I'm going to build a 9.3x62 on a GEW 98. The plan is for a lightweight thumper for mountain hunting elk in the thick stuff. I want a light, quick handling rifle with classic lines--the 9.3 seems a natural on the old Mauser. So--would a 22" barrel rob this caliber of its potential? It seems like the expansion ratio is relatively good compared to the '06, Whelen, and 338 Win--all of which I see wearing 22" tubes. Any thoughts on this would be great. As an aside, any suggestions on lightening up the action on this rifle (think G 33/40 etc.) Thanks!

Typical "Stutzen" rifles in Europe are about 20.5" for a full stock 9.3x62. The Franconia catalog lists rifles in that caliber as short as 18" for boar hunting.

Remember, the larger the bore - the greater the expansion ratio. Short barrels effect large bores to a lesser degree than small bores. As for lightening a 98 action, there isn't much you can do that will actually be noticeable. The G33/40 was a full length action with a small ring/small thread. Turning a large ring/large thread into a small ring/large thread will weaken the action considerably. OK for a 7x57, but not recommended for a 9.3x62.

Any way to objectively figure the velocity reduction per inch barrel length reduction as it relates to expantion ratio? Personal experiences with the round would be great. Kurt: I'd love pics of the above mentioned rifles, do you have refs?
Thanks!

These are some I have owned. Here is the Zoli 1900 (Husky), it had a 21.5" free floated barrel.


I'm sure you have seen the CZ with its 20.5" barrel.

The Brno 98 also had a 20.5" barrel for their 9.3x62 stutzen.

You can find pics of the Sauer 90 and 202 stutzen on their website. Frankonia and Blaser both make really short versions of their 9.3x62, but I don't have a scanner to post pics.

Some time ago I asked the same question and I received a lot of answers of very experienced people, go to the search option and you will find it. The name of the topic was exactly as yours.

Mine is NEARLY finished, the barrel (Lothar Walther) was 25,5" long but I cut it to 23,5".
As soon it's ready I will post some pictures..a real beauty, believe me
LG

Without muzzlebrake mine is 22", but with a 19.6" a friend of mine puts 5 shots in 1 hole.
L.Walther barrel on an Argentine Mauser.

bye

I'm with the guys suggesting that a shorter barrel will be just about perfect for the caliber and purpose you mention. If the woods are really thick where you want to hunt, then something like a 20" barrel would indeed be a boon, otherwise a 22" barrel, perhaps? The velocity lost by going to a shorter barrel (if any - who knows whether you will get a fast or a slow barrel anyway?) will be of little consequence to you, and absolutely none to the animals at the wrong end of this deal...
- mike

KurtC-Beautiful rifles, just splendid.
Thanks to all for the advice. I'm going to go with a 21" light contour. I'll cut a straight combed, light stock from a piece of claro I have access to (good excuse to try my hand at a schnauble forend.) I hate to do it but I think I'll also D&T for a 1.5x5 Leopold. Should work well. Thanks for all the help!

KurtC, what kind of velocities did you get from these rifles?

My cz has a 23 1/2" barrel and I quite like it. Some people have 26" and there getting some good ballistics.

Mark,
I have to agree that a short heavy tube will do the same thing...I used to like the short tubes, then the 22" jobs now the 26" heavier guns suit me..I just got it all backwards, but thats not unusual for me.

Most of us vasilate between too long and too short over our life span, its a gun nut thang! Don't recall ever straddling the fence on anything, maybe someday I will try a 24 inch barrel...

Snowcat-if Dennis says he can do it then I'd be all for getting after it. I passed up a G33/40 a couple of years back for so cheap--well you get the point I should have my butt whupped for it! Sometimes I can do the dumbest things.

Mr Ray--try 23"--grins.... ok ok so I am besides being a pain in the rump at time (right!) I am a bit superstitious and have this big need for odd numbers on the lengths of the tubes. That explains the old 21",23",25" thing eh.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

Mark,
I see nothing unusual about that!

Apparantly I am also infected by such phenominum...

Then there is the changing mind on most gun subjects..I laugh when someone comes up with a contradictory post that they spent hours locating in the archives of AR, then I get to tell them, Yep thats right, I changed my mind! some really can't handle that.

Ray, I think you are right about barrel length. I bought an old FN actioned Husky last year with a 26" barrel and it is a great off hand rifle. Slim as Twiggy and about as homely but balanced perfectly. Probably weighs less than 7#. I'm sure it was originally 9.3x57 but the owner took it to 9.3x62. Even with a 60 year old bore it still shoots as good as you need for Africa.

I received my 9.3x62 chambered & threaded barrel from Woody @ Lothar Walter last month. It came 25.6" long. I put it on an FN Supreme action with a Leupold 1.5 x 5 on top it balances beautifully at that length.

All my cz big bores have 25 1/2" and they just hang so nice for off hand shooting, and those little 2.5x leupold scopes are the ducks nuts for off hand shooting as well.

Low magnification and longer barrels (unless hunting from a trail bike then I want something shorter).

My 9.3x62 has just been completed, need to go pick it up and start shooting it. Built on a Mauser 98 action with double set triggers and 26" Shilen barrel. Claw mounts with a Hensolt 4x scope. It was throated for the 286 grain Partitions. Put an FN Mauser stock on it and replaced the ventilated recoil pad with a Kick-ezz. Hopefully pick it up and go to the range on Monday.

BigBullet