Most bullets for the 9.3mm bore size (.366" caliber) have been designed to operate best at the sedate velocities developed by the 9.3 x 62 Mauser chambering. The 9.3 x 64 develops between 200 fps and 300 fps (100 ms) greater velocity.

The Speer 270 grain spitzer and the Lapua 285 grain Mega bullets are not the best. The Nosler 286 grain and North Fork 250 grain and 286 grain offerings are ideal. The North Fork and GSC solids should work well for those situations that demand a solid.

Here are Horneber and RWS cases loaded with the Speer bullet for the two left cartridges, and the North Fork 286 grain offering on the right side (The Speer loadings are for testing feed and function in a 9.3 x 64 barreled action put together and well worked over by Mark Stratton - Thank you Mark):



Here is a comparison of the Speer, Lapua and North Fork soft nosed bullets. You can see that the North Fork takes up a fair bit more powder space than the traditional lead cored bullets. Each case above contains 64 grains of RL-15 powder. The cases with the Speer bullets "slosh" as you shake them. The case with the North Fork bullet does not "slosh" at all:



PS There was very little dimensional difference between the Horneber and RWS cases. The head diameters were .495" and the diameters at the web were .504". As is usual for the European case manufacturers, actual case dimensions are closer to the maximum allowable than you would get from an American manufacturer. The RWS cases were noticably straighter than the Horneber cases. Some of the RWS cases had a T.I.R. (Total Indicated Runout) of .002" or less. This was with standard Redding dies. That should do for hunting ammunition. The Horneber ranged from .003" to .005". That is servicable in a hunting rifle.

PSS Those ridges on the side of the North Fork bullet create very little friction when they are seated in a case. If your magazine box length will allow you to do so, consider crimping on the most forward groove in the bullet. Lee will make you a factory crimp die for the 9.3 x 64 for $28.00, shipping included.

The 300grn SWIFT -A- FRAME is another great bullet for the 9.3x64.
ozhunter

I'll bet it would be a great bullet for this case. I've heard that they swage down their .375" bullets to .366" to make this bullet. It would likely go through a water buffalo from sniffer to shitter, as grandma used to say.

LD

The 300grn Swifts worked great on Cape Buffalo via my 62.

Sounds like the best endorsement in the world

I spent most of this weekend shooting a 9.3x64 I had just barreled. The barrel is 24" Krieger with a 12 twist. The throat length was cut shorter than the standard CIP specs at first as some bullets such as the Barnes TSX already allows for .170 more bullet jump then a Swift A-Frame as it is. I only shot 300gr Swift and Barnes TSX bullets and could not get either bullet to over 2450 fps without excesive pressure. I used R-19, R-15, H-4895, H-4350, and Varget. Accuracy is great but the fps with this particular barrel is not what I had had hoped for. I had considered deepening the throat at first but both the Swift and TSX loads hit the pressure wall at the same powder charge with all the powders. I will try some Woodleigh 300gr and 320gr bullets this week. It is much more fun to shoot than a Lott !

MR Echols,
300gn@2450 would certainly not dissapoint me in any way.

Lawndart,
can you tell us what Vel.& accuracy you have achieved with 250&286NF?
The old NF285gn-.375@2300 does rather well, http://www.northforkbullets.com/375-300.htm
I trust 286gn9.3NF-HG@2450 should drill anything rather good.

Hey Lawndart.

What do you care about a whimpy 9.3 Bennecke??

I thought surly the 9.3x70 was "the thing"

quote:

I will try some Woodleigh 300gr and 320gr bullets this week.

Sounds great, post your results. Am having one chambered in this round and throated for the Barnes. I would think that the Woodleighs will deliver greater velocities than what you have experienced with the likes of the Swift.

quote:

Originally posted by DArcy_Echols_Co:
I spent most of this weekend shooting a 9.3x64 I had just barreled. The barrel is 24" Krieger with a 12 twist. The throat length was cut shorter than the standard CIP specs at first as some bullets such as the Barnes TSX already allows for .170 more bullet jump then a Swift A-Frame as it is. I only shot 300gr Swift and Barnes TSX bullets and could not get either bullet to over 2450 fps without excesive pressure. I used R-19, R-15, H-4895, H-4350, and Varget. Accuracy is great but the fps with this particular barrel is not what I had had hoped for. I had considered deepening the throat at first but both the Swift and TSX loads hit the pressure wall at the same powder charge with all the powders. I will try some Woodleigh 300gr and 320gr bullets this week. It is much more fun to shoot than a Lott !

