Hi,

I just ordered some stuff from a firm in the US (I won´t use any names yet) and have some questions to you Americans: If brass is sold as 9.3x64 is it normal to receive brass that has been formed from .458WM and still bears that headstamp? I also ordered dies+shellholder in the abovementioned cal. and received a shellholder in 30cal...that could be an honest mistake though.

Comments?

quote:

Originally posted by cewe:
If brass is sold as 9.3x64 is it normal to receive brass that has been formed from .458WM and still bears that headstamp?

Cewe, I don't know who you do business with, but since commercial (and properly headstamped) 9.3x64 brass is available (e.g. from Huntington's selling RWS brass) properly headstamped and manufactured brass is also what I'd expect to receive!! If not, I think you need to find a new supplier!

It is a bit strange that you specify the cases bear headstamp .458 WM. Does that mean the belts have been machined off the cases??

quote:

... received a shellholder in 30cal...

What do you mean by a "shellholder in .30 cal"?? You mean a shellholder for a casehead size like that of a .30-06 or what?? This is a bit confusing...

Finally, (hijack alert) what is your connection to tgsafaris in SA?? I was in touch with them of late because they listed the "Ultimate Lodge" in Vic Falls on their website.

- mike

Cewe,

No, that is not normal. Back when RWS brass in 9.3x64 was virtually impossible here in the states, I had heard of people turning the belts off of 458 WM brass and forming to 9.3x64. Apparently it will work, but it seems like a lot of effort when properly headstamped brass is available. I'm not sure how it will compare dimensionally as I've not had a chance to compare them side by side. I'm fortunate that it was easy to order a couple hundred pieces of 9.3x64 brass here just by picking up the phone. My Redding shellholder is specially made for the 9.3x64 rim diameter. Proper 9.3x64 brass will have a slightly rebated rim.

mho: The belts have been machined off and the brass seems OK dimensionally but I did expect correctly headstamped brass -I didn´t spcifically ask for it though... The shellholder is for 30-06 and it´s derivatives which I guess was an honest mistake.

My connection to TG Safaris is simple -Tino and his wife are friends of mine (yeah everyone says that of their PH´s but I´m the exception ie thay are my friends....) and my second book on my stays with them was published this fall. You can view the cover at: http://www.pqr.aland.fi/Stenb.html

The title translated is: Tales from the Tropic of Capricorn

I checked their homepage again but saw no mention of the Ultimate Lodge -sure you mean the same outfit?

270Model70: I´ll be ordering some RWS brass for my trip. Luckily the shellholder for my 8x68 fit the 9.3x64 so I loaded some rounds for my gunsmith who´ll now be able to get ahead on my projext!

9.3x64 brass cam be formed from 458 win or 338 Win. I have used 458 cases. To form 9.3 cases from 458 ,1/ turn belt off 2/rebate rim 3/recut extractor grove using a shell holder as a go gauge. 4/neck from 458 to approx 41 cal (homemade die) 5 size in 9.3x64 die. 6/load and fire form. I have used Win brand brass and it gives you cases with the same internal capacity as RWS brass. Yes it is bit of work but it makes very good cases. Several companies that specialize in obsolete and hard to find brass do the same thing.

Interesting, I had never heard of anybody bother to make 9.3x64 brass - since RWS makes new and correctly headstamped brass:

http://www.huntingtons.com/cases_rws.html

But maybe the RWS brass was not always available in the US??

Cewe, this was the page I was referring to:

http://www.tgsafari.co.za/saf_zim01.php

- mike

I ordered mine through Huntington's with the correct headstamp.

Curt,

Just order some RWS brass from Johannsen Jagd. Horneber also makes 9.3x64 brass. The two brands cost the same, but the RWS has the quality edge.

Interestingly, it is cheaper for me to use Sako brand 9.3x66 brass rather than convert 30-06 basic brass.

Give Johannsen a call. They have all the 9.3x64 brass you need. Try some Norma 203-B with the Nosler 250 grain Accubond. Serious smack-down.

mho: I seem to have missed that link , but Tino is very careful in recommending lodges so if you need info you can trust him.

lawndart et al: I might have found an outlet for 9.3x64 brass here in Finland. Yesterday I loaded up a few 286gr Privi Partisans using N140 (63.7grains, should be a moderate load) but I´m planning on trying out some heavy for cal. bullets, then I can use my 9.3x62 for the 250gr bullets (getting striking results on deer with Noslers Accubond!).

Now back to reality...new recruits at the base...

if it was sold as x64 and is headstamped something else, it would go back in the box.

who,

The 286 grain Nosler is perfect for that caliber. I'm not sold on the 320 grain Woodleigh at all.

John,

Have you tried the Woodleigh in 286gr? The 320gr sounds interesting...could be good buff med Did you have specific problems with that weight?