There's just something about .35 and 9,3mm rifles that appeals. After having great luck with a CZ550 in x62 now there's a Husky x57 on the way. Life is good.

Yes, there is something about .35 and 9.3's. One of those things is that I don't own any. Which is a good enough excuse to buy one! I'd love a x57 for black bear over baits. That sounds like the perfect round when ranges are measured in feet instead of yards. Whelen first though, I've wanted one since the first time I read of it. I even have brass for it already!

After being desciple of great .375H&H for years I just bought CZ550 Mannlicher in 9.3x62. I also sold my Merkel 201e and repliced it with 'Sterlingworth' ejector, so as you see I'm getting back to my humble sodbusting roots.

Palol, what does your 550 FS weigh? also what rings/scope set up do you have?

thanks

........It would make sense to have the 35 then the 375 caliber ,,,,But the 9.3 with expanding spitzers that are unbreakable ., If they can go the speed of similar 375 bullets ...They fly flatter and hit just about as hard ...........The 358 Norma will do anything they will but there is that law in Zimbabwe...So the 9.3 is the smallest that will do it all .............Apparently

9,3x62 on a spike/doe hunt at the beginning of February in SOuth Texas. One big and nasty spike that the rancher wanted removed ... DRT. One ~200 # piggie ... DRT.

Did the same thing with other deer and piggies and with Impala, Warthog, Blue Wildebeast, and Zebra earlier.

Never recovered a bullet. Have had very few animals actually run after impact.

9,3x62 is a keeper. That's why I have two.

I am a new convert to the 9.3 (Blaser R-93 Professional with a 9.3x62 Attache' barrel)and can't believe it took me so long to try one.

If I ever got pressed into only having one gun or one caliber, it would be 9.3x62 without any question or hesitation.

Do ya think?

Hey!! The 9.3x62mm and 9.3x64mm just happen to WORK!! Next question??

x74R also!!

LRH270,

Have to agree with you. Haven't taken as much game with it as with the 9,3x62 but performance has been the same so far

quote:

Originally posted by sierra2:
Hey!! The 9.3x62mm and 9.3x64mm just happen to WORK!! Next question??

For sierra2

NICE Kudu!!

I shoot a 9.3x64, excellent cartridge.
It's all I could ask for.
The best way to describe it is: Think of it as an African 30-06. Others offer more power, flatter trajectory, etc but the x62 & x64 will work, with expected results.

I went to the range yesterday and along with a couple other rifles, I brought my Husky 9.3x62 to check a new 250gr Accubond load. They grouped at an inch and were an inch high at 100 yds.

(This is the same load I used to use BTs in before they were discontinued - no change in accuracy or point of impact)

Then I thought I would try my 286gr Partition load and see where it grouped in relation to my Accubonds.

My Partitions High 1 inch High too!! I just can't get over this caliber!

6 shots - 1.5 inch group - 286gr Partitions and 250gr Accubonds.

Am I just lucky or has anyone else had this "Problem" happen.

Damn, This rifle shoots better than I do.

Lance

quote:

Originally posted by Riodot:
Am I just lucky or has anyone else had this "Problem" happen.

Damn, This rifle shoots better than I do.

You may be lucky, but I must be too. I have basically shot one hole groups at 100 yards with every load that I have tried. I have been loading the 285 gr PRVI (el cheapo) bullets and getting great results.

Jeff,

with the performance I see in my CZ 550FS X62, the PRVI bullets aren't "cheap", the others are "overpriced".

I have been talking about someday getting another DR, and the caliber is so "do-all" that a 9,3x74R is on order from Dale. It will accompany my 550 Gibbs to Africa for my Buffalo/elephant/sable hunt.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

quote:

Originally posted by .366torque:
I shoot a 9.3x64, excellent cartridge.
It's all I could ask for.
The best way to describe it is: Think of it as an African 30-06. Others offer more power, flatter trajectory, etc but the x62 & x64 will work, with expected results.

