After having delt with difficult to obtain, or simply expensive brass, ie 350 Rigby and 500 Jeffrey, I would highly recomend against going with a similiar type of issue with the 9.3X64.
Yes you can turn the belt off of a belted case, and size it down, I've done it on several cases with the 350 Rigby, but it is a RPITA! When Huntington was clearing out Betram cases for $10/20 I ordered up 100 cases. They are soft brass, but work ok for cast loads.
With the 500 Jeffrey, I went in on the bulk order Jeffesso put together, and while the price was great ~$2.50/case, it took the better part of a year to come together.
My advice is go with the 9.3X62, and if you want more gun, then pick up a 40 or 45 caliber. The X64 adds a bit more range, and alot more hassles.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
If I knew how to post a picture here, I would show you my 9.3 WSM. I think this is going to be a slick thing in the western Oregon bush for Roosevelt elk. I call it the .366 Bison.
No change in the .300 WSM case except necked up to 9.3m/m. With a 286 gr. Norma RN bullet seated to base of neck, is about 3/32" shorter than the mag box in the MRC action. Feeds perfectly through the action with no modification to the action rails. (My actions are the short MRC, with the Win Mag bolt face and Mag box.)
Case capacity will be just very slghtly larger than the standard 9.3x62, I think...I just haven't had a chance to measure actual powder capacity yet. Nice thing is, it is a short action cartridge.
Will be a fun toy, whatever.
AC
Posts: 9685 | Location: Cave Creek 85331, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001
I don't know about the 9.3X62 - 30-06 issue. But I'm pretty sure the 8X57 preceded the 7X57 by a few years (like 9 or 10). So the root cartridge is the 8X57 and was also the basis for the 30-06. The reason the 06 is longer is that we didn't have as good a smokeless powder as the Germans so we needed more volume. Sad but true.
Roi
Posts: 626 | Location: The soggy side of Washington State | Registered: 13 July 2003
Thanks. I stand corrected. A proper check of my notes indicates that I forgot about the 1888 Commission rifles, which were 8x57. The 7x57 came about 4 years later.
Quote: Is the 9.3x62 faster than the 338 Win. Mag.? Also, what's the parent case for the 9.3x62? I never seen the 9.3x62 before.
First off, the 9.3x62 is a unique case design and is not exactly an extended version of the 8x57. While they share the nearly the same casehead, the 9.3x62 actually has a very minor rebated rim. Also, the diameter of the case body just forward of the rim is actually a bit larger than that of the 8x57 or the 30-06, and it is for this reason that making 9.3x62 brass from '06 brass is not highly recommended, especially now as high quality brass is relatively easy to obtain. The 9.3x62 case also has less taper than an '06 case and has the shoulder pushed forward some.
The 9.3x62 came out it 1905 and was the darling of one Otto Bock. The round proved successful in the African colonies on everything, including elephants. With modern powders in a strong bolt gun it falls nicely between the 35 Whelen and the 375 H&H, both in terms of diamater (0.366") and power. Many excellent big games bullets are available for this bore size from 200 to 320, including multiple offerings from both Nosler and Barnes. However, the round is generally associated with a 285-286 gr bullet.
Out to 250 or perhaps even 300 yds, I suspect that it would be difficult to find any meaningful differences between it and the 338 WM, 358 NM, or, perhaps, even the 375 H&H. It is more efficient than any of these rounds, and thus delivers similar performance with somewhat less recoil. Plus, most rifles have a 5+1 capacity, which can be a comforting feature. It is a popular round elsewhere in the world, and appears, if this board is at all representative of the larger population, to be gaining popularity here in the States.
The 9.3x62 is easy to load, and is particularly fond of H414, at least in my experiences. It is possible to drive the 250 gr. Nosler ballistic tip in excess of 2600 fps (even with 22.5 in barrel), while still maintaining very good accuracy. This loads shoots about as flat as a 308 fully-loaded with a 180 gr ballistic tip.
It isn't the same thing. 9.3x64 is a standard factory round and brass can be made or bought with a little effort. I bought 750 rounds from Germany through one of the posters on the reloading forum. It's a lifetime supply of brass and in a excellent hunting caliber.
Posts: 2608 | Location: Moore, Oklahoma, USA | Registered: 28 December 2003
I have a couple of 9.3x64'and a 9.3x62. I have as of late had trouble getting factory ammunition. Brass is available from Buffalo outfitters that is modified from 458 win and I believe Huntington's has a European brass source or was getting one. I have gotten some ammuniton from Safari Arms that used Barnes x bullets that seemed to work well. RWS ammunition is essentially unavailable.
It is not nearly as easy to get 9.3x64 ammunition as it is to get 9.3x62. It will likely be a reloading proposition.
The recoil is more on the 9.3x64, but it does not feel substantially more to me.
If memory serves me right, the 376 Steyr is made off of a modified 9.3x64 case.
Posts: 308 | Location: In transit | Registered: 10 April 2002
Yes, it's true. Only RWS used to make 9,3x64 ammo. Thankfully, this situation is now remedied with Russian Barnaul ammo for a fraction (!) of the RWS price.
Regards, Carcano
Posts: 2452 | Location: Old Europe | Registered: 23 June 2001
Quote: Yes, it's true. Only RWS used to make 9,3x64 ammo. Thankfully, this situation is now remedied with Russian Barnaul ammo for a fraction (!) of the RWS price.
Quote: What ? Please, tell enlighten us with more information
Who - me ? How shall I presume to "enlighten" the radiant light from the North, the wisdom of Ultima Thule, the sanctuary from all things Blaser, wherefrom the gospel of the M 98 shall be sent out forever and ever ?
Barnaul offers a civilian SP load (the military sniper load with a FMJ hardcore bullet is not delivered to civilian buyers). The SP cartridge is imported to Germany by Deurus Sch�nebeck (Lothar Kassuhn). It uses a lacquered steel case, a bimetal bullet jacket, and is pointed rather than round-nose. I can't report about is accuracy yet, but it's definitely cheap practice ammo (e.g. on the running boar target). Costs 1/3 or 1/4 of the RWS price.
Best regards, Carcano
Posts: 2452 | Location: Old Europe | Registered: 23 June 2001
Huntington carries Horneber 9,3x64 brass now for about $34 per 20. Its not common but can be found elsewhere with some looking. Very good cartridge, fully in the 375 class. A friend has one and is very pleased and has not experienced any shortage of brass problems as well.
Posts: 119 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 23 December 2003
Huntington has Horneber brass on order but I don't believe it is available as yet....
Brass can be made from 338 Win by turning the belt off in a lathe and resizing....
I believe brass will soon become available, but 9.3x62 is readily available and thats a darn good caliber...
The 338 case does justify a wildcat however, the 9.3x338 would be a dandy...I am not a wildcatter these days as all the possibilities have been replaced by factory rounds, but maybe a 9.3x338 would be a nice caliber and one could just stamp it 338 on the barrel and walk through all the Customs ports in the world without question. Just an idea.
Posts: 42371 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
Ive used a 9,3x62 custom pre-64 Winchester some in the last 10 years ago, took it to Africa in June taking 9 plains animals, and it is a very good cartridge. Ive taken 2 mule deer and two elk with it as well. The 270 gr Speers I feel are a little to friable and dont give enough penetration sometimes on larger animals. Ive used the 250 gr Barnes X as well, and the 250 gr Hawks too. I have some 285 gr Hawks Im going to use in the future. And Ray is right on as to availability of 9,3x62 brass and that it is a very good cartridge.
Posts: 119 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 23 December 2003