Mr. Echols, What action did you use on the rifle you built in 9,3x64? If it was a M-70 classic do you remember how wide you made the ammo box? I've bought the brass and now am planning to build a 9,3x64 and would appreciate your action recommendations.
Lawndart, Have you tried 250gr X or TSX's in your 9,3x64? Moly'd 250 X's shoot great in both my 9,3x62's. My Dakota 9,3x62 made something like 23 one shot kills in Africa in the hands of it's previous owner who used 250 X's for everything. What about 285gr Partitions?.................DJ

DJ

are you willing to truthfully admit how many rifles you own. and now you are building another one? Either you aren't married or have a very loveing wife.

22WRF, Good job, Great Wife, early 3 digits..................DJ

quote:

I had considered deepening the throat at first but both the Swift and TSX loads hit the pressure wall at the same powder charge with all the powders. I will try some Woodleigh 300gr and 320gr bullets this week. It is much more fun to shoot than a Lott !

Just a thought, but you might want to try a few North Fork bullets. My limited experience in the past indicates that the design, coupled with the alloy that Mike uses results in a bit less friction between the barrel and the bullet.

In general, the Swift bullets lay down the most copper of any type that I shoot.

I hear you on shooting the Lott. A Lott of work, and a Lott of concusion headache the next day.

I'll send you some North Forks to try next weekend. I believe your present throat will work fine.

LD

PS I think you velocity results are about right for this cartridge. I believe this cartridge does its best work with the 286 grain bullets.

quote:

Hey Lawndart.

What do you care about a whimpy 9.3 Bennecke??

I thought surly the 9.3x70 was "the thing"

He, he, he,

I'm in the process of turning a Win model 70 into a 9.3 x 70 EM as we speak. I need to save up for a Half-Moon barrel next.

quote:

Lawndart,
can you tell us what Vel.& accuracy you have achieved with 250&286NF?

Hi,

No velocity data just yet. I'm planning a big comparison shoot in the Spring:
9.3 x 57
9.3 x 62
9.3 x 66
9.3 x 64
9.3 x 70

hopefully a 9.3 x 63 as well.

LD

heil lawndart.!

here you go..

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=1117465



Mauser in 9.3x64

I have afriend who uses 320 grain woodleigh bullets in his 9,3x64 with good results in that result.

Jens,

Very nice rifle. I like those scope mounts.

Mr. Rigby,

I have heard good reports on those bullets for hunting moose in the thick woods.

LD

Add an extra 80 to 100 yds to the range of any 9.3 you care to mention and improve your close range terminal capability at the same time.

Use in a standard 1:14.2" twist. 230gr


Use in a 1:9.5" twist such as the CZ550. 260gr

I don't forsee myself leaving my Whelen behind for a 9,3x62, however that 9,3 x 64 looks like a great round.

I wish CZ would start making the Brenneke, and Norma, the brass. I guess I may have to settle for the new .375 Ruger for a step up between my .35 Whelen and my .416 Rigbys.

I'll try some of the 260 GSC bullets. Will order next month. Those look interesting for the 9.3 x 70EM round as well.

A closed tip version of that bullet would find favor in the sniper community.

LD

I understand that North Fork softs and GS Custom HV bullets are intended to take advantage of very high velocities. The North Fork, having a soft lead core and a very thin starting edge on its copper nose, has been designed to open up well at low velocity too.

GSCHV dont have problems opening at low velocity either,On this page there is 265Hv expanded at 2075fps. http://www.gsgroup.co.za/02hv.html
In an enquiry with Gerard about running the same bullet from a .375/350rm or 375Steyr,he said dontworrybout expansion, just get a 1:10 twist on those chamberings and go for it, cause the .375-265hv will still expand well at 1800fps.
They also have the best downrange numbers in the business. when a guy can load a 230hv9.3x62 to eclipse a cupcore338win and a 265hv375H*H to eclipse 300gncupcore378wm,there aint much more he could expect or want.

Bro' lawndart,
That is excellent work.

You are doing for the 9.3mm what I have strived to do with the .375.

What twist rates are you using on the 9.3 mm's?
No slower than 1:12" I hope.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerard:
Add an extra 80 to 100 yds to the range of any 9.3 you care to mention and improve your close range terminal capability at the same time.

Use in a standard 1:14.2" twist. 230gr


Use in a 1:9.5" twist such as the CZ550. 260gr

Good advice from Gerard.
I can tell you that the 1:9.5" twist CZ barrel (on their 9.3x62mm) ALSO handles the short 232 grain lead-cored Oryx bullet superbly.

