Apologies for asking a reloading question here, but given other recent posts on this cartridge, I thought I might get a better response in this forum. I have recently bought a Sako 85 in 9.3x66. I have a die set, but can not locate any brass in the country (Australia).

What are peoples thoughts on forming brass from some derivative of the 30-06? I was thinking about using 35 Whelen brass, but even though its close to the required bore size, its still going to end up several mm too short after forming. At this stage I am thinking 9.3x62 cases might be a better option since they arent going to shorten appreciably during forming, although they will still be shorter than I would like. Or maybe try to find some 30-06 basic brass and form from that?

Quality Cartridge here in the USA may have some new properly head stamped 9.3x66 brass. That is what I'm using.

Quality Cartridge does have it in stock. If you can get your hands on cylindrical 30-06 brass, you might be able to get the finished overall length you need. Such brass is hard to come by, here in the U.S. Qual-Cart 400 Whelen brass comes as long cylindrical, as well, and should work if you can get some. Does Bertram make cylindrical ‘06 brass? I’m sure you know that the base diameter of ‘06 brass is slightly smaller than the 9.3 Sako, so your fired cases will have a slight amount of expansion at the top of the web. Hope this info helps. Good luck!

It may not help Bwana_500, given his location, but check out Accuflite Sports in Pennsylvania.

Here is a link:

9.3x66 Sako brass

They have real Sako brass in 50 piece boxes at a pretty good price, all things considered.

Quick question for those that have the 9.3x66/370 Sako: Would it be worth it to punch out a rifle already chambered in 9.3x62 to the Sako round?

Guys, thanks for the posts and PMs with suggestions and offers to help.

I am optimistic that I have found a source over here in Oz, so fingers crossed, I have a solution.

I have ten boxes that I bought from Sako directly. I have also purchased it from Reimar Johannsen, in der Faderland. No problems from them.

I believe that Huntington Die Specialties carries basic 30-06 brass. Use plenty of lanolin. One pass though the die should do it.

quote:

Originally posted by pinotguy:
It may not help Bwana_500, given his location, but check out Accuflite Sports in Pennsylvania.

Here is a link:

9.3x66 Sako brass

They have real Sako brass in 50 piece boxes at a pretty good price, all things considered.

Quick question for those that have the 9.3x66/370 Sako: Would it be worth it to punch out a rifle already chambered in 9.3x62 to the Sako round?

For those worried that ammo stamped '370 SAKO' may have trouble getting into Africa if your rifle is barrel stamped 9.3x66, remember that boxes from Federal Premium are marked BOTH 370 SAKO and 9.3x66, so no problems with these boxes marked such.

To answer your last question pintoguy, I believe the answer is 'Yes', if you are not a reloader. If you are a reloader, then I do not know the answer. The difference in factory ammo available in the US for the two cartridges is about 200 fps. Reloaders say they can get that themselves at the reloading bench with a '62. Another factor is the cost of factory ammo. 9.3x66 or 370 SAKO tends to be expensive. I bought many many cases of the stuff on the internet for $35/box when I decided to convert one of my 9.3x62s to '66. I am very happy with my decision, but I do not reload. The bullets in the Federal Premium ammo that I bought, had a great variety of premium bullets: SAF, BBS, NP, TSX, etc. Since that ammo was a steal, and I bought a TON of the stuff (more than I will ever be able to shoot in a lifetime), I had Wayne at AHR convert one of my CZ'62 in his #3 package with a beautiful wood stock. The rifle is fantastic, and shoots a 286gr. bullet at 2,550 fps (about the same ballistics as a 375H&H) and weighs about (1 or 2) lbs. less than all of my 375H&Hs (but NOT my Ruger Africans in 375 Ruger. They weigh the same as my 9.3x66!). Practically speaking, the 375 Ruger is probably a better deal. But that ammo is about $50-$60 a box. The deal I got on the 'net on the '66 ammo pushed me over the edge.