After a number of false starts, I finally bought a rifle in 9.3x62. I've always wanted one, and the Blaser guys I know are quite fond of the caliber. It's not a screaming magnum...almost like a 30-06 for heavy bullets. The rifle is a Steyr M Professional with an original Mannlicher-branded 1.75x6 scope. Should be a shooter.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
...almost like a 30-06 for heavy bullets.

Pretty good description of the 9.3x62!

I have four of them and my wife has one, which is the largest caliber rifle she owns, even though she's fired my 375, 404 & 458 Lott. She has decided the 9.3 is the largest rifle she can 'enjoy'. Hers is a Sako IV Safari. I have two Ruger Africans, a CZ from their custom shop, and a Dakota Classic Deluxe. We really like this caliber.

The largest animal she has taken with it is a Giraffe.

Good luck with your new purchase and many happy safaris with it.

Thanks, Surefire. I have plenty of safari-caliber rifles, so I think I'll use this rifle for close-medium range Black Bear, Moose, Hogs, and even Whitetails. I seem to gravitate to heavy bullets given that option. Guess I've got a few Elmer Keith genes in me :-)

Congrats! I'm betting you will really like this caliber, especially in a Steyr rifle. My CZ 550 (topped with a Luppy 2-7x33) has proven to shoot most every bullet/weight I've tried really well. So far I have tried Norma Oryx in 286 grain and 285 gr. PRVI Partizan, both in factory loads. My hand loads using 286 gr. Nosler PT are probably the most accurate. A guy at our gun club shoots 250 gr. Nosler AB's and has used them in Africa as well as hunting here in the states. I may have to try the AB's when I have more time to reload.

quote:

almost like a 30-06 for heavy bullets

Congratulations on your new Steyr 9.3x62; I agree wholeheartedly.

For me that's about how they shoot, sorta like a .30/06 Sprg. on steroids or being fed a steady diet of 220 grainers.

But believe me that's simply the delivery; the arrival is IMO another class all by itself; it seems to defy the amount of recoil you take as to the dose of killing it sends downrange. I'm sure that's a trait that makes the cartridge so popular, especialy here in Europe.

..... and yes, the 9.3x62 in a Blaser R93/R8 and/or a double rifle in 9.3x74R, it's ballistic twin; are a tough pair to beat on drive hunts here. They simply deliver The Goods.

Like the 308 Winchester they do well with a short(er) tube for dynamic handling, too. Another virture is it's a cartridge you don't (unless you desire so and that's not bad, either) have to trottle every bit of potential juice out of it. Find a solid load in the upper realms of it's potential that shoots well and go thump stuff; it's not particular whether it's pushed to the limit or not.

I've settled on 250 gr. Hornady GMX's as some venues require lead free here and I refuse to run back & forth to the range between hunts to re-sight-in. The classic lead load in 286 gr. is tough to beat, too PMP's, Hornady, RWS, Swift, Woodleigh, Nosler & Barnes to mention a few, and even the oddball weight 270 gr. Speer all do a right fine job.

Have fun with it, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it's perfomance.

Good choice Jon

PM me with your email ID and I will send you old articles, test info and lots of loads from the last 20+ years. I have shared this info with about 30 people on AR who like the 9.3X62.

My rifle is pre 1912 Simson Mauser M98 with an octagon to round barrel with full length rib. It shoots most loads within 1.5 inches at 100 meters.

I would strongly suggest that you leave the 232gr European bullets alone as they were meant for Roe deer.

Best bullets IMHO are TSX 250gr & 286 gr, Lapua Mega 286gr, Woodleigh 286gr & Norma 286 gr and Accubond 250gr.

Speer 270gr are also well regarded.

I found Varget to be the best powder. People also swear by Re17

I look forward to it being in the classified before end of summer

Mike

I'll add congrats Biebs, one of my favorite calibers. The 286 Nosler Partition is a thumper and brings home the bacon

I think you'll enjoy shooting your new 9,3.

Nakihunter, thanks again for those articles you sent me a few years ago!! I still have, and refer to them, from time to time.

quote:

I look forward to it being in the classified before end of summer Wink

Mike

It's right-handed...and not a ROOOOOOOGER! :-)

Jon,

Hasn't stopped you before. How long did your beloved Weatherby last?

