Elk Cartridge

Turk · March 1, 2002, 01:11 PM

I got a CZ550 FS in 9.3x62mm for Christmas last year and plan to use on an Elk hunt in 2002.

My friend what's to buy a rifle for his 13 year old son. This young man is average in size. This will be first experience hunting with a HP rifle and needs practice. My buddy wants to make the practice fun not a shying away from a hard recoiling round. Max. shot would be 300 yards.

So what would be minimum caliber for him to use? I think a 308 would fit the bill but what are your thoughts.

Thanks,

Turk

BigG · March 1, 2002, 04:47 PM

Hi Turk,

The 9.3 X 62 sounds interesting. It must be something like what we have in the US called 35 Whelen.

About the 308 as an elk rifle; I would think it is a good centerfire rifle for a boy to start with (low recoil) but a poor ELK rifle in the hands of less than an expert as it is underpowered for a less than ideal shot. If it must be shot other than broadside it may fail to penetrate to the vitals. JMHO

The 35 Whelen or 9.3 X 62 would be better for elk IMHO.

**Art Eatman** · March 1, 2002, 05:05 PM

In a way, the gun is the easy part. A rifle which will fit him properly in .308 would do. 180-grain bullets will do nicely on elk.

After that, it's the practice and training. The padded clothing of winter weather is a help, of course, in dealing with recoil; a "sissy pad" for the early bench-rest shooting is not sissy at all.

Then, he shouldn't hunt solo. Further, whoever's with him should control whether or not he attempts a shot. This should prevent trying for "way over there" with the package of new shooter/hunter and buck fever and low-end cartridge.

There oughta be a lot of togetherness on a first hunt.

, Art

Turk · March 1, 2002, 10:49 PM

BG,

The 9.3 is a very interesting round. When I was first considering a new rifle over my Win. 70, 06 one of the guys here stated the 9.3 is basically on par with a 35 Wheelen but with wider types of bullets. Actually the 9.3 predates the Wheelen. The first three shots out printed 1/2' center to center of the 270 gr. Speer SP bullets. It also has very good ballistic's.

You can make 9.3x62 brass out of 06 case if the need arises.

Art sound advice concerning calling the shot.

Thanks,

Turk

The Terminator · March 2, 2002, 05:34 AM

I agree with Art, a 308 in the proper bullet would be fine. Federal recommends the 165 and the 180 grain bullets for large, heavy game (such as Elk). Also, the 308 is fairly low in recoil at 17.90 pounds of recoil for the 180 grain bullet. The 35 Whelen, for comparison since I could not find the 9.3x62, shows 24 pounds of felt recoil. Good luck, whatever you decide.

DAVID NANCARROW · March 2, 2002, 08:14 AM

Something else to consider would be a 358 Winchester. The 250 grain bullet is pretty much an all aspect load for elk-in fact, its not too far behind a 35 Whelan. If you hand load, you should be able to work the boy up from starting loads to something with some respectable power.

**Art Eatman** · March 2, 2002, 10:05 AM

Well, for a handloader there's no recoil problem at all, during the training phase.

For .30-30 through .30-'06, almost any .30 jacketed bullet ahead of 20 grains of 2400 will give just zilch for recoil. In a .308 or '06, you can go up a bit to just past factory .30-30 performance and still not have bad recoil.

For house-breaking a new-shooter youngun, 100-grain .30 plinkers and the 2400 on a 50-yard target is a good teaching package. It's a confidence builder.

Then, up the oomph and add padding.

, Art

March 1, 2002, 01:11 PM	#1
Turk Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 517	Elk Cartridge I got a CZ550 FS in 9.3x62mm for Christmas last year and plan to use on an Elk hunt in 2002. My friend what's to buy a rifle for his 13 year old son. This young man is average in size. This will be first experience hunting with a HP rifle and needs practice. My buddy wants to make the practice fun not a shying away from a hard recoiling round. Max. shot would be 300 yards. So what would be minimum caliber for him to use? I think a 308 would fit the bill but what are your thoughts. Thanks, Turk

March 1, 2002, 04:47 PM	#2
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,255	Hi Turk, The 9.3 X 62 sounds interesting. It must be something like what we have in the US called 35 Whelen. About the 308 as an elk rifle; I would think it is a good centerfire rifle for a boy to start with (low recoil) but a poor ELK rifle in the hands of less than an expert as it is underpowered for a less than ideal shot. If it must be shot other than broadside it may fail to penetrate to the vitals. JMHO The 35 Whelen or 9.3 X 62 would be better for elk IMHO. __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

March 1, 2002, 05:05 PM	#3
Art Eatman Staff Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 16,803	In a way, the gun is the easy part. A rifle which will fit him properly in .308 would do. 180-grain bullets will do nicely on elk. After that, it's the practice and training. The padded clothing of winter weather is a help, of course, in dealing with recoil; a "sissy pad" for the early bench-rest shooting is not sissy at all. Then, he shouldn't hunt solo. Further, whoever's with him should control whether or not he attempts a shot. This should prevent trying for "way over there" with the package of new shooter/hunter and buck fever and low-end cartridge. There oughta be a lot of togetherness on a first hunt. , Art __________________ "You're from BATFE? Hey, great! I use all your fine products!"

March 2, 2002, 05:34 AM	#5
The Terminator Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: Georgia, 35 miles Northwest of the armpit Posts: 833	I agree with Art, a 308 in the proper bullet would be fine. Federal recommends the 165 and the 180 grain bullets for large, heavy game (such as Elk). Also, the 308 is fairly low in recoil at 17.90 pounds of recoil for the 180 grain bullet. The 35 Whelen, for comparison since I could not find the 9.3x62, shows 24 pounds of felt recoil. Good luck, whatever you decide. __________________ The Terminator John 3:16 (I hope to see You over there.)

March 2, 2002, 10:05 AM	#7
Art Eatman Staff Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 16,803	Well, for a handloader there's no recoil problem at all, during the training phase. For .30-30 through .30-'06, almost any .30 jacketed bullet ahead of 20 grains of 2400 will give just zilch for recoil. In a .308 or '06, you can go up a bit to just past factory .30-30 performance and still not have bad recoil. For house-breaking a new-shooter youngun, 100-grain .30 plinkers and the 2400 on a 50-yard target is a good teaching package. It's a confidence builder. Then, up the oomph and add padding. , Art __________________ "You're from BATFE? Hey, great! I use all your fine products!"

March 1, 2002, 10:49 PM	#4
Turk Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 517	BG, The 9.3 is a very interesting round. When I was first considering a new rifle over my Win. 70, 06 one of the guys here stated the 9.3 is basically on par with a 35 Wheelen but with wider types of bullets. Actually the 9.3 predates the Wheelen. The first three shots out printed 1/2' center to center of the 270 gr. Speer SP bullets. It also has very good ballistic's. You can make 9.3x62 brass out of 06 case if the need arises. Art sound advice concerning calling the shot. Thanks, Turk

March 2, 2002, 08:14 AM	#6
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: TEXAS Posts: 1,367	Something else to consider would be a 358 Winchester. The 250 grain bullet is pretty much an all aspect load for elk-in fact, its not too far behind a 35 Whelan. If you hand load, you should be able to work the boy up from starting loads to something with some respectable power.