Anyone have a 9.3X66 Sako (.370 Sako Mag)? If so, how do you like it and where did you find brass and load data.

I wanted information about the 9.3X66 so I spent at least an hour on the phone yesterday with Beretta USA trying to get information about a source for brass but didn't have any luck (but I think Quality Cartridge has brass for it). It is almost impossible to get through to the people at Beretta and when you do, no one seems to know anything about reloading.

Quality Cartridge does make brass for this cartridge. They use the "9.3x66 Sako" designation for their head-stamp while Federal uses "370 Sako Mag."

Not a lot of reloading data out there right now but Norma lists some on their website and the original Sako factory data is out there too.

Did Beretta happen to say whether or not they even plan on importing any rifles in the 9.3x66?

Kurt:

I had no luck talking to the people at Beretta. I got through their cascading phone menu and talked to a lady and asked her about brass. She didn't have a clue what I was talking about. She tranferred me to the gun guys but I was on hold for so long I gave up. I call their office in New York and they gave me a guy to call. I got his voice mail and he never called me back.

As far as I know, you can order a Sako in .370 Sako Mag. which is the American designation for the 9.3X66 Sako. You can find Federal ammo for it but it's $90 for a box of 20 rounds! Quality Cartridge has some brass but not much. I think I would give the Sako rifle a try if I could find a source for good reasonably priced brass. I like the concept better than the .375 Ruger.

I am going to write a letter to Sako US headquarters. If I find something out, I will post their response here.

Hi Dave,

I got a 9.3x66 Sako 85 Hunter wood stock and it is unbelievably accurate.Weighs just under 8lbs scoped so you don't have to listen for the bang to know its gone off! Mag fits 5 - impressive firepower. My load 58.5gr of RL15 with 286gr Woodleigh PP at just under 2500 fps. WLR primer and Sako Brass - as usual start 2 grains lower and work up to your accuracy node. That load is certainly not max in my rifle but accuracy is excellent. For load data you can use 9.3 x 62 data as a guide.

We have no problem getting Sako branded brass from Beretta here in Australia but its pricey. No loaded ammo though. RCBS dies I got from Grafs in USA.

I understood that Federal is making loaded ammo in the 370Sako Mag. I know its probably pricey but so is Sako brass. I paid about $40 for 20 cases but quality is excellent and its made by Norma I believe.

Good luck.

regards,
JohnT

Just my humble opinion, but why not purchase the rifle chambered for a 9.3x62 instead? Ammo & brass is not as difficult to get along with load data. Also, aren't the ballistics for both almost identical?

It's all good. Buy what you like.

quote:

Also, aren't the ballistics for both almost identical?

Loaded to the same OAL and pressure the 9.3x62 would only give up a couple FPS per QL.

Beretta is importing Sako rifles in this cartridge into the U.S. The available models are the Sako 85 Hunter and Classic. (FWIW, don't try and speak to anybody at the Beretta facility in MD. They run a pathetic operation there, in terms of customer service. Instead, I've had much better luck calling one of their showrooms - Dallas, TX or New York, NY.)

The Federal ammo is quite expensive, no question there. Later this year, they will be introducing a factory load that uses a 286-gr. Swift A-Frame. IMO, that load will be "Hell on Wheels". The cases Federal uses are nickel-plated, to those reloaders who care about such things.

Sako brass is not currently imported into the U.S. The QC brass should be up to snuff and it's a lot less expensive than buying loaded Federal ammo. Again, the only difference here is the head-stamp.

quote:

Originally posted by mmaggi:
Just my humble opinion, but why not purchase the rifle chambered for a 9.3x62 instead? Ammo & brass is not as difficult to get along with load data. Also, aren't the ballistics for both almost identical?

It's all good. Buy what you like.

mmaggi:

already have two guns chamber for 9.3X62 but I have never had a Sako rifle and thought maybe I would give one a try. In addition, the 9.3X66 is an improved version of the 9.3X62. I think it is an excellent concept. I have been toying with the idea of a 9.3X64 Brenneke as well. You can see how bored I am with the .375

quote:

In addition, the 9.3X66 is an improved version of the 9.3X62.

