Any comments on either cartridge?

How available is ammunition?

What velocities can be expected with the 9.3x66 Sako with 250 and 286gr bullets?

FEDERAL CARTRIDGE CO. is now going to produce the 9.3x66mm in America and Canada as NEW FROM FEDERAL: 370 SAKO MAGNUM

It just might catch on very well with commercial factory loadings.370 SAKO MAGNUM

What do you think of it?


WHat velocities can be expected with the 6.5x68 RWS with 100 and 140gr. bullets?

The 6.5X68 is rather rare. I think it was a by-product for their 8X68S and didn´t quite catch on as it´s parent. The newer 6.5X65 RWS is much more widespread.
I have seen a few Finns using the 9.3X66 Sako, and i know they use it on moose with great success. I guess they have a better supply of ammo as well, Sako being Finnish and all... On our side of the bay people tend to choose 9.3X62 or 9.3X64 instead. Pretty similar, but ammo much more available.

Here the 6.5x68 is a "niche" cartridge; I only know 2 hunters (over 150+/-) that have a rifle chambered for it, but they often use something else. To my knowledge nobody has a 9.3x66 rifle.
BTW, "370 Sako Magnum" seems to me a pompous name for that cartridge.

P.S. As for the 6.5x68, Quickload 3.3 suggests a V/0 of 1064 m/s with a 100 gr. bullet and 938 m/s with a 140 gr. It's only a guess, of course, but with the large amount of very slow powder that it needs, it's easy to forecast a short barrel life.

The 6,5x68 always was a rare cartridge, and if you look at the rifles of the big brands (Blaser, Sauer, Merkel, Heym ) there is no longer a 6,5x68, but the 6,5x65 RWS becomes more and more popular.
The 9,3x66 is the answer on a never asked question. The 9,3x62 is the "big boss" because more than a dozzen bullets are available in factory ammo, the 9,3x64 is only available in one (19 gramm TUG).
If you like the 9,3 calibers and you can afford it, take the 9,3x70 (as I will do it some day) this cartridge is unbeatable in 9,3.

Burkhard

As Burkhard said, the 9.3x66 seems to be a fairly unuseful cartridge, probably doomed to oblivon. The US marketing exercise to re-baptize it "370 Sako Magnum" seems to be an attempt to give it a new life, using the "Magnum" magic word.

The 6.5x68 seems to have a bit of a cult status with hunters in Austria, other than that it is comparatively rare. I have never run into a 9.3x66 - I guess if you want a 9.3 faster than the 9.3x62, the 9.3x64 gets the nod.
- mike

Canada Left,

Agree 100% with everything that has already been said; here my $0.02 worth of Oblivion & Doom - Gloom, too.

Burkhard summed it up pretty well "No one asked for the 9.3x66 but Sako decided to offer it anyway." Apparently Sako's Magic Looking Glass is either out of Whack or hasn't been correctly calibrated; with a tolerance of more than +/- 2mm. I've never even seen a rifle so chambered, let alone ammunition. The 6.5x68 either. IMO something to be purchased for those interested in cartridge collecting.

At least I've seen 6.5x65 RWS ammo; and like a coupla others above I'm known to be a counter lurker at various conventions, shows, stores and dealerships.....when I'm not out hunting.

Perhaps the Marketing Guru's have a different set of figures at their disposal other than what's being shot at the ranges & at hunts throughout the year but the standard, vanilla-flavored stuff is still what's in the brass bins here; .308 Win., .30/06 Sprg., 300 Win. Mag. 8x57 and 9.3x62 is pretty much about 90% of my sampling and the remaining 10% are 7x64's, 8x68's, .9.3x74R's or .375H&H's.

What was really stupid is that Sako allowed American gun-rag writers to write up the 9.3x66 5 years ago and not sell the gun in America.

They will probably sell 500-2500 rifles to those guys that already have one of everything else.

Kind of like relaunching the 6.5 Rem Mag in the 673 for one year.

