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> Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?
Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?
@ 03:44 pm (GMT) |
Drew PigottHello, I have been looking into getting a medium bore for close range hunting for a while. I've settled on not using the rifle past 250-300 yards as a maximum. I'd like to use a low power 1.5-5 or 2.5-8 power scope and mainly hunt wild boar and possibly elk in heavy timber ( maybe African plains game in the future? Wishful thinking? ). I've been considering getting a .35 whelen or 9.3x62 mauser. Which is your favorite and why? I was considering using 250 grain bullets in the .35 or 286 grain bullets in the 9.3. Is it worth building a custom bolt action .35 whelen or saving and going with the 9.3x62 CZ 550? I'm only interested in a bolt gun. What are your thoughts everyone? Thanks, Drew Pigott |
Replies
@ 07:07 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi Drew, I like both but of the two, I have a preference for the Whelen.One of the best aspects of the Whelen is the availability of light bullets. This allows the cartirdge to be used as an allrounder. many folk view the medium bores as being most suitable for very large animals only- but once you start hunting with a medium bore, the experience can be so enjoyable that you soon want to do all of your hunting with the cartridge, where ranges are suitable etc. So its good to have fast expanding bullet options and Hornady really has this stitched up with their options including the FTX bullet which can be viewed in the same light as the SST. There are some good heavy bullet options for the 9.3 which are definitely useful if you are leaning towards large game usage. The Whelen generally stops at 250 grains but- Woodleigh make some heavy and optimally designed .358 caliber bullets if you can source these. So have a think about how you might like to use the cartridge rather than how it should or might idealistically be viewed. If building a Whelen, I do think it is worth going the custom semi-custom route. One day I want to put together a stainless rifle with HS pro Varmint stock (old style Sendero stock) which is neither too thin or too bulky for a good forend grip. I could not think of a better hack rifle, good handling, straight recoil etc. There were a lot of pump rifles around for a while, we have had all sorts of attempts at fast cycling .35 cal rifles but I think gun makers have mostly missed the point. You only need one shot with this wonderful beast. |
@ 11:07 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Great topic Drew,I have been researching the whelen to make up a close quarters fast wielding Sambar cartridge! (elk sized deer, tough as they come!) The 30-06 l have holds its head up high but the thought of the whelen using the same cases launching some big Woodleigh projectiles would be a great combination. G'day Nathan site updates look great! What are youre thoughts on a minimum mag & barrel lengths for the Whelen? Cheers Marty |
@ 11:37 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi DrewMy hunting mate uses a 9.3x62 and likes it. My favorite is a custom built 358 Winchester built on a L579 Sako action 22" stainless Maddco barrel in a McMillan classic stock. It’s compact, deadly accurate and a joy to shoot. With Lapua 308 Palmer cases necked up I’m pushing 225gn Woodleigh’s at 2600fps, it kills like lightning. I use it most of the time, it doesn't do much meat damage on smaller Deer but it certainly does on heavy Deer where there's some resistance! Cheers Bob |
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@ 10:32 am (GMT) |
Drew PigottRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Everyone,Thank you for the information! Nathan, Thanks, it's hard to find very much information on the two and I do not have any friends who have either of the the two. I most likely would use it for wild boar as its so hard to put down my .30-06 for white tail deer. The idea of the light bullets is certainly a good one though. Much like a 300 grain Hornady in a 45/70. I have had my eye on the CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 Mauser for some time though. Martin, Sounds like we've been thinking the same thing! It's easy to go out and purchase a .338 Winchester Magnum, but if I need that kind of thump (which I do not ) I think I should just get a .375 H&H and be done with it! I think there is something to be said for heavy and slow bullets used with the appropriate game. Bob, Hey! I've been leaning towards the 9.3 like your friend. That's a neat sounding wildcat you have there. Conjures up an idea of being light and fast! I think you sent me a picture with a Sambar harvested by your friends 9.3. Good stuff! All the best, Drew Pigott |
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@ 02:58 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi DrewI lost your email address. I find the 9.3x62 a lot of gun & noisy, great if your chasing Buff or such. My 358 win isn't a wildcat, I just make the cases from Lapua 308 palmer cases as there very strong with that small primer. Same trajectory as a 308 out to 300yds but with a 225gn pill. It's my go to rifle if I'm not culling ferals at long range. The 358win is a very under rated caliber. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/358_wcf.htm Cheers Bob |
