For African big game, is the power difference enough to bother with? I'm trying to decided if I want to build a 9.3x64, or another 9.3x62 instead...

The 9,3x64 Brenneke is in the 375 H&H power class. The 9,3x62 is more of a 35 Whelen class member.

I am building a 9,3x66 Sako which will split the difference.

lawndart

The problem with the 9.3x64 is it has a "one off" case. There ain't nothin' else like it. Only one company makes the ammo/cases for it, and that makes it a bear to use outside Europe.

I'd stick with the 9.3x62, go to Sako's new 9.3x66, or a 375 of some ilk. Kudude

The 9.3 x 62 pushing a 286 grain bullet at 2450 fps earned an excellent reputation among citizen hunters for use on all pg, buffalo and the cats. I am not convinced that the additional 150 fps out of the 375 H&H means squat except for a flatter trajectory for shots over 300 yards.

quote:

The 9.3 x 62 pushing a 286 grain bullet at 2450 fps earned an excellent reputation among citizen hunters...

No quesition that the 9.3x62 earned an excellent reputation. ICI/Kynoch (1936 catalog reprint) ballistics were a 286 gr bullet at 2250 fps. Current RWS and Sellier & Bellot ammo is a 285 gr (18.5 gram) bullet at 2280 fps (695 m/s). Current Norma standard is a 285 gr (18.5 gram) bullet at 2362 fps (720 m/s). Nosler Ammunition lists a current load of a 286 gr bullet at 2430 fps.

(18.5 grams equals 285.4994 grains so call it 285 or 286 grs as you wish.)



My two cents: I find the 9.3x64 to be a very interesting cartridge though I don't own one. It's a shame that it's not more popular. But, from a practical standpoint, I think the 9.3x62 and the .375 H&H make more sense considering the availability of factory ammo and rifles. If you want more "thump" than the 9.3x62 provides, then just go to the .375 H&H Mag. (I own a 9.3x62 and a.375 H&H.)

-Bob F.

http://www.rws-munition.de/
http://www.sellier-bellot.cz/
http://www.norma.cc/
http://www.noslerammunition.com/

Has anyone chronographed the 9.3x66 factory ammo? I've studied the reamer specs (Dave Kiff faxed them to me), and I just don't see how they are getting 200 fps more than a 9.3x62 without redlining the pressures.

Moreover, if you run a 9.3x62 to modern pressures in a modern rifle, and seat bullets to mag length (the CIP throat/leade is very long and thus not a constraint) I am thinking that the 9.3x62 is even closer.

I've thought hard about going with a 9.3x66, but it is impossible to find parts for. 9.3x64 components are much easier to locate...

If anyone has news of better component availability for the 9.3x66, please let me know...

quote:

If you want more "thump" than the 9.3x62 provides, then just go to the .375 H&H Mag. (I own a 9.3x62 and a.375 H&H.)

From a practical standpoint, I agree completely. But I've long since abandoned that logic, lest I would corner myself with a very practical, but boring battery.

What I like most about the 9.3x64 is the ability to have 375H&H power with 4+1 mag (depending on the rifle's extractor cut) capacity in a standard long action. But I am forced to wonder about effectiveness. Is the extra power between a 9.3x62, a 9.3x64, and a 375 H&H ever going to make a difference in the field? If not, I'd just as soon stick with my 9.3x62s, as they are lighter, handier, etc.

I've read in a couple of articles by John Barsness that's he's getting around 2450-2500 fps with a 286 gr Nosler Partition using a Ramshot powder (Big Game powder I think). His rifle is a CZ 550 with a 23.6 inch (60 cm) barrel. 286 gr at 2450 fps = 3813 ft lb

See this thread on 24 Hour Campfire
Seating Depth and Pressure

From that thread:
---------------------
With my long-throated, long-magazined 9.3x62 I can get 2475 or thereabouts with a 286 Partition at not much more than 50,000 psi. So I haven't even pushed it that much--partly because I see not reason to. The 9.3x62 was knocking the fillings out of big game at velocities even slower long ago, so why push it?

Mule Deer (Mule Deer = John Barsness)
---------------------

-Bob F.

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
The problem with the 9.3x64 is it has a "one off" case. There ain't nothin' else like it. Only one company makes the ammo/cases for it, and that makes it a bear to use outside Europe.

