The gun shop called today and my CZ 550 Lux in 9.3X62 has arrived. I went to look at it today and WOW I was very impressed. I had heard some gripes about some of the wood used on these guns, and the ones I had seen were nothing outstanding. But the one I got today has a beautiful color and grain to it. It also had dual cross bolts, which I wasn't expecting in a $500 rifle.

I don't have a lot of experience with rifles, but from what I've read on this site about this caliber, it's a good one. Having said that I have a few questions.

I will be using mine mainly for whitetails and eventually some larger critters. What bullet and weight would be best for this application?

Recoil wise where does this rifle stand? I'm used to a 12 gauge shotgun with 3" mag slugs.

What would be the best choice for optics on a rifle like this (ie., magnification, manufacturer, rings)to get the most from this caliber?

Lastly, where is the best(read; most affordable) place to get factory ammo, and reloading components. I will hand load my own eventually.

Thanks alot guys!

[ 07-03-2003, 09:13: Message edited by: Trailblazer ]

Trailblazer, you are going to get a lot of responses to your post. I purchased a CZ550 American in 9.3x62 back in 2001, and here is what I have done...

1. Bought reloading components (Speer 270 grain bullets, Norma brass, RCBS dies) from www.midsouthshooterssupply.com (already had IMR4064 and Reloader15 on hand for powder)

2. Used the mounts that came with my rifle to mount a Leupold VXIII 1.5 to 5 scope (mounts sit the scope kind of high, but they do work)

Like I said, lots of people will chime in on this post, as many people here, including myself, bought a 9.3 after reading the glowing comments about the cartridge from other posters...

Trail Blaser,

My 9.3x62 cz lux should be here pretty soon, I am hoping for nice wood and dual crossbolts as well. I am pleased you scored well congratulations.

I have purchased 100 lapua cases (supposed to be the best brass) A set of RCBS dies and have Aussie powders AR2208 & 2209 on hand. I have ordered 2 packs of speer 270 gr bullets as they are well priced and should suffice for anything short of really tough game.

I have a leupold 2-7x33 on hand and some cz 550 mounts. However I am considering pinching my 1-4 Vari X 11 leupold off my 45/70 and using it for the 9.3 have not decided yet.

Other than that I can't wait to get. Make sure you keep us infromed of your rifle

Hi Trailblazer.

Welcome to the fourum. I can't help you much but I must say that that was an impressive first post!!

Johan

I've only had my 9.3 for a short while and my other rifles are already complaining about the attention it gets. I'm impressed with the cartridge so far, the only reason I can see that it hasn't been popular in the US to date is simply because it doesn't have a belt and it's a European metric cartridge. I didn't say they were good reasons but American hunters are a fickle bunch.

I think the cheapest ammo I saw anywhere was some Lapua at Lock,Stock and Barrel. I jumped into reloading this cartridge pretty quick.

It sounds like you have a nice rifle, put a good quality scope on it and let us know how things go.

I think Saeed is going to need a 9.3 forum if this keeps up

Rick

[ 07-03-2003, 16:07: Message edited by: Rick R ]

Trailblazer or anyone else who has ordered a 9,62, how long did it take to get your rifle. It will be two months for me next week. Is that normal?

Car,

I have been waiting for mine since January I think (or there abouts) I orginally wanted a Battue or American, but I had to settle for the Lux model as thats what Wionchester Australia were importing a limited number of. I sough oof wish it was one of those CZ Full Stock Carbiones in 9.3x62. MIght have to save my penny's and try an order one

The best scope rings for CZ 550s are made by Talley. Everything else is a distant second place.

I would choose a scope with a maximum magnification of 6X. Variable or fixed is your choice. Most people don't realize that unless you are shooting from a rock solid bench, magnification much above 6 power will only amplify every single twitch and tremor. Use a proper shooting sling and a scope set at 9X or above, and watch the rifle dance with every beat of your heart.

[ 07-03-2003, 18:40: Message edited by: Trailblazer ]

CARR4570 I ordered mine from the Scheels store in town and it only took a week to get it. Even the gun manager was very impressed. They only had one in stock in .223, but after seeing my rifle he is going to order more for stock. Probably not in 9.3X62 though.

Keep me posted on how it goes.

I can hardly disagree with your wise choice of calibers.