@ 04:31 pm (GMT) |
Barry ThorburnRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi DrewI have shot and reloaded for both ,a friend has a rem 7600 pump in 35 whelen and I have just got myself a sako 9.3x62 both great calibres. I have not been out hunting with mine yet but there are plenty of good bullets in 9.3 light and heavy ,I have norma 232 grain vulkans right up to 320 grain woodleighs. lapua or norma brass is easy to get for the 9.3. the whelen you can get Remington brass or neck up 30/06. the cheapest bullet you will get in either is probably the speer hotcor? you can get the whelen in a rem 700 bdl bolt action or the 7600 pump. 9.3 in sako tikka or cz plus lots of other European guns. don't let Nathan talk you out of a sako :-) I love mine and its a shooter the cz 550 in 9.3 would be a good choice also and has a longer magazine than the sako but doesn't come in stainless if that matters. Cheers Barry |
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@ 05:04 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?I was dying to get back to this but was inundated with mail this morning. Bob beat me to the puch when he said that he was able to utilize his .358 Win in a way that trajectory was similar to the .308 out to 300 yards. This is really important. We tend to view the .358 bore as being only suitable for close ranges but it just isn't so, this is quite a versatile bore diameter. I have aclose friend that uses his Whelen (my old rifle) out to just over 400 yards. Velocity is very low at this range and I would set 400 yards as the absolute limit (velocities of around 1800fps) but the point is- the .358's aren't 100 yard bush rifles.freebore for both the .358 Win and Whelen is long. In the Whelen, MAX COAL's can be as long as 88mm or 3.464" (the old Nolser BT was around 92mm) but it is not the best idea to seat close to the lands as the bullet ends up sitting way out in the case neck with a potentially negative effect on bullet to bore alignment. Seated flush to the bottom of the case neck, COAL's can be as short or sometimes even shorter than 80mm or 3.150". To this end, it is possible to utilize such actions as the M98 Mauser, there is no need for a very long magazine. Those who own .358 Win rifles are typically limited to a mag length of 71mm or 2.795 but again, this is no issue. Important points- the Whelen doesn't care much about bullet jump. Its not doing 3300fps. So long as the rifle (bore & bedding etc) has accuracy potential, basic hand loads will shoot very accurately with multiple loads and velocity parameters. Second point, if the rifle is of a low recoiling stock design, the Whelen produces rolling recoiling, not a sharp bite. As for barrel length, The Whelen does well whether utilized in a 22 or 24" barrel. For some, this will be a personal thing. Some folk prefer a very short barrel and .358 Win with 20-22" barrel or Whelen with 22" barrel fits the bill nicely. I have bush hunted will all barrel lengths. I like my short heavy barreled .308 but I also like a 24" medium contour barrel (remember that I started out with 25" .303 and 24" Mausers). I like to be able to poke the barrel through a bit of foliage. When selecting a .358, consider that the contour is the same for all barrels regardless of caliber (see first book). So if you opt for a barrel that is around .700 to .750 OD at the muzzle, it will still be a relatively lightweight rifle due to the internal bore diameter. Bob, if you get a chance, could you please measure your 22" muzzle OD. I have spent considerable time with the Whelen Ackley Improved, never got any velocity gains but case life was very good. Accuracy outstanding. We have kind of neglected the 9.3 a bit. One of the better light weight deer bullets is the 225gr KS from RWS. This makes for a good hard hitting all around load for light to mid weight medium game. Can be hard to obtain though. There are a few other good load combo's but you need to think about what sort of ranges you might use the cartridge to. There are so many actions suitable for the Whelen but stock design is something I believe to be key consideration, a nice straight stock if possible, nice rolling recoil. You could mate a Howa / Vanguard to a Boyds stock (but I would want the forend grip addressed as per my first book) as an inexpensive custom rifle. A Savage would be suitable, Winchester action (but not featherweight stock), Remington M700, Ruger and so it goes on. The Tikka T3 has plenty of magazine length but I would not want to fit a Whelen barrel to the Tikka because the barrel channel would be too thin for the fatter barrel that needs to be employed. Damn, am writing a Whelen article without writing a Whelen article... We often say "big and slow" but both the .358 Win and Whelen are not that slow and they are not as short ranging as we sometimes assume. These cartridges do well when pushed fast while case capacities prevent us from pushing to speeds where recoil is uncomfortable and beyond our capabilities. I have a 9.3 RUM and that is a pure animal. |