............I view it s a perfact Alaskan ,,,,06 , also ...

Ya’ know I have been wanting 35 Whelen for years, but a couple of years ago I discovered the x57 Mauser cartridges. The first was an 8x57. Then came the .257x57 (aka .275 Roberts). I am now building a 7x57.
Then just before Christmas I was in the toy store, no, no I mean the gun shop and there was a CZ 550 FS in a 9.3x62. Gosh, that rifle felt good in the hands. I tried to by it but he would not sale to me. It seems that it had already been sold. So, I now have one on order.
There is something about those wonderful metric cartridges. They just seem to work well with out a lot of fuss.

Both the x62 and the x74-R are nice rounds, and I have both. A round I like even better for NA bolt guns though is the 9x57 Mauser, of which I've been lucky enough to own several original Mauser sporters.

Lots of folks say the 9x57 is nothing more than a .358 Winchester, ballistically, but that has not been my experience (With handloads). I found the 9x57 a bit more mild to shoot, noise-wise, and giving somewhat better ballistics. I think maybe it has to do with the 6 m/m longer case (than the .358. It also seems to fit just about every Mauser action pretty well without the problems inherent in putting the longer 9.3x62 in some of the shorter magazine box Mauser rifle variations.

The 9x57 also seems to me to feed a tad more smoothly than the shorter .358 Winchester. No doubt the smoother feeding is a result of the time & skill of the workmen building the rifle(s) in pre-war Germany vs. post-war America but it's there anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
Both the x62 and the x74-R are nice rounds, and I have both. A round I like even better for NA bolt guns though is the 9x57 Mauser, of which I've been lucky enough to own several original Mauser sporters.

Lots of folks say the 9x57 is nothing more than a .358 Winchester, ballistically, but that has not been my experience (With handloads). I found the 9x57 a bit more mild to shoot, noise-wise, and giving somewhat better ballistics. I think maybe it has to do with the 6 m/m longer case (than the .358. It also seems to fit just about every Mauser action pretty well without the problems inherent in putting the longer 9.3x62 in some of the shorter magazine box Mauser rifle variations.

The 9x57 also seems to me to feed a tad more smoothly than the shorter .358 Winchester. No doubt the smoother feeding is a result of the time & skill of the workmen building the rifle(s) in pre-war Germany vs. post-war America but it's there anyway.

I'm a big fan of the 9.3's. But in particular, I'm partial to the 9.3x57. I guess you could say it's to me as the 9x57 is to you. To me it is a .30-30 on steroids. Very capable and pleasant to shoot.

I just acquired my 4th although it is only a barreled action. A new stock will be forthcoming. My 5th should be here in a few days. No, I'm not addicted. I can quit at any time, really!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Riodot:
Am I just lucky or has anyone else had this "Problem" happen.

My X62 puts Partitions, Barnes X and now Hornady SP through the same hole at 100yds.

I've decided to quit fiddling with it and just shoot it

I have tried most of the 9.3s and my all time favorite is the 9.3x62, I can come within 75 FPS of the 9.3x64, so its a great option....

They are proven in the game fields, easy to build on a a std. Mauser action, and they beat the 35 Whelan and come close to the .375 H&H, and that ain't bad..

I have used both the 9.3x62 and 9.3x64 on both plainsgame and DG, and have not found them lacking..comparable to the .375 H&H in every way but availability and practicality..That said I probably prefer the .375 H&H...

quote:

Originally posted by handwerk:
Palol, what does your 550 FS weigh? also what rings/scope set up do you have?

thanks

Handwerk,
The weight of empty rifle plus mounts (no scope) is 7lb12oz. I wanted to have my old 2.5x20 Nickel Supra Marburg/L mounted in CZ 1" 19mm dovetail mounts, but it would not fit properly outer tube being 26mm? I wanted to outfit this rifle on a "shoestring" so that stinks, but one does not complain when they get free set of rings with purchase of a rifle.

