I have been searching for a nice 9.3X62 for some time now, have had a few near deals but so far no joy.. One of the things thats been kicking around in my head, I was thinking of re-barreling a RUGER RSI 30-06 (I'm sure there's not enough barrel for a re-bore) Any pitfalls with this choice? Anybody have a suggestion as to who to do the work.? Guesstimate on cost.?

Thanks Guy's

Mike the 30/06 has a rim diameter of .473 and the 9.3x62 has a .470 rim dia. You may have to ask a Gunsmith if this is acceptable or in need of some re work on the bolt face. Other than that the cartridge lengths are compatable and my guess is no feeding work would have to be done.
Once you compare costs you can probably have a new barrel made duplicating your rifles existing profile at the same cost + or - than re-boring your existing tube. Check with a few barrel manufacturers like Pac Nor ( Brookings OR ) and others and see what they say. Most will do that kind of work. I've found Pac Nor a joy to deal with and can really recommend them, there are many others that do this type of work but I have little or no experience with them.
Good luck on your project!

I know this is an apples and oranges answer but I have a Sako in 06 re-barreled to 9.3x62 and she works like a charm. I suspect those few thousands difference are within the +/- tolerances of the brass.

Thanks guy's..

If I decide to tackle this project, I will need a smith that I can just hand him the 30-06 RSI and he hands me back a 9.3X62 RSI.. The reason I was hoping against reality concerning the re-bore, with the factory sights already in place vs messing with adapting/instaling sights to the new tube.. Just doesn't seem the lines would be as clean as the factory Ruger sights..

Please keep those suggestions coming..

Mike,

Your 9.3x62 RSI concept sounds fantastic to me. While I cannot add much on who could do the work and how much.......I'd just like to add that my 9.3x62 started life as a .30/06 Sprg.

Like you; I wanted my gunsmith to return me a 9.3x62 - he did - only change was the barrel. Everything else worked just fine; magazine, bolt face, etc. but like others have already councelled you on, don't assume anything, so make sure the gunsmith agrees and everything functions as it should.

I also wanted Ruger sights on the short, 20" Lothar Walter barrel; they look good. I don't miss carrying around the 2"-4" inches of extra barrel and apparently none of the countless animals that have expired with this short tube have noticed any difference either.

Have fun with your project.

Mike
You might try looking up previous posts for "re-boring" as I know there have been a few. This might give you some contacts who re-bore that will tell you if your barrel can be re-bored or if you are looking at a re-barrel either way you can find someone that can "hand you back" that Ruger configured just the way you want it.
I too am building a short barreled (20") 9.3x62 but mine is on a 98 Mauser action and has a 3 position safety, timney trigger, new bolt and other than that mostly a generic gun, I can't wait to get mine shooting!

There isn't enough metal for a rebore. The RSI has the ultralight barrel, which already heats up too fast for even the .30-06.

That barrel also has a very short shoulder, that probably couldn't support a 9.3x62 chamber. If you go with a larger barrel, you wouldn't have enough wood to support the additional inletting. The stock is also meant for an 18.5" barrel, which is much shorter than the 20.5 usually found on a 9.3 stutzen.

Is there any reason why it has to be a Ruger or are there other options you would consider? For the money you are going to spend on the Ruger, consider a CZ 550 Lux Mannlicher-stocked 9.3x62. I handled one at Whittaker's in Kentucky and they feel absolutely great when you put them up to your shoulder. There is a lot to be said for immediate gratification.

you wouldn't have enough wood to support the additional inletting. The stock is also meant for an 18.5" barrel, which is much shorter than the 20.5 usually found on a 9.3 stutzen.[quote]

Hi Kurt, the 18.5 barrel is not too much of a worry tho I prefer a 20+" what worried me is not enough wood for the additional inletting as you mentioned..



Is there any reason why it has to be a Ruger or are there other options you would consider? For the money you are going to spend on the Ruger, consider a CZ 550 Lux Mannlicher-stocked 9.3x62[quote]

Trauma,
I have a 550Lux in 9.3X62, shoots like a house afire!.. But I loath that bulky hump back stock, hate the trigger, the sights almost qaulify as a back-up weapon.. Other than that I love the gun.. AHR makes a wonderful trigger system for it, but the cost of stock, metal work and sights all combined puts me close to a custom rifle.. Where as something like the RSI project could be a very reasonable cash outlay.... If it would work... KurtC was able to give me some valuable insight, which is why I posted this dream question. There's a good deal of experiance and insight here... Thank you both for your reply..