Anybody got any suggestions for a good bullet for a 9.3x57? Norma says 2000fps and a little change in their factory loading(286 gr) but that seems a bit, ah, pedestrian. I associate the caliber with tougher game and heavily constructed bullets, and am conerned in regards to terminal performance. Thanks.

I have used the 270-Speer in my 9.3x74r, which is faster than the 9.3x57 by a fair bit. I would expect that Speer bullet to work very well at 2000-2100 or so and would use it on any animal here in B.C., except trophy Elk and Grizzly.

I prefer the 286 NP for general duty in my 9.3, but, it is not needed for any game other than the above.

The 9.3x57 uses a fairly small case. I use 250gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. I use the 286gr Partitions in my 9.3X62 and 9.3X64.

Thanks guys, appreciate than. Either of you ever use the Norma bullets, or know anything about them?

I used to use Norma ammo and still have a lot of their brass, but, I gave up on their bullets when I started using NPs about '68. My Merkel drilling will give an easy 2375 fps-mv. with the 286 gr. NP, why use anything less if you hunt, as I do, where there is a substantial Grizzly population.

Tomorrow evening, I may trade a FN actioned Husqvarna .270 I recently acquired for the same model in 9.3x62; this will go into a used Boyd's laminate stock I have and be a "beater" rifle for camp use and in the truck in Bear country. I expect to get about the same velocity with 286 NPs over RE-15 in it; this is as close to perfect for Bears as one can obtain, IMHO.

My pet 9,3x62 was taken to Africa by a buddy of mine who made 22 1 shot kills with a 250gr X bullet. This was on game up to Eland. He said that he wouldn't have hesitated to use it on Cape Buffalo.
This bullet has shot great in 3 9,3x62's and 1 9,3x64 that I've worked with. It might be worth a try in your 9,3x57.........DJ

i have a 9.3x62 and use speer 270 grain bullets. they have worked great for the one 100 lb hog and one coyote that i have killed so far. if i believed in "overkill", both critters were victims of it. however..i've read that they are a little soft for 9.3x62 and 9.3x74 velocities so they might work(terminal performance) well at 9.3x57 speeds. and they are cheap!! just something to consider....bud

quote:

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Originally posted by DigitalDan:
Either of you ever use the Norma bullets, or know anything about them?

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I have used the Norma factory load in 9.3x74R and was pleased (but I have only used it once on game), but that load uses the 285 grain Oryx, and it looks like the 9.3x57 load uses the Alaskan.

in 9.3x74R:

I've used the Speer 270 at 2200 fps, and it realy is too soft.

I've used the Nosler 286 Partition and 2100 fps on deer ... and it's performance was brilliant! Just perfect.

Have been using the Norma 286 gr. bullets, both "copper" finish, and "nickel plated" from my 9.3x62 at circa 2250-2300 fps for 30 years. Have found no need to change, other than boring dependability.

Have bought a few hundred Barnes-X 9.3's to try but, frankly, haven't gotten around to them yet.

I suspect your 9.3x57 will work just great with the Norma projectiles. Same case necked up also makes a great little .375...have one of those too and it is a real killer with 285 gr. cast bullets.

(Mucho like your "signature". It's a hoot!)

Alberta Canuck

DD, what gun are you shooting it in? I tried to use the Nosler BT 250s for my Model 46 Husqvarna but couldn't get the sights to regulate and didn't want to alter the gun. It is regulated to the 286 gr bullets at about 2000 like you said. Not a screamer but the round nose bullets expand well at that velocity. I would stay away from the Swift A-Frames and heavier Barnes bullets because of the low velocity. Since I have to go heavier I am going to the Privi Partizan 286 gr that Graf's sells. They are popular in Europe and CHEAP.

It's an older custom built on a Commercial Mauser action, Fajen wood, express sights. Nice piece, actually belongs to a friend who just picked it up for a song.

Appreciate the help guys, will let you know how it goes...

Most of the load data for the x57 is pretty conservative. In a good '98 you have some room to play. For that matter, if its a full size action it could chamber up to 9.3 x 62 for 60 bucks and the savings in brass cost would pay that back in short time. Factory ammo is a lot cheaper too if he doesn't want to reload but you probably thought all that through.
I like the x57 alot even though a little slow. It makes things really really dead, no questions asked.

quote:

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Originally posted by mstarling:
in 9.3x74R:

I've used the Speer 270 at 2200 fps, and it realy is too soft.

I've used the Nosler 286 Partition and 2100 fps on deer ... and it's performance was brilliant! Just perfect.

