I have a 9.3x62 that I have been working on as a project rifle. It started out as a Husqvarna 9.3x57 and I had a reputable gunsmith rechamber to 9.3x62.

The rifle is far from being done (still waiting to get my stock back that I had duplicated), but test chambered some ammunition today and found out it had a very tight chamber. I could close it, but it took some effort.

I don't have any gauges for this caliber, but did try a 30-60 field gauge and it closed fine. I'm not sure how close the 30-06 field gauge is to a 9.3x62 field gauge.

The other thing it could be is the brass. I have a sample pack from Superior Ammo with Hornady brass. I use their sample packs to narrow down which bullets work the best in a new rifle (to me) before I start doing my own loads. I've had problems in the past with 8x57 Hornady brass being over max length new from the factory and needed trimming and sizing. So this could be the same issue. I don't have any 9.3x62 brass on hand, so I ordered some and will see how it fits after trimming and sizing.

My question is on the 30-06 field gauge. If this gauge closes on a 9.3x62, then does that narrow my issue down to the brass versus the chamber being to short?

Try Norma or Lapua brass. They are standard European. I have heard that Hornady brass does not measure the same.

I would just get a box of Norma factory ammo & check it.

Could it be that without a stock, your perception of closing effort is out of whack. I imagine the weight and greater gripping facility of a chequered stock adds quite a bit to the equation.

I will check for you tomorrow on the gauges; I have both.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:

My question is on the 30-06 field gauge. If this gauge closes on a 9.3x62, then does that narrow my issue down to the brass versus the chamber being to short?

The base diameter and the shoulder diameter of the 9.3x62 are wider than the 06', and the the shoulder of the 9.3 is higher up on the case as well. Thus your gauge test is meaningless. You need a set of go gauges for a truly valid test. A tight chamber is not necessarily a bad thing.
Matt

Hello Austin Hunter:

30-06 headspace gauges won't tell you anything about the chamber's (headspace) compatibility with 9.3x62.

30-06 chambers and gauges have 17* 15' shoulder angles while 9.3x62 is 17* 32'--not too much difference.

Base-to-(.4000")datum dimension, however, is another matter. MAX '06 headspace dimension is .101" shorter than MIN headspace for 9.3x62. The proper gauges are needed for a definitive headspace check.

Dave Manson

One picture equals one thousand words;

Thanks. I thought they might be different based on the shoulder.

I have some new brass on order and will see what that experiment yields.

Another possibility might be the chamber reamer itself. I have a reamer print for something called the "9.3x62 American" designed to be used when making cases out of .30-06 brass. This would result in a "tight" chamber using CIP spec brass. Just a thought but have you checked back with the gunsmith on this? It might not hurt to at least eliminate this as a possibility

quote:

Originally posted by H47:
Another possibility might be the chamber reamer itself. I have a reamer print for something called the "9.3x62 American" designed to be used when making cases out of .30-06 brass. This would result in a "tight" chamber using CIP spec brass. Just a thought but have you checked back with the gunsmith on this? It might not hurt to at least eliminate this as a possibility

Thanks for the advice! I'll check that as well

mark the case with a ink pen or whatever close the bolt and work it a bit..then take a look at the case and see if there was wear..you can either run the reamer in a small tad or you can resize the case down at the shoulder a tad..I have used a file trim die to do this in some cases. But first try the new brass. If your gunsmith is near have him fix it...A lot of gunsmith use a 06 reamber to cut 9.3x62 chambers and that's dumb as hell, they are two different cartridges and even the practice of making cases from 06 brass is not smart at all, as you end up with a rear bulge on the case and although it works for awhile, your definatly overworking your brass and it won't last long.

Well good news, it was the brass. I guess Superior didn't FL size the Hornday brass. In general, I've never had problems with Hornady brass except for the 8x57 and now 9.3x62.

Anyway, I tested the virgin brass from the box, no bullet seated, and it had the same "tightness" as the Superior Ammo. Ran it through the FL size die, bingo, no issues. I didn't even bother trimming. Did this for 4 pieces from the Hornady box, each time the result was the same.

Case closed!

Could it have been as simple as the brass is max spec and the chamber min. Could that have given you a resistance? Glad you got it fixed.

Hi guys
My hunting partner and I both have a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 neither of them will chamber Hornady factory ammo,but Privi chambers perfectly.Get some European ammo or brass.Bill

Be careful with S&B ammo. I had an issue with it in my 8x57. Didn't fit well. I use it all the time in my 1911.