ?

[bigrich]

Why not 35 whelen AI ?

it's around a 9.3x62 in performance , but being able to get off the shelf components keeps costs and frustration down PPU 9.3 ammo is cheap for what it is just for "sh!ts and giggles"

[SCJ429]

Would it be just as easy and cost effective to shoot a .458 like a 45/70 or a Lott?

[bigrich]

Would it be just as easy and cost effective to shoot a .458 like a 45/70 or a Lott?

9.3x62 is pretty cheap to run as a medium bore going by rebel gun works prices on cases/projectiles and such . has a reputation for being really accurate too

[Bello]

Hi Guys
Just as a side note
I sighted in my 375 H&H, it gives a fair kick the ol girl.
I must have taken 10 to 15 shots out of it, both sighting in and load development on the weekend. And a few days later, I am still feeling the effects.

Shots were all taken off the bench at the range.
Sighted in for 100 meters using 270gr Hornady interlock pills and AR2209 powder, federal 150 magnum primers.
Still smiling