I was thinking of buying or having made a Mauser 98 in 9,3x57. Just was wondering what some of you think of this round. I know that I could go with the 9,3x62 or x64 but I don't need thatr much horsepower for the hunting I do at this time. If any of you have experience with this caliber please let me know what you think. I do mostly deer hunting, and hog hunting. I figure a 286 gr. bullet going 2000fps would do nicely for those critters. I would want the rifle to be lite. twenty in. barrel, open site, and weight in a about six pounds. As long as the recoil would not be to bad. would be a lot more handy than a 30/30 in the deer woods. LLB

LLB
The 9,3x57 would be perfect for what you are wanting to do. I use a 9,3x74R double for the same thing... It is my favorite rifle/calibre under 40cal.
However I would build a 9.3x62 just as you have described, load it down a little for pigs and deer, then if you go on an elk or bear hunt [even brown bear] you could load to factory 9,3x62 specs and be good to go. The 9,3 is an EXCELLENT round.

[ 11-17-2003, 23:01: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]

With all the good things I here about the cz and the 9,3x62. That is what I might end up doing. What is the average weight for one of those CZ rifles? I think they are over seven or eight pounds more weight than I wanted to carry around. I could restock but that seems to waste money. LLB

My CZ-550 Lux in 9.3 x 62 weighs just under 8 pounds, and that's not a bad thing at all when lighting off 270-286 grain bullets at 2300 FPS. I'm not sure a featherweight rifle in this caliber is such a great idea. I'm sure the rifle's weight will not be noticed if I need to swing it on a fur bearing nasty critter--which is one reason I bought it. That it is a superb cast bullet rifle is GREAT.

LLB
If you look real hard you might be able to find an original rifle from Europe in 9,3x57 or 6,3x62. I have seen and handled some of the Scandividian and German rifles and they feel so much better than "American" rifles. There is just no comparison. Search the WEB there are some out there. I handled an original German rifle in 8x57 when I was hunting in Idaho [it was not for sale] that put everything on this side of the pond to shame. Our rifles are like a whale next to a mermaid.
You could have a rifle built in that style but it would cost way more than an original.

Blaser makes barrels in 9,3x62, and they are good rifles [sorry JOHAN] but they are modern technology.

Ever thought about a double rifle? Take a look at the Chapuis 9,3x74R

The Swedes call the 9.3x57 the 'Potato Chucker'.
With the resurgance of the boar population the 9.3x62 has suffered a popularity explosion so many of these old warriors are being rechambered from x57 to x62.

Hi!
I have a Husquarna mod 146(M-98) in cal 9,3x57. I made a new stock and shortend the barrel. It's very nice and handy gun now.
I have a Kahles 4x (fixed) and Leupold QRW mounting. It wokrs very well. No problem with the QRW-mount.
I bought the rifle for 400,- kr.(ca 60 US$).
I use my own loads, Lapua Mega bullet 286g.
The bullet penetrates all game(norwegian moose) i have shoot, even bulls.

(Sorry, my english isn't so good...)

http://hem.bredband.net/b102212/m46.html

The Husqvarna 46 and 146 - a perfect woods rifle for moose and boar.

Fritz

hva146,

Your English is just fine! Sweat not the small stuff.

How do the Lapua Mega 286 gr bullets perform at close and longer range?

Thanks,

Thanks guys, I think I will look for one of the older guns before I have one made. I will keep you posted on what I find. Thanks agian. LLB

The Huskies are great rifles. I have them in 9.3 X 57, 9.3 X 60 (weird chamber) and a 9.3 X 62. The first two are 46/146 (based on 96 type actions) and the third is on a 98 based action, has an odd european see through scope mount and 4X Weaver post scope on it. The 9.3 X 57 is tapped on the side of the receiver for a side mounted scope base (three screws) that I still am trying to find. Really nice toys. - Dan

I read the article on the 46 and the 146 and it said the scope mount was the one like on the sweedish sniper rifle(m41). you might try one of the sites that concentrate on the swed rifle. Samco global might have something.LLB

mstarling;

The lapua Mega preform very well at close and long distanse. well... i havn't shot over 150 yards, yet. But it fully penetrated a calf at that distance.The bulletweight was, after I found it, 16,4 grams. The bullet is not too hard so it opens nice, even at low velocities.
Next year i will try out the Norma Oryx 18,5 grams. This is a bit harder bullet, but not too hard for this caliber.

mstarling, what kind of bullet do you use?

Does any one have any experience with the Oryx in 9,3x57?

