I having trouble deciding what caliber to build my next rifle in. I have a FN large ring Mauser action that has been tricked out. I also have an exhibition grade Monte Carlo style stock that the barrel channel is cut for a #4 contour. I want a barrel that is 22-26 inches and will be fluted to save on weight. I need suggestions. I want to stay with a medium bore because that is what I like. I already have one of each of these rifles .270, .280, .30-06, 8mm-06, .338-06, and 35 Whelen..280.30-06.338-0635 WhelenOther

I would say you need a 6.5-06


Doc

go to 9.3 X 62

Gidday Taylorce1,

6.5 x 57. Classic round for a mauser or 6.5-06 if you must have an 06 case.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

I don't have to use the 06 case, but since this is a long action I want to take full advantage of that. I've thought about .257 Roberts and 7X57 but nothing is jumping out at me as a cartridge that I have to get. I've even thought of stepping into the magnum cartridges since I don't own any.

I think of anything below .308 in bullet diameter a small bore. But then my favorite black powder gun is a 58 cal. Why not the Whelen or better yet, by .008", the 9.3X62. Contrary to what folks may tell you there are standard priced and premium priced high performance bullets for both. If you might want multiple uses, pests to moose, get the Whelen. Use a fast twist from 1-12 to 1-14 and load from 148 gr WCs to 300 gr Woodleigh bullets. Good luck with your choices. That's half the fun in making a personal arm. God Bless. Packrattusnongratus

How about a 300 Weatherby Magnum?

I voted for the 338-06.

If not that, then I would go with 9.3x something.

Time for a real classic in a 9.3x62,,,or the the 9.3x66 SAKO if you want to step up the speed a little in a handloader's rifle. 9.3x64 Brennke would also be a great choice, and according to some pics floating around one the sites will throw 250 TSX's at 2700+.
Ron

With a long fluted barrel like that, I'd consider the 300 H&H.

A 25-06 would make sense, all your rifles would still be on a 30-06 case.

Here's another vote for the 9.3x62. The 35 Whelen would be my second choice.

raybass,
I thought about the.25-06, but have a Ruger MK77 in a varmint model on lay away already.

quote:

Originally posted by taylorce1:
I don't have to use the 06 case, *** I've thought about .257 Roberts and 7X57 ***.

Based on what you have.my choices in order would be

6.5 X55

.257 Roberts

7 X 57

How R U fixed in the Varmint catagory? There are a lot more cost effective loading and shooting( fun hours) in that arena. roger

Ok will a 284 win. work in that action? You could seat the bullets out further than factory. If not 7x57 is an excellent caliber. Out of the choices listed 35 Whelen. Is this going to be a light rifle or standard weight. That might help determine the caliber you want.

FN Mauser action and the 9.3x62... perfect match. I also have a 35 Whelen. Nothing wrong with owning and using both a .35 Whelen and a 9.3x62.

-Bob F.

http://www.african-hunter.com/the_9_3_x_62_mauser.htm

What kind of bullet selection am I looking at if I go with a 9.3mm. My book only shows two choices in Nosler.

taylorce1,

Head on over to MidwayUSA and take a look. They don't carry every brand of 9.3 bullet (they don't carry Prvi Partizan for example) but the list will give you a good idea of what's available.

Grafs carries Graf brand brass at reasonable prices ($34.99 for 100). I use their brass for my 9.3x62 loading. They also carry the 285 gr Prvi Partizan bullets which make affordable bullets for practice ($19.99 per 100). I've found them to be accurate too. I haven't used them for hunting but my guess is that they'll work fine on our feral hogs here in Texas. I hope to find out before too long. I used the 286 gr Woodleigh RN to hunt plains game in South Africa back in August 2005. They worked great. For 2006, Woodleigh has come out with a 250 gr Protected Point. (MidwayUSA doesn't have them listed yet.)

Links:
MidwayUSA 9.3 bullets
Grafs 9.3 bullets
http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/

While the 9.3x62 case isn't based on the .30-06, it's case dimensions are extremely close to the .30-06. The 9.3x62 is sort of the German cousin to the family of American cartridges that are based on the .30-06 case. Therefore, IMHO, the 9.3x62 would fit right in with your .270, .280, .30-06, 8mm-06, .338-06, and 35 Whelen collection. For North American hunting, I like to think of the 9.3x62 as sort of a ".36 Whelen". If you like your .338-06 and .35 Whelen then I think you'll really enjoy the 9.3x62. It's a grand ol' cartridge and a true classic.

