The Accurate Reloading Forums
My "new" Husqvarna Model 46 in 9.3x57 Mauser
10 August 2008, 11:04
BFaucettMy "new" Husqvarna Model 46 in 9.3x57 Mauser
A few months ago, I purchased a Husqvarna Model 46 in 9.3x57 Mauser from Allan's Armory. According to Allan's web site, it was made in 1930. My gunsmith refurbished and customized the rifle and the work is now complete. I thought some here might enjoy seeing some photos of the rifle.
Below are two photos of the rifle as received from Allan's Armory and before any work was begun on the rifle. (The photos are from Allan's web site.)
Below are photos of the finished rifle. The stock was stripped of its finish, dents were raised, oil damaged wood was repaired, and the stock received a new hand-rubbed oil finish. The rifle was converted to cock on opening with a Dayton Traister speed lock kit which includes a Mark II trigger, custom striker spring, and cocking piece. A Precise Metalsmithing (Wisner) two-position safety was installed. The action was glass bedded.
Some info about the 9.3x57 from Norma's web site."Interestingly, no one seems to be able to determine exactly when or by whom the 9.3x57 cartridge was designed but it dates back to around 1900. This is nothing more or less than the 8x57J with the neck opened up to accept the then widely popular .366-inch diameter bullets. This chambering is obviously similar in performance potential and range of applications as the 9x57 Mauser. Performance and design are also similar to the 9.5x57 Mannlicher, which has a differently shaped case. Several similar chamberings were common at the turn of the last century. Of these, only the 9.3x57 survives in common use. This chambering is still used all over Scandinavia for hunting driven Moose and lesser species. The most common gun chambered for this round is the Husqvarna bolt action. This chambering has been nicknamed "The Potato Thrower" due to the fact that it launches a heavy bullet at moderate velocity. With such popularity and such a good track record on game at typical driven ranges, it is likely to be with us for a good many years, despite the fact that no mainstream manufacturer now chambers it."
How the 9.3x57 compares to some other cartridges.
Velocities shown are standard factory ammo specs.
I now need to mount a scope, work up some handloads, and go shoot it!!
Cheers!
-Bob F.
10 August 2008, 11:37
jens poulsenThanks for sharing here

Are they not made on smallring mauseractions??.
DRSS: HQ Scandinavia. Chapters in Sweden & Norway
10 August 2008, 13:30
N E 450 No2I heard a rumour, unconfirmed, that Blaser might be making 9,3x57 bbls for the R 93.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
10 August 2008, 22:24
BFaucettquote:
Originally posted by jens poulsen:
Thanks for sharing here

Are they not made on smallring mauseractions??.
Yes, it's a small ring action. Basically a Model 96 action though the Husqvarna actions were new commercial production and not converted military actions from what I understand.
-Bob F.
10 August 2008, 23:23
thismortalcoilVery nicely done! I have a mex mauser being worked on, after looking at your's, a 9,3 might be in order.
11 August 2008, 09:28
Rick RNice remodel

I'm interested to hear how it shoots, the 146 I bought from Simpson Ltd is a very good shooting little rifle.
That is a beauty, for sure.
Classics like that one tug at me heart strings.
Don
Edit to add: Bob, who did the refurb work for you? It's a great job by whomever. TIA
11 August 2008, 13:53
dsitemanTurned out very, very nice indeed. Classic lines all the way!
11 August 2008, 20:50
bpesteveCongrats Bob! Earlier this year I took the plunge at Allan's as well for one of those '96 actioned Husqvarna 46s in 9,3x57. It's a peach. You done good!
12 August 2008, 04:38
Frank BellerYou have a classic hunting rifle there; I LOVE those old calibers - when you do your part & place the bullet where it belongs, it'll take anything that the new "super cartridges" will.
____________________________
.470 & 9.3X74R Chapuis'
Tikka O/U 9.3X74R
Searcy Classics 450/.400 3" & .577
C&H .375 2 1/2"
Krieghoff .500 NE
Member Dallas Safari Club
12 August 2008, 06:25
BFaucettquote:
Originally posted by DMB:
Edit to add: Bob, who did the refurb work for you? It's a great job by whomever.
Todd Johnson of Lone Star Armory did the work.
http://www.lone-star-armory.com/ Full disclosure on my part: Todd is a personal friend of mine. You'll see these same photos that I posted here on his web site.