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@ 05:40 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi Barry, regarding the Speer, it is somewhat stout in both calibers, doing its best work on tougher animals (unless using the flat based variant in .35 cal)Occasionally I am sent emails regarding fairly ho-hum performance in the 9.3x62, mostly due to the use of slow moving heavy and stout bullets used on light to mid sized deer. Some folk come to expect both the .358 and 9.3 bore to be a bit lack luster after initial field results. In contrast, both calibers can be quite spectacular killers. The Vulcan bullet is one example, its only weakness being effective range. The 225gr KS is another example. The Whelen can employ both Hornady and Sierra bullets. I think we have to be realistic in that while many folk dream of hunting very large animals with the .358 and 9.3 bores, the majority of hunting will be for light to mid sized deer- otherwise the rifle will get shelved and never used. These are good work horse bores and there is no reason to have them shelved away. But like all of our cartridges, performance varies greatly depending on what type and brand of bullet is used. Eventually I will have all of my research uploaded to the KB so that readers can observe comparisons. I also think it is wrong to accuse people of being over gunned when hunting deer with a medium bore, there was a time when .458 cal or in our country .577" was the norm for all hunting. It seems that a few of you have .358 and 9.3 bore diameters so it would be great to have contributing autopsy photos and info for other readers to view. Please keep your cameras handy. |
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@ 06:47 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi GuysNathan, my 358 Winchester barrel is only .620” at 22” but it’s a stiff barrel taper being slow to come down from the action diameter, keeps the weight in my hands. The rifle & x6 Zeiss weighs only 8.25lb empty but shoots very tight groups. I use 225gn Woodleigh’s & 225gn Sierra game kings both loaded at 2400fps & 2600fps, my initial thoughts on the GK on big Samba was they’re too soft as the pill would end up under the skin opp side and not much left compared to the Woodleigh ‘s 90% and text book appearance. But those Deer shot with Game Kings were just as dead and never took a step. With the 358W, when I shoot say a normal sized Rusa doe, There’s no meat damage but hit a big heavy Samba/Rusa stag where there’s a lot of resistance and you see massive damage! Nathan, those photos you have of my Woodleigh’s are 308 projectiles but the bullet damage photos are from the 358W showing busted bones but no bruising 225gn @ 2520fps. Cheers Bob |
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@ 08:01 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?
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@ 09:11 pm (GMT) |
Drew PigottRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Bob,Ah I see, I think I read through that to fast and misunderstood you. That seems like a real meat axe! The velocities you are getting seem like you should get nearly ideal bullet performance at normal ranges and deep penetration to boot. Woodleighs are hard to come by here in the states, at least where I live. I try not to order components because of the hazmat shipping fees the delay it sometimes adds to shipping but I feel like it need to give a try. I'll shoot you an email so you will have my address again. Barry, Thank you for the information, really appreciate it! Sako does know how to make a beautiful rifle i'll certainly give you that. I've wanted a 9.3x62 for about two years now and believe I will have to get one in a CZ 550 sooner or later. I think I may go with a 35 Whelen ( model 700 ) though because the bullets, brass ect. are much easier to find where I live in the Southern US. Nathan, Alright, alright you've convinced me!! I think I will have to hop on the .358 bandwagon now! So much for being a .30-06 purist! I have spotted a Remington Model 700 CDL ( thanks Barry ) in .35 Whelen. What do you think about the CDL stock? Can it be bedded and free floated to be accurate? Should I consider replacing the stock to a Bell and Carlson or HS Precision for wet weather stuff? I think the 200 grain Hornady InterLocks should do the trick for white tail deer and pigs to 3-350 yards easily. What kind of velocities should l look for with 200 and 250 grain bullets from a 24" barrel? Favorite powder? Thanks! All the best, Drew |
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@ 09:27 pm (GMT) |
NathanRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?I have a spare half hour now so how about a story.It is the middle of winter and I am heavily involved in the testing of various cartridges and loads including repeat testing (over and over again). One day in the future I shall be putting all of these notes into a book called “Stuff wot I is knowing about guns and stuff” (which eventually turns into this website and KB). It is mid afternoon and I am skirting ridges at mid level, looking for wild pigs. The ground is sodding (its winter remember), it is a cold day, rain in fits and starts, great pig weather. I am carrying two rifles, one is my Swede, the other is my .35 Whelen AI on a springfield action. Stalk, stop, glass, stalk. I want two shots. I want to put a 6.5 Partition through yet another boar to test consistency of both penetration and speed of killing. The Whelen is loaded with the 225gr Partition, I want to test this on a running boar, fully adrenalized. So I am stubbornly carrying two rifles rather than sticking to the one test rifle for multiple shots which I should and would normally be doing. As the evening approaches, I see a mob of pigs on the opposite ridge about 300 yards away, mid level (where Hazel’s boar fell AJ). So I cross the valley floor and begin sidling onto the pigs as they work their way through fern and manuka (small crubby trees). So I is now creeping, I is down on my belly and am creeping like a commando- but I am not going commando as that would be just wrong and besides, there is still prickles about, even in winter. On my belly, through the mud, crawling in a very deep and well worn cattle track which acts as a trench. I am just inside the spur of the ridge. If you cup your right hand and hold it up at 30 degrees, I am just where your thumb meets your palm, the pigs are at the base of your little finger. They will need to run past me over the thumb to escape to deep bush. If you bring your hand towards you very quickly, it will now hit you in the face and wake you up so that you can continue reading this story. At around 100 yards across the gut, I now have a clear view but need a moment to settle my breathing and get the Whelen off my back and loaded, safe, then set beside me. Next I load and take aim with the Swede at a boar with a good shield. A final check, two rifles ready to go, targets accounted, likely escape points accounted, everything is ready. Breathe right, settle, aim for the shoulder. Boom and down he goes, never gets back up, the 140gr 6.5 cal Partition goes through both shoulders and shields and into the dirt behind him- absolutely perfect. At the shot, the rest of the mob breaks and runs back towards heavy bush cover. The pigs are just above me now, running and zig sagging through the manuka and fern- the view is terrible, the whole situation is terrible- perfect test conditions for the Whelen which is now at my shoulder. I am no longer lying in the trench but have come up to one knee and am following through on a good sized pig. I give it a good half pig lead and pull the trigger as the pig disappears into a patch Manuka, nothing appears on the other side. I hurry to the bush out of concern for the animal suffering. But as I enter the bush, I to go back to a slow stalk to avoid being charged…just a few more yards to go. I have the Whelen loaded again and set to safe. It is now just on dark. As I approach, I see the pig at about 5 yards, it has been stopped, completely anchored by a shot that struck too far back in the paunch but it cannot charge me. The animal cannot move, it will soon expire from liver damage. Nevertheless, for the sake of the animal, I finish it quickly with a head shot. The Whelen did its job well, adverse conditions, poor shot placement, fully adrenalized game- the Whelen did the job. I gut and study both carcasses and take my notes. It is now well after dark and I have to carry out two large pigs and two rifles. This is really going to suck big time but I have done it before so best just get on with it. I load up the first pig and Swede and make the trudge out to the bike further along the valley floor. By the time I am done, I am soaked in mud and blood as is normal for winter hunting. As I trudge along, I think back to when an American client shot two pigs, the walk back to the bike was about a kilometer. I had asked the client to carry the rifle and both our day packs, I would carry both pigs- why I offered this I’ll never know. But being a good ex-Marine, my client sees me struggling away, slipping along the ground and picking up his pace a bit- being sure to make it all look easy, grins and says to me- “sure is tough country Kiwi”. I reply- “you bloody bastard” before we both burst out laughing. That still makes me laugh- I will never forget that ribbing he gave me. At around 9pm, its time to go back for the second pig and the Whelen. The walk is hard going because as usual, I fall over many times due to the uneven weight on my shoulders, the slippery wet terrain and angles, it is also somewhat difficult to see, even with a head torch. The weather is freezing cold but I am hot and happy- as long as I keep moving. Eventually, I make it back to the quad with the second pig and finally make it home around midnight. Another research foray, mid winter... 
