Anyone shooting this caliber out there? I'm having one built on a Husky action and am curious to see other people's experience with this caliber. It would seem you could depend on 2400-2500 fps with the 286 NP which puts it in the "very close to 375 H&H category".

Mark

I'm sure Lawndart will reply, he has experience. I know he has posted on at least on of those in the past.

Me, I just use the 9,3x64 to easily achieve 2500 fps.

I had a 9,3x64 and easily achieved 2550 with 286 grain bullets.

The 66 apparently is not as powerful as the 64 per various tests. The 70 should break 2600.

Can someone explain the 9.3x66 to me? From everything I can find, the 9.3x66 has less power than the venerable 9.3x64. I don't get it. What's the point? Serious question. Am I missing something?

I had Wayne at AHR convert a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 to a 9.3x66. He did a no. 2 conversion and sent it back for me to shoot and play with. I had him chrono four loads for me that Federal sells: NP, TSX, SAF & BBS. Two of them were running 2,550 fps as advertised, one at 2,450 and one at 2,380, all with a 23" barrel.

I liked it well enough that I have sent it back for a no. 3 upgrade after picking out a beautiful stock.

I think the '66 is faster than the '62 in general, but not as fast as a '64. I do not reload, so I wanted something faster than the '62 in 9.3, but also something with factory ammo. Boy, does it! Nosler Partitions, Swift A-Frames, Barnes TSX and Barnes Banded Solids. I see it can be bought with Woodleighs now too. What more could one ask? For available factory ammo, this blows the '64 away, at least in America.

A store in Missouri was dumping their Federal '66 ammo and selling it at $30/box! That was about a 70% off sale, so I bought them out. I got all four loads; NP, TSX, BBS and SAF. I could hunt all animals the rest of my life with this rifle alone, and never run out of ammo!

I like the fact that the round has a smaller head size and therefore holds more rounds down than a '64. It is the same size as a '62, just 4mm longer, but still fits in a standard size action. Wayne just reamed out the '62 chamber 4mm. My AHR 9.3x62 & 9.3x66 both hold (5) down and (1) in the chamber.

In the 1920s, Leslie Simpson, a famous American PH in Africa, wrote to Townsend Whelen and said the ideal rifle for African Lion and plainsgame would be a .358 caliber rifle, shooting a 275 gr. bullet at 2,500 fps. I figured a .366 caliber rifle, shooting a 286 gr. bullet at 2,550 fps. was just the ticket. And this, in a standard size action in a 30-06 weight rifle, was exactly what I was looking for. It is nicely enough smaller than my 375 H&Hs, that it is more pleasant to shoot (less recoil) and carry.

Having said all this, the Ruger African in 375 Ruger is just as pleasant to carry and weighs even less! However, the recoil is even more than a 375 H&H, and it only holds (3) down. So, pick your poison. Personally, I love them both for what each offers.

If I were to pick just one as the 'most ideal' for me, I would choose the 9.3x66. Of course, if I were hunting Lion and the country required a minimum of 375 caliber, the nod goes to the 375 Ruger or H&H.

Build a '66. You'll love it!!

Going from memory the 64 has more gross and net capacity and loaded about 3000psi higher

I think I get it now. The 9.3x66 is just a slightly lengthened 9.3x62 with a steeper shoulder angle. Turn a reamer in a 9.3x62 chamber and you have a 9.3x66 and you're good to go. Easy.

The more powerful 9.3x64 has a larger rim and base diameter, meaning it needs a different bolt face.

I like 9.3mm cartridges and have several - 9.3x57, 9.3x62, 9.3x74R, and a 9.3mm wildcat of my own design (lab tested load data and properly head stamped cases). I don't see a 9.3x66 in my future. It doesn't offer enough of anything to make me want one. But if a guy wants just a little more power than what his 9.3x62 is delivering, rechambering to 9.3x66 would be an easy and inexpensive way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve up North:
Can someone explain the 9.3x66 to me?

No.

quote:

From everything I can find, the 9.3x66 has less power than the venerable 9.3x64.

Correct.

quote:

I don't get it.

Me neither.

quote:

What's the point?

