My HK SLB 2000 with a factory barrel can be in 9.3x62mm. HK released them in Europe.

Here's a video of one.

So I take it that recoil is not a huge factor on the 9.3x62 Mauser?

How does 9.3x62 recoil compare to a .375 H&H?. I did shoot a .375 H&H years ago but I can't recall along about the recoil.

That’s a pretty cool rifle.

Mind you, I haven’t been speaking out against 9.3. I’ve just been more pointing out some rather silly things I’ve heard.

If the OP would more define his idea of “big game,” the question would be a lot easier to answer.

9.3x62mm can provide 85-95% of the power (dependent on the exact load) with less recoil and with the added bonus of being able to fit in a rifle with a standard length action instead of the magnum length action required by the .375 H&H. Modern 9.3x62mm factory loads generally fire a 220-320gr bullet at velocities between 2,200 and 2,650 feet per second. However, a 286gr bullet at approximately 2,350 feet per second is probably the most popular load. This load produces over 3,500 foot pounds of energy and is an deadly combination for deer, feral hog, elk, caribou, moose, black bear, and large plains game species like kudu and eland.

The 9.3x62mm can also work as a great cartridge when hunting the Big 5 like Cape Buffalo and elephant, or other species dangerous game like hippopotamus where legal. Though some countries, like Tanzania, have a minimum caliber of .375 for dangerous game hunting (the 9.3mm is .366 caliber), Mozambique has no minimum caliber and Zimbabwe has a minimum caliber of 9.2mm. 

One of the reasons that the 9.3x62mm cartridge performs so well on large and dangerous game is because it penetrates deeply and consistently. This is partly due to the fact that the bullet has a high sectional density (a measure of the ratio of the diameter of a projectile to its mass). All other things equal, a heavier projectile of a given caliber will be longer and therefore have a higher sectional density and consequently penetrate deeper than projectiles with a lower mass and sectional density. As an example 286gr and 293gr 9.3mm bullets have sectional densities of .305 and .312 respectively. This compares favorably to 270gr and 300gr .375 caliber bullets (the most popular weights for that caliber) which have sectional densities of .274 and .305 respectively.

Another advantage that the 9.3x62mm has is the relatively light (for a medium bore dangerous game rifle) recoil that it generates. While the exact amount of recoil generated depends on the load used (more powerful loads generate more recoil) and the weight of the rifle (heavier rifles have less recoil), the 9.3x62mm generates between 65-85% of the recoil of the .375 H&H. For comparison, this is only 20-30% more recoil than a typical rifle chambered in .30-06.

Sako, Ruger, Zastava, Steyr, and CZ all produce rifles chambered in 9.3x62mm. With a premium rifle chambered in 9.3x62mm, one could legally and ethically hunt virtually every species on Earth from white tailed deer to elephant. 

Dad has a rem 600 in 350rm.... With full house loads it is NOT FUN AT ALL. Most feel concussed after shooting that tiny rifle.... Once again NOT FUN.

Miami_JBT

Thanks for that awesome response. It sounds like the 9.3x62 Mauser might be the way to go.

One final question, how does the recoil and ballistic performance compare to the 35 Whelen?

Does anyone on here live in the vicinity of Northeastern Kentucky who might have a 9.3x62 Mauser or 35 Whelen that I could shoot a couple of times? I'd glad buy the ammo.

9.3x62 is a great round.

Something else for your consideration is the 6.5-284. Not a big bore, but plenty capable. There aren't many floating around to try though.

Not a clue.... don't know much about .35 Whelen. 

I have a soft spot for the 9.3x62mm. I will have one soon enough. It really is a jack of all trades cartridge. 

That is pretty cool in a ugly rifle kind of way.  

OP, want a wildcat?

Had a Mauser show up today in 7mm Gibbs.  