Not being able to obtain a 9.3 x 74R, I rechambered a Ruger #3 from .375 Win to a .375 x 74R. It makes a most interesting, effective, and portable rifle. 270 Swift A-frames from a 22" barrel at 2450 fps has proved to handle red deer, elk, and deer with only one shot each time. And the weight, with custom stock, custom mount and a Leupold 1 x 4 is 8 pounds. With about $500 invested, it is one of the best rifles I have ever owned.
WYLD

My CZ 550 American(x62) did a very nice job hand loaded with 250 grain Accubonds last december. A 900 lb cow bison is now residing in my freezer.

I have to agree that it is a great caliber and I am also super impressed with the CZ 550 as well. Right out of the box it shot around 1- 1 1/2" with all the loads I have tried. I now carry this rig as my go to elk gun.

i have the same problem with the 358win ... it just kills whatever i hit and tiny recoil
jeffe

I have been looking for some "plinking" bullets for my 9.3x62 and bought a couple hundred Mt Baldy cast bullets. I had been told that they probably would not group like my jacketed bullets, but I shot a few between rain showers yesterday and am quit impressed with what I got. I had been getting one hole at 100 yards with my PRVI and Accubond loads, and the cast bullets did one hole at 50 yards (which was the only distance I was able to shoot because of the rain). I had been told not to load the cast bullets over 2100 fps, and the load I am using chronographs at 1850 fps with the 285 gr PRVI bullets. It should be about 1925-1950 fps with the cast bullets. Though I made this load up for plinking, I do believe it would work for close range hog killing, and at 39 cents per shot, I can afford ALOT of practice.

I have owned literally hundreds of guns, and I have never had a single one that has given the superb performance with such a variety of loads and bullet weights as my Blaser 9.3x62 barrel.

Jeff:

Hopefully I will have my R93 barrel in 9.3 tomorrow. Ed has been out of town but he promised to overnight it to me today.

My "plinking" bullet in the 9.3X62 is a 270 grain Speer. I got four more boxes from Midway a couple of weeks ago. They shoot great!

I will keep you posted on my Blaser project. I have been looking into an African hunt in 09 and the PH that I have been talking to says the 9.3 is fine for buffalo.

Dave

I picked up a Husky Model 46 9.3x57 a few years ago. It is my favorite gun out of 30 plus. The stock design and barrel contour make it handle like a snake. In fact, I will say that it comes to the shoulder and points better than most of the English best guns I have handled; which is quite a few. If you guys have never handled one of these things you owe it to yourself.

TMc

tmc, I agree; I have 2 mod 46 Huskys; one in 9.3x57 the other in 9.3x62(a rechambering)
Both rifles point like my fitted AYA 20 ga; If i close my eyes and point to an object, when i open my eyes, the foresight is snuggled right in the V!
i am thinking about getting another one, refinishing the stock, and rechambering to 9.3x66 sako. I just got the reamer off AR bay!

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
Both the x62 and the x74-R are nice rounds, and I have both. A round I like even better for NA bolt guns though is the 9x57 Mauser, of which I've been lucky enough to own several original Mauser sporters.

Lots of folks say the 9x57 is nothing more than a .358 Winchester, ballistically, but that has not been my experience (With handloads). I found the 9x57 a bit more mild to shoot, noise-wise, and giving somewhat better ballistics. I think maybe it has to do with the 6 m/m longer case (than the .358). It also seems to fit just about every Mauser action pretty well without the problems inherent in putting the longer 9.3x62 in some of the shorter magazine box Mauser rifle variations.

The 9x57 also seems to me to feed a tad more smoothly than the shorter .358 Winchester. No doubt the smoother feeding is a result of the time & skill of the workmen building the rifle(s) in pre-war Germany vs. post-war America but it's there anyway.

I'm a big fan of the 9.3's. But in particular, I'm partial to the 9.3x57. I guess you could say it's to me as the 9x57 is to you. To me it is a .30-30 on steroids. Very capable and pleasant to shoot.