Sellier and Bellot (ammodepot.com?) make cheap ammo ($28) a box. The cheapest Norma ammo I've seen in at Cabelas.com for $38.99. Buy the Norma if you need factory ammo - great cases.

Loading components - Midwayusa.com wil set you up with new stuff. I think Grafs.com sells Lapua brass pretty cheap. (I'm doing this all from memory so I may be dotting my t's and crossing my i's here a bit).

The Speer 270 is a cheap way to go. I myself have taken a liking to the 250 Nosler Ballisitic tip, which is only a few bucks more. This bullet will do anything you want in the lower 48. Alaska or Africa I'd go with the 286 Partition.

You may want to consider two loads with the 250 gr. One at about 2350 fps for close to medium range shots - goes a long way to lessening the recoil. Also work up a good max load - say about 2625 fps, this will shoot as flat as a 308 shooting a 180 grain ballistic tip.

Recoil will, of course depend a bit on your rifle. Mine is a custom job on a model 70 action that weighs about 8.5 pounds empty and, with max loads, produces recoil roughly comparable to a 338 WM.

Great round, load it down when appropriate and you'll love it even more.

Regards,
Mike

Anyone own a 9.3x62 in a CZ Full Stock ??

Do they like it ??

I get S&B from the Outdoor Source for $28.99 a box for 285gr. or from Graf and son where Lapua goes for $30.39 a box. My 550 LUX also has a Leupold variX 2-7x33 with cz rings. See her in action at the hunting reports Africa section here under LaRochelle Namibia. You go boy !

PC, yes I own a 9.3 full stock and will see if Kurt C. can get some pictures posted for ya.

Trailblazer-
Congratulations and welcome to the group. You made a fine choice and after a little over a year of ownership, several hundred rounds fired and a handful of trophies taken, my opinion isn't biased at all .

My thoughts on your questions -

Bullets - don't think you could go wrong with about anything and my CZ550 is not picky about projectiles. Best accuracy results are with the 250 grain Nosler Balltic Tip.

Recoil - to me, reasonable full power hunting loads are a little more "stiff" than my .30-06 (similar in overal "curb" weight loaded with scope) but not excessive. Good idea mentioned above to work up some reduced loads and should of course be the approach if you roll your own.

Optics - try a 2.5-8 or something similar (1.75-6 or 2-7). The Talley mounts are very nice and are my recommendation although the factory mounts are quite adequate.

Loading - I have handloaded exclusively - never purchased or fired any factory loads. All the major players - Midsouth, MidwayUSA, Grafs, etc. have the stuff you need. The Lapua brass is nice, but Norma has worked as well. I try to buy from my local gunshop as much as possible, but after a couple of "... it's a nine point what??...." comments it became quite obvious components other than powder and primers will be arriving in my favorite brown truck.

You're going to have fun!!!

Here are some pics of Matt's FS 9.3x62. It has an oil finish with Pachmayr pad. ERA adjustable sights, butterknife bolt, Leupold 1-4x with German #1 reticle in Warne lever rings.

Matt C., where or how did you get the butterknife bolt handle? Every CZ catalog and website picture shows they FS with the standard bolt handle? Is that a custom job? If so, by whom?

Very nice rifle.

The bolt handle was welded on. They are in the Brownells catalog and others. The factory handles aren't classy enough for the rifle, a butterknife or Oberndorf look more at home.

Matt C that rifle (CZ FS 9.3x62) is just positively gorgeous !!

I will just have to get one at some stage

I hope my lux model will looks as nice.

Folks I was interested in the 250 gr Nos BT but I struggle to see a classic like the 9.3 with plastic tipped bullets. I may have to just get over that at some point hey

[ 07-04-2003, 17:13: Message edited by: PC ]

PC, I can't take credit for the CZ as it Kurt's creation. I just happen to own it.It is in my opinion a properly setup big game rifle.As for bullet selection for the lower 48 you would be hard pressed to best the factory 232gr.loads but the 257gr.H-mantel is supposed to be a sledge hammer according to Elk hunters who have used it.(at 3 times the cost of course). I am sure you will be happy with your CZ as m.o.a. accuracy and ultra reliability are pretty much commonplace for the rifle you own.

