I have this really nice reworked 1908 Brazilian Mauser. All the work is done, drilled and tapped, with blocks and rings in place.

I have been thinking 9,3x62 Mauser.

However, in reading van der Walt's book "African Dangerous Game Cartridges", the 9,3x 64 Brennecke is the next cartridge listed. It appears to offer about 250fps or a bit more.
Since I have not bought dies or brass yet, the option is open. Brass is a bit more, but 200 new cases is a lifetime, and brass for either is readily available.
Which would you opt for, and why...?

thanks,

Rich

I would go with the 9,3x62.

It should feed better, have less recoil, and still kill anything at any reasonable hunting distance...

I base this on my personal use of the 9,3x74R double rifle.

I was aware of the 64 version long before the 62. Our German moose hunters swore by the 64mm version with H- Mantel bullets. It behaves exactly like a 375 H&H on game,,which is saying alot!

I just did one on a 1909 with Weibe bottom metal. It will hold four down butr had to do some machining on the action and rails, bolt face and extractor. It feeds very well now.

I will have it at DSC,

I have custom 9,3x64 Husqvarna m98 Mauser. The reason I prefer it over the 9,3x62 is the fact that it suits better than x62 when shooting those heavier bullets (for example RWS 19g UNI Classic) distances 100-200 meters. If feeding correct it needs some work with action; little re-forming with "lips" and openings under them, those magazine port and feeding ramp need some modifications too.

that is the question; do I go a basic drop-in (X62) or spend a couple hundred dollars for the extra horsepower?

I do have a 375 IMP and a 404J.

I have both. I love the 62, it is just too much fun to shoot and I can/do use mine in most of the shooting I do. However, good as it is, the 64 is better. Anything the 62 can do the 64 can do better and you can always load the 64 down if you don't need the extra HP.

I have both and will keep both because I can.

My 64 was also built out of a Husqvarna. It is a light rifle, weighing scantly more than my 62.

Prior to the advent of the 375 Ruger, I would say the 64 was the best large medium bore to build on a 98.

Of course your .375 will already handle any task the 64 would be employed at thus possibly making the case for building a 62 instead.

My 24" bbl'd 62 goes a scant 6.5 lbs unscoped and less than 7.25 scoped. A right handy rig.

Not worth the extra effort and expense. As you know, the difference amounts to far more than a silly millimeter. (Joke for old people)

quote:

that is the question; do I go a basic drop-in (X62) or spend a couple hundred dollars for the extra horsepower?

I do have a 375 IMP and a 404J.

IMO you need 9,3x57, it´s very handy when hunting in bushes.

quote:

Originally posted by igorrock:

quote:

that is the question; do I go a basic drop-in (X62) or spend a couple hundred dollars for the extra horsepower?

I do have a 375 IMP and a 404J.

IMO you need 9,3x57, it´s very handy when hunting in bushes.

This may indeed be right. The 9,3x57 is just too much fun and it works. Very easy on the shoulder despite lobbing a 286 grain pill. With a 250 it is very similar to the 358 Winchester.

The 4 on the left are 9,3x57's:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
that is the question; do I go a basic drop-in (X62) or spend a couple hundred dollars for the extra horsepower?

Rich, the answer is to build one of each…

When faced with the same question a couple of years ago, I built the 9.3X64. It simply offered more oomph. This was on a VZ24 action and was not hard to do.

Honestly, Rub Line has the right idea. Build them both and see which you like best. Or build them in very different styles? Variety keep guns in my safe. The boring ones get traded off.

Jeremy

From reading your posts over the past several years, I'd think you won't be happy if you don't go all the way to the x64. Just my guess. I doubt that any game animal would know, but you would and I suspect that will bother you.
Bfly

The question might be: What do you need the extra horsepower for if you've already got a 375 and 404?

I kicked this same idea around and I'll be converting my 06 to an x62. I have no reservations. Whenever I do, I just look at that picture of Don Heath and the elephant in the Norma ad, realize I will NEVER be in that situation and then go make my self an Old Fashioned.

That x62 conversion may entail the last rifle I ever screw around with, and that ain't a bad thing.

Is that the elephant he dropped at about 2yds with his X62? It did break his arm, and that concerns me.

However, after much soul searching, and considering the sound advice given here, I am going with the classic X62.

That, and I found five boxes of PRVI X62 loaded rounds in my sorting sortie out in the mancave this afternoon...

thanks gentlemen,

Rich

Yes, it did break his arm. Not much will stop that kind of momentum though! :-)

Good choice on the x62.

If you ever change your mind, the nice thing about going with the x62 is that you can always go bigger. It might be hard to put JB Weld in the chamber to make a x64 into a x62.
Bfly

the Black Fly has spoken...