9.3x62mm vs. .375 H&H Mag

[hawkeyesatx]

Hello all!

I’ve been doing some homework into the whole .375 H&H Mag vs 9.3x62mm business.
Now, what I have to say on the matter is this….

The .375 H&H has a decided advantage over the the 9.3x62mm only when the 9.3x62 is loaded to original pressures.

Now, with that being said, once you start loading the 9.3x62 to 64k psi, the same pressure the .375 H&H runs at, they are pretty much equal.

Yes, I can hear the gasps, and the snorts of derision already coming about from what I just said, from the die hard .375 H&H fans.

But, I am not just callously saying that to stir the pot, so to say, nor am I trying to cause a fight.
I do have data to back up what I’ve said, and will post said data in pic form after I am done writing here.

I also want to let everyone know that, the data for the .375 H&H is with a standard 24 inch barrel, whereas the 9.3x62mm data is with a 22 inch barrel.

If the 9.3x62mm is given a 24 inch barrel, and a modern, strong bolt action, there isn’t any reason to not load it to such pressures, except for maybe one, and that’s free recoil.

I hope to open a few eyes to those who may be on the fence about getting a 9.3x62mm, and hopefully opening the eyes of those who are objective .375 H&H aficionado’s too.

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
I’ve been taking a play out of your playbook, and have applied it to the good Ol’ 9.3x62mm.
Plus, there is another gentleman by the name of Bob Mitchell here in the states, who has done the same thing.


Hawk

 

[John Wasmuth]

I’ll get the popcorn.....,

 

[NE 7x57]

this should be interesting.

 

[John Wasmuth]

This should go as smoothly as the “.458 Lott won’t do anything a .458 win mag won’t do........ “

 

[Tanks]

Both are great PG "rat" calibers. I have become partial to 9.3x74R in my double.

 

[jpr9954]

I have a Remington .30-06 that is at the gunsmiths right now being rebored into a 9.3x62. Thanks for posting this.

 

[baxterb]

my 9.,3 shoots a 286 North Fork @ 2505 with Big Game.

Latest Barnes data shows a 300gr in the 375 @2642 over Big Game

Does 137 fps, 14grains, and .009 of an inch matter?


Well, as much as I love my 9,3 - it's still not a 375 H&H ;-)

 

[sgt_zim]

I am leery of this one bit of Nosler data. Case capacity at ~63 gr water??? The once-fired Norma brass I have comes in at ~76 gr water.

63 gr water is down near 30-06 territory.

 

[hawkeyesatx]

my 9.,3 shoots a 286 North Fork @ 2505 with Big Game.

Latest Barnes data shows a 300gr in the 375 @2642 over Big Game

Does 137 fps, 14grains, and .009 of an inch matter?


Well, as much as I love my 9,3 - it's still not a 375 H&H ;-)

There’s a gent, and gun writer by the name of Bob Mitchell, who has shot 300 gr bullets in his Tikka T3 9.3x62 out at 2600 fps.
I hear ya, you love the .375, nothing wrong with that in my book.
I love the 9.3! For the case, and it being super efficient as a medium bore round, it does some amazing things when properly loaded, in a strong modern action, that is!

Hawk

 

[hawkeyesatx]

I am leery of this one bit of Nosler data. Case capacity at ~63 gr water??? The once-fired Norma brass I have comes in at ~76 gr water.

63 gr water is down near 30-06 territory.

I understand where you’re coming from.

Part of how it may be done is to not seat the bullet in as deep as American manufacturers like to go.
Some of the old rounds, like the 8x57, the Europeans would just seat the bottom of the bullet right where the shoulder and the neck meet.
From what I understand, that can sort of be done with the 9.3x62 as well, because most rifle makers make them with very long throats, to keep the pressures down on the heavier projectiles, like 300 gr and above.
I hope that helps explain a little more.
Plus, some of the load data will be compressed in the 9.3x62 as well.


Hawk

 

[sgt_zim]

I get that, but curiously, Nosler has the 2nd longest COAL for the 286 gr NP of any 286 gr bullet I am aware of, and I have Swift, Norma, Hornady X, Woodleigh, and Barnes manuals.

In any case, water capacity isn't a function of how deeply bullets are seated, it is purely the amount of water a case can hold, not counting the meniscus

 

[Forrest Halley]

But, but, but what happens when you increase the pressure of the .375 too???

I really despise when the performance mark is slid for only one cartridge in a comparison. It's absolutely pointless and highly prejudiced in favor of the pet cartridge. Equity at its finest.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hello all!

I’ve been doing some homework into the whole .375 H&H Mag vs 9.3x62mm business.
Now, what I have to say on the matter is this….

The .375 H&H has a decided advantage over the the 9.3x62mm only when the 9.3x62 is loaded to original pressures.

Now, with that being said, once you start loading the 9.3x62 to 64k psi, the same pressure the .375 H&H runs at, they are pretty much equal.

Yes, I can hear the gasps, and the snorts of derision already coming about from what I just said, from the die hard .375 H&H fans.

But, I am not just callously saying that to stir the pot, so to say, nor am I trying to cause a fight.
I do have data to back up what I’ve said, and will post said data in pic form after I am done writing here.

