9.3 X 62mm vs. .375 H&H & .375 Ruger

[TBASTIAN]

I keep toying with the idea of getting a larger caliber rifle, strictly for bears. I already own a couple .338 Winchester Magnums, and a .300 RUM. I'm wanting something slower and bigger.

I'd be interested in hearing everyones opinion between the following calibers. I'm currently leaning towards the 9.3X62mm. Thanks in advance.

9.3 X 62mm
.375 H&H
.375 Ruger

 

[DrMike]

Any of the three you list will serve you well. The .375 H&H will permit you to find components more readily. The 9.3X62 can sometimes present a problem in finding components and/or ammunition should you need to pick up a box of cartridges. On the other hand, it does have the attraction that not everyone will have one of these in camp. You won't go wrong with any of these three when it comes to delivering a good punch to drop a big bear. I am coming to love my 9.3X64.

 

[Anonymous]

I really like the .375 Ruger.

One of the big plusses is that the rifle doesn't cost any more than a run of the mill Ruger '06 or .338 and the ammunition is actually less expensive than H&H ammo in my area.

I've got a buddy that shoots the 9.3x62- great cartridge but ammo and components are something of a pain to find.

But those are all logisitcal issues- in the field, one will perform about as well as the other.

 

[onesonek]

9.3's of any kind are just plain cool imo. One really can't go wrong with the .375 H&H as their choice. For the most part it's just a matter of that personal choice, maybe all boarding on rifle design/fit and availability. One could throw in the .376 Steyr as well. Any and all would serve well as mentioned.

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

TBASTIAN, you already have a couple of really great rifles in the .338 WM but do yourself a favor, and get a .375!
If you like traditional things, get a .375 H&H other wise, one of the other .375's!!!
One of the best Big Bore Buy's on the market here in Australia, is the Remington 700 DGR in .375 H&H mag!

As I have mentioned here before, Everybody Needs at Least One .375!!!
Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer

 

[LD375]

There all great cartridges, but for me, I really like the .375 H&H, even for the non handloader like myself, this caliber has a large variety of good factory loads, good luck on your choice, Lou.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have a 9.3x74R Ruger No. 1 which I just bought in October. Components weren't as big a problem as I anticipated and our host has 9.3x74R Nosler brass availble from SPS. I found some Norma and Hornady brass on sale and stocked up. This was before the current madness but having a 9.3mm may actually help with components because there is no great supply of rifles out there. Mine will deliver nearly 2500 fps with a 286 grain bullet which is plenty of elk medicine.

 

[onesonek]

Not meaning to steal the thread, but no doubt about that Charlie. Mine is set up to point blank on a 6" at 250 with that bullet. And it will still be well on the hair, and within PT's MO out to 375 yds. if need be. Plenty of energy left there also, with that SD at that range. But, may be limited in rifles it can be chambered is the only draw back, but then I'm a single shot guy anyhow.

 

[gerry]

I keep toying with the idea of getting a larger caliber rifle, strictly for bears. I already own a couple .338 Winchester Magnums, and a .300 RUM. I'm wanting something slower and bigger.

I'd be interested in hearing everyones opinion between the following calibers. I'm currently leaning towards the 9.3X62mm. Thanks in advance.

9.3 X 62mm
.375 H&H
.375 Ruger

My 375 Ruger peforms very well and is an excellent choice along with the old 375 H&H but since you have a 300 RUM and a 338 WM I would suggest the 9.3x62. Your 338 WM can do a lot of what a 375 can do since you can load up to 300 gr bullets in it and with the lighter slugs the 375's just can'y match it for long range peformance. A 9.3x62 with a 286 gr bullet around 2500 fps is quite a bit different than what you have now and would make a great load for big animals at normal hunting distances. Factor in the lighter recoil and that you can fit one more round in the magazine than a 375 it becomes more attractive IMO, you won't be dissapointed in a 9.3x62.

 

[SJB358]

I keep toying with the idea of getting a larger caliber rifle, strictly for bears. I already own a couple .338 Winchester Magnums, and a .300 RUM. I'm wanting something slower and bigger.

I'd be interested in hearing everyones opinion between the following calibers. I'm currently leaning towards the 9.3X62mm. Thanks in advance.

