I am really interested in this rifle but was wondering if I would be losing too much performance wise with the 20†barrel or should I go with the 550 American (23.6 inch barrel). From what I read this cartridge seems to be a good killer without too much kick to it. I already have a 458 Lott so am trying to decide between 9,3x62 and a 375 H&H. Thanks in advance

9.3 X 62 - It will kill ANYTHING but is great for non DG up to and including Eland. With the proper bullets and marksmanship will kill all the DG. That's what it was made for back in '08. Penetrates better than the .375 although not as much energy.

I just bought a used CZ American 9.3X62. Nicely made rifle and it's accurate!

My guess is the shorter barrel would drop the cartridge performance to be about equivalent with medium hot 35Whelen loads.

However, keep in mind. Using faster burning powder to get the velocity up as much as possible, in a short barrel, gets you some real hard kicking rounds. So if your looking for a low recoil, high performance cartridge, IMO the short barrel is a real bad idea.

Out of my Blaser R93's 23" barrel I'm getting around 2330 fps with 286-grain Nosler Partitions, and it has killed with great enthusiasm out to over 200 yards.

I just bought a CZ550FS myself because I just wanted a 9.3x62 in a traditional-looking Mauser. Figuring 25 fps per inch, that'll bring my Blaser load down to around 2250 fps or so, and I would have no qualms about using it on the same game.

Depends on what you are trying to do.

I doubt you will see much difference even with 3 inches of barrel "loss." I get ~2450 fps with 286 gr. Partitions in the CZ 23.7" barrel. Should be enough with a 20.5" barrel.

In his life a hunter should have a 9.3x62, a 6.5x55, a 30-06, 7x57 and a ........o well we need a lot of toys

I've got a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 & love it Well made and accurate. I bought a bunch of Sellier & Bellot ammo loaded with 286 gr softs and it shot less than an inch at 100 yards. I originally bought this ammo for it's cheap price for the brass and to run the rifle to the range. I don't know that I'll even try to handload unless I decide I want "premium" bullets.

Haven't taken it to Africa yet, but I took into the southwest corner of Virginia last fall. It took several groundogs at ranges up to 250 yards and a coyote fell to a single rund at over 350 yards. All this with a standard 4 power scope.

The rifle is very manageble and I don't think I would hesitate to take any major plains game in Africa or elsewhere with it. The round is a little light for the heavyweights like Elephant and Hippo, but lots of them have fallen to it over the years.

I guess what I'm saying is buy the rifle. You will enjoy it and you can't beat the price of the CZ's.

Mac

I fondled one of these at the NRA convention at the CZ booth and it is a sweetie.Don't sweat the velocity loss, it will do just fine. I have taken many critters with my 9.3x62's and it is a sterling lowveld round, steenbuck to eland. Most Ph's smile when you pull it out of the case, they know it's going to be a good hunt.Put Talley lever QD mounts and a Leupold 1.5x5 on it and you are good to go.

I have a CZ FS 550 in 9.3x62. I haven't been able to get it to shoot better than 1.5" at 100 yards, or worse than 1.5" at 200 yards, regardless of the load and bullet. Go figure? I'm satisfied.

I have some GS solids with which someday I'll shoot a P.A.C. elephant, I hope. They average right at 2300 fps and I'm not at the top of the load data.

I have four rifles in 9.3 caliber (one of which is a stalking rifle in 9.3x72). So far, I've never needed a follow up shot with any of them.

grettlerj,
I ordered one sight unseen, 9.3x62mm just because, and it came in with a beautiful tiger-striped walnut Lux full stock. It also put its first three bullets for group into 1/3" at 100 yards.

Mine had the C-clip firing pin nut support, but that was kindly replaced by CZ-USA, with the double-nut firing pin assembly, for free. Don't know if they are still doing that for free.

Mine had steel bottom metal, but I have heard of some with plastic floor plates. Watch out for that.

Don't worry about the lack of 3.1" of barrel on that rifle. With the faster powder loads it likes, you will lose less than 75 fps, IIRC. No sweat.

The double crossbolts (fore and aft of the magazine box, where they should be) come standard on that rifle. Sweet.

I have the lux 9.3x62 cz version and it's a very nicely finished gun.

I originally wanted a shorter barreled Battue with the 20.5" barrel but they would only get me the lux model, the FS version would now be my pick of the cz 9.3's and I would love one myselff, you won't lose much speed to worry about.

"I already have a 458 Lott so am trying to decide between 9,3x62 and a 375 H&H. Thanks in advance"


I know this is blasphemy on this thread BUT if I was choosing between a 9.3x62 or a .375 H&H for a complement to my .458 Lott...I would choose the .375 hands down. I have both and have used both so my reasoning is as follows...

Ammo availability...bullet selection...DG legal in ANY African country you hunt makes this cartridge more versatile. It is available in more makes and models of rifles. Hard to say no to this grand old cartridge.

You own a 458 Lott and you're concerned about "kick" in the 9.3x62?
I have always wanted a 9.3X62 and a .404 Jeffery for my African hunting. I went practical with an -'06, .375 H&H and now a .416 Remington. I'm convinced I'm missing out on part of the fun of the safari hunting these practical, efficient guns and calibers.

I would choose the 9.3X62 in a 550 American, but must confess the FS version felt very good in my hands at SCI this year.

If you want the practical answer, I'd get a 550 American in .375 H&H and keep the Lott and go hunting.

That 9,3x62 is in a nice package though, and I wouldn't feel limited using it as my light gun at all. Buy it and tell me what I'm missing out on!

I am the proud, but new, owner of a CZ550FS in 9.3x62. I have had it out to the range twice and it shoots very well. Groups of about an inch to an inch and half at 100 yards. Velocity is down given the shorter barrel. I am shooting the Sellier & Bellot 286 grain loads and they are clocking at approximately 2175 fps. It is fun to shoot though, very little recoil, handles nicely and it is a grand old cartridge.

Mike

MJines:
Sure, just rub it in a little, why don't ya!

You might be surprised at what you can pick one of these up for, it was a lot less than I had expected.

grettlerj

Bwanarm makes an excellent point. From a practicality stand point the 9.3x62 just doesn't hold up compared to the 375 H&H and its only legal in one country I know of for buffalo. The 375 shoots flatter and hits harder than the 9.3. If you just want a 9.3 because you like the rifle by all means buy it. I too think the CZ carbine is neat but if you are looking at buying a rifle to cover all plains game and buffalo I think the 375 would be a much better choice.

Mark

If you have a 9.3 it gives you an excuse to get a 375 ( a poor excuse it better than none at all).

An interesting thing about the CZ 9.3x62mm is that it has a 9" or 9.5" twist, IIRC. That too is sweet. It is the only full stock rifle I own and it is one of the most accurate.