I also want to let everyone know that, the data for the .375 H&H is with a standard 24 inch barrel, whereas the 9.3x62mm data is with a 22 inch barrel.

If the 9.3x62mm is given a 24 inch barrel, and a modern, strong bolt action, there isn’t any reason to not load it to such pressures, except for maybe one, and that’s free recoil.

I hope to open a few eyes to those who may be on the fence about getting a 9.3x62mm, and hopefully opening the eyes of those who are objective .375 H&H aficionado’s too.

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
I’ve been taking a play out of your playbook, and have applied it to the good Ol’ 9.3x62mm.
Plus, there is another gentleman by the name of Bob Mitchell here in the states, who has done the same thing.


Hawk

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@hawkeyesatx
Be prepared for an argument mate.
Some of those old rounds when loaded properly really shine.
I couldn't understand the question data you need to simplify it. Some thing like
Powder xxxx yygrains
Velocity xxxxx
Pressure xxxxx.
That way this old fart can understand it.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

my 9.,3 shoots a 286 North Fork @ 2505 with Big Game.

Latest Barnes data shows a 300gr in the 375 @2642 over Big Game

Does 137 fps, 14grains, and .009 of an inch matter?


Well, as much as I love my 9,3 - it's still not a 375 H&H ;-)

@baxterb
The Whelen with a 275gn Woodleigh @2,500+ fps with a similar amount of powder.
Does .008" and no difference in velocity really matter.
Well yes at times it does.
Bob

 

[Tanks]

A very similar topic here btw.

9.3x62 vs 375H&H

According to the Gospel of Africa a 375H&H is the best all around caliber. I don't disagree. However, if you take DG off the table is the 9.3x62 a better all around caliber for everything else?

www.africahunting.com

 

[hawkeyesatx]

I’m sorry I didn’t clarify earlier, but I’m not trying to say the 9.3x62 is better than the .375 H&H!

I wanted to say, that with the right loads, it will equal the old, standard loads of the .375 H&H Mag. Not exceed any new load data that can benefit the .375 H&H as well.

Also, given same barrel lengths,
THE 9.3x62mm CAN EQUAL THE OLD LOADS OF THE .375 H&H MAGNUM, if run at 64k psi.

A fact is, that given the same weight of bullets, the x62 comes within a few feet per second of the old loads, if not the same. Certainly something a game animal isn’t going to notice in the field.
Just like a game animal isn’t going to notice the difference if it was shot by a .30-06 or a .308 Winchester.

I have yet to have an animal after I shot it, while laying there dead, or dying, get up, and object to being shot by a .308 Winchester. Or ask me if that was a good Ol’ .30-06 that got it.

Hawk

 

[hawkeyesatx]

@hawkeyesatx
Be prepared for an argument mate.
Some of those old rounds when loaded properly really shine.
I couldn't understand the question data you need to simplify it. Some thing like
Powder xxxx yygrains
Velocity xxxxx
Pressure xxxxx.
That way this old fart can understand it.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen

I will simplify things for you. LOL

9.3x62mm load data at 64k psi, 250 gr Nosler AB bullet

Relodr 17 powder, max charge at 68.3 grains, with muzzle velocity of 2757 feet per second.

9.3x62mm load data at 64k psi, 286 gr Nosler PT bullet

Relodr 17 powder, max charge at 66.2 grains, with muzzle velocity of 2590 feet per second.

Now, with H414 load data, max charge of 68.2 grains, and same 250 grain AB bullet, gets 2704 feet per second.

Using H414 load data, max charge of 66.0 grains, and the same 286 grain bullet, gets 2544 feet per second.

Oh, don’t you worry Bob, I have thick enough skin to withstand an argument.

But me thinkest I have yet to begin to ruffle the .375 H&H Mag pundits feathers.

Also, I’m not trying to use one set of data to say that the 9.3 is better, just equal.

Hawk

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen

I will simplify things for you. LOL

9.3x62mm load data at 64k psi, 250 gr Nosler AB bullet

Relodr 17 powder, max charge at 68.3 grains, with muzzle velocity of 2757 feet per second.

9.3x62mm load data at 64k psi, 286 gr Nosler PT bullet

Relodr 17 powder, max charge at 66.2 grains, with muzzle velocity of 2590 feet per second.

Now, with H414 load data, max charge of 68.2 grains, and same 250 grain AB bullet, gets 2704 feet per second.

Using H414 load data, max charge of 66.0 grains, and the same 286 grain bullet, gets 2544 feet per second.

Oh, don’t you worry Bob, I have thick enough skin to withstand an argument.

But me thinkest I have yet to begin to ruffle the .375 H&H Mag pundits feathers.

Also, I’m not trying to use one set of data to say that the 9.3 is better, just equal.

Hawk

@hawkeyesatx
Mate 64,000 psi is getting right up there. 60 to 62,000 psi would be a lot safer.
I don't load the Whelen over 52,000 cup which translates to 62,000psi
Bob

 

[Jaegger]

Love the thread topic! The 9.3 in the earlier times & .375H&H in the modern times = both, make big creatures dead.

 

[WAB]

Own both calibers and have had excellent results with both up to and including buffalo. If buffalo is on the menu I typically grab the Lott. If it is not, my 9.3 is the handier rifle, which leaves the .375 feeling a little unloved.