Cheers!
-Bob F.
12 August 2008, 20:43
Dr. DucI bought one of these several years ago from Sarco. It was cheap at the time. I got some ammo but I never got around to doing anything with it. This gives me new enthusiasm. Nice rifle.
Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing.
quote:
Originally posted by BFaucett:
quote:
Originally posted by DMB:
Edit to add: Bob, who did the refurb work for you? It's a great job by whomever.
Todd Johnson of Lone Star Armory did the work.
http://www.lone-star-armory.com/ Full disclosure on my part: Todd is a personal friend of mine. You'll see these same photos that I posted here on his web site.
Cheers!
-Bob F.
Bob,
Thank you. He sure did a great job on your rifle.
I love that recoil pad; that's CLASS!
Don
12 August 2008, 23:03
muygrandeBob, very nice indeed. Gotta luv those Husky's.
Wow - one lovely rifle. I am sure you will get years of pleasure out of using it....
13 August 2008, 16:46
KebcoVery, very nice. Hard to believe it is 78 years old. What does she weigh?
Ken
DRSS, PP Chapter
Life NRA
Life SCI
Life DSC
Beautiful old rifle. If it could only talk.

Terry
--------------------------------------------
Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
14 August 2008, 08:05
fla3006I can vouch for Todd too, he did a bang-up job restoring a factory engraved FN Deluxe for me. He's also very adept at faithfully restoring vintage doubles.
NRA Life Member, Band of Bubbas Charter Member, PGCA, DRSS.
Shoot & hunt with vintage classics.
14 August 2008, 19:23
BFaucettTodd bought a Model 46A at the same time I bought my Model 46. Here's before and after pics of his Model 46A in 9.3x57:
(It's the original blued steel finish, the angle of the flash on the camera made the metal finish look a little gray in the photo.)
Cheers!
-Bob F.
14 August 2008, 19:28
BFaucettquote:
Originally posted by Kebco:
Very, very nice. Hard to believe it is 78 years old. What does she weigh?
I haven't had a chance to weigh it. (I haven't even picked it up yet from my gunsmith so I don't have access to it right now in order to weigh it.) But, it's fairly light. If I had to guess I'd say around 7.5 pounds or so without scope.
-Bob F.
14 August 2008, 19:54
Bill/OregonBob: You made some fine decisions on this elegant little workhorse. Should make a hell of an elk rifle at moderate ranges.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
17 August 2008, 02:17
AtkinsonVery nice rifles....I did the same with a the same gun in a 98 Mauser action but had them rechamber to 9.3x62...Made a nice rifle also..The same folks that sell the 46s sell the 98s from time to time...
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
20 August 2008, 23:41
raybassNice rifle Bob, it'll be a nice addition to your collection of mediums.
Straight shootin to ya
21 August 2008, 00:35
ChiefenThe M46A is based on swedish M94 carabines, not much different from the M96 rifle, but there are some.
Nice, classic guns. I want one, only mod I will do is a Docter sigth mounted on the forard reciver ring and shorten the locktime. Will make a perfect deer-rifle!
11 January 2009, 02:54
jkingrphThat is a nice looking rifle. I think I considered that one before I ordered this one from Allen.
http://i106.photobucket.com/al...grph/Picture1003.jpgI thought I did not want to modify, mine is all orginal, not drilled and tapped. What kind of scope mounts are those, I may reconsider?
Jeff
JJK
11 January 2009, 04:01
ldkierOh, Yes. The "algklubba", or moose hammer.
I have a 146 9.3X57 (FN 98 action) that I will never part with. It is a most fantastic rifle for use in the Western Washington "devils club"
infested thick.
The 9.3X57 is in my opinion, the most forgotten
of the "best of the best" cartridges. A REAL woods proposition!!!
I load the Lapua Mega 285 gr. at 2020 f.p.s.
This combination will knock the life out of any Black bear or Blacktail Deer. You can even eat the bullet hole!!!!
If Ruger ever wanted to make a "splash", they would produce the #1 and 77's in the International configuration chambered in 9.3X57.
What a combination that would be.
I think we will see a real, re-newed interest in the 9.3X57.
Congradulations on your "new" 46. You are going to LOVE it!!!!