Best twist to use on any 9.3mm hunting rifle, to be most versatile and effective with the full range of available 9.3mm bullets at all velocities, IMHO: 1:10"

1:9.5" is close enough.

However, for 1000-yard target competition, you might ask Robgunbuilder about the proper twist.

The difference between a 9.5" twist and a 14.2" twist will theoretically amount to less than 0.1 MOA, which might make a difference in one of Robgunbuilder's 1000-yard target competitions, but is trivial in a big game rifle.

My little CZ with 9.5" twist in 9.3x62mm puts 3 of the 232-grain bullets into less than 0.4" at 100 yards. The longer and heavier bullets would utilize that fast twist well.

Pressure and velocitiy differences between a 9.5" twist versus a 14.2" twist are negligible.

What is the HUNTER'S CONSENSUS for twist on the 9.3mm rifles?

Does anyone care?

The 9.3x64mm is a romping stomping round. Hunted with two guys using the 9.3x64mm in Blasers over in South Africa, and they just laid out the game right and left, in fact the first shot I saw go down range was from a 9.3x64 at a 55 inch Kudu, zapped the big antelope right away, one shot. The ammo being used was a Swiss product , think the bullets were called CDC, and anyway were 286 grainers, also handloads with 286 grain Noslers were used. Use enough gun? Yeppers, the 9.3x64 qualifies there.

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

The RWS brass impressed me greatly. The runout was low enought that I would have no qualms using it at 600 yards/550 meters. This was out of a standard set of Redding dies. I know these dies tend to be pretty straight because they haven't cut to many on the reamer. I'm sure with a modicum of neck turning and a few other standard case peparation techniques I could get a T.I.R. of .001" or so.

The Russians are starting to make some HPBT bullets in this caliber; also Privi Partizan is looking at doing the same. I think this round might have more potential for sniping at 1,000 yards than the old standby, the 300 Win Mag.

Gerard, could you do a short run of bullets (250 grain) without the hollow point?

Thanks,
LD

Lawndart,
I am working like crazy to finish up this project. The 9.3 is scheduled and we will be doing trials in two to three weeks.

Oh My Gosh Gerard,

That bullet looks WONDERFUL. As usual, I am never in a hurry. Take your time. I'll start saving up some $$. That should be awesome. I'll get some bullets for the 338 Lapua Magnum for next Spring as well. I believe you have a winner there.

LD

Hi Gerard,

I just found two piles of your bullets in 9.3mm. The HV bullets are 262.5 grains, and the FN bullets are 273 grains on average. I will save the HV bullets for the 9.3 x 70 trials.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerard:
Lawndart,
I am working like crazy to finish up this project. The 9.3 is scheduled and we will be doing trials in two to three weeks.

Holy S**T!! Can you get it to Canada?????

quote:

The "SP" series of Long Range VLD Bullets from GSC


Drive band bullet technology has many advantages over old style smooth bullets.

Bullet engraving pressure is very light - This gives lower temperatures in the throat area of the barrel and extends barrel life.

The transition from case to barrel is much smoother than smooth or grooved bullets - This reduces vibration and improves accuracy.

SP Bullets are manufactured in such a way that the drive bands seal gas sooner and more effectively than conventional or grooved bullets - This reduces gas blow by, reduces temperature and extends barrel life. Longer and faster shot strings can be made without the damage that would normally occur due to heat build up.

Barrels remain clean for longer and are easier to clean when the time comes - Shot strings are extended and wear is reduced.

Drive band technology allows increased speeds over conventional bullets of comparable weight - Wind drift is reduced, trajectories are flatter, time of flight is reduced and groups are smaller.

GSC SP Bullets are turned monometallic copper bullets - There are no concentricity issues or shapes that vary from batch to batch. Always the same ogive, always the same weight and always the same diameter. No variables.

WE WILL LAUNCH THE RANGE SOON. CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC APPLICATION IN MIND. IF WE DO NOT HAVE YOUR BULLET READY, IT WILL BE SHORTLY

So far, I have tried the following bullets on game:
286gr Rhino solid shank expanding bullets
300gr Rhino SS
300gr Stewart (simmelar to Woodleigh)
286gr Woodleigh solid.
Still need to try Gerard's 265gr solids.
I am very happy with all of above, but prefer the 300gr Rhino, and would like to try the 320gr Woodleigh solid. So far, my 9.3x64 has accounted for elephant, buffalo, hippo, leopard, eland, kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, springbok, impala, warthog, baboon and possibly others I have forgotten. Here is the first elephnat it shot (client used it, other rifle is my .450 Rigby.)

[IMG:left] [/IMG]