Whelen, being based on the 30-06 is slightly longer than the 9.3x62, so it takes a bit more knowledge to fit it in a Mauser.  (We are talking about Mausers, right????)
Whelen tends to be loaded with lighter bullets at higher velocity than the x62, but essentially the ballistics are interchangeable.  

With all this discussion about the x62, I thought I should point the OP and JBT at some 9.3x57 rifles.  

The x57 runs right on the heels of the x62.  Ammo can be hard to find, but you aren't going to trip over x62 in most gunshops.

For those on a budget who want to give the 9.3 a try:   >>>>CLICK HERE<<<<

The 35 Wheln is. 35-06. Two of the best loads for. Are 225 and 250gr

The 9.3x6 is basically a .366-06 it's beat load is the traditional 286gr (I like the Barnes TSX).

I doubt if you shoot them side by side you can tell the difference and th critters are wont know.

I love the 9.3 so much I have a pair of them. A CZ and. Sauer 200. My next project will
Be rebarreling a Ruger #1 to 9.3x74R nich is pretty much the rimmed twin of th 62.

I dot know if the OP reloads but anothe good one is the 338-06 or even better the 338-06 Improved.  With 225 gr bullets it is another hammer with manageable recoil.

Hasher1

What is your experience with 9.3x62 Mauser recoil?

9.3x57mm is a fine cartridge but not African Safari capable. 

 I'm just the opposite - really like my 35 Whelen but have zero experience with the 9.3x62. If you are set up for one there really isn't much point in having the other, they cover the exact same things.

It is GTG for North America and budget friendly.

You are quite right on that and those Husqvarna rifles are exquisitely beautiful.

Are Husqvarna rifles really good quality?

I scanned the pages quickly, but I believe they were all Model 46s or versions of the 46.

Essentially the Model 46 is the same action as the Mauser 1896, which was the best of the pre-98 Mauser actions.  

Do be aware that most of those rifles were built in the era before scopes were common, so the stock may be too low at the comb compared to modern rifles.  The action may also not be drilled/tapped for scope mounts.

Both can be dealt with.  Just be.aware.

This.

.30-06 level recoil and Hammer of Thor killin' authority.

I ain't afraid to tackle any critter in North America with my CZ-550 American.

Yes, primo Scandinavian European Quality.

But 9.3x57mm is not an easy cartridge to find on this side of the pond. 

It's a little more than an 06 with heavy bullets.  

I think it's a pussy cat.

Recoil is much more about gun weight and stock design than cartridge choice.



One of th worst beatings I have ever taken from a gun was helping a guy sight in a super light weight 270 off the bench.l

Won't feel the recoil when hunting, that's for sure.

CZ is currently chambering their 550 in the 9.3x62.  They are very well built rifles and accurate to boot.

The 9.3x62 doesn't look like it's much on paper ballistic wise but it has a proven track record of taking very large game on a regular basis.  If you are shooting at normal hunting distances 300yds and under it will be an effective killer.

9.3x62mm is a proven cartridge. Been doing a hell of a job in Africa since 1905.

I have a Husky/FN 98 in 9.3x62 headed this way.  
Owner wants a classic American stock.

What the heck is wrong with a 30-06 or .308? Either will take elk and moose and recoil isn't bad. Also relatively cheap ammo. Personally, I like the 30-06 as an all around caliber.

Although .308 is near and dear to my heart you could be quite wrong with the right Mauser.   A nice rifle in a classic cartridge with controlled round feeding, a mannlicher stock with a 20” barrel would be a joy.   An classic caliber selection; 6.5x55 Swedish, 7mm Mauser (.275 Rigby), or our own .270 Winchester would pair well.   That is if you wanted old school and light recoil.

A Ruger plastic stocked .308 won’t have nothing on that other than you can drag it through the mud and not bat an eye.  Frankly if I get a stock ding while on a hunt it’s a character mark.  Much better than guns that never leave the house and remain pristine.

