35 Whelen or 9.3x62 and why?

[Guy Miner]

They're pretty similar. Why choose one above the other for heavier game at modest range?

I don't have one of either. Which do you prefer and why?

Thanks! Guy

 

[DrMike]

Either would work for me. Can't see a significant advantage for one over the other.

 

[JD338]

I choose the 35 Whelen in 1988 when Remington offered it in the 700 Classic. No regrets.

JD338

 

[NMachine]

They do the same thing. Biggest difference is Whelen brass can be formed by simply running.30-06 brass through a .35 Whelen sizing die. The 9.3 brass can be formed from ‘06 brass by several sizing steps and fire forming. Just too much work. A guy could always just purchase properly head stamped brass, but what fun is that?
If an African hunt is in your future, some countries will allow use of the 9.3x62 on dangerous game.

 

[Blkram]

For me, it was a few factors...

First, it was a cartridge none of my friends had. They have 35 Whelen's, and one has a 9.3x64. While great cartridges, I wanted to try something different.

Second, I enjoyed reading about it in the articles by John Barsness, including those where my Dad guided him to a bull moose. My Dad was impressed by its on-game performance. Made it somewhat of a personal connection for me.

Third, I could get it in a LH Sako Model 85.

Fourth, I can use it on DG in Africa, as mentioned above already. While it is very common in Africa and Europe, it has only a small following here in NA.

And finally, it worked well on the moose I took with it so far. I look forward to using it on bison and big bears!

While most are using the 285/286 gr bullets in it, as I am hunting with it here, I am using the 250 gr AB so far, and am liking its performance just fine! (Producing 0.674" groups at 100 yards with the Nosler factory ammo). And it will expand reliably out to 400 yards, where it is still packing just over 2000 ft. lbs of energy, so is still legal for bison here. (Not that I am likely to be shooting at an unwounded bison at that distance...at 200 yards (scope zero) it is still in excess of 2200 fps and and retaining in excess of 2750 ft. lbs of energy.

The Norma and Lapua ammo with 285 gr bullets are producing groups of 1.026" and 1.406" groups, respectively in my rifle. The heavier bullets are nearing slower velocities where reliable expansion is at, or less than, 200 yards.

 

[gerry]

It's very similar to comparing a 270 Win to 280 Rem. Not much difference except one can shoot heavier bullets. The 9.3x62 has a lot more heavyweight bullets but the 35 Whelen will shoot flatter with its lighter bullets.

I used to want to shoot heavy 35 cal bullets but bullets in the 200-250 gr range do anything I would want to do. There are some good bullets over 250 gr available though.

Like Gil said though the 9.3x62 is legal for dangerous game in Africa while the Whelen in not.

 

[FNWhelen]

I have never even seen a 9.3x62 that I can remember so I can not commit on them. As for the Whelen I have used mine for over 40 years in Alaska as did my father before me. It has done the job every time so what more is needed? If I were to go to Africa for game where the Whelen is not legal I would use a 375 or a 458.

 

[Blkram]

I have never even seen a 9.3x62 that I can remember so I can not commit on them. As for the Whelen I have used mine for over 40 years in Alaska as did my father before me. It has done the job every time so what more is needed? If I were to go to Africa for game where the Whelen is not legal I would use a 375 or a 458.

Hard to argue with proven field performance like that!

 

[xphunter]

I would do a Whelen, just because....It is simple as that.
I would usually have a number of reasons for a choice.

The only reason I might do something different (Which won't apply to you), is that mine would be a in a XP-100, so a 35 WSM or SAUM would be more likely for me.

 

[grry10]

I'm with Jim, the Remington 700 Classis in 35 Whelen is awesome. And the name .35 Whelen just sounds more exciting than 9.3x62.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I got a 35 Whelen just because I always wanted one. I like that I can make brass in one easy step, and it works fine. I don't have the larger game in my area but if was available wouldn't feel under gunned. It can be downloaded to a 35 Rem velocity level or cranked up to not far behind say a 338mag or such. Pretty much same as a 350mag. 357 pistol bullets or cast lead bullets can be downloaded for a user-friendly plinking load. Just some thoughts. Nothing against the 9.3x62. Has quite a reputation. Would look hard at it if bigger game or Africa was in the works. Just me.

 

[salmonchaser]

I think I should buy one of each, just to fill the gap from 338 to 375.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Besides the pros/cons others have mentioned, I add the following:

.35 Whelen (which I own)
Easier to get or form brass (stateside)
Better selection of bullets (stateside)
More rifles in circulation (stateside)
Easily fits in any ‘06 length action

9.3x62mm
Gaining ground in popularity (worldwide)
Easier to find brass/ammo (worldwide)
Easily fits in any ‘06 length action

I don’t think a .358 - 250 grain premium bullet gives up much if anything to a .366/9.3 - 286 grain premium bullet but there is the 36 grain difference. Either works well with even standard cup and core bullets due to their relatively low muzzle velocities (2100-2400 fps).

If Africa was at all in the plans, I would give the 9.3 the nod. But then again you have a .375 H&H Magnum, a darn nice one at that. In that case, I would go with the Whelen. If you absolutely couldn’t decide, buy/build/rebore one of each!!