I bought one! I had started this post yesterday after seeing a gun in this caliber. After all the comments I bought the gun I had seen. It is a husky 9,3x57 in the old model 46. It looks in good shape. The guy I bought it from had not shot it for lack of ammo. but said it funtioned properly as for as he knew. I will have my gunsmith friend look at it to declare it good to go. Now does any body have any good data. I read in the latest issue of Handloader that Norma 201 was a good powder, But I don't know how easy that is going to be to find around here. I hope to have it up and running after deer season. So I can go shot a hog with it next year. Can't wait for that baby to come in later this mounth. LLB

Dan B, check NECG for the side mount for your rifle. They call it the Jaeger mount. Sit down before you look at the price though.

Todd

thanks guys. - Dan

LLB
That mod 46 is a real classic hunting rifle.
Here are some loads from Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges.

270 Speer 46gr. of IMR4895 vel.2145
47 grains was listed as max vel.2205

286 Norma 44.6gr. of N-201 vel.2067
286 Norma 40gr. of IMR3031 vel.2000

Factory 232 Norma loads vel.2330
Factory 286 Norma loads vel.2070

You can form cases by necking up 8x57 cases to .366. Best done in two steps.

Hope this helps. Let us know how she shoots.

[ 11-19-2003, 07:31: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]

I have one of the Husky FN actioned rifles from 1940 or so that I'm sure was 9.3x57 but has been rechambered to the longer round. It is indeed sleek and handy. Today if I were going for a short pig getter I would go for the CZ FS model in 9.3x62 and load down.

I would definatly go with the 9.3x62 as brass is cheaper and more available and it can be loaded down..The 9.3x57 can't be loaded up to a 62 or anywhere near it...action is the same, so whats the point of a 9.3x57, its a dud on todays market....Many of them have been rechambered to 9.3x62....

While I have a particular affection for all things 9.3, including the x57, I have to agree with Ray. IMHO, From your description, for a nice short and light rifle, the 358 Winchester would be the perfect combo. It's a true short action, and will deliver 9.3x57 ballisitics (and holes). Brass is easier to come by (or make), and bullets are easy to find. Plus, it's rare enough anymore that you still have a pretty unique caliber.

Also, you probably would still want to have something heavier than 6 lbs for a 358 or a 9.3x57. I shot a 6 lb 280 Rem. once, once. My favorite 9.3x62 weighs 8.7 or so pounds scoped, and I would not want that thing an ounce lighter; in fact I am going to add a barrel band and some (heavy) express sights to weight the front end down a bit more.

Just my 2 cents...

I was curious about this cartridge myself. The only load data on the internet I found (factory sources only) is Norma's:

http://www.norma.cc/nladdtab/93x57.htm

I believe VihtaVouri will have recent data as well, but I didn't find it on their site. You should try to find a copy of their load book.

The 9.3x57 has a smaller case and operates at lower pressures. Loaded up to the pressures of the 9.3x62, I doubt there would be much useful difference. Under bullets seated to the same depth, the x62 has about 25% more case capacity. A rule of thumb is that fps increases at 1/4 the rate of case capacity. That's about 6%, which would be about 150 fps slower, and that's not a night and day difference, about equal to the loss of 50 yd of range.

Both 9.3 and .358 seem to have a good selection of bullets designed to open at modest fps.

Karl

[ 11-21-2003, 20:07: Message edited by: asdf ]

dan belisle,

Try contacting Ken Buch at www.kebcollc.com and ask him if he has any side mounts for a Husky. I bought one from him last year that lined up perfectly with the three holes drilled in my Model 46.

Good luck,
Tom

Thanks tom. - Dan

i have an original carl gustav sporter in 9.3x57 it is a sleek little rifle and has the characteristics of my 7x57 rigby you can see the exact picture of it in ludwig olsens book on mauser rifles it is probably from the early 50,s it is in mint condition and it is for sale let me know if your interested paul

I think The only thing bad about my choice to get the 9.3x57 over the 9.3 x62 is that it has finished off my rifle budget for this year. I can't buy the 9.3x62 this year. I will have to wait till next year to get it. The two step process to form brass for the 9.3x57 is to open the 8x57 up to9.3 and fire form, or is there another step in there I am missing. Have never formed brass to a new caliber. Always loaded only factory stuff that is easy to get. So I have not had a reason. LLB

LLB
The two step process I was refering to was to size the neck up in two steps, first to .338 then to .358 then resize in the 9,3x57 die. This keeps the case from buckling. I think that is all that is necessary.

Next thing you know you will be wanting a
10.75x68.

Thanks, thought their was something I was missing. Must be the long hours in the deer stand can't concentrate when I get home. Can't complain though I could be at work. LLB

LLB
I did a little more research and you might want to give W-748 powder a try in your 9,3x57.

232 Norma 54gr. 2450fps

270 Speer 46gr. 1985fps
270 Speer 48gr. 2165fps MAX

For the price you pay the 270 Speer is a very good bullet. I have killed coyotes,deer and wild pigs with it in my 9,3x74R.

[ 11-27-2003, 07:14: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]