"When all else fails, invent a new caliber."

quote:

Serious question. Am I missing something?

No.

- Lars/Finland

Guys,

Thanks again for the feedback. To me there is no practical reason for having a 9.3x66 built other than I've never had one. It definitely does not reinvent the wheel in the big game rifle world but it is a caliber of noteable power that can be had in a '06 size rifle at tolerable recoil levels and of course there's always the one more down thing. I can't find anything wrong with it and it's a just a little different which appeals to me.

Mark

I have one in a Sako 85, I rather like it I’ve shot Zebra, Kudu and Impala with it. Does it do anything my 9.3x62 or 9.3x64 will do, no but I like oddball things

The 9.3x66 and the 370 Sako are one in the same no? Perhaps the year of invention was a particularly long, cold winter in Sweden??

I have a 9.3x66 built on a Rem 700 action. It will do a little more than my 9.3x62's but it does not come close to the 9.3x64. I can't see it (x66) ever creating much of a following because it doesn't do anything the x62 will do.

quote:

Originally posted by bluefish:
The 9.3x66 and the 370 Sako are one in the same no?

Yes.

quote:

Perhaps the year of invention was a particularly long, cold winter in Sweden??

Finland.

- Lars/Finland

quote:

Originally posted by snowman:
I can't see it (x66) ever creating much of a following because it doesn't do anything the x62 will do.

Precisely.

Indeed, some loads for the 62 are not very hot but if you want power and do not handload, have a look at the European offerings. Plenty of punch.
Given the bullet is the same - both weight and diameter - I cannot see 40-140 fps making any real world difference. Sorry.

- Lars/Finland

It is reported to have a following among moose hunters in Scandanavia.

In America, about all we can get for the 9.3x62 in factory form is a 286 gr. bullet @ 2,350 fps.

The 9.3x66 offers a 286 @ 2,550 fps. That's 200 fps faster. That's worth it to me. For those who can handload a '62 to this velocity, or who can purchase it in Europe, you will not be as excited about the '66 as I, or other non-reloaders are.

375 H&H factory ammo is a 300 gr. bullet @ 2,530 fps. The '66 is just as fast ( or a hair faster ), and the bullet is only 14 gr. lighter.

Some have said the 9.3x62 is a 35 Whelen on steroids. I guess that makes the 9.3x66 a 9.3x62 on steroids! It is not a '64, but we can buy great Federal ammo here in the States, with great premium bullets. Try buying '64 ammo with Nosler Partitions, Swift A-Frames, Barnes TSX, Barnes Super Solids, or Woodleighs. Or, just try to buy '64 ammo in America...

I hope the '66 does not catch on here. I bought a lot of the ammo at $30/box because it hasn't. There is a ton of it for sale on the internet and no one is buying it. The best price is $50/box right now, on up to $100/box. It is Federal Premium DG ammo after all. If I'm the only one buying this stuff, I think there'll be some more super sales on it in the future ($20/box?).

But it deserves to catch on. Here's what Pierre van der Walt said in his book 'African Dangerous Game Cartridges': "The 9.3x62mm Mauser is one of the better balanced cartridges on the big bore market, but even so, its case could have done with an extra 5 grains of case water capacity." pg 138.

I believe the '66 was a step in the right direction. I am very happy with mine.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve up North:
I think I get it now. The 9.3x66 is just a slightly lengthened 9.3x62 with a steeper shoulder angle. Turn a reamer in a 9.3x62 chamber and you have a 9.3x66 and you're good to go. Easy.

The more powerful 9.3x64 has a larger rim and base diameter, meaning it needs a different bolt face.

I like 9.3mm cartridges and have several - 9.3x57, 9.3x62, 9.3x74R, and a 9.3mm wildcat of my own design (lab tested load data and properly head stamped cases). I don't see a 9.3x66 in my future. It doesn't offer enough of anything to make me want one. But if a guy wants just a little more power than what his 9.3x62 is delivering, rechambering to 9.3x66 would be an easy and inexpensive way to go.

Exactly!

Should have been a 375.

quote:

Originally posted by RyanB:
Should have been a 375.

