Today I re-assembled the whole thing and fitted it in the synthetic stock that I will use until I know what to do for some wood on it. After assembly I bore sighted the detachable peep and bore sighted the scope.
Right now I've got too much scope on it with the 3-9 Nikon Monarch but it will work to sight it in and work on loads, I will end up with a 2-7 Leupold on it in the end.
The rifle has a 20" barrel with a very light contour, Marble's front sight, Gentry 3 position safety, cheap Sarco hinged bottom metal ( that I would like to replace with standard military bottom metal ), Weaver Grand Slam bases, Warne Quick Detach rings, Butler Creek synthetic stock and Zastava reciever and bolt. Rifles overall length comes in just under 42" and I may shorten the pull 1/4" for cold weather hunting ( thick jackets and all ) but I need to asess the pad first.
The rifle handles very similar to a Ruger Ultra Light and carries and points like a dream. I'm not sure what it weighs but it is light!
I'm thinking it will make a dandy timber rifle for Elk, Bear and Deer and it will be pleasant to carry on pack trips.
I will be shooting it at first light in the morning.
Take a look at my amatuer photos it is no showpiece but it should be a fine utility hunting rifle. I'll try to post target pictures tomorrow.

very nice.

That is utterly perfect!

Go for it!!!! I hope your experiment works as well as My 9.3x62mm, experiment has. Your's is way prettier than mine

LLS

Looking good. Nothing like that first day with a new rifle. I hope it's a real tac-driver.

Terry

My project uses the same base rifle although it now wears a Lothar Walter barrel in 9.3x64 and will get the rust blue job. I too will dress it up with a walnut stock once I find one that I like. And I think a Leupold 2-7 will be great.


Tasso

Nice rifle!!!

Please tell me where/how you got this script writing on the barrel.

Vapo
My gunsmith sends that over to an engraver after he is done with the metal work, if you like I'll try to find out who he sends it over to but I'm sure it is someone near Colorado Springs that he uses.
Thanks for all the nice compliments guys.

Very nice!!!!!!! It'll be perfect!

That's about as good as it gets for a carry rifle.
Have fun shooting it tomorrow morning!!
Let us know how it performs.
I too like that script caliber inscription on the barrel. That is distinctive, and very tasteful. Sure adds to the rifle..

Don

..."handles like a Ruger RL"...outstanding and inspirational for a everday all day everyTHING shooter!
Time to find a donor victim...and figure it out.
Ron

Can't wait to hear how that little thumper of yours does at the range. It is nice to see the whole package assembled instead of on your table in pieces. Make sure to show off your .257 Roberts as well.

Your rifle looks a great
We look forward to hearing how it shoots.

Thanks for the nice comments everybody.

Hey Chad the .257 Roberts is a ways off yet I still have to bed it and put finish on the stock. Saturday night I finished the little bit of inletting work it needed now I need to get on it and get it done.I also need to slim down the trigger or open up the trigger slot on the trigger guard the new Timney is wider than the old trigger.

Beautiful!

Has that "all business" kind of look. And that "all business" kind of caliber! :-)

Good luck with it,
desmobob

VERY nice!

What make is the barrel? And the rear sight is still missing. Please use a plain standing blade, perhaps canted, but no "Safari" or "Express" gimmicks! ( read Taylor about that! )

What bullets will you use?

Hornady, Norma, 320 grs Woodleighs, or my favourite: the 300 grs A Frames?

Have fun, H

Arminius
I won't do a rear sight on the barrel as I will use a detachable peep sight that fits on the Weaver bases instead, you can see it setting near the rifle in a few pictures.
The Barrel was purchased in an auction and I think it is a Wilson air guaged barrel, the bore and rifling are actually beautiful and looks quality.
I have several hundred 286 gr. PRVI bullets to start with I also have some Norma bullets that I will use too maybe settle on the Nosler partitions in 286 for Elk if they shoot well.
I was going to shoot it last weekend but we had a lot of rain and this week my folks came to visit so it may be a little longer before I get to shoot it.

well how does it shoot ?
Was there a problem with the zastaffa bottom metel ?
What type barrel did you use.
...tj3006