I have no idea how anyone can estimate the popularity of cartridge, other than an industry organization which keeps statistics for commercial reasons. In France the last firearm industry stats I saw show the 7 X 64 as number one, 300 WinMag as number two and 9.3 X 62 as third place. In terms of sales, everything else is marginal in terms of sales, although you can find rimed ammunition like 7X65R, 8X57JRS and 9.3X74R in many gunshops. You'll have to order just about anything else.

Sales in North America is based on building a new cartridge rifle combination for a few years and selling as many as you can then coming up with the new mouse trap.

New mouse traps sell well to a group of people who don't have any restrictions on what or how many they can buy.

Hi all,

I agree on all the above said, but felt a short comment from a domestic perspective resp. the Sako would be in place.

When it was new, the money-men immediatelly felt compelled to buy one as the best on the market and the only one to really kill the elks. However, I have not seen one ever, nor have I heard anything thereof in the past 2 years.

I quite agree with the comment on the 62: it's readily available and there really isn't anything it wouldn't do.
Especially the x66 will not in my view do anything better (apart from long range i.e. +200meters shooting).

Then again, there's the x64 of which Boddington said that it's a true non-belted magnum and gives nothing to the .375H&H in comparison.
So the same question: what the devil is the x66 for in the 1st place?
Sako's claim that it duplicates the .375's performance is simply not true.
I haven't made any detailed comparisons as I have come across very few x64 loads but it appears to me that it actually has more power than the x66! (For x66 factory loads, see www.sako.fi they have a useful datatable there.)

Had I been in Sako's pants I certainly would have introduced something in the region of the .338Federal or .338-06, instead. Or maybe a "new" 8mm as they are very useful calibers, too, but the old Mausers are not quite as flexible as a renewed might be. (This being the case I wonder why we don't see more 8mm-06s?) Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with the old Mauser cals.

So in summary: I wouldn't buy a 9,3x66 as there simply is no reason, and there is a risk it'll fall into oblivion pretty soon making ammo availability a pain in the neck.

It's been almost two years since I asked this question. Any changes? Is the 9.3x66 or the 6.5x65 or 6.5x68 gaining in any popularity?

I will be hunting in Europe this upcoming fall 2010 and will be finally building my two rifles.

Alternative that I'm considering are the 9.3x62 or 9.3x64 and the 270 Winchester.

I know dozens of hunters and only one guy owns a rifle chambered in 6.5x68 that he never uses, though. Those are definitely unusual/unknown calibers here.

quote:

It's been almost two years since I asked this question. Any changes? Is the 9.3x66 or the 6.5x65 or 6.5x68 gaining in any popularity?

Sadly, no change that I can perceive in two years; 'cept that Sako now has re-named their 9.3x66 something else that completely escapes me at the moment. I've never seen a rifle or ammuniton for this chambering outside of a Trade Show when Sako was present offering their wares.

Anything based on the 8x68; as the 6.5x68 is pretty spendy as this some of the most expensive ammunition and catrtidge cases availabe here.

quote:

You'll have to order just about anything else.

Winkie's assessment spot-on. If I was going to travel with any of the three you've mentioned I'd ensure that a logisitcal tail was built-in as even in the larger shops; without ordering these cartridges in advance it most likely won't be available.

Of the 9.3x66, 6.5x68 & 6.5x65; I'm beginning to see 6.5x65 RWS ammunition on dealer's shelves - but Ouch! ..... the Price!

Why bother with these 2 cartridges???
The 9,3*62 is all you need for european moose and brown bear, and the 6,5*55 is a much better allround deer/roedeer/red stag round than the -68.
The 6,5*68 burns a lot of powder in a small bore, has expensive brass and often a bad accuracy due to inaccurate chambers.
Maybe the hunters in Austria are shooting at extreme distances, but the 6,5*55 will do the trick up to 300 meters with good bullets(high bc) etc the 130 Scirocco.

I have used the 9,3*62, 9,3*64 and the 375H&H here in Norway for moose hunting, and I prefer the -62.
A 286 gr bullet of good quality at 2400 fps has a splendid effect on larger "antelopes"
Used the 9,3*64 in Namibia once, but all my shots were within 200m, and the -62 would be just as good.