For factory ammo I agree you will see an increase. For the handloader assuming he loads to the same OAL and pressure very little.

Gross capacity of a 66 case is about 9grs larger than a 62. However loaded to the same OAL the net gain is less than 5grs. Loaded to the same pressure same OAL QL calls the gain 42fps.

Now factory gives you about 122fps because the 62 is loaded to only 56565psi.

Dave Bush - By all means go for it! You only live once. It's all good.

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

In addition, the 9.3X66 is an improved version of the 9.3X62.

For factory ammo I agree you will see an increase. For the handloader assuming he loads to the same OAL and pressure very little.

Gross capacity of a 66 case is about 9grs larger than a 62. However loaded to the same OAL the net gain is less than 5grs. Loaded to the same pressure same OAL QL calls the gain 42fps.

Now factory gives you about 122fps because the 62 is loaded to only 56565psi.

Ramrod,you're talking me into a 9.3X64 Brenneke

quote:

Ramrod,you're talking me into a 9.3X64 Brenneke

Don't mean to rain on anyones parade. The 66 case looks great. But in an 06 length mag the only net gain you have is the area between the bullet and case wall. In say a 6.5 there is a large gain from that area but as the bullet dia grows the net gain drops. Here is a picture of the 62, 66 and my PDK wildcat showing case length and bottom of a 286gr bullet fitting with an OAL of 3.35 and 3.58. If you can set the 66 up in an 3.6 mag box you would see around 70fps more than at 3.35 because your net gain is the entire bullet dia.

A 9.3x64 would give you 100-125fps over the 66 at 3.35"

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mmaggi:
Just my humble opinion, but why not purchase the rifle chambered for a 9.3x62 instead? Ammo & brass is not as difficult to get along with load data. Also, aren't the ballistics for both almost identical?[QUOTE]

...because you already have a 9.3x62?

FWIW, I would buy a rifle stamped 9.3x66, but not one stamped 370 Magnum.

I haven't seen any Sako metric, besides 6.5x55, imported since Beretta took over. I'd like to see a Bavarian in any 9.3 chambering.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
...because you already have a 9.3x62?

Actually I don't own a 9.3x62. I wish I did. Hopfully one day I will.

The only Sako 9.3x66 that I have handled was marked "9.3X66 - 370 Sako Magnum".

Reading Robertson's book, the .66 is 100fps faster than the .62 and 100 slower than the .64. Maybe with handloading you can squeak out a little more.

quote:

Originally posted by KurtC:
I haven't seen any Sako metric, besides 6.5x55, imported since Beretta took over. I'd like to see a Bavarian in any 9.3 chambering.

I couldn't agree more!!

I have a custom '98 built in 9.3x66.It allows a longer OAL than the Sako rifles so as to use all the extra capacity.The gain over a 9.3x62 is still modest all the same.
I have used it with great success on wilderbeast in Zim and buf in our Australian NT.It gives 375 like power in a 30'06 style rifle at very modest recoil.It is a great cartridge.
My rifle http://forums.accuratereloadin...3221043/m/493101938?

I bought 10 boxes of 9.3x66 Sako brass from Reimar Johannsen, got a reamer from PT&G, a barrel from Krieger and had a Sako 30-06 with a medium heavy barrel turned into a switch barrel rifle.

I follow the exact recipes that Sako uses in their factory loads.

These loads split the difference between the 9.3x62 and the 9.3x64. They work just fine.

Erkki Kaupi has been the head of ammunition production at Sako for over twenty years; fifteen years ago he came up with the 9.3x66 idea. So that is what we have.

It does not give 375 H&H power in a 30-06. The 9.3x64 does that. Still, I very much enjoy my 9.3x66. It is a darned good elk, moose and bear rifle. It would certainly kill cape buffalo. I would not take mine elephant hunting.

Dave is correct. It is a wonderful rifle.

LD

quote:

Originally posted by Caretaker:
The only Sako 9.3x66 that I have handled was marked "9.3X66 - 370 Sako Magnum".

I could live with that...