Was hiding out in the Wallyworld magazine rack the other night waiting on the other half to wander around the grocery aisles and saw a reference to a new Cartridge developed by a some product guy at SAKO...a 9.3x66. Supposedly he took a 30/06 sized brass button and had it extended to the 66mm length and moved the shoulder around and so on ...with the goal of reaching 375Holland velocities out of an unbelted case that would fit in a standard length receiver...and did it!
Writer Guy claims to have taken said gun on a moose hunt (no moose seen ...btdt!) and is supposed to hunt the gun in Africa and do a write up some time next year. WGuy claims to get 27-2800 out of Nosler 250BT's or maybe that was with 286PT's I disremember since the boss was hollerin she wanted to go home about then....anyway he was touting the H&H speeds only in an '06 based case with comparable weight bullets...sounds sexy to me for sure!

My question is ...has anybody seen one of these things and are they in production...how about labeled SAKO brass...and the 64 dollar question really is - would it be worth while to pull the barrel off my CZ 9.3 and have it rechambered...and who in the US can do the work??????
Ron

Hi,

News from Finland: The Sako 9.3x66 is in production and headstamped ammo can be had -the question is if you want it!

The reviews in Scandinavia have been less than enthusiastic as the cal does nothing that can´t be done with the existing .375H&H or the 9.3x62. One writer commented that the case will be useful for developing new wildcats.

As for "new age" Sakos I´m not sure I can recommend them. They´ve had problems with guns blowing up and the Sako of today is a far cry from what it used to be -quality is down.

You´ve been warned...

Other threads here:

9.3x66 Reloading Components

9.3x66 Sako


-Bob F.




http://www.sako.fi/

For the velocities, multiply meters per second (m/s) by 3.28088 to get feet per second.



"Cartridge released by Sako in 2002-03 as a powerful new hunting round. It has the same head size as the 9.3x62 Mauser and was designed to be the maximum sized cartridge to fit into a standard sized .30-06 action without alterations. The case dimensions are similar to the 9.3x62 Mauser except it is stretched 4mm in length in the body section, no other changes otherwise."
from: http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=344

Bob,

I have no balistic informations, but if you compare the Saka with the 9,3x64 or better with the 9,3x70, would there be also an advantage for the Sako?

Burkhard

Burkhard,

I don't have any info about the 9.3x70.



I do own a 9.3x62 but not any of the others. Just looking at the ballistics info, it looks like the 9.3x66 Sako can get close to the 9.3x64 Brenneke.

-Bob F.


http://www.sako.fi/
http://www.rws-munition.de/

Bob,

found some balistic informations about the 9,3x70 in Hataritimes magazin
http://www.hataritimes.com

Bullet/Gms Velocity/ms Energy/Joules
18,5 846 7034
16,2 903 6636
20,75 795 6559

I Think the 9,3x66 Sako is the answer on an never asked question.

Burkhard

Does anyone know where i might get one of these cases for my collection?

The bosses at Via Pietro Beretta, 18 cracked a whip and out came the 9,3x66. It might catch on in Scandinavia and East of the Urals, who knows?

I agree that the new cartridge is just superfluous. Its niche is already filled totally by two others:
9,3x64 and 9,5x66 SEvH.

Carcano

Note the sako 9.3x62 is loaded with single base 1 series powder and the x66 is loaded with double base 5 series powder.

That further accentuates any velocity differential.

Hard to improve on the x62!

I called Beretta last year to ask about the availability of SAKO rifles and ammunition (or cases at least) for this caliber and was told that they were not being imported at all. I love the 9.3 caliber and would like to have a stainless steel SAKO 75 in 9.3x66. I like the idea of maximizing the length of the 9.3x62 case for an increace in velocity, while still being able to carry five in the magazine. Alot of people have shot the caliber down because it duplicates the ballistics of the 9.3x64. If we start eliminating new rounds because they duplicate others - or fill thier niche - then we will be eliminating alot of cartridges (especially the new short magnums). I don't like this idea at all. I am glad that people still experiment with cartridges and create different rounds. It just gives us more to play with. I do hope that this round is able to survive, but I am doubtful.

quote:

Originally posted by 9.3 rifleman:
Alot of people have shot the caliber down because it duplicates the ballistics of the 9.3x64. If we start eliminating new rounds because they duplicate others - or fill thier niche - then we will be eliminating alot of cartridges (especially the new short magnums).

