quote:

Originally posted by mbogo375:
Thank you gentlemen for the kind comments. In answer to your questions:<br /><br />Trapper,<br />Unfortunately there does not seem to be a lot of information available about the 9.3x80.<br />I don't shoot in the Atlanta area, but I would be happy to have you come down to the Vidalia area for a little shooting and general hot air session <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> . Drop me an email if this would be of interest.<br /><br />Johan,<br />The maker was W. Collath & Sohne - Frankfurt. As to a date, it is not marked, but the proof marks are consistent with the 1912 to 1939 period. <br /><br />Barrels are marked TESCO (a Collath marking from the 30's ?), and GM in an oval, as well as Krupp for the steel. The standard proof marks are also present. Proof load is listed as steel jacketed 12.7 gram bullet (no powder listed as would have been there with the earlier proof law).<br /><br />Caliber is listed as 9.3x80 on the barrel lug, but as 8.7mm/80 on the barrels themselves. The actual groove measurement of the barrels is .3655", and condition is excellent. I suspect that this was a Collath variant of the 9.3x80 since the chambers measure .442" at the base rather than .427 to .430 like the 9.3x72 based cartridges. This is a problem since the only cases available here for reforming are the Bertram 9.3x82R basic cases, and they measure only about .427 at the head. This means that there will be a significant amount of expansion above the web on firing, but I am considering neck sizing with 9.3x62 dies backed off an appropriate amount to prevent overworking the brass. Do you know of any .440" or so brass that is available now?<br /><br />Judson,<br />Thanks for the suggestion. I have checked Cartridges of the World and Donnelly's Handloader's Manual Of Cartridge Conversions, plus Quickload has some information on capacity and maximum pressure. The accuracy of any of these sources on such an obscure cartridge needs to be carefully considered before basing any handloads on it though.<br /> <br /><br />Incidentally, the brass that comes closest of the US calibers is the 220 Swift. It actually chambers in this rifle as is, so I may have to try to find someone who can draw this case to 80 mm's. Maybe I will have to talk to Buffalo Arms, but I don't know if they will do a special order such as this in a small enough quantity to make it feasible.<br /><br />I am still looking for sources of 9.3 bullets in the 190 to 200 grain range. I know that they are listed by Old Western Scrounger and Hawk, but I was hoping for some less expensive options. <br /><br />Jim<br /> <br /> <small>[ 07-20-2003, 01:22: Message edited by: mbogo375 ]</small>