I did the stock. A shop did the welding. Here is a pic of an Oberndorf model S. The handle is basically a round knob with a slight pear shape. It is vertical, not swept back, and traditionally comes out and down from the bolt, over the stock rather than thru it.

The CZ already has the stock inletted for their bolt, so you have to attach the new one at the same angle. Fortunately, they did not sweep the inletting rearwards to follow their handle.

Trailblazer

I would suggest the nosler partition for hunting since it handles the higher velocity better than the thin jackated bullets. The ballistic tip would do fine for whitetails

good luck with you new rifle
Kurt C, thanks for the droll pic of your rifle, same nice rifle as ursual

/ JOHAN

[ 07-04-2003, 22:41: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

I've had good luck with everything in the 9.3x62, but some folks feel the 270-gr. Speer is too soft for anything but deer. The Speer is probably fine below 2,400 fps, but I can't back that up with field results yet. I'd choose Partitions for any really big game but the 270 Speer is the cheapest and most common 9.3mm bullet in the US, so I'm going to field test it a lot more before I write it off completely.

Do a search for "9.3" and you'll find plenty of information. Hope this helps, Okie John.

The 232 gr bullet by Norma is a bullet I would like to try at some point.

But the speers work out so cheap !!

Someone on this board has shot some feral cattle with the speer 270 gr 9.3 bullet and from there accounts it went alright exited on a shoulder shot.

I am sure for in my case pigs and roo's and for American and Euro Folks deer and even up to moose at the speeds the 9.3 works at the speer would do alright.

PC, that shot was actually through the ribs, and I'm not sure I hit any bone at all. My post on it is on the Big Game forum. I'm going back soon for more tests with the Speer 270 and S&B factory loads. A big goal is to hit a shoulder blade with the Speer from 2,350 fps MV and then do the same with a S&B at 2,175 fps. Details will follow in a few weeks.

I'm no expert, but I think the Speer fails when impact speed exceeds about 2,400 fps. Ray hates it, and I respect his opinion and experience, but Speer bullets are so good this one can't be that bad. We just need to unlock its secret, which may be that Speer built them for 9.3x74R doubles and 2,400 IV is about their limit. Maybe then Speer will give us a proper 286 for the 9.3x62. Or Sierra. Or Hornady... Okie John

Okie,

no doubt speer did design it for sloweeer speeds. I am looking forwards to more of your test.

I will do a few of my own on our light game.

In regards to Hornady making a bullet I have sent them an email asking if they could add one to there line up. In particular an interlok in 232 gr & 250 gr weights would interest me

Follow-up to previous posting on an older thread......

The more I shoot this CZ-550 Lux in 9.3 x 62, the more I like this rifle and its caliber.

The Mountain Molds 265 grain cast/gas check flat nose absolutely drove tacks in its lighter loadings--18.0 grains of Alliant 2400 literally stacked bullet holes right on top of one another at 50 yards with its open sights. Lots of sub-1 inch 5-shot groups at that distance. Boosting velocities to 2100 FPS with some surplus WC-852, the groups opened up a bit, but nothing over 2" at 50 yards. Bottom line--I need a scope mounted to give a fair account of this rifle's capabilities--my 48 year old eyes aren't up to the task any longer.

There is very little copper-fouling left by jacketed bullets in this rifle's bore. Granted, the 2300 FPS velocities the Nosler and Speer bullets are given don't plate bores like a 22-250 might, but the bore surface's smoothness is obvious.

There was no lead fouling whatsoever--I should note that I "de-coppered" the bore with Sweet's 7.62 prior to firing the lead bullets.

Did I say that I liked this rifle--A LOT?!!

WPM,

I wonder if it will be introduced in 2004??. Maybe Sierra will beat them to the punch.

I agree that the bullet choices here in the USA are not wide in the 9.3 caliber, but with a little effort the Norma and RWS offerings should be obtainable through specialty dealers (Huntington's comes to mind here).

Add in the domestic offerings by Nosler (250 BalTip and 286 Part) and Speer (270 semi-spitzer SP), we're all right. Compared to the 25-35, 33 WCF, or 348 Win the 9.3 has a cornucopia of selections.

If you are a real crank like me, you can also get a real decent mold made for the caliber by Dan at Mountain Molds (www.mountainmolds.com).

I truly enjoy this caliber--VERY MUCH.

Deputy Al