Anyone have a rifle chambered for the 370 Sako (9,3X66)? What kind of rifle is it? How do you like it and can you find a source for brass here in the USA?

I have one built on a Ruger M77 MKII action and the brass I use is made from basic brass from AHR. Quite a bit of work to end up with brass but the rifle itself shoots everything well. I just saw a stack of Federall ammo loaded with the 285 gr Barnes triple shock for $99.99 a box at Sportsman warehouse, just a bit steep. If I were to to it again(the build) I would not, just too similar to 9.3x62, but why have one rifle when you can have two. thanks, Lynn

it's no 338 RCM!

I would simply use AHR howell basic or cylinder brass.

Don't want to rain on anyones parade but loaded to the OAL the 9.3x62 actually has more net capcity. Because moving the bullet forward gives you full bullet dia capacity increase Vs the small gain around the bullet given by the 66. Now if you have a long enough mag box to seat the bullet longer than 3.34" for the 66 you can see some gain.

For me take the 62 seat the bullet out alter the throat if needed and load to the 66 pressure.

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
it's no 338 RCM!

Seriously, the selling point for the cartridge was 375 H&H power from a regular action. Sound familiar? We have the 9.3x64, 376 Steyr and 375 Ruger. I'm sure it is a great round but I would also be concerned about brass. The Sako round sounds more fringe than the 338 Federal

Scott:

I think the round would have greater success if there was a source for the brass. I think it is a good cartridge. A little better than Otto Bock's design.

There are lots of good designs out there that have become obsolete.

Is it worth the trouble not for me when there are plenty of rounds that brass, loading dies and data that do the same thing are all ready available.

If you want some thing different and can put up with the trouble go for it.

A friend has asked me to reload for his 9.3x66 370 Sako.
Check out Quality Cartridge..
http://www.qual-cart.com/
They have brass in stock the hard part is finding dies, I have one lead if not may have to wait for a custom order. My goal is to get 2600 fps+ with a 250Barnes TTSX. ramrod340 was nice enough to work me up some Quick Load info for the cartridge.
Seems like a good cartridge but lots of work for an extra 150 fps but then again why not. Personally I like my .375 H&H.

I seriously doubt this cartridge will be a hit.. They try to bring the round to a level it actually won't make. The x62 is so much more balanced, within sound pressures.

M

quote:

Seems like a good cartridge but lots of work for an extra 150 fps but then again why not. Personally I like my .375 H&H.

Loaded to equal pressure I seriously doubt there is 150fps difference. Actually loaded to equal pressure and OAL QL gives the nod to the 62.

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

Seems like a good cartridge but lots of work for an extra 150 fps but then again why not. Personally I like my .375 H&H.

Loaded to equal pressure I seriously doubt there is 150fps difference. Actually loaded to equal pressure and OAL QL gives the nod to the 62.

Exactly ! Loaded to the same COAL there is no difference between the two.

Does the Sako rifle have a longer mag box?

With a loaded length of 3.340" a longer mag box is not necessary unless you have a long throated chamber which the 370 does not have. It is possible to better the stated velocity you just load to a higher presssure, each of us gets to decide just how high. What is your goal, what bullet at what velocity? There is nothing wrong with the 370Sako it is a bit faster than the 9.3x62 just not a lot and that makes it pretty good just not a 366x378 weatherby thanks, Lynn

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Does the Sako rifle have a longer mag box?

No ! Sako rifles have exactly the same mag lenght for 9.3x62 and 9.3x66 (370 sako mag.)

quote:

With a loaded length of 3.340" a longer mag box is not necessary unless you have a long throated chamber which the 370 does not have

I agree the 370 was set up for a normal 3.34" box. However when you compare it with a 9.3x62 the majority of the extra length is simply filled with bullet If I were building a 370 and had a longer mag box I'd make the throat long enough to use the full box. If I had a 3.34" box I'd simply build a 9.3x62 throated to handle a longer OAL and load to 370 pressure.

quote:

370 Sako (9,3X66)

What was the reason or reasons Sako came up with this round ? Have never seen a decent explanation, can someone enlighten me ?


Especially considering the take off around
the world of the 9.3x62, which with 232
- say, 320gns bullets can handle anything.


.

The concept of the 370 Sako is a good one a 286 gr. bullet at 2550fps, sounds pretty good. Checked articles by Bryce Towsley who was firing Fed Premium 286gr Part in Sako 85 with 24" barrel and average was 2486fps ok. John Barsness in his CZ550 9.3x62 with23.6" barrel 286gr Part and 66.0gr Big Game averaged2495fps Guess I will have to take my 9.3x62 and 370 to the range and chrono both will post the results. Thanks, Lynn

A mate was getting 2525fps out of a 22" 9.3x62
with Woodleigh PP's.

yeah I could never quite fathom the 9.3x66 sako, only a couple grains capacity over the 9.3x62. Not to mention the rifles in 22, 24" barrels by sako.The least they could have done is put 26" on it and make it seem like it has a real advantage.

Its no great trick to get 2520 FPS with a 286 gr. Nosler or Woodleigh in my 24 inch barrel 9.3x62 and I'm getting 2490 with my 20 inch 9.3x62 Brno mod 21 custom. I do it with RL-15 and if I decide to lengthen the magazine and throat then I can get a good deal more, but it kills so well as it that I have not done that. I have done that with my 7x57 barrel that I can switch out with the 9.3x62 barrel on the Brno. and it will duplicate the 280 Rem...the long magazine and long throat give basically an Improved version of the caliber.

When I first started working at getting the Black Bear imported, it appeared I could get a 9.3x66 with ease, but they refused to import the 9.3x62. I almost pulled the trigger on the 66, but a deal fell through on brass, so I kept after the 62 until it finally came through. Hindsight being 20/20, had I gotten the pile of 66 brass along with the 9.3x66 rifle, I don't see how I'd be hurting at all. But, I'm plenty happy with the 9.3x62 and I'm glad I went that route being it is very easy to reload, and finding factory ammo is not too difficult.