Mauser 96 in 9.3x57 - Decent Moose Gun?
- Thread starter CoryTheCowboy
- Start date
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
X2
Factory "sporter" 9.3x57 (or 9.3x62) hunting rifles are pretty darn light generally. The husqvarna ones in particular are great carrying rifles.
Also an interesting note - The load that made the 9.3x62 famous around a hundred years ago was a 286 gr bullet at 2300 fps. This is a bit slower than 9.3x62 loadings with the same bullet weight now (due to improvements in powder technology etc). Nowadays, the classic elephant and rhino killing recipe of 286's @ 2300 can regularly be duplicated by the handloader with the 9.3x57 (unless your rifle is cursed...).
So yes, great stuff for moose and other big Canadian game.
Heavy ?
A sporterized Swedish Mauser is HEAVY? What did you handle, one with a metal stock?
If you buy a 9.3x57 Swedish Mauser, choose one that Trade-Ex advertises as a "Husqvarna Sporter" --- not "sporterized military rifle."
You will find that the Husqvarna Sporters, made specifically by Husqvarna as a sporting rifle, and not converted military rifles, are one of the nicest handling rifles that you could ask for if you want a hunting rifle.
Call Anthony on the toll free line, tell him the ones you are looking at, and he will send you pictures of them. I would suggest you get one with a "Very Good" or better barrel, with the rifle already drilled and tapped for a TOP MOUNTED scope (not a side mount), and a side mounted safety. Also, the bolt should have been modified for a scope if you intend to mount a scope on it.
When Trade-Ex states "very good" on the bore condition, you can bet that it will be a nice shiny bore. A rifle already drilled and tapped for top mounted scope (and many already have bases on them) will not cost you any money for a gunsmith to drill and tap it if you want to mount a scope, and a side mounted safety will be MUCH handier and convenient to use for hunting, and also allow the scope to be mounted lower.
The older Husqvarna models have a rounded pistol grip, and the later ones have a more squared off pistol grip. Either one is good, but I prefer the older "Classic" models. Mine was made in 1930, but sure does not look like it. Old world craftsmanship at a time when they took pride in producing a rifle, and spent time on getting it right.
Reloading is the way to go. The 9.3x57 Mauser cartridge is a bit slower, but it will dump anything you come up against in North America.
But HEAVY, the Husqvarna m96 factory sporter is not.
.
A sporterized Swedish Mauser is HEAVY? What did you handle, one with a metal stock?
If you buy a 9.3x57 Swedish Mauser, choose one that Trade-Ex advertises as a "Husqvarna Sporter" --- not "sporterized military rifle."
You will find that the Husqvarna Sporters, made specifically by Husqvarna as a sporting rifle, and not converted military rifles, are one of the nicest handling rifles that you could ask for if you want a hunting rifle.
Call Anthony on the toll free line, tell him the ones you are looking at, and he will send you pictures of them. I would suggest you get one with a "Very Good" or better barrel, with the rifle already drilled and tapped for a TOP MOUNTED scope (not a side mount), and a side mounted safety. Also, the bolt should have been modified for a scope if you intend to mount a scope on it.
When Trade-Ex states "very good" on the bore condition, you can bet that it will be a nice shiny bore. A rifle already drilled and tapped for top mounted scope (and many already have bases on them) will not cost you any money for a gunsmith to drill and tap it if you want to mount a scope, and a side mounted safety will be MUCH handier and convenient to use for hunting, and also allow the scope to be mounted lower.
The older Husqvarna models have a rounded pistol grip, and the later ones have a more squared off pistol grip. Either one is good, but I prefer the older "Classic" models. Mine was made in 1930, but sure does not look like it. Old world craftsmanship at a time when they took pride in producing a rifle, and spent time on getting it right.
Reloading is the way to go. The 9.3x57 Mauser cartridge is a bit slower, but it will dump anything you come up against in North America.
But HEAVY, the Husqvarna m96 factory sporter is not.
.
CoryTheCowboy
CGN Regular
I've got my eye on a few of them, just waiting to hear back about the e-mail I sent them.
I'm actually thinking of going with a peep sight instead of a scope. I didn't think about the side mounted safety though...if I did get one with the "traditional" safety, how hard would it be to convert to a side safety? I see Bold offers a trigger for the 96 with a side safety.
Cory
Totally agree. And the 9.3X57 is thought to be the Swedish / Scandinavian version of the 9X57, crossed with the then well spreaded in that area .360 Nitro-Express (of British influence). The caliber was almost non-existent outside Scandinavia (and Finland to some extend).
The HVA 9.3X57 usually shoots better the 286 grainers in the 2100 / 2200 fps area. Many rifles won't spit the bullet much fastest, though, this seems to be due to barrel (over)size on some models.
The factory sights were regulated to 120 meters for a a M.V. of 630 m/s.
This means it will it the center of a 20 cm diameter target at 120 m when holding at 6 o'clock (or, if you better like, it will hit 4" higher than the point of aim @ 120 meters).
Actually just a bit under 2100 fps. Hence being called "den gamle påtaten kaster" (I think that's the correct spelling) - the old potato-chucker. Cartridges of the World lists the Norma factory load as a 286 gr. SP @ 2065 fps. for about 2700 fpe.
Stuart
I would stay with the regular safety if you go "Peep" Keep in on safe with the wing verticle, and you will never forget your safety is on, yet your rifle will always be at the ready with a swipe of your thumb
Hmmm... that's about where I ended up the first time I took mine out to the range with some loads someone had recommended. Except that I didn't know his rifle was bult on the larger M98 action. I can't remember the exact velocity now but when I looked at the chronograph I thought, "That's a good bit higher than I expected!" No damage to gun or shooter but I figured I should back off a bit. I haven't shot it for quite a while now but I need to go back to the various threads here and on the Swedish Sporting Arms forum (where I know you are a regular) and look for safe loads around 2150 fps.
Stuart
Stuart,
Just be aware that some of the loads / velocities announced on the "other" forum are way out of space. To my point of view, there is no need to push the beast way beyond it's original loads. I have set my own loads for this caliber at about 2100 fps, wich is plenty enough.
If you reload, you can get a bit more energy (without considering the advantage of bullet diameter and weight) than the factory ammo and the .303 Brit.
8X57 brass is all around and is easy to reform.
If you don't reload, well, I totally agree with you.
Just be aware that some of the loads / velocities announced on the "other" forum are way out of space. To my point of view, there is no need to push the beast way beyond it's original loads. I have set my own loads for this caliber at about 2100 fps, wich is plenty enough.
If you reload, you can get a bit more energy (without considering the advantage of bullet diameter and weight) than the factory ammo and the .303 Brit.
8X57 brass is all around and is easy to reform.
If you don't reload, well, I totally agree with you.
CoryTheCowboy
CGN Regular
Well, I just "pulled the trigger" on a rifle! I spent a little bit more than I had originally planned, but because this has the barrel length at what I wanted, it'll save me time and money at the gunsmith.
http://www.shop.tradeexcanada.com/content/14588-swedish-m96-sporter-93x57-sold
Also, ordered some Norma brass and some bullets.
Just thought I'd share if anyone was interested
http://www.shop.tradeexcanada.com/content/14588-swedish-m96-sporter-93x57-sold
Also, ordered some Norma brass and some bullets.
Just thought I'd share if anyone was interested
CoryTheCowboy
CGN Regular
Between Tradex's prices and their reputation, "what's not to like?". You will be a happy (and eventually well-fed) camper.
That's assuming I ever actually see anything when I'm out hunting