No doubt the 375 H&H is the safer way to go.

But some of us love trying something other than plain vanilla.

I like 30-06 weight/size rifles. Both of my large bores that I have taken to Africa weigh 8 1/2 lbs.; a 404 Jeffery and a 458 Lott. So, the '62 & '66 have more appeal for me. Having said that, I return to Africa this year with my 375 H&H!

But your point is well taken. Especially when it comes to lost ammo. If one loses their ammo, a wildcat or an unpopular factory round like the '66 will be a lost cause.

On my last safari to Zambia, I took a 35 Whelen, which falls into the latter category. But, I took all of my animals with it, except my Buffalo which the 404 performed. I got around that by taking a three rifle battery where the Whelen was the medium. I just wanted to take all three rifles and this worked out perfectly. But I had a companion which makes taking three rifles viable. I also knew Andrew had a 375 H&H in camp!

If one wants to take a cherished rifle in an oddball cartridge, it can be done. It's just a good idea to plan for contingencies...

It's no trouble at all to get 2550 fps from the 286 Nosler from my Tikka in 9.3 x 62 with a 22.5" barrel -- but the powder must be RL-17. In fact, I'm getting over 2600 fps at just under 64,000 psi, but I didn't just tell you that, did I?

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

My god friend Lon Paul, who, besides being a fantastic rifle builder, is also a rifle fanatic. He brough a 370 Sako / 9.3x66 rifle for a spring brown bear hunt that he he had built in a Wesley Richards pattern.
I carried my mannlicher stocked Enfield 9.3x62 he had also built.

I don't think it made much difference to the bears .

This is what I have always thought regarding the 9,3x66.

- Lars/Finland

Phil,

I think I heard that story. Seems those 286 NP's work pretty well on big bears.

Mark

Not sure, what is so special about this caliber. 9.3x64 is well designed cartridge by W. Brenneke and is available by Brenneke and RWS.

quote:

Originally posted by CZ:
Not sure, what is so special about this caliber. 9.3x64 is well designed cartridge by W. Brenneke and is available by Brenneke and RWS.

Very true, and the Brenneke is not a Ruger

I'm very surprised that this thread has, more or less, stayed on topic. I had really thought that this was destined to be one of those "what you really need is a 378 weatherby" threads. That being said, I think if you can reliably source the brass or loaded ammo why not? The 370 splits the difference between the 9.3x62 and the 9.3x64 and should kill anything on the planet. If its what you want then do it!!!!

Bought 60 sticks of 9.3x66 properly head stamped brass from Quality Cartridge and dies from RCBS. To my surprise everything was in stock.

Mark

I've played with the 9.3x62, 9.3x64, the 9.3x66 and to a lesser degree the 370 Sako..Ive only hunted with the 9.3x62 and the 9.3x64,,

I can get 2510 FPS with a 286 bullet in the 9.3x62 and that is definatly a max load, but I have reloaded one case 6 times with one trim. This in a 26 inch barrel...

At top pressure and velocity the 9.3x64 beat the 9.3x62 by 120 FPS average, not much IMO.

The 9.3x66 and 370 Sako I loaded to max and they equaled the 9.3x64 best I could do..

On buffalo I shot the 9.3x62 and the 64, and could not tell any difference at all..

The one thing I was satisfied with the most was the 300 gr. Aframe at 2389 FPS in the 9.3x62 was an awesome killer in the 375 H&H class..

Bottom line is like most of these subjects there isn't a nickels worth of difference in any of the above mentioned..Some change may be noticeable when you get to the 40 calibers is my take on the subject, but since the end result is a kill, its hard to be 100% sure of anything, Ive seen instant kills of Cape Buffalo with a 30-06 more than once..

Bottom line is caliber comparison is extremely complicated..proper bullet construction and bullet placement is the real key to the subject, it just doesn't stir the emotions of hunters and shooters who love ole Betsy.....

Just bought this one.

VERY nice SCGunNut!

Congrats on a good purchase...rifle & caliber.

I am awaiting my CZ 9.3x66 from Wayne at AHR who is doing his #3package on it. He is also doing the same on another CZ for me in 6.5x55. I think these two will make a nice two rifle CZ battery.