Cheers!
-Bob F.

There are 9.3 bullets in lots of places. I believe Speer, Woodleigh, Nosler, Northfork, and several Euro companies have them. I'm using the Prvi Partizan bullets at 285 gr rn and about half the price of other brands. Right now they are launched from a 9.3X57 in a 96 Swede Mauser. Slow but they make a big hole in things. I am looking for some cast Makarov bullets in .365 as a fireforming load. Same can be used for the first or fireforming load in the X62. Also a good plinking and training load for those of less experience in a medium bore. Kids sometimes get a kick out of shooting Dad's or grandad's "big" guns. Gets more folks into the shooting sports. Good luck and God Bless. Packrattusnongratus

the 225 grs oryx is a good bullet ,i have seen several that was very good expande and they hold up nice on moose and others. the 286 is good but its a compromise bullet since it can be used also in the 9,3x57 aswell.

But the swift 250 grs would be my choice as a allround bullet. Rhino is soon coming with a extra soft for 9,3 calibers, and they have a 300 grain that will be a smasher if it is softer. the 320 grs from woodleigh is a good one ,but it is a brush round and up to 150 meters for it.

Another vote for the 9,3x62

Its effect on game is superb, and its accuracy is comparable to the 308 when it comes to producing small groups.

I have only regretted selling one of my rifles, and that was selling my 9,3x62 - what a stupid thing to do! I`m an idiot!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I really do appreciate it. I don't know how much hunting I will do with this rifle but I want to be able to use it if I want, plus I want a rifle that when I have it on the range everyone will ask about it. I've been reading up on the 9.3X62 and the 9.3X64 both appear to be very good cartridges. I'm also considering a move to Alaska if I can get the transfer I've been wanting. It would be great to have another rifle that can handle anything that might come my way.

My vote also goes to the 9.3x62, seeing how I just bought a CZ FS in this caliber!

I second the 300 H&H though I would take the 9,3X62 if you decided you didn't like it.

Wanna' go full-bore "only kid on the block?" 325 Westley Richards.

The 9,3X62 was my " TRUST "- caliber for 20 years. Every time the same procedure.
SEE IT--SHOOT IT-- GET IT.
ALWAYS a good trace to follow.
My IDEAL-CALIBER

I have a .280rem and 9.3x62, there are my two choices. Can't go wrong with either

f you already have a 35 whelen you dont need a 9.3x62, they are too much alike. My vote is for the .376 steyr, mainly because I have always wanted one.

I would suggest a 6.5 PRC, mine is a sweet shooting rifle with bullets covering a wide range. It is the 6.5 Creedmore with 200 plus more speed per bullet. Good sShooting.

Set yourself apart from the crowd and build a 6.8X64 with a 8.5 twist 60cm barrel

Like so many other I'd go with 9.3x62. I have had one for about 20 years and love it. It is one of my all time favorite calibers.

9.3x62

Anybody happen to notice this post started in 2006 then added to in 2009 and now picked up again in 2021?

It REALLY must be slow around here!

I voted other, so go with the 9.3x62, thats all thats left!! and the best of rest....

9.3x64 has long been a favorite of mine. Considering your possible move, it would be a great choice. The 250 AB flies flat and hits hard in case you need/want to take some longer shots.

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:
Anybody happen to notice this post started in 2006 then added to in 2009 and now picked up again in 2021?

It REALLY must be slow around here!

Lol, no, I hadn't noticed.

Holy Resurrection: 6.8 Western fur sure

6.5-06 or if a magnum caliber then the 264 win mag would be in order There are a lot of fancy new 6.5 cartridges out there but I don't think any of them run away from the .264 Win. The 6.5-06 is no slouch either.

I built a 284 on a long action so I could use the longer bullets in it, worked well

Now resurrected in'25.

I have pre-64 M-70s i n 338-06, 35 Whelen, and 338 WM. No needed light bullet rifle.

The 9.3x62 does a lot with the 30-06 size case. With
careful slow powder reloading, one can reach 2450 fps with 270-286 gr bullets. Lower pressures also.

Mine is an ancient Husqvarna Mauser. Accurate and plenty of punch with a 286 gr Nosler bullet.