I’m intrigued with this cartridge, possibly because it’s different, but mainly because I think it fill a niche for me. I like the 35 Remington cartridge and believe the 9.3x57 is an improvement, ballistically that is. Plus it’s different… not everyone has one and I believe it’s an efficient cartridge in the Mauser action.

I had a 9.3x62 for some time and used it mainly with cast bullets and think the 9.3x57 may be even more useful with cast bullets.

Any opinions on this obsolete round?

Of course it's a great cartridge; it's a 7mm Mauser necked up.
Ask Back 40; he has killed 20 bears with his,
I have his reamer too....
Not obsolete. Far more than a 35 Rem.

A European version of the 358 Win.
Which Hal Waugh, Alaskan Master guide #1 claimed was “wicked bear medicine”
Although he was famous for using “Big Nan,” his M70 rechambered for the 375 Weatherby, he sometimes preferred the lighter weight of his M70 featherweight.358 Win when hunting Kodiak bears.

Sounds like a fun round. Probably not much different than an 8X57 with a heavy bullet though. You would get a little more efficiency with the same grain bullets, but not enough to make much ballistic difference.
After I built a 35 Whelen, in hindsight if I had it to do over again I would have gone with a 338-06, just because of better bullet availability. (338X57??)

It suits you and that's all that counts..As for me I am now and always will be a 9.3x62 fan.

Thinking of the 9.3x62, Ray, I shot a reasonable sambar with mine three weeks ago.
There's a thread witn pics in the Antipodean section

Merry Christmas!

9.3x57 is Nothing like an 8mm. Which is not even a Mauser cartridge, contrary to popular belief.
323 to 366 it a big jump. I would post a picture if I wasn't so lazy.
European 358? No, it is a lower pressure thing.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:

323 to 366 it a big jump.

You're right. It is a bad comparison. I was thinking in terms of effective hunting range, but the heavier 9.3 slugs will pack a bigger punch.

I had one for a bit---boosted it to just over 2400 fps. with a 286 gr. Privy RN. No signs of pressure, had 9 reloadings outa the 8x57 resized brass before I had dpcd rechamber to x62!

Won't tell you what my load was though!

That little Husky knocked me around a bit too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

Hip

If you are so inclined, paper patching cast .358" bullets will give you a nearly endless variety of projectiles to try.

dpcd built my 9.3x57 on a Turkish action. He octo'd the receiver before it was heat treated. Fitted an octo barrel and it's now one of my most interesting rifles. 2330 fps with 286 norma PP bullets. I stopped at that vel as I didnt need any more than that for the rifle. Primers are round, pressures low.
The intermediate length Browning mauser action he has would make a beauty!

So many good comments are really pushing me into pulling the trigger on a Mauser in this old caliber. Really need to recover from Christmas shopping. The seed is planted.

Unc,
If you are interested I have some Remington 8x57 Mauser brass that I will be putting up for sale shortly---UNFIRED!

Hip

Uncle Grinch, this one has appealed to me as well, thanks to the listings at Simpsons Ltd.
Were I to build one, I would ask Tom to do it. I used to have a spare Mauser action gathering dust somewhere, but nada right now.

Well, I picked one up from Tom. It appears to be based on the SR Swedish Mauser that has been updated. I’ll post pics when it arrives.

First four on the left are 9,3x57's.

Nice selection you got there Mike.

Mike's future one is just like #1 with the addition of a Miroku 4x, with a nice post reticle. And a Remington 700 bolt handle. Those Swedes are very clever. I'm sure it killed some Moose in Sweden.

With a 98 action or its equal, the 9.3x62 will operate at the same pressure level as the 06 or 270 for instance..I get 2536 FPS with a 286 Nosler or TTX, in my 24" barrel, have for years..Americans have underloaded the 9.3x62, 7x57, 8x57 and a host of others due to the 93 and 96 actions I suspect..I particularly like H414 and RL-17 in the 9.3x62, and a good deal over book max because the underload specs..

I download almost all of my various calibers, partially because they are more pleasant to shoot, but also I get better accuracy in some. Another reason is due to me shooting a lot of cast bullets, which are typically loaded much lighter.

Tom’s rifle will be used exclusively with NOE’s 280 FNGC. I’m supposed to pick it up tomorrow and look forward to trying it out.

Got the rifle from my FFL last week and that Husqvarna sure handles sweet. Also managed to find two boxes of NOS Norma brass. Still waiting on Grafs to ship my dies. Lady said they should have gone out last Wednesday. Also have 300 NOE 280 grain FNGC bullets.

I thought I was good at waiting…..

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
A European version of the 358 Win.
Which Hal Waugh, Alaskan Master guide #1 claimed was “wicked bear medicine”
Although he was famous for using “Big Nan,” his M70 rechambered for the 375 Weatherby, he sometimes preferred the lighter weight of his M70 featherweight.358 Win when hunting Kodiak bears.

Phil - do you think a 9.3x57 w/286 gr bullet is sufficient for the big bears? I always wondered - at least at 100 yards or less. I always bring my 375 H&H to Alaska Though, I am finishing the loads for my 358 Norma, 250 gr ORyx at 2,800+ But oh man the recoil with that light rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
A European version of the 358 Win.
Which Hal Waugh, Alaskan Master guide #1 claimed was “wicked bear medicine”
Although he was famous for using “Big Nan,” his M70 rechambered for the 375 Weatherby, he sometimes preferred the lighter weight of his M70 featherweight.358 Win when hunting Kodiak bears.

Phil - do you think a 9.3x57 w/286 gr bullet is sufficient for the big bears? I always wondered - at least at 100 yards or less. I always bring my 375 H&H to Alaska Though, I am finishing the loads for my 358 Norma, 250 gr ORyx at 2,800+ But oh man the recoil with that light rifle.

I certainly think it would work perfectly.