As a lead-in to this page, you really should read the previous 3, plus my introduction to the famed 9.3 X 62 during the month of June, 2011.
Why? Because this page concerns a comparison between two cartridges that appeared on the scene within a decade of each other, from two European countries, two famed manufacturers were involved, and aimed for European colonies in East Africa where big-bad-beasts were destroying crops and eating people!
The comparison is between the distinguished 9.3 X 62 and the celebrated .375 H&H. The first being the creation of a Berlin gunsmith, Otto Bock in 1905, and the latter a production of the renowned London based firm of Holland and Holland in 1912.
Neither were military rounds, but their sole reason for existence was to protect European colonialists in East and Southern Africa against the mega fauna that inhibited farming and threatened lives.
The 9.3 X 62 was first on the scene, and appeared in a Mauser bolt-action repeater. It fired a heavy bullet at relatively modest velocity that simply worked beyond expectations. I have seen several numbers presented that supposedly represent original ballistics, but whatever they were, it simply got the job done! 
Actually, there were several or, at least, a few loads available for anything from smallish antelope to 2000 lb Eland and buffalo. The “heavy solids” also managed to dispatch six-ton elephant quite expeditiously, as well. In fact, this cartridge–rifle combo worked so well on anything and everything, that it became the number one choice of all European settlers in Africa, regardless of district or area. It remained so until after the First World War. Of course, that war annihilated the Mauser Works, as well as munition plants, so it was a whole “new ball game” after 1918.
The distinguished .375 H&H appeared in 1912 and was destined for the same market as the 9.3 X 62. Since the main bullet was slightly heavier — 300grs vs. 286grs — and slightly faster — 2500 fps vs. 2350 fps — and slightly larger — .375″ vs. .366″ — it was deemed to be “more” effective; i.e.: “more powerful”. In truth, it was more powerful by nearly 20% — 4163 ft-lbs vs. 3507 ft-lbs, but the sectional densities were identical at .305, and the cross-sectional area distinction was less than 5%. In addition, momentum favored the H&H by about 12%. So there was a difference… in theory!
However… the reality was that the colonialists still favored the 9.3 over the .375, until The War, that is until no more 9.3 X 62 Mausers were available. But those who had them held onto them.
The reasons are still quite familiar to those of us who have used both. The .375 H&H had to use a magnum-length action because the COL (Cartridge Overall Length) was 3.65″ vs. the 3.291″ of the 9.3. This added weight, and everything else about the .375 added weight as well. So the feeling of a relatively light-weight handy rifle for hunting was lost in the .375 H&H. In addition, the ammo was not up to par… It didn’t work on the bad stuff as well as that issued from Germany. And farmers just didn’t like the heavier/sharper recoil from the H&H.
While simply not doing anything the 9.3 X 62 had not already done with poise, ammo and rifles being much more costly, and the rifle itself being larger and heavier with the attendant feeling it was not as “user friendly”, as we would say it today, the end result was that the .375 H&H had a dubious start in Africa.
Two historical factors saved the day for the H&H: In America, Winchester chambered it in their excellent M70 in 1937, produced ammo for it, and all that at a much more economical cost than anything London was in the habit of doing. Then, at the end of the Second World War, American industry was humming, soldiers who returned from The War had more disposable incomes, and Africa became attractive to the aspiring Safari hunter. The costs of such big game hunting was also relatively modest. In essence, the .375 H&H replaced the struggling 9.3 X 62. Though for most Africans and African PHs, they hung onto them even though it was difficult to obtain the expensive ammo from The Continent to feed them.
That’s, in a nutshell, the history of both cartridges.
But what about today… which one is “best”? Then again, how do we define “best”, and best for what?
I’m not going to drag this out more than necessary. In other words, let’s cut to the chase while acknowledging that some have their preference of one over the other for their own reasons. Then others have both. Still others, like myself, have some experience with each. Which is best? I’d suggest you flip a coin!
From the practical view, they each have some very good strengths and possibly a few weaknesses, depending on our needs and expectations.
Medium bores or, as I designate them, “Light Big Bores”, are no doubt the most useful and versatile for rifle hunting of big game. I’ve stated something like that a few times previously. After many years in the hunting of white tail, black bear and moose, under a variety of conditions, I’ve come to hold that as a conviction. As most of you are aware, who have followed these blogs, I have a love affair with the .45-70. And I’ll write more on that in an up-coming article, but I have to admit that the .45-70, even with the hottest loads, isn’t as versatile. Then too, the .300 Win Mag is a favorite of mine… I’ve owned more than a handful of ‘em. But when the chips are down, a larger bore, more momentum and a bigger hole works best.
The advantages of the .375 H&H, in today’s world, are two, as compared to the 9.3 X 62: 1)Slightly more powerful, and 2)More rifles and ammo available… at least for now.
The disadvantages, compared to the 9.3 X 62, are several: 1)More costly rifles; 2)Heavier, longer and less “user friendly”; 3)Heavier recoil in burning about 15 grains more powder per shot; 4)Less versatile; 5) Will not likely be used as much as the lighter, more friendly 9.3 X 62; 6)In general, for the majority, it will require more “work” in developing loads that shoot as accurately as the 9.3 X 62, due to the recoil factor; and 7)The 9.3 will be fired more often, at the range and in hunting, contributing to greater confidence and accuracy overall.
The .375 H&H is at the upper end of the “mediums”, whereas the 9.3 X 62 is a rung on the ladder below that. Yet, if we compare a 22.5″ .375 H&H, firing a 300gr Nosler Partition at 2500 fps, MV, with a 286gr Nosler Partition from my 9.3 X 62, with it’s 22.4″ barrel at 2500 fps, MV, the H&H has a 50 yd advantage… after that the 9.3 has caught up and surpasses it in trajectory and momentum all the way to 400 yards! It even surpasses it in energy from 250 yards to 400 yards! Not bad for a cartridge not much larger than a .30-06, and on the second-from-top rung on the echelon of “Light Big Bores”!
It’s simple math: IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU LOAD ‘EM!
All for now…
Shalom
BOB MITCHELL
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