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@ 09:53 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?The CDL would be absolutely ideal. I am already getting rifle envy. The wood stock is fine on this rifle. It really is up to what you prefer- wood versus glass. The actual stock pitch on the CDL is very good.I would bed the rifle, wther glass or wood for both accuracy and long term stability. I have used a wide range of burn rates- everything works well. I settled on Varget. Use a Chronograph to help with loads in conjunction with the reloading manuals. The below is from my own un-edited research notes: Realistic velocities from a 22” barrel include 2850fps with 180 grain bullets, 2650 with 200 grain bullets, 2550 with 225 grain bullets and 2450fps with 250 grain bullets. Individual rifles will on occasion produce velocities 50-100fps higher than this however it is much more common to hit safe working maximums at the velocities listed. Optimal powders for the Whelen are those in the medium burning range such as IMR 4064 and Hodgdon Varget (ADI 2208). Faster burning powders such as H4895 (ADI 2206), H335 and IMR 3031 can be used with similar results and do not generally produce much higher pressures. It is also possible to experiment with slow burners in the 4350 range with particularirly high velocities obtained from Reloader 15. Slow burners do however fill the Whelen case to mid neck level before any noticeable velocity gains are made and bullets must be seated long therefore these powders may not suit shorter magazined rifles such as the M98 and Springfield based sporters as well as pump or slide action ejection ports. Long loading can also effect ammunition concentricity. OK, better keep moving. |
@ 10:09 pm (GMT) |
jason brownRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?good story, thanks. |
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@ 04:07 am (GMT) |
Barry ThorburnRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Drew I think you will be very happy with your whelen ,I am loading 53grains of adi 2208 or varget where you are with the 225 grain sierras for my friends rem pump its a mild load but has been good on pigs. hey Nathan I couldn't get hold of the rws bullets for the 9.3 but hoping the norma vulkans will be just as good I have heard they are a popular bullet in Europe for putting big boar down fast? I mentioned the speer hot cors because they are the only bullet that's under $40 dollars per 50 here in Australia I paid $95 per 100 for the vulkans and $65 per 50 for the 250 accubonds and 320 woodleighs ouch!!! I am loading with pigs and deer at 0-200 yards as the game il be using the 9.3 for but wouldn't pass up the chance to head out for camel or buff with premium bullets. Bob i had a custom howa 358 win for a short time before the 9.3 i would still have it if the barrel was not faulty i still have the dies and 250 factory 358 win cases for a future project. my sako is also .620 at the muzzle not very heavy but it shoots really well and is a good carry weight. Drew i recommend redding 35 whelen dies as they have a good tapered expander for necking up 30/06 brass.Cheers Barry |
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@ 04:39 am (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?G'day BarryI buy my Woodleigh’s direct off Geoff, .358 225gnPP , last time, 200 delivered cost me $255 delivered, expensive at $1.30 ea but they are the best. I find the Sierra 225 game kings work well on big Deer like samba, not much left of the projectile but what’s left is under the skin on the off side, they’re dead set bombs on Deer. Unless you shooting Buffalo or such the Sierra’s are a cheap alternative with a good BC |
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@ 12:44 pm (GMT) |
Drew PigottRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Nathan,Great, I like the look of the rifle and the wood stock is pleasing to the hand as it doesn't get overly hot in the summer as a glass stock does. I'll bed it with MatchGrade when I finally source one. Great storey! Barry, Thanks again. I'll have to pick up some of those Redding Dies, that's a big help. Bob, Great. I think I'll still stick with the .35 Whelen for that little extra bit of velocity. That was one of the best articles I've read in a log time, aside from this sites content. People should take a look. -- Has anyone dabbled with cast bullets in a 35 Whelen? That article mentioned them a great deal. I know that Nathan spoke a good bit about them in his 45/70 reaserch. All the best, Drew Pigott |
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@ 04:46 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?I keep a good stock of Woodleigh .358 cal bullets here. I tried using the 225gr Partition on cattle but it would not hold together, the 250 grain Partition was better, a high SD which prevented it from tumbling on round bone and exposing the rear core. I repeat tested the 225gr bullet and it was consistently inconsistent. Nothing can compare to the Woodleigh for hammering tough game in close. When using a core bonded bullet of this nature, I like to stalk in pretty close to keep velocity high for maximum trauma, I don't really like using any of the core bonded bullets at low velocities. The Woodleigh bullets are however well tailored for lower velocities. By keeping the meplat blunt on the RN bullets, it helps ensure energy transfer. i spent a great deal of time repeat testing the PP versus RN bullet to study hydrostatic shock, recording distnaces animals ran. The RN produced noticeable hydrostatic at lower than typical velocities when used in the medium boresHave really enjoyed using the 225gr Sierra as Bob described in perfect detail. Forbes are the Oz importer for the 9.3 RWS bullets, they usually have a full range of options. The Norma Vulkan (232gr 9.3) is an incredibly good bullet, very fast expanding, highly traumatic. As I mentioned earlier, its only weakness is a very low BC (.278) if the rifle is to be used as an allrounder reaching out to ranges of around 300 