Nope, the 8x68, 6.5x68, and 7.5x55 are all the same case.

quote:

Originally posted by BFaucett:
I've read in a couple of articles by John Barsness that's he's getting around 2450-2500 fps with a 286 gr Nosler Partition using a Ramshot powder (Big Game powder I think). His rifle is a CZ 550 with a 23.6 inch (60 cm) barrel. 286 gr at 2450 fps = 3813 ft lb

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out (I've got to get my post numbers up over there anyway... )

That's the thing. The 9.3x66 can't function at any more OAL than a long-seated 9.3x62, so its advantage seems quite minimal. I've chronyed the Norma factory 9.3x62 ammo in years past and been surprised how close to advertised velocities (both the 232 and 285 loads). I think there might be some marketing in the 9.3x66 numbers, especially since it is competing directly with the 375...

quote:

From a practical standpoint, I agree completely. But I've long since abandoned that logic, lest I would corner myself with a very practical, but boring battery.

I understand completely!!

quote:

Is the extra power between a 9.3x62, a 9.3x64, and a 375 H&H ever going to make a difference in the field?

I don't have extensive hunting experince with my 9.3x62 and my .375 H&H. I used my 9.3x62 on one plains game safari and my .375 H&H on another. But, just based on that admittedly rather limited expericence, I'd say there isn't much difference between the 9.3x62 and the .375 H&H at least on plains game. I have no experience with dangerous game.

-Bob F.

if you reeeeely want to blow your hair back do the 64 and expand it to 416!!! there is just enough shoulder left...



its simple and it would rock!

.

The four of them all use the same R93 bolt head!

There are suddle differences between all 30-06 based cases as well. The metric ones likes the 6.5x65, 9.3x62, 8x64, 6x63, all have .005 or so difference in rim diamters over the 30-06, 35 Whelan, 25-06, 280, 270, and 338-06.

I got my data from Cartridges of the World.

RCBS makes a 338 Winchester to 9.3x64 die.

It must cut the belt off? I guess, I have never used form dies.

I have a 8x68 barrel and a 9.3x64 barrel on order from Aleko. I think I do anyway?

That's how I found out about the form dies.

I will still buy a couple hundred pieces of brass for both and the dies.

Thank god for Midway and Huntingtons!

.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
Just to add to this point:

Howell states that there is no easy modifiable substitute for either the 8X68 or the 9.3X64

Norma has started to make 8x68S ammunition and also cases. I have never been thinking about a 8x68s -until now. Do one need one?

quote:

Norma has started to make 8x68S ammunition and also cases. I have never been thinking about a 8x68s -until now. Do one need one?

Need? NEED? What the hell has need to do with it! You sounds like the people writing our Swedish gun-laws.

You surely need to adjust your top-mast, if you get my point!

Regards,
Martin

I own a 9.3x62 cz but if they had of chambered a 9.3x64 I would have purchased that I feel that the x64 is ther better round of the two and it's a shame it never became more popular.

quote:

Norma has started to make 8x68S ammunition and also cases.

If this is true it is time to start the process of getting a rifle made for this caliber. I have always wanted a 8x68, and a 10.75x73mm for my eventual safari.

quote:

I don't have extensive hunting experince with my 9.3x62 and my .375 H&H. I used my 9.3x62 on one plains game safari and my .375 H&H on another. But, just based on that admittedly rather limited expericence, I'd say there isn't much difference between the 9.3x62 and the .375 H&H at least on plains game. I have no experience with dangerous game.

My experience has been the same as BFaucett in that I've taken a dozen plainsgame with the 9.3X62 and less with the 375h&h and frankly couldn't tell the difference and neither could the game. I have never used either on DG but doubt that there would be significant differences there either. Since the 9.3X64 is very close to the 375H&H I don't see any advantage and many disadvantages, most of which have been pontificated already. I will only add that I own only one 9.3X62 and three 375H&H's and prefer the 9.3. For the tough stuff I much prefer a 416 remington or rigby.

Well, I've got plenty of 9.3x62s, so I am going to take the 9.3x64 plunge this time. Already scored some dies and brass from a fellow AR member, and just had a nice phone conversation with Mark Penrod about making it all happen. NECG sights (banded front), Talley barrel band, and an early 1950s model 70. Even had near-mint and unusally nicely figured pre-64 low comb stock. This is going to fun!