Oh, the 9,3x62 is much more than a .30/06 with heavy bullets! Compare it with the .35 Whelen! The 9,3 easy reached 2600fps with 235grs bullets an with the heavy 286grs (which the "Standard wheigt")you can get 2400fps! Not fare away from a .375H&H!

quote:

Hasn't stopped you before. How long did your beloved Weatherby last?

Already replaced it with a 340....I'm not much on small calibers.

I have a LH Zastava in 9.3x62.

It's my go to rifle for our Texas pigs. Love the caliber and the 286gr bullets.

The 9,3's are great and, to cite Cartridges of The World : "...there isn't anything, large or small, that it could not handle...".

I own 3 of them (two 9,3x62 and one 9,3x74R, the rimmed ballistic twin), which I use for drive hunting wild boars (all running shots):

Blaser R93, 9,3x62 Mag-Na-Port


Mauser Scout in 9,3x62


FN-Browning CCS25 O/U in 9,3x74R

The 9.3X62 can be loaded with 286 gr bullets to 2500 fps. That is very close to the 375HH & almost identical to the 375 FL Mag in double rifles.

It was Ganyana's go to caliber for buffalo.

The 9.3X62 is slightly better than a 35 Whelan imp. It is far ahead of the 30'06.

The 30'06 is closer to the 308, 300 Sav & 303 Brit than it is to the 9.3X62!

You can safely hunt buffalo or lion with a 9.3X62 but not with a 30'06.

Yes I know that the 30'06 has killed a lot of DG including brown bear, tiger, lion and elephant. But so has the 22 RF.

quote:

Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
Oh, the 9,3x62 is much more than a .30/06 with heavy bullets! Compare it with the .35 Whelen! The 9,3 easy reached 2600fps with 235grs bullets an with the heavy 286grs (which the "Standard wheigt")you can get 2400fps! Not fare away from a .375H&H!

I'd only consider the heavier (285gr and up) bullets for the 9.3x62. If I needed less bullet or longer range, I have rifles to handle those duties.

Almost like a 30-06, well not even nearly..You can shoot a 293 gr. bullet at 2400 plus a tad FPS with a good handload, Compare that to a 375 H&H with a 300 gr bullet at 2500 FPS, the most recommended load by most professional hunters such as Doctari...

Lets say its a 375 H&H short for lack of a better description. and I will say by experience it kills every bit as well as a 375 H&H..

I hear so many experts compare it to a 35 Whelen or a 338-06...where do they get this stuff.

I hear folks saying to use 06 brass to make 9.3x62, and you can, but its not a healthy practice, just look at the specs, you weaken the base...besides brass for for the 9.3x62 is cheaper than 30-06..use PPU, it last forever..

My favorite load is the 286 Nosler at 2513 FPS, its an elk killer and great on African PG and plenty good enogh for buffalo, Lion, Hippo and even been used many times on elephant....

Add to that you will never hear a PH in Africa say a bad word about the 9.3x62, he will invariably praise it..Many cut their teeth on it, some still use it..Few would compare it to the 30-06...

I love the 30-06 but come on do a little home work on the 9.3x62, it walks side by side with the the .338 or the .375 in my books, just doesn't have the range of the .338, and some would argue that, One fellow on AR who is very knowledgable it seems has even loaded it up past the .338 win. He has an extensive websight on his experimentation with the 9.3x62

I have loaded my 9.3x62s to within 100 FPS of a 9.3x64 and with safe but max loads in my particular rifle..Doctari and Aaggard claim no need to do so, I suspect that's correct, but I like to know were absolute max is in all my rifles..

That's why its been around so long, and is making a resurgence in popularity, it earned it the old fashion way, staking tons of buffalo in a pile has been its job over the years.

It's certainly the bee's knees for sambar in our bush.

I have sat in a Kanzel listening to the music of the dogs in the distance holding a 9.3x62. It is a true hog hammer and anything else that is "freigegeben" (shootable) that might pass in front of the stand. I load this caliber starting with the 188 gr Jaguar solids through 286 gr flat points. My favorite is the 250 Accubond. For me it feels no different than my 300 Win Mag. Great caliber...