There’s nothing wrong with those two calibers at all, but there are some people who enjoy the nuanced calibers that you can’t find just to say they have them.

I like them, too.

9.3x62mm is a fine proven cartridge that does what .30-06 can do and more. Think of it as its African Colonial Cousin.

9.3 x 62 Mauser

Actually it was invented by German gunsmith Otto Bock in 1905 expressly FOR those German colonists as a do-it-all rifle that could be inexpensively converted from the surplus Mausers that all had.

Its more than the .30-'06 but definitely not brutal. Brass is a skosh longer than -'06, but bullets are much heavier. Ergo, physics will not be denied!

6mm, 243, and 7mm-08.

Also 6.5 Grendel

"Crappy old rifle..."??? Wow, you REALLY need an updated education!

See the rifle with the scope in the pic? That's NOT an old tank of a Mauser. It's a CZ550 American made in the 21st century! A great modern design.

Attached File


As an aside, your beloved .308 round is also an antique, having been introduced in 1952!

300 WW Magnum in a good stock. Stock plays a big role in kick. Second choice would be 300 Weatherby.
Third choice would be one of the 7mm Magnums.

Even the M1 Garand has been successfully converted to the 9.3!

9.3 x 62 Mauser is always the answer.

$50 per 20 rounds! With the added bonus of not being available anywhere. Sounds like Arfcom making things harder than they have to be.

It is a fantastic cartridge and most big game loads are close to that in price unless you reload. Looked at .45-70 prices?

Or any Weatherby caliber.

If you have a .30-06, .308, etc. you just need to start reloading.

I load 125gr .308 loads to 7.62x39mm velocities for range and plinking loads for my wife and daughter.  They enjoy shooting their .308 bolt guns at steel plates at 100+ yards.  The more practice they get the better they will be in the game fields.

I also put on a Limbsaver brand recoil pad on both of their rifles and they really do a great job of soaking up recoil.

They transition to 150gr hunting loads without a lot of problems.  The usual comment is "they don't kick that hard" which is what I want to hear.

No reason you have to get beaten up by recoil if you don't want to.

9.3x62 can be bought for as low as $21 a box for Priv, or $25 for seller, even Hornady has some for $34.

Which is why 9.3x62mm is a great cartridge. A lot of thump for little recoil.

Glad you guys enjoy it. Read up on it a bit and sounds like a rifle caliber with some nice attributes. Runs out of gas quick but leaves a big hole.

Reloading is not a hobby I wish to pursue. Too busy for that, but the 9.3 has some great factory loads. As does the .300WM, which are actually sold places I go.

Sounds like recoil is still substantial with the 9.3X62, which makes me wonder why you guys would recommend it. Far more than a .308 or 7mm-08, which is more than enough for everything up to elk.

Recoil on the 9.3 should be no worse than a 300 Mag. And all the 9.3 talk is because the title says BIG GAME. Some bear guides are requiring medium or big bore rifles now.

Oh. I see. Brown bear are considered DANGEROUS GAME, not big game. I would sure be looking at large bore if that was the case. Most people think deer and elk when discussing big game. Black bear, turkey, antelope. Not cape buffalo and elephant.

ETA: Regardless, it has been interesting to learn about. Visions of still hunting elk in the dark timber haunt my dreams for which it would be ideal.

Go now, don't wait. Hunting out west is getting expensive.

This. In a CZ-550 American rifle- very soft on the shoulder with 270 grain bullets.

Read somewhere that the 308 has probably killed more elephants in the last 30 years than any other caliber.  The Fal is the preferred weapon of modern elephant poachers.  Doesn't mean its something you should use on that size of game!  For buffalo sized game anything adequate is going to kick.  Best might be something like the 45-70  with heavy  bullets at 1500 fps or so it killed a ton of buffalo in its day

Not a thing but they aren't african big 5 calibers(although they would likely work fine for lion)  and are probably a little light for american buffalo and coastal brown bears.