9.3x62
- Thread starter diabeticfreak
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
There comes a point when we get caught up in the "picket fence" of cartridges - very little practical difference between them - have to get into kind of "esoteric" reasons to chose one for the other - among others, I have 30-06, 308 Norma Mag, 300 Win Mag, 300 Weatherby Mag, 338 Win Mag and 9.3x62. I suspect that one would have to split some very fine hairs to say one can do what the others can not. My thinking, at the time, was that the Mauser in 9.3x62 can hold more rounds in magazine than the Model 70 338 Win Mag - but is totally irrelevant if you hunt with a Ruger #1, like I did for many years. So I load 286 Partition and 250 Accubond in the 9.3x62, then 225 Accubond on the 338 Win Mag, then have a stash of 180 Speer Grand Slam for the thirty calibers. Is possible that the bigger 30's might be "better" with 200 grain, rather than 180 grain - but I do not have any on hand - I would just take the 338 Win Mag or 9.3x62 if I think 180 Grand Slam is not enough - and that is a laughable notion here in the bush in Manitoba!
The 250gr partition in the 338 Win Mag is quite a hammer as well.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Almost a "case in point" - factory 338 Win Mag advertised to throw 250 grain about 2,650 fps. Is about same that I get with 250 grain using John Barsness loadings with Varget powder in 9.3x62 - both confirmed on my chronograph. So the 338 Win Mag has .338" diameter bullet - the 9.3x62 has .366" diameter bullet - same bullet weight, similar velocity at muzzle - I am not sure that one would do something, that the other would not be able to do.
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Except that you can get more velocity than that with 250’s in the 338.
well to cure that you need to try a 340 well loaded and you will find the 338 very nice caliber lol but yes the 338 barks when the 9.3x62 is a nicely little touch on your shoulder lol ...
but this is not a .366 trust me ...
Friend of mine picked this up in Angola after his service in Portuguese airforce and job as airline pilot for TAP.
interesting piece of history.
I have a lightweight 340. 338 is a pussycat, comparatively. Thing kills very well though. - dan
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- right in the middle of b.c.
A few years back, following thepositive comments on the 9.3x62 by a noteable site member, I decided I
going the 'inexpensive' route, I opted to get a full wood M-70 Zastava from Trade Ex. Primarily at local gun shows, I've also acquired a variety of other bullets, for load testing, along with a 'few' boxes of Norma once fired brass. Pushing the 285gr PRVI with top end loads using either IMR 4320 or IMR 4064, I was amazed at the accuracy of that first batch or two of reloads, especially considering the firearm. 1" groups at 100 yds.
MUCH better than I ever expected and so much so, I've yet to test/try any other bullets. One day but it won't be any time soon. With the results, I ordered a healthy quantity of 285gr PRVI bullets,
What has been your luck with the PRVI 285's on game at the higher velocities? The factory PRVI stuff is apparently quite anemic.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I can't help about the PRVI 285 bullet performance on game - have never taken anything with it - but "anemic" - from PPU website, they show their factory ammo for 9.3x62 from 610 mm barrel (24") is 690 m/s (2263 fps). John Barsness published pressure tested (at Western Powders lab) loadings using Big Game powder, that are above the SAAMI and CIP pressure limits for 9.3x62 - he was getting 2,475 fps with similar length barrel. So, pretty much have to exceed established pressure limits to gain 200 fps - we might have different thoughts what "anemic" means??
I do use his Varget load with 250 grains Accubond in my 9.3x62 - 2,650 fps-ish for several sessions on my Shooting Chrony. And that, too, is likely 30-06 pressure levels.
To be fair - Barsness went to similar pressure limit for 30-06. Someone could also chose to go to 300 Win Mag pressure level - another 4,000 psi - could get even more speed - if that is important? I am being convinced that these type of cartridges do not automatically benefit from more speed - sounds contrary to most of us, but would wonder about same cartridge with 325 grain bullet or similar - aught to be an awesome "hammer" at ranges it was made for.
I do use his Varget load with 250 grains Accubond in my 9.3x62 - 2,650 fps-ish for several sessions on my Shooting Chrony. And that, too, is likely 30-06 pressure levels.
To be fair - Barsness went to similar pressure limit for 30-06. Someone could also chose to go to 300 Win Mag pressure level - another 4,000 psi - could get even more speed - if that is important? I am being convinced that these type of cartridges do not automatically benefit from more speed - sounds contrary to most of us, but would wonder about same cartridge with 325 grain bullet or similar - aught to be an awesome "hammer" at ranges it was made for.
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saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- near Prince Albert
I have a total of 1 deer shot with reloads, 285 grn Privi bullet, 55 grains Varget out of a Husky, velocity of 2,250-2,260 fps. Distance about 20 meters, and IIRC (many years ago), it was a little bit far forward and high (still a lung shot, but not my typical placement). Go push a 50 lb sack of potatoes out the back of your truck. It was just like that. The bullet was thru and thru, and surprisingly little damage for what happened, but very effective.
corrected load data posted, also, below is highlight from actual post. I guess in time the memory fails us lol
Small buck walks out onto the trail looking ahead (he's giving me almost broadside, then quarters my way.
I raise my rifle in slow motion as my heart is racing (I know, I get excited
) and touch one off. Never felt it, never really heard it.....I was in the zone. The rifle I used was a Model 46A Husky in 9.3x62mm. Overkill for deer I'm sure but I had wanted to try it out in the worst way.Wow......that was a case of DRT. The way the angle was, I put the bullet above and in front of the shoulder and it just knocked it down where it was. I can't even describe the way it looked. It just fell over dead. The load was a 286 grain Privi SP running 2,300 fps.
Nice thumb size hole going in and about like the center of a toilet roll going out. Not bad at all for meat damage compared to a .308 (bones, that's a different story).
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Using factory ppu/prvi (9.3x62, 285gr) on a large black bear I punched a loonie sized hole clear through from behind one shoulder to exit in front of the far shouler. It dropped instantly and didn't even twitch. The beautiful part was the meat wasn't bloodshot more than 1/4" from the bullet path. Mmm. Grain fed bear is delicious