TJ no trouble with the bottom metal but I must admit I like the Military bottom metal better and I got mine from Sarco. The action, bolt and bottom metal all came from seperate sources as did the barrel this thing was a complete piece together.
I shot it today and I must admit it does have some recoil but not bad, the loads were pretty mild, 60 grains of Ramshot Big Game with the PRVI 286 grain bullet, Graf cases, CCI 200 primers. I shot a few shots to get it on the paper and then a 3 shot group which was just under 7/8" center to center. I am pleased with that I just hope the groups stay that size as the powder amount increases.
I went out to my farm today to take the kids and my dad out to fish as a last minute thing I threw in the rifle to shoot it but I forgot to bring sandbags and targets. I used a backpack full of coats as a bag rest and just used some old weathered targets that had been out there in the weather for a few weeks.
Results for its first group are posted below:

Sounds like you built your self a winner,
I rather like the Zastava bottoms. I wish i could buy them 4 to of my FNs
I might have to get me an axction to build one of those 9.3s on.
It would be cheaper to get a CZ, but I never see them around here in that chambering.
Gunshow tommorow, Might do somthing there we will see...tj3006

Nice rifle! The script on the barrel is a very classy touch to a well thought out rifle.

You'll like the way that caliber makes venison too.

AR member Tom Mason just swapped bottom metal with me so now I have the bottom metal I really wanted on it.
Next step I will bed it (better than it sits now in the synthetic stock).
Followed by load development to get a bit more speed out of it, although I am not inclined to push it I would like to get a little more speed than my current load.
If I like the whole thing well enough I may use it for plains game this fall. ( okay so I drew a Colorado doe Antelope tag, close enough!)
Thanks again for the supportive comments and questions.

Snellstrom-

Good looking rifle!!!!

Ditto what Vapodog said about the scroll/script caliber engraving. That's a great touch!!!

Snell,

Let me know how your bedding results turn out. My 30-06 rests in a Butler Creek stock like yours and I probably need to redo the bedding job I did two years ago on it. The rifle will hold about an inch at 100 yards and that's fine with me. The stock is kind of flexible, but its tough and that's just what I wanted. Lookin' good so far. Good luck!

PS - you can get creative with Acra-gel and make the sliding safety notch behind the bolt disappear. I had to paint my stock when I was done, but it looks better than having that gap right there IMHO.

Snell,
There is a 250 grain acubond might be dandy for antilope , should have a real good BC and you might get a relitivly flatt shooter.
But The Doe antilop says .257 roberts all over it to me !
...tj3006

TJ
I was only fooling with you guys on using the 9.3 on the doe antelope I will use my .257 Roberts on that one.
I am still putting the Roberts together I got another coat on the stock last night and after I get a few more on it I will bed it and start shooting it. The Roberts project was a Husqvarna 640 that I had rebarreled with a very thin contoured Pac nor super match 23" barrel, right now the rifle has a Jim Kobe 2 position safety but a 3 position gentry should be here soon and for now I will use the old Husky stock that I have shortened the fore end and shaped a Schnabel on it. The whole thing is satin blued and looks sharp, I just hope it is another shooter like my 9.3 is.

My guess is any 9.3 shooter after having one, would be hard pressed to own/use a 338/06, 338 Win Mag, or 35 whelen. Is that correct?

Well balanced looking round. Nice rifle. It would seem to be a great round for big game, and not turn smaller stuff into hamburger, even a shoulder hit.

I was one of the many introduced to the 9.3X62 on this forum. After taking game with 9.3 ranging in size from Zebra to Impala I get more sold on this caliber with every hunt. It is not a super long range magnum and I have never hunted buffalo with the 9.3, I am none the less very impressed by it.While I have always been a big fan of the 338 Win Mag and still like it's versatility over all others, I feel the 9.3 is a close second when ranges are limited to 250yds or less. Your rifle looks great and will serve you well I'm sure.

Pathfinder, I as a youngster read much about LONG shots and fantasized about making them some day. Years later, and many hunts has shown me that MOST game has been taken under 200, and even 100 yds.