Good idea :-).


Carcano

For some reason, this round actually makes sense to me here in the US. Real easy to convert a rifle without having to open up the boltface. Purchase a 9.3x62 and rechamber, wouldn't even have to buy a new barrel.

A very logical alternative to the 375 H&H.
Especially for people who do not like belts on their cartridges.

I wonder what type of velocities relaoders will be able to get with single base powders?



The 9.3x64 has often been compared to the 375 H&H. It seems like this round will do the exact same thing.

quote:

Originally posted by SDhunter:
For some reason, this round actually makes sense to me here in the US. Real easy to convert a rifle without having to open up the boltface. ...<snip>....

I agree. Near 9.3x64/.375 H&H performance but on a standard case head/rim size. (Rim size like a .30-06, 8x57, etc.) Should be a relatively easy conversion for a rifle chambered in .30-06 (or a similar cartridge) with just a new barrel. (I'm not a gunsmith so there may be some issues I'm not aware of.) No need to open up the bolt face for the slightly larger head/rim diameter of the 9.3x64 Brenneke.

Of course, I'm not sure if the performance gain over the 9.3x62 would really be enough to make it worth the trouble. I'm getting around 2400 fps with a 286 gr bullet in my 9.3x62 handloads. (CZ 550 rifle, 23.6" barrel.) At 2400 fps, that's 3658 ft lb of muzzle energy. I'm not sure if another 150 fps would really make that much difference. Still, the 9.3x66 would be a fun cartridge to fool around with.

-Bob F.

The 66mm Sako case is very similar (perhaps just a tad shorter) to the Howell series. And yes, a long case on an '06 head does make sense: It is rimless, it uses a standard bolt face, and most magazines will hold five in the box with one up the pipe for a total of six shots -- as compared to three or a maximum of four with the "short magnums". I'm not a fancier of the 9.3 caliber, but the availability of the case would be quite nice.

I sent a note to Huntington's to see if they will order some brass for us. If not, I will ask some of our Scandinavian bretheren if they can help hook us up to a large reloading store that stocks the 9.3x66 brass. I can do the paperwork to import the brass and resell it at just enough to cover costs and my time.
lawndart

If you guys really want the stuff I can help with a supplier -just getting you in touch with a retailer that can supply. I don´t want a business angle on this so I would not be a middleman.

You have a PM .
lawndart

I got all hot for a 9.3x66 about 6-8 months ago. I even talked to precision tool and die (I think) about getting a reamer with a match throat instead of the goofy CIP throat that is only slightly shorter than the barrel...

I studied the dimensions and figured I could probably use my 9.3x62 neck sizer to reload. But, in the end, the inability to get any cases rained on my parade, and I went with (another) 9.3x62.

I am not sure what the advanatge really is ballistically. I'd like to run the 9.3x66 factory ammo over an impartial chronograph. I'll bet that a bit of hype went into those published figures, especially since Sako obviously wanted very badly to compete with the 375.

Moreover, any CIP throated 9.3x62 will allow you to seat bullets out to the end the mag, so I suspect that by the time you do that, plus run modern powders at modern pressures (assuming a good strong action) through a 9.3x62, the advantage of the 9.3x66 mostly evaporates...