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Biebs:
...almost like a 30-06 for heavy bullets.

Pretty good description of the 9.3x62!

Maybe I misunderstood the OPs comment, but to me at least, I was reading praise for the 9.3x62.

His quote was, 'almost like a 30-06 FOR heavy bullets' as opposed to ' almost like a 30-06 WITH heavy bullets'.

The 9.3x62 can use significantly heavier bullets than the 30-06, and make a bigger hole to boot. It is indeed a bigger hammer than the '06. I do not personally doubt that in my mind whatsoever.

I thought what the OP was originally saying was, as good as the '06 is, and loved by many Americans, the 9.3x62 (which has a case almost the same as an '06), is just that much better with bigger bullets! He also said it was not a 'magnum sized' case, again refering to the similarity of the '06 case that we Yanks love so much.

In these respects, I agree with the OP wholeheartedly, and is the same reason I personally love my 35 Whelen so much (even though I admit the 9.3x62 is just a bit better even still...).

I also agree with all of the praise the above posters have heaped upon the great 9.3x62. I own four 9.3x62s and have hunted with both it and my Whelen in Africa. But I own many more Whelens than '62s.

It's just a 35 caliber thing with me...

Look at this, what Atkinson wrote! The Case of the 9,3x62 is perhaps similuar to the .30/06, but it is not the same base! You cannot reform the 06 to the real dimension of the 9,3! Perhaps you can read this in american Magazins, but it is not right!
In Europe, there is no need to reform a case to the 9,3x62 - on the shooting ranges you find a lot of empty cases for the 9,3! There is very cheep 9,3x62 on the market for training like from Norma (jaktmatch), from RWS(Cineshot) and PPU!

Biebs, If you want to sell it at some point give me a shout. I love the Steyr M Professional and love the 9.3x62mm. I have been contemplating picking up a .270 or .30-06 and having it rebored and rechambered by JES to 9.3x62

While we all agree on the 9,3x62 killing power, nobody referred to its precision, where it's no slouch either. Here are 100 meters 5-shot groups of 286 Lapua Mega bullets, fired by my Blaser R93 with 1,25-4x24 "battue" scope (NB, when set on 4x, the fat nr. 4 reticle about covers the center of my target).



BTW and anecdotally, the grid squares of my target are 1 cm (.4")and both my groups fall between 2 scope clicks as the Swaro 1,25-4x24 click value is 1,5 cm at 100 m( .6") instead of the habitual 1 cm (.4"). Of course, this might have gone unnoticed with a less accurate rifle

quote:

Here are 100 meters 5-shot groups of 286 Lapua Mega bullets, fired by my Blaser R93

But Andre', it's a Blaser...what would you expect! :-)

quote:

Biebs, If you want to sell it at some point give me a shout.

PC, yes, it's the first one I've seen in 9.3x62 over here. I'll contemplate your $1,600 offer :-)

Jon,
I think you will fall in love with the 9.3x62. I did about 9 years ago and have always kept one since then. I use the 286 grain Hornady bullet in both my 9.3x62's. It is a wonderful load for deer and bear hunting and has plenty of knockdown power with little recoil.

quote:

Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
Look at this, what Atkinson wrote! The Case of the 9,3x62 is perhaps similuar to the .30/06, but it is not the same base! You cannot reform the 06 to the real dimension of the 9,3! Perhaps you can read this in american Magazins, but it is not right!

Yes, you are correct.

Similar means 'close, but not the same.'

The '62 base is a bit larger and the case holds a bit more powder. Cool!

It is still 'close' to an '06, and is not a 'magnum' sized case. And that is what makes the '62 so great; hard hitting on game, but without the magnum recoil. Heavier bullets and makes bigger holes (than either the '06 or Whelen).

I love the '62. A classic cartridge that just plain works! Biebs will be happy.

One last point.

The OP stated, 'the 9.3x62 is like a 30-06 For heavy bullets.' That is an analogy.

He did not say, 'the 9.3x62 is like a 30-06 With heavy bullets.' That would be a direct comparison.

If I have mischaracterized Biebs' original intention, I apologize.

Good shooting to all of you!

You know $1600 (with the scope of course) is a very reasonable price.