M

I fully agree with Metric

9.3 x 62 for anything not smiling at you
6.5 x 55 for anything thats smiling at you

Cheap ammo plentyful and available most places in Europe.

Easy to reload and also long barrel life.

Which part of CAnada are you located

I also hunt in Ontario. I have a 9.3.x 62 there. I understand how difficult it is to get components in Canada. 6.5 x 55 is OK both west and east coast.

I have shot black bears, moose in Ontario with 9.3 x 62 over bait (not my ideal hunt but I was invited so I shutup) and nothing got up.

If you are on the east coast PM me and I will arrange for you to try my rifle at my club. I think once you shot it you will think differently

I have met only one hunter in UK at a shop with a 9.3 x 66 and he was paying US$2.50 a case plus everything else. I am reliably informed that the rifle is for sale.

I hope this is helpful

Yes, all this is very helpful. I appreciate everyone's contribution to this discussion. I will probably stick to more common cartridges
for most of my hunting.

CL
P.S. I appreciate your offer but may not have occassion to use it. I used to live in Quebec, Canada. Presently, I'm living in California and travel to Quebec only on occassion.

Do post again after your hunt.

We love to learn from your success.

Keep well

370 Sako Magnum - 9,3x66 both pure marketing caliber - I dont think it will ever catch - anyone I know has used here in Europe either the wonderful 9,3x62 or 9,3x64. Personally I recommend for Alaskan use the superb Brenneke design of the 9,3x64. It is nearly powerful as the 375H&H, its beltless cartridge that is more accurate than its English predecessor.
6,5x68 is quite popular in Austria (so the 6,5x65), many people compare it to 264 Win Mag and its used mainly for mountain hunting. Generally 6,5mm caliber is used very seldom here but I can image to own something in class 6,5-06 or 6,5x64 Brenneke - those must be surely perfect deer killers.

6,5 x 64 brenneke sounds really good.

When I see how many cartrigdes basend on the 404 Jeffery (Dakota, RUM..) my question ist - is there a cartrigde in the 6,5 mm league basing on
the 404 Jeffery? (10,75 x 73)

Why don't you take the 50 BMG hull and neck it down to 6,5mm/.264?
And afterwards you can Ackley Improve it!

m

Like the 6.5x68 the .264 win mag has only had a cult following here in North America. There are so many problems to overcome with the super high velocity these cartridges create. Personally it took me years to find the recipe to make my .220 swift shoot at 3800 fps.

I agree with most comments here that the 6.5x68 pushes those little bullets too fast but I must admit I do have a soft spot in my heart for the round.

My only expiriance with the 6.5x68 was on a hunt in Austria. I was loaned a Mauser custom rifle chambered for the 6.5x68 and with this rifle it seemed like I could not miss. I took a Gamsbock the first day at near 300 meters and a Rehgeiss up close. The next day I took a Rehbock at again nearly 300 meters. One of the hunters that was there commented that I shoot like a god and I was very fortunant to leave there before I could ruin my unworthy reputation.

quote:

Originally posted by Burkhard:
6,5 x 64 brenneke sounds really good.

When I see how many cartrigdes basend on the 404 Jeffery (Dakota, RUM..) my question ist - is there a cartrigde in the 6,5 mm league basing on
the 404 Jeffery? (10,75 x 73)

You may want to investigate the Wildcat section for this, but at http://www.z-hat.com/ReamerList.htm#6.5mm%20TCU they list a 6,5mm-300 RUM. Sounds like somebody really wants to burn the butt of a poor little 6,5mm bullet.

there is the 6.5 ultracat.
(.300RUM shortened to 2.5" and necked down

I intend to own a CZ or MRC in 6,5x68 Shuler, sooner than later. It is one of two rifles I still want, the other a good 300 H&H. I'm working on that one too.

It's a neat plains game cartridge, especially with heavier bullets in the 140gr range.

Rich