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"
Hamlet III/ii
11 January 2009, 21:57
MikeyBI love it, the lines and the cartridge are both very cool. Nice gun! I want one as well. Actually two, one to modify and another to leave original! Thinking of Norma 232grs @ 2300 and change would be a great woods rifle. Iron sights and barrel band sling swivel, just too cool.
________
"...And on the 8th day, God created beer so those crazy Canadians wouldn't take over the world..."
12 January 2009, 00:25
Code4That was a great write up and a sensible rebuild of a lovely rifle.
Enjoy it.
14 January 2009, 03:59
BigfattsThis thread has me itching for mine to get here! I just won this one on GB.
I wanted something akin to my Oberndorf 98 but a little beefier than .30-06 and the wood on this one bit he hard. I can't wait to get my hands on it. It will probably just get cleaned up and a refinish for the wood.
Hurry up Fed Ex!
Congrats on a well modded rifle it's a beauty.
14 January 2009, 05:25
Vol717I have one of those on an M98 action by Husqvarna. It came from Sweden with Weaver bases but with the military style bolt handle. That must have needed very high scope rings! I thought I might rechamber it to 9.3X62 but it is too light for that caliber. I just installed a spoon type bolt handle for low scope clearance. I use only one bullet: 286-grain Prvi Partizans. It sure does take care of hogs and deer!
Quick, Cheap, or Good: Pick Two
14 January 2009, 05:53
z1rquote:
Originally posted by Vol717:
I have one of those on an M98 action by Husqvarna. It came from Sweden with Weaver bases but with the military style bolt handle. That must have needed very high scope rings! I thought I might rechamber it to 9.3X62 but it is too light for that caliber. I just installed a spoon type bolt handle for low scope clearance. I use only one bullet: 286-grain Prvi Partizans. It sure does take care of hogs and deer!
I have a couple that I've rechambered to 9.3x62 and thought they were just right.
Aut vincere aut mori
14 January 2009, 19:13
PeglegBob- Love your rifle. I would just get that ring and base out of the loading port. JMHO.
The only easy day is yesterday!
15 January 2009, 21:30
jkingrphBigfatts, Love that tigerstripe stock.
JJK
15 January 2009, 22:50
VFR1Bob, I have the same rifle in 6.5 Swede and 9.3x57. The 6.5 is for my grandson and has a 2-7x Leupold mounted. With the long, original LOP, I really have to scrunch up on the stock. I am 6'1" and wear a 35in sleeve. The open sights on the 9.3 are perfect for the long LOP. What scope are you using, and do you have the same problem with eye relief? Thanks, Bob
16 January 2009, 02:53
Bigfattsquote:
Bigfatts, Love that tigerstripe stock.
Thanx jkingrph! That's the main reason I got it. I can't wait to get it, clean it up and get a few coats of hand rubbed oil on it.
16 January 2009, 20:28
BFaucettquote:
Originally posted by jkingrph:
That is a nice looking rifle. I think I considered that one before I ordered this one from Allen.
http://i106.photobucket.com/al...grph/Picture1003.jpgI thought I did not want to modify, mine is all orginal, not drilled and tapped. What kind of scope mounts are those, I may reconsider?
Jeff
If my memory is correct, I believe they are Leupold Weave-style steel bases and rings.
Leupold 1" PRW (Permanent Weaver-Style) Rings Matte Medium
http://www.midwayusa.com/eprod...ct?saleitemid=384184-Bob F.
16 January 2009, 20:37
BFaucettquote:
Originally posted by VFR1:
Bob, I have the same rifle in 6.5 Swede and 9.3x57. The 6.5 is for my grandson and has a 2-7x Leupold mounted. With the long, original LOP, I really have to scrunch up on the stock. I am 6'1" and wear a 35in sleeve. The open sights on the 9.3 are perfect for the long LOP. What scope are you using, and do you have the same problem with eye relief? Thanks, Bob
I'm using a new Weaver Classic K-Series 4x 38mm (fixed power) scope. I had the length of pull shortened slightly when the pad was installed. I can't remember right now what the new LOP is. (I'm not at home as I post this so I can't measure it right now.) The eye relief seems fine BUT I sill haven't found the time to go shoot this rifle!!!
Weaver Classic K-Series 4x 38mm scope:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eprod...ct?saleitemid=174349Cheers!
-Bob F.
16 January 2009, 20:40
BFaucettBigfatts,
That's a very nice looking rifle! Love the wood!
Cheers!
-Bob F.