I would almost trade you my Browning High Power in .300 H&H for it, almost

For the first time in the last 40 or 50 years, Im without a 9.3x62, my last was a Brno mod. 21, switch barrel, 7x57 and 9.3x62 custom..I sold it sometime back..

If I lived where all the elk and bear lived in the thick stuff, it would be my go to caliber, and was for some years...Today where I hunt it is thick stuff, but across the divide is 400 to 500 yards, so I feel like I need a bush gun that will shoot way out yonder, and the .338 Win just seemed to do a better job across the canyon..My last 3 or 4 elk have been shot past 300 yards, closer to 400 and the .338 just seems to do a better job...The main problem is I feel poorly without a 9.3x62, Im gearing up for a 9.3x62 build as we speak, its been on the drawing board, I have the LR Mauser action and a barrel to be rebored, and a straight grained rather plain but hard piece of Russian walnut..Maybe this winter project. I't just seems I cana't quit building a rifle or two every winter, and everyone is my last, oh well what the hell...

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
For the first time in the last 40 or 50 years, Im without a 9.3x62, my last was a Brno mod. 21, switch barrel, 7x57 and 9.3x62 custom..I sold it sometime back..

Ray, say it isn't so! (Just kidding...)

Despite my repeated support for the 35 Whelen, I really admire the 9.3x62 for what we've already stated on this post. And I know from your past writing how much you respect it as well. I can't imagine you without one!

I wish I had the skills and talent that you and many more on this forum have, to be able to build your own rifle. Selling one must feel like giving up a child for adoption. I don't think I could do it...

Well, you're right of course about the 338WM and cross canyon shooting. I guess you could live without a 9.3x62, and you're better served with the 338WM.

But how could you have sold your Haugh 35 Whelen? No one can live without a 35 Whelen can they?

Very popular in Germany are now the light leadless bullets in the 9,3x62. For example there is the 154grs SAX-KJG with a muzzle-speed of 3.200fps. This load qualify the 9,3 not only for the short to medium range! This load is well proven on red deer, wildboar and the large namibian plainsgame.

Love mine...I've always had 1 or 2...I remember taking it to Africa as a backup to my plains game rifle...I ended up using that Sauer on everything...

Ed

No rifle is safe in my hands, its like I sell them all, just to build another perhaps..Ive sold so many that it simply does not bother me anymore, Cash makes up for a lot of sentimentality!! Lets face it I am and forever will be a gun whore..

I shot several buffalo with the 9.3x62 just to see how I liked the 320 Woodleigh, its a dandy buff bullet in a 26 inch gun..you need a bit more velocity to make that bullet work best, but the 286 gr. is about perfect in a 20 to 24" barrel. I used the 300 gr. Swift on some Eland and it sure worked out and might be the best of all for any DG in Africa short of elephant that requires a solid... For the NA continent the 286 Nosler is about perfect for anything on this side of the big pond, The accubond might be as good?? The 9.3x62 is fine for most big game at least up to about 300 yards I suppose, at least that's my limit for a 9.3x62. Most of the game Ive shot with the 9.3x62 and the 9.3x64 has been with the 286 Nolser partition and the 286 Woodleighs..

About time you hopped on the bandwagon Biebs! Your going to love the 9.3. Only thing not to like about it is it's not that popular over here. My 2nd bear with my 9.3x62 killed him Easter Sunday in Montana.



250gr ballistic tip at 2500fps. Pleasure to shoot and quite deadly.

Ben, nice Bear!

PS : I doubt you had much competition in picking your 351W (Winchester) alias. Talk about a dead and forgotten round! :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
PS : I doubt you had much competition in picking your 351W (Winchester) alias. Talk about a dead and forgotten round! :-)

Like I mentioned above...it's a 35 caliber thing...

Good on ya 351W!!

Jon you are getting old, real men use a 375H&H ....what the 9.3 wants to be!

Am sure it will be good. Have been playing around with a 35 Whelen after I saw it in action last year with a client. A raking shot on a zebra had it down in 50 yards, with a speer 250 grain hot cor. no need for premium bullets in this caliber.

Work in progress. That stock is a spare.

Prvi with the irons were pretty good



lollipop hold on the last three shots or just lucky. 100yds