9.3 X 62mm
.375 H&H
.375 Ruger

My 375 Ruger peforms very well and is an excellent choice along with the old 375 H&H but since you have a 300 RUM and a 338 WM I would suggest the 9.3x62. Your 338 WM can do a lot of what a 375 can do since you can load up to 300 gr bullets in it and with the lighter slugs the 375's just can'y match it for long range peformance. A 9.3x62 with a 286 gr bullet around 2500 fps is quite a bit different than what you have now and would make a great load for big animals at normal hunting distances. Factor in the lighter recoil and that you can fit one more round in the magazine than a 375 it becomes more attractive IMO, you won't be dissapointed in a 9.3x62.

Danged Gerry is always making compelling arguments!

 

[FOTIS]

I do like the ruger. It is a common sense magnum

 

[BK]

I still would love to find one of the SS/laminate 23" barreled Alaskan M77s.

 

[Thebear_78]

I have had a 375 H&H and currently own both the 9.3x62 and the 375 RUM. I think it really boils down to what kind of rifle you want. The 9.3x62 fits VERY well in a mauser action and is a very classy old round with a lot of history. The 375 H&H is legendary, and the 375 ruger is modern and compact. They will all three do basically the same thing. The 9.3 will fit another round in the magazine, mine holds 6 down, but the animals won't ever know the difference.

 

[Anonymous]

I have had a 375 H&H and currently own both the 9.3x62 and the 375 RUM. I think it really boils down to what kind of rifle you want. The 9.3x62 fits VERY well in a mauser action and is a very classy old round with a lot of history. The 375 H&H is legendary, and the 375 ruger is modern and compact. They will all three do basically the same thing. The 9.3 will fit another round in the magazine, mine holds 6 down, but the animals won't ever know the difference.

What rifle do you have in 9.3? I like the thought of 6 down in a mag vs. 3 or 4 in most rifles. I don't plan on missing that much but you never know. I've also seen a couple of critters eat up a lot of lead without quickly succumbing to multiple fatal wounds.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Dave, thanks for the sight in cone information. Three inches high at 100 yards looks like a good number for shooting to 300 yards at least. You are only down 3 inches at 200 yards with the 286 Partition. I will give it a try.

 

[Thankful Otter]

I keep toying with the idea of getting a larger caliber rifle, strictly for bears. I already own a couple .338 Winchester Magnums, and a .300 RUM. I'm wanting something slower and bigger.

I'd be interested in hearing everyones opinion between the following calibers. I'm currently leaning towards the 9.3X62mm. Thanks in advance.

9.3 X 62mm
.375 H&H
.375 Ruger

As has been stated, they are all nice calibers. From a personal point of view, I prefer either the 375 H&H or the 9.3 x 64 Brenneke. ( which you did not list ) But we have both the 62 and 64 and use the 64 often and the 62 very seldum. But let me hasten to add that there is nothing wrong with the 62, it is a great caliber, we just prefer the 64 in our family. We do not have a Ruger but a friend does and loves it

 

[Thebear_78]

My 9.3x62 is a P17 enfield with a leupold 2.5x scout scope. I left the original battle sights for a quick peep and had it hard chromed and put it in a synthetic stock. It makes for a great all around alaska gun except its a tad on the heavy side for any climbing. It holds 6 down in that great big magazine.

I shot a moose at 280 yards with it a couple of years ago and it worked like a charm. 300 yards is no problem eve at 2.5x and the 286gr Partition worked perfectly.

 

[DrMike]

From a personal point of view, I prefer either the 375 H&H or the 9.3 x 64 Brenneke. ( which you did not list ) But we have both the 62 and 64 and use the 64 often and the 62 very seldum. But let me hasten to add that there is nothing wrong with the 62, it is a great caliber, we just prefer the 64 in our family. We do not have a Ruger but a friend does and loves it

Thank you for posting that, Cheyenne. The 9.3X64 is quickly becoming a favourite rifle for me. Mine drew blood for the first time this past fall. It will undoubtedly accompany me for black bear and/or grizzly this spring.

 

[Anonymous]

I shot a moose at 280 yards with it a couple of years ago and it worked like a charm. 300 yards is no problem eve at 2.5x and the 286gr Partition worked perfectly.

Nice rifle! I'm a huge fan of IER scopes and those wing protected rear sights!... that looks excellent. Can you load that one with strippers?

 

[SJB358]

I shot a moose at 280 yards with it a couple of years ago and it worked like a charm. 300 yards is no problem eve at 2.5x and the 286gr Partition worked perfectly.

Nice rifle! I'm a huge fan of IER scopes and those wing protected rear sights!... that looks excellent. Can you load that one with strippers?

Without a doubt! That is an AWESOME rifle right there!