Your rifle reminds me a lot of my wife’s Sako AIV in 9.3x62. Great rifles!

Good hunting to you with your new rifle.

I like my M70 in 9.3x62 I can get 2450 with the 286’s. Can you fireform any brass to make that 9.3x66?

Nice thing about the 9.3's is that Lapua make the Naturalis bullet in lighter weights and they kill like lightning...

Hi Mark,

I had a 9.3x66 made on a Sako L671 Finn Bear twelve years ago. I will get 370 Sako Mag engraved on the right side of the barrel as well.

As far as power, velocity, and killing go, it lies right between the 9.3 x 62 (under powered for 286-grain bullets IMO), and the 9.3 x 64 Brennecke. That basically translates to it being midway between a 35 Whelen and a 375 H&H Magnum.

Recoil is not snappy at all, and is really quite controllable. My rifle has proven to be accurate, and the brass holds up quite well. I was able to get six boxes of factory brass; all of it is still in service except for cases lost to hunting (I don't scrounge around for cases while hunting, my focus is on the prey animal).

I believe the round is adequate for any ungulate, and adequate for larger game with a heart of the envelope shot (with back up).

I have a PT&G floating reamer that you are welcome to use. I am all in love with my 9.3 x 64 now, and would be willing to sell my 9.3 x 66 (it has the original 30-06 barrel as a back up). Both barrels have Necg/Recknagel adjustable rear sights, and Universal front sights. The barrels are both Cerakoted, and the action has its original bluing that shows an expected amount of wear for a well cared for gun.

The 9.3 x 66/370 cartridge gives you fifty meters more effective range than the 9.3 x 62, and fifty meters less range than the 9.3 x 64 B.

My rifle works well with a low powered scope, or a red dot sight for elk in dark timber. I have correspondence with Erki Kaupi, the head of ballistics at Sako, and the designer of the cartridge. 250-grain Nosler Accubond, and 286 Nosler Partitions do well at the jobs they were designed for. Converting most any 30-06 rifle to the 9.3 x 66 just requires a new tube and the reamer.

If I can help with any questions, please feel free to PM me.

quote:

posted 15 May 2018 03:01
Anyone shooting this caliber out there? I'm having one built on a Husky action and am curious to see other people's experience with this caliber. It would seem you could depend on 2400-2500 fps with the 286 NP which puts it in the "very close to 375 H&H category".

Mark

I guess I should actually read the fucking question. The Husky is a nice base action Mark. I built my 9.3 x 66 on a 30-06 action. You won't regret using Redding dies. I may still have a guide to what/how much powder Sako loads behind the 286-Grain Partition. Your velocity target is doable. If you need the reamer, you are welcome to use mine. Mr. Kaupi designed the cartridge to be more reliable on large moose than the 9.3 x 62. The 9.3 x 64 is basically the 375 H&H in a handier package. I had my 9.3 x 66 built on a Krieger Medium sporter contour; that is very close to the shape of the factory Sako 30-06 barrel. Down the road, you could always set the barrel back a turn or two, and rechamber for the 9.3 x 64. My guess is that you will be happy as is with the 9.3 x 66 Sako. I have played around with Varget, and R/L-15 with the 250-grain bullet, and of course, H-4350 and VV N-150/160. You will enjoy your rifle. I will PM you if I find my notes on the factory loading. Be well.

As already mentioned the 9.3x66 can be built on just about any action that will handle the 30-06. However I would suggest you look carefully at the magazine of any action you plan to use. Any rifle with a shorter magazine will require bullets being seated quite deep and compromise your case capacity.In this case you will not see much improvement over the x62 The Sako and Rem actions (and others) have longer actions that allow those bullets to be seated out further.

Guys,

Thanks for the continued comments and offers of help. Lon Paul is working on the rifle now. It will be an econo custom. Pretty much straight function with nothing fancy. Once it is done I'll post pix. I think you'll be surprised at how little I have invested in it.

Mark

Lon Paul has an excellent reputation. I think you will be well pleased with the result. Recoil is not onerous at all.

I am looking forward to the build details when the rifle is finished.