Finally made it to the range with the rifle and a box of S&B ammo. Recoil was not that bad, about what I expected. Accuracy was superb -- one group of three into a ragged triangular hole. I think this is my new favorite rifle and caliber.

RE: the S&B ammo, I did see a couple of extractor marks, but it was otherwise ok. I will 'test' it out on whitetailed deer in about 2 weeks -- the 285 grain is probably a bit excessive, but oh well.

Todd

Todd,

if you start reloading try the lapua brass, i am using it and good loads of AR2208 with no extracter marks sticky bolts etc.

9.3x62 is a great well balanced round.

The speer 270 gr would also make a good deer bullet.

I second PCs choice of brass, Lapua is the very best IMO....I like the 286 Nosler for an all around bullet in my 9.3x62....

Just to add Woodleigh have introduced a 286 gr 9.3 Protected Point Bullet, should work well to.

Todd--

I hear ya on this caliber's accuracy. My CZ shoots a lot better than I can see with its open irons, so it's getting a scope installed shortly to see what it can really do with both jacketed and cast bullets. The outside diameter of 5-shot groups at 50 yards ran from 1.0" to 1.25", so there's potential for better work with the "eye crutch".

I will look into the Lapua brass.

This rifle is scoped with a Leupold 2-7x. Works great. The 9.3x62 makes a nice, compact and powerful rifle in a standard length 98 action. I originally had a 35 Whelen barrel in hand and ready to go, I sure am glad ole' Ray convinced me to go this way. I am also starting to realize the benefits of a premium barrel -- this is a Lothar Walther.

Thanks, Ray, for swaying my caliber choice.

Todd

Todd I have a 2-7 leupold on my 9.3x62 as well and I think it is a pretty good choice. I would also consider a 1-4x20 leupold if I had not have had the 2-7 here.

As far as scopes go on the 9.3 x 62.
I put the Leupold 2.5 to 8 on my son's 9.3. It has the Premier 3A reticule in it and what a combo this makes...This rifle (CZ) has shot like gangbusters right from the get go.
I am now hooked on 2.5 to 8's with the 3A reticule for all my rifles except P dog or cape buffalo guns of course.

Todd - Did you chrono those S&B loads? Just curious.

I've been fooling around with Norma's bonded 232 Oryx's (got mine from Graf's), and they are very accurate. 2600 - 2700 FPS (23.6" barreled CZ 550 American) seems pretty easy to attain, and they're recommended by Norma for everything from mosquitos to moose.

Got a 2-7 Leupold Compact (per Ray) in Talley mounts on mine.

Every time I shoot that thing, I'm major impressed by it. Now, as long as the C-Clip firing pin thingy doesn't act up, everything will be okay

R-WEST

R west Isn't the cz 550 9.3 just a great rifle I have the lux model and am very happy with it. I will have to check out the price of Grafs 232 gr bullets I am mucking around with the speers 270's.

Did the compact 2-7 fit in with no troubles ?? I do not have much ring room and I have the normal 2-7 leupold.

Todd, is this one of your military mauser conversions?? if so tell us about it

Hi PC - How are things down there on the bottom of the planet?

I have Talley "medium" (actually MUCH lower than the factory CZ, supposedly medium, rings) height rings on mine, and you could probably get a 40 or 44 (maybe) mm objective on there. The Leupy Compacts are only 33 MM, so the Talleys are actually a little higher than they need to be, but, nobody makes a lower ring set.

R-WEST

This gun is built on a Czech 98 action, with a Lothar Walther barrel, in classic English express rifle trim. I'm not sure how it stacks up to the CZ as far as scope mounts go, but I used a pair of Talley rings and bases (low rings), with good results. The scope could probably be a little lower. It is the VX-I 2-7x33, which I think is the same exterior size as the 2-7 compact.

I think I need one more just like this, except in 8x57...

Todd

Todd & R West I am using warne fixed mediums and there working well, actually first time I have been able to get leupold scope to work with Vertical Split rings. Usually I have trouble turning the power selector on a leupold scope with either Talley's or Warnes, the warnes on the 9.3 make the ring a little firm but it's fine. All rings have been lapped etc. Others have also reported this problem.