That said, the 9.3 has many attributes of what is KNOWN to be effective, cuts a large hole by virtue of sheer caliber, and it hits hard via plenty of mass propelled at sufficient speeds, which would rarely ever compromise the integrity of the bullet, ensuring penetration.

But, based on reports, recoil is manageable to most. That allows shot placement, and as we know is vital.

Really nice rifle. If it will shoot privi's 286 like that, try some Nosler 250 BT's or the 286 Partition. You are going to LOVE it. Also try some loads with Varget. Kudude

Thanks Kudude do you have any suggestions as a starting place with Varget and 250's and 286's?
My first loads were I'm sure rather light as I've heard of guys going as high as 65 grains of Ramshot Big game and I only started at 60 grains, the other day I loaded 10 more at 61 grains and they shoot nice as well. Soon I will work those up a little higher but I'm in no hurry. I have a feeling that this rifle will be rather forgiving like my .375 H&H and shoot a lot of stuff rather well with no real work.

nice work, and should be inspiring to those looking to put a 9,3 together!

65 grains of Ramshot and a 286 North Fork makes a good do whatever load in the 9.3x62. I have shot coyotes with it, so don't be ashamed to use it on a doe antelope. I also have shot a nice 7' black bear and a 10-point whitetail with it a couple years ago. It is a perfect African plains game caliber as well as an elk slammer.

You have a fine looking rifle and you will like the 9.3x62 chambering. I built one for myself and I really like it.

I have been trying to locate someone who can do the script lettering on my 9.3 and a few others as well. Could you find out from your gunsmith who he uses as it is a very nice touch. I think it adds a lot of "class" to a custom rifle. I sure would be grateful to you and I am sure that other posters on the thread would appreciate finding out who does this work. Thanks, Hoot

holy brought back from the dead thread! haha

So Snellstrom, any updates in the last 7 months?? You mentioned something about a gunsmith in the Springs, did Rich build this rifle?

Milehighshooter
My rifle was built by Kevin Weaver weaverrifles.com
Since I started shooting this 9.3 I really become more and more attached to it. It is very light and small so carries beautifully and kicks like a mule with the higher power loads. It is very accurate with 60 to 62 grains of Ramshot Big Game and 285 grain bullets of PRVI or Norma Alaskan varieties. Accuracy falls off when I get above 62 grains and also the recoil gets stiff!
I'm just starting to shoot the Speer 270 grainers with 62 grains of powder and they look good so far.
No kills with it yet, Elk season was a good hunt but I just couldn't get one in my sights.
The 3-9x40 Nikon I had on it gave up the ghost 2 days before Elk season so I put a 3-9x40 Leupold on it and have since traded that out for a 2-7x33 Nikon Monarch which is doing fine. The 2-7 looks like it fits the rifle moreso than a 3-9, I have yet to shoot the detachable peep sight yet but I will this winter, the Warne detachable rings work well and seem to repeat pretty closely to there original POI when removed and replaced.
Thanks for all the nice comments and load info guys, if any of you want a 9.3x62 by all means get one they are a nice cartridge to play with and most assuredly will put down any animal on this continent with authority. I was going to build a 35 Whelen but have no drive to do so now that I have the 9.3.

That is a beautiful rifle! Congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
...I put a 3-9x40 Leupold on it and have since traded that out for a 2-7x33 Nikon Monarch which is doing fine. The 2-7 looks like it fits the rifle moreso than a 3-9...

My CZ 9.3x62 has an old pre-Monarch Nikon 2-7x32 on it and I think it's the perfect match. Low enough power for both-eyes-open quick shots and plenty of power at the top end for working up handloads at the range.

Good luck with your beautiful rifle,
desmobob

congrat's on your rifle
knowing that KW built it makes it all the
SWEETER!regards

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I'm just starting to shoot the Speer 270 grainers with 62 grains of powder and they look good so far.

Snellstrom,
You might also try the new 9.3 Hornady Interlock bullet. They seem to shoot a bit better in my rifle and did a fine job on a nice ten point buck this year. The only negative is the cannelure is in the wrong place for my rifle, but I just seat where I need to for accuracy anyway.

Don't tell my wife, but I believe I could get by with just my 9.3 for everything.


Rick