I am seriously working the brass issue. I have located a source, but it is too expensive. I should have some concrete answers by mid September. (All the European distributors and manufacturers are on vacation right now). Anyone who is interested please shoot me an e-mail with how much you might want. Think Norma prices.
As soon as I have secured the brass supply I will get a CIP reamer from Dave Kiff. My gunsmith, George Vais, is very good. He can convert your 30-06 action sized rifle quickly, well, and for a fair price. If you want to have your home smith do it, the reamers are $138.00 and $28.00 for a go gauge from Pacific Tool & Gauge. Basically the 9.3x66 gets you 2/3 to 3/4 of the way from the 9.3x62 to the 9.3x64. The upside is easy conversion of inexpensive 30-06 size actions, and five down instead of four.
I will not be in the brass selling business. I will leave that up to Huntingtons. They know how to do it. Don't bother calling them up just yet. They are already vigorously pursuing the issue. It will help them in deciding how much to order if you all let me know how much you want. There is no chance of Beretta/Sako importing rifles or brass in the forseable future. They have told people much higher up the food chain than me to go piss up a rope (it sounds kind of strange in Italian).
For those of you who don't reload, I am renewing my ammunition producing license, and will have 9.3x66 ammo loaded compatible with Sako factory specifications by next spring. They developed the round. I have their figures on powder type and charge weight, and pressures and velocities. No sense trying to re-invent the wheel. The price will be fair. I will start with 250 grain Ballistic Tips for deer and 286 grain Partitions for Elk. I will also pursue North Fork soft and solid loads for Africa (pending appproval of my pressure testing and range results by Mike Brady). Trajectories will be determined on the range, not in a computer. I will provide copies of published data to anyone who buys brass from Huntingtons when the time comes. You can see the Sako data higher up in this thread. I will be also working with Hodgdon powders and Ramshot as well. Maybe Alliant, maybe not.

Thanks,
lawndart
noak@direcway.com

Edited for bad spelling and worse grammar at 2:00 am.

I realy like the three popular 9.3cal rounds for hunting but can't see any good reason to bring out more, and its already hard to get cases for the 9.3x64, so why more?
Doesn't one have enough veriety already???

lawndart

Why not do a 9,3X64 Brenneke? Cases can be made from 300wm, 338wm, 458 win etc. RWS components are available thru Huntington's.

If you want a more exotic round, try a 9,3X70

Cheers
/JOHAN

quote:

Originally posted by JOHAN:
lawndart
Why not do a 9,3X64 Brenneke?

Coz boys need new toys

Carcano

He, he, he,
I will get a Model 70 CRF standard action and have Dennis Olson re-work it to 9.3x64 next spring at the same time he starts on my Model 70 300 RUM to 404 Jeff conversion.
Berretta won't import the brass or rifles; that is like a red flag to this old bull.
The 9.3x66 conversion to a standard Sako is super easy. It gives a little more oomph than the 9.3x62 without the recoil of the 9.3x64.

The real answer is Carcano's:

Coz boys need new toys.

Screwing with guns is a lot cheaper than raising kids or buying a trophy wife.

lawndart

PS Could you find out how much the 9.3x70 brass costs? That sounds like a fun conversion for an H&H length rifle action.

lawndart

I think the easiest solution would be to reform 404 cases. Contact Horneber for correctly stamped brass.

Cheers
/JOHAN

Hey Johan,

Do they sell 6x47 Swiss Match brass near where you are?

Thanks,

lawndart

Exotic lady YES, but just say NO to exotic cartridges!

Say yes to both if you can afford it. If not, the cartridge is cheaper, and won't complain if you lock her in a gunsafe for five years.

Exotic cartridge still looks good after thirty years too.

Exotic cartridge does not have a mean mother to deal with.

Exotic cartridge does not need new Italian leather shoes every three months.

Exotic lady will not kill Eland or Elk for you.

lawndart

In this power, trajectory and recoil class one can keep things simple by necking up 338 winnie brass for a 375 Taylor, or just bug Federal and Hornady until they make High Energy 9.3X62 ammo. A 286 grainer will do 2645 FPS with their shared technology.

Too late!
My first two boxes of brass are on their way. I will put my order in for a reamer next week. I have selected my sacrificial Sako rifle and will order a barrel in a few weeks as well.
Ha!
I will post pictures in due course.
lawndart