 

[FOTIS]

35 Whelen simple as it comes

200 TTSX 61 gr TAC 2850 fps .69" at 100

 

[truck driver]

It seems like it was many years ago I was looking to go on an Elk hunt in Montana, my largest caliber rifle was a 30-06, everyone I read about was using 300 WW or a 338WW. One of the fellows here had a 35Whelen Remington 700 Classic for sale with dies and brass plus some bullets to add to the pot so I jumped on it. It shot great but it would bring tears to my eyes every time I shot it. The factory recoil pad was as hard as a brick bat, so it was replaced before I shot it anymore. I was very happy with it till I got a chronograph and saw the velocities I was getting which was below factory reported levels. The 22" barrel was the problem, and the chamber was sloppy in it.
I read about J.E.S. reboring here and after some talking, I found that if I sent it too him to fix the chamber, I would lose an inch of barrel and more velocity.
I had been reading about P.O. Ackley and his improved cartridges, and I had a donor M70 30-06 in the safe. So it was a no brainer to send it off to J.E.S to be bored and chambered for a 35Whelen Ackley Improved. The 26" barrel came back 25 1/2" but that was okay with me since I still got more velocity than the standard version with medium heavy bullets and the fun began.
Thanks to another member here that I hooked up with that knew how to tune my loads in his quick load program I found the right powder for optimum performance with a 225gr AB and Partition. Over 3000fps and 2 tons of muzzle energy.
The barrel will produce 1/2" or better groups when I do my job.
I have only taken one head of game with it but I would take it over my 338WW since that head of game which was eastern White tail doe only gave me a Texas heart shot and the 225gr Partition split her in half.
And as the saying goes you can eat right up to the bullet hole since there was no blood shot meat when I skinned her out.
There might even be some pictures here of the damage done to deer by the 225gr Partition. It was a little hard chewing on the bone fragments from the shattered H bone and spine.
I think it was Guy who said the load I used was close to a 375 H&H in muzzle energy.
So yeah, nothing against the 9.3X62mm, I'll take my 35Whelen AI over it just because I know what it will do.

 

[FNWhelen]

And as we all know putting the bullet where it belongs trumps power every time. One of my fathers best friends was named Larry. Larry and his wife were bear hunting and one evening right before it got dark Larry shot a good sized brownie. It was a good hit but the bear made into a big patch of alders. Larry decided to wait until the next morning to go find the bear. He was sure it would be dead. The next morning they went in to find the bear, it was there ,but very much alive. He hit it again with his 375 and then the bear was on him. He had a good wife and she stayed there to shoot the bear with her 338. She put all four rounds in it at point blank range before it got tired and laid down. Larry spent the next three months in the hospital not from just the wounds but the big problem was infection. Some times it does not matter what you are shooting.

 

[preacher]

I wanted the Mod 700 Classic 35 Whelen but with the chamber reamed out to the Ackley. I was heavily influenced by Gary Sittons writings about the Ackley (he wanted to shoot a 35 caliber, 250gr at 2600fps gtom a 20" barrel.) and I liked the big Barnes X bullets. Since I was using Max load data from the first Barnes X Manual for the standard Whelen ( this was in early 90's) I figured I was safe, I had no "flat primers/hard bolt lift, etc, but used new fireformed brass too. I used the 250X @ 2550fps and slew a bunch of elk sized Plains Game in '96. I took the same caliber back in 2002, but used the 200X @ 2970fps. Same results and made a 347yd one shot kill on a Black Wildebeast even. I loaded the Woodleigh 310 to 2400fps for a Eurasian hog in Michigan a few years later. Wicked, But several years later when Dr Mike ran my numbers through QL, I was in the 72K range. I abandoned it and just stuck to the 338WM from there. ( I did have a 358 Norma made up, shot it one time, then had to sell for ObammaCare crap!) I also ran out of enough spare time to mess too much with fire forming, etc.
I also played with the 9.3x62, I had too many FF in a CZ 550 FS with Barnes 286 factory loads. I also Had too many FF in a Ruger African with Norma 286 factory loads too. Their factory chambers and factory speced/ long sloping shouldered ammo were too loose to properly headspace at limes. I had one custom Mod 70 with a tight chambered 9.3x62 Krieger barrel that was just fine, but I felt like I did not have the range with its preferred Nosler 286 as I did with the 200X in the 35 WAI. I had no access to the 250 anything 9.3 at the time. I always felt that the Ackley or a std Whelen with the newer powders were equal to the 9.3x62 myself.
So, IF one has access to brass/bullets/dies , the 9.3x62 is a good one. But now, I have to say the 35 Whelen (or Ackley or better the Brown Whelen) would be a tad easier. A wash really. And yes, a 30-06/200 has always been a Contender with both rounds for same Big Game here in States.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Or you could do a 35-280AI, 9.3-280AI, or 375-280AI just to be different.

 

[preacher]

Wouldn't that be equal to the Brown Whelen Idaho? One may get away without having to FF your brass though.....

 

[IdahoCTD]

The 280 Ackley is longer than a 30-06. Peterson makes good 280 AI brass. You could ream out a Redding type S die for sizing and a Hornady seater or a match grade Hornady 280AI set. Swap the seating insert to the caliber of choice and bore out the bushing die for the larger caliber. Not sure how large of bushing you can get since the OD is .500" for the bushings.