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Mike, what have you used the 270gr Speer on? Is it too soft for deer?

to Digital Dan
I use my huskey mod 146(m98) x57 and load my own ammo. Mostly Lapua Mega and Norma Alaska, both bullets that handle the low Vo.
This year I might try Normas 232gr Oryx(bonded in 2350fps) in my x57. This bullet has a good reputation on moose in Sweden.
Loaded ammo from Norma that is awailable are Alaska 286gr, 232gr FMJ and from 2005, 232gr Oryx.

I have only used the speer 270 gr bullet in my cz to date and it has worked fine despite all the crtizism it gets.....I would like to try the woodleigh 250 gr bullet next I think.

Antlers,

Have hit both boar and white tail with them. The wound canals on both hits were erratic and filled with pieces of bullet. The remains of both projectiles did exit however.

I really do prefer a tougher bullet. Never had this sort of thing happen with a Nosler. Hole going in ... and a straight track to the hole going out.

That being said, the Speers make terrific practice bullets.

mstarling:

What velocity for your 270s?

I've use them on deer, black bear at 9.3x57 velocities (2150-2200ish fps) and not had these problems.

Norma needs to more broadly market its 232 gr bullet. These are excellent performers - all that I have recovered performed perfectly.

quote:

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Originally posted by mstarling:
Antlers,

Have hit both boar and white tail with them. The wound canals on both hits were erratic and filled with pieces of bullet. The remains of both projectiles did exit however.

I really do prefer a tougher bullet. Never had this sort of thing happen with a Nosler. Hole going in ... and a straight track to the hole going out.

That being said, the Speers make terrific practice bullets.

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Mike, thanks for the reply. Practice/fireforming is exactly why I have a bunch of the Speers. But I was considering using them on Black Bear this spring - I will pick up some 286gr NPs and get to work on loads. I'm always comfortable with Partitions. Besides there's always a chance of seeing a Brown Bear where I hunt the Blacks, so the Partitions are good insurance. Thanks again.

DD,
Norma factory load for the 9.3X57 is 2065'/sec with the 286 bullet. 2,360'/sec in the 9.3X62 which is quite a difference IMO.

This does suggest that the 9.3X57 is loaded to protect against some poor guns made for that round.....like the 7X57....and can be "improved" on.
IMR-3031, 43 grains, 286 gr bullet in the 9.3 X 57 =2070'/sec and one might watch the pressure signs and work up from there.....1/2 grain at a time.

10.75

I have used the 232 oryx at MV 2,600fps out my 9.3x62 on 3 bulls. The last one was a running shot at too much of an (unseen) angle. Penetration was poor and the recovered bullet allthough 100% retained weight was over expanded. It would not be my choice for more moose yet I have 400 of them as they were discontinued.

Are Norma bringing them back in loaded ammo?

Howdy. One more opinion. I have a Husqvarna 9.3x57mm, and have only fired 232 grain Norma factory hollow points thru it. No problems there. My 9.3mm using friends seem to be unanimous in their use of 286 grain Nosler and Swiss bullets in 9.3x62 and 9.3x64mm rifles. I think the prevailing factory loads for the 9.3x57 mm are now 286 grain, per Lapua and S&B.
LLS

Norma use to make a 232 gr. 9,3 bullet called Oryx. When they started making the same bullet in 286 gr. they dropped the 232 grainer.

The pressure have been hard on Norma to start making the 232 gr. Oryx again and it´s now finally avalible again!

This 232 gr. Oryx should be ideal in the 9,3X57. It´s a bonded bullet with protected point and the accuarcy is extreme in many guns!

I have used this bullet in a 9,3X62 Brno ZG-47 on mosse with outstanding results.

Stefan

Hawk Bullets (www.hawkbullets.com) makes 9.3 mm Round Tip bullets of soft copper tubing and pure lead that might work very well in this cartridge. They make 200 to 320 gr designs in three jacket thicknesses (0.030, 0.035 and 0.050 inch). I'd be inclined to try the 0.030 or 0.035 inch jackets for most game. The 0.050 inch jacket 285 gr bullet may not expand at ranges beyond 100 yards or so in the 9.3 x 57 mm. You could test it and find out.

9.3mm (.365 dia.)

Round Tips
200 grains x .030 RT..........$29.50
235 grains x .035 RT..........$30.00
250 grains x .030 RT..........$30.00
250 grains x .035 RT..........$30.50
285 grains x .035 RT..........$31.50
285 grains x .050 RT..........$38.00
320 grains x .030 RT..........$32.50

Well, I guess I'm going to tell my friend what a slug he bought and offer to take it off his hands. Seems like the 9.3 is the "cult caliber" of the Century so far, never realized it had such a wide following. Thanks again, expecially for the comments on the Oryx and Hawk bullets. Noslers too, and...and...all these choices!