I just acquired my 4th although it is only a barreled action. A new stock will be forthcoming. My 5th should be here in a few days. No, I'm not addicted. I can quit at any time, really!!!

Me too(I can quit anytime)...and about a month after I'm dead I likely will! (Maybe...)

Anyway, I understand why you would really enjoy the 9.3x57. I like all the 9.3s too. Am currently awaiting delivery of a Mountain Moulds 275 gr. GC mould of my own design. It will have two large (wide) grease grooves, and a humongous diameter meplat, and will hopefully cast about .367" when made of straight linotype.

I have already made a semi-auto functioning tool to re-shape (swage) .375" Hornady gas-checks to fit the bases of the cast 9.3 bullets.

I don't yet know if the new bullet will be accurate, of course, but if it is, it should work perfectly for woods hunting out of a 9.3x57. Especially as the mould should then also produce 1/10 soft tin/lead alloy bullets casting about .366" which should hang together on striking, and bump up/squeeze down as required to fit the throat/bore on firing.

Sort of a .35 Remington on steroids is how I see it, with a handier (longer) neck for using cast bullets, somewhat more powder capacity, and still short enough OAL to fit any Mauser action except the commercial Kurz (of which I have ever owned only one anyway).

That bullet mould sounds about perfect. I'd like a 300 grain WFN. I planned on ordering some GC .375's and then sizing them down but the guy I was going to get the lube & size die from closed up shop. Any ideas where to get one? I'm too busy these days to waste time making my own. But I'd really enjoy being able to shoot cast. I figured a 300 grain at 2000 fps would be about perfect

Let us know how that mould works out.

I have a four-cavity from NEI that makes two 275gr and two 304gr bullets. NEI cuts them with a smaller shank to use 35 caliber gas checks. Both shoot well in my CZ FS 9,3x62. The lighter one will crack 2400fps and the heavier is good for 2200+fps.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Z1R, et. al. -

Well, a couple of hours ago I made a post about my impending new Mountain Moulds 9.3 mould, and lo-'n-behold, about 20 minutes ago it arrived via USPS priority mail! Looks pretty good, but that meplat is really BIG. Looks almost like a 275 gr. wadcutter, but not quite.

A few years ago, I would have volunteered to open up a .358" sizing die to 9.3 m/m for you, gratis, but since my strokes, I have pretty much neglected my machine tools and don't make much even for myself any more. Still, I think any even barely competent local machine shop could do that trick. Probably wouldn't cost much, either.

Rich, Mountain Moulds will cut the GC shank(s) whatever diameter you specify. That way you can measure the thickness of your GCs, and have the shank cut so that when the GC is in place and sized, it will be a perfect fit for the ultimate diameter you want the base of the bullet to be, without having to swage the bejazus out of the whole affair. You can also specify GC shank length, if you feel there is one length which will suit you better than another.

That's what I did when I ordered my mould; I specified all length and diameter dimensions for the whole bullet. (Bullets plural? It's a two cavity mould.)

AC,

I size them to .368", just use the 35 caliber gas checks. I anneal them and they squash out to .368" when I seat and size them.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Rich, I figured you did, as the checks are plenty thick enough to allow that. I was just pointing out that Dan over at Mountain Moulds allows the buyer to make the decision as to that shank dimension, instead of picking a dimension for him.

What are the options for putting together a 9.3x62? Factory? Custom? What length action?

I'm thinking as a brown bear rifle for Alaska.

cz makes their 550 in a couple of versions icluding a full stock with 20" bbl or american stock with 24" bbl.

I'm putting together two 9.3x62's now for clients on Mauser 98 actions.

I personally have one on a tang safety Ruger as well as a 98. The Ruger has a 22" bbl and my 98 has a 25.6".

Pick whichever barrel length you like best. Affect on ballistics is negligible. I like longer barrels they hang better for off hand shooting. At least the way I like to build them.

Many thanks to 366torque, and may I add that the 9.3x62mm also lays to waste Nyala, Waterbuck, and Impala.

LLS