yards. But having said that, the Vulkan can still be used at such ranges (1800fps). The 225gr DK bullet (not KS as I said earlier) has a BC of .266 so it is no better than the Vulcan. In some ways the Vulcan is superior because when it hits at low velocity (longer shots), it has a blunt area to initiate energy transfer which the DK lacks. These bullets can get bucked around by wind and have a fairly steep trajectory but to be honest, you can soon learn to work through these issues. The .35 Whelen is not a flat shooter, its BC's are not really any higher when studying deer bullets. My main concern is matching bullet weight and construction to game so that hunters get the very best out of these cartridges. Also, by promoting such bullets as the DK and Vulkan, I hope that it creates user demand so that importers keep stock. There is nothing worse than finding out that importers have lost interest, narrowing bullet choice down to large game bullets, thereby stereotyping the cartridge into one role. These are great cartridges that can be used in multiple roles. I have done a poor job of this within these posts which is why I prefer to place info in the KB. I have raved about the .358 bore to the detriment of the 9.3. OK, apparently I am having a pre-birthday lunch with family so better sign off. Better not annoy the fairer folk. |
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@ 02:53 am (GMT) |
Barry ThorburnRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?hey Bobil have to try the Woodleigh 250 grain in 9.3 ,I like the round nose bullets Woodleigh make. they are expensive but once I get past playing around with different brands of bullets il stick to one and buy in bulk as you have. I wish sierra made 9.3 bullets they are cheap in most calibres, have any of you used the 200 grain round nose pro hunter in your 35s on game? Drew you will find heaps of info on castbullets on the net for 35 calibre there are lots of 35 calibre moulds. Nathan how bout a few comments about your 9.3rum sounds interesting have you tried the 250 accubond in it. cheers Barry |
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@ 03:58 am (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?G'day BarryI prefer the mid to heavy for caliber projectiles 225gn minimum in 35 cal for me, unless I have lighter pills lying around that I want to use up. With say a 30 cal a 150gn pill will do everything a lighter one will do only much better & shoot flatter. I think with the 9.3x62 unless you hunting very big animals like Cattle you don’t need premium projectiles, you’ll be better off with cheap soft projectile on Pigs & Deer Cheers Bob |
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@ 09:48 am (GMT) |
Drew PigottRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Barry,Will do and thanks. I was just curious if any of you gentlemen had tried cast bullets in .358 or any other medium/large caliber. The article by Paco that Bob posted was great and spoke a good deal about cast bullets. I have absolutely no need for heavy/extremely high SD bullets, but it should be a bit of fun! All the best, Drew Pigott |
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@ 04:56 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?I have run .38 cast lead projectiles in the Whelen for close range plinking. have also run .357 XTP projectiles up to maximum velocities along with the Speer Gold dot because I wanted to explore this projectile in greater depth. I am not greatly into plinking with cast lead and I did not really find much merit in running the XTP past its design parameters. Accuracy was generally acceptable for close range work.Bob keeps nailing it with his comments about bullet weight and construction. I do not like the 250 grain Accubond in 9.3 or the 260 grain bullet in .375 because they are neither fish nor fowl. These bullets give users false confidence because it is assumed that the core bonding will ensure deep penetration on large animals- which does not occur, very poor performers / penetration on large game. By the same token, bullet construction is too tough for optimum performance on lean game in open country wherre the high BC of the AB excels. I find these bullets best suited to larger bodied medium game. That said, the AB bullets can kill both heavy and light / lean animals cleanly. But I prefer something more emphatic. I would rather dual load for the big bores than run a single load for all body weights- but this is simply my preference. I like to get the best out of a big bore. I really miss the 250 grain Ballistic Tip with its high BC and frangible nature (Bob- it was like a high BC sierra 225gr and after jacket core seperation, the jacket was so un-aerodynamic that if you did a careful 5 yard walk on the offside of game, you would nearly always find the jacket sitting on the ground). There was no mistaking that this bullet was not a scrub bull bullet etc, it was a fast expander. You knew where you stood with it. As for the 9.3 RUM, it is a great cartridge, very spectacular- but bullet choice becomes more critical. For example, the 293 grain RWS TUG is fully frangible at close to moderate ranges from muzzle velocities of 2950-3000fps. |
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@ 10:08 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?l have a Howa SS 243w in a B&C stock that l dont use anymore, mmm.That 358W would work and l can keep my favorite cal the 30/06, win win! Cheers for the idea Bob! Thanks for all the info gents. |
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@ 03:27 am (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?G'day MartinYou won't be sorry with a 358 Win mate, if you need any help your welcome to email me. There's heaps of info on Google. I like ADI 2206H powder. Cheers Bob |
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@ 02:05 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?I just knew you would be doing the math Marty. Quietly planning a .358 build....Twist my rubber arm. |
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