9.3x57 Vs. 9.3x62

dgradinaru

dgradinaru

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What of these two calibers are better to shoot.

To me it seems like it would compare like 8MM Mauser vs 30-06??

Which 9.3 is more accurate and a better hunter?

Planning to get one soon.:D
 
x62 has about a 200-300 fps advantage over the x57 using the same bullet. I don't know that one is any more accurate than the other. I have both and I actually prefer the x57 but either one is a fine cartridge.
 
The best comparison is with the 35 Whelen.

With equal bullet weights (e.g. 250 gr), the 9.3X57 has a bit less MV than a 35 Whelen, and the 9.3X62 a bit more.
 
The main difference, actually, is the working pressure of both rounds.
The 9.3X57 is similar to the 9X57 as both are low pressure rounds (std for the 9.3X57 is 43 500 PSI), for a velocity of 2067 fps with a 286 grains bullet. The 9.3X57 is not a CIP standardized round, and the only known "standard" is from Norma.
The 9.3X62 have the same working pressure as the 8X57IS, and both are CIP standards means 56 565 PSI, for a MV of about 2360 fps with a 286 grains bullet.

Both calibers tend to be quite accurate and of equal accuracy, but most people shoot better the X57 because of the lower pressure.
They both kill games the same, but the X62 have a distance advantage.
Both are commercially loaded, but the X62 is easier to find, as the X57 is limited to Norma supply in Canada (wich is on the weak side). Both are easy to reload and components are readily availlable.
Really, the choice is yours.
 
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Andy said:
The best comparison is with the 35 Whelen.

With equal bullet weights (e.g. 250 gr), the 9.3X57 has a bit less MV than a 35 Whelen, and the 9.3X62 a bit more.
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If you don't reload, then you are held hostage to a round's "working pressure", otherwise, you load to the firearms specs. At equal pressures the above it true. I pity people who don't reload, as you are held to however ammo manufacturers chgoose to load.
 
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I think that most modern bullets out there that folks are using in their 9.3x62's are designed for the velocities that the x62 produces - or typically perform better at those velocities. I think the 9.3x57 just doesn't push a "tough" bullet fast enough for dynamic performance on game.
 
No problem with most Norma bullets and low cost Prvi Partizan for the X57 and the Speer 270 seems to work and the Accubond 250 sure works too.
 
i amd seeing more and more shops are carrying 9.3x62 ... one shop in prince george had it in lapua , privi and norma .
and isn't ruger chambering 9.3x62 too now for at least one of their rifles ?

9.3x57 still seems like a handload only option .
 
Nope, Norma builds factory 9.3 x 57 ammunition with 232 and 286 grain loads. Probably not fast enough to keep the high velocity nuts happy, but for some reason like all the older rounds, it still seems to WORK....
 
jsmurd said:
Nope, Norma builds factory 9.3 x 57 ammunition with 232 and 286 grain loads. Probably not fast enough to keep the high velocity nuts happy, but for some reason like all the older rounds, it still seems to WORK....
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norma may still make the ammo ... but have you seen any of it on the shelves of any gun shops where you can buy it in person ( ie not mail order ) ?
 
I own and shoot both.

Many handloaders, like me, ignore the fact that the 9.3x57 is rated for a lower pressure (Since I'm shooting both calibers in using the same modern brass and in the same make and model of firearm) when loading for these two. The 9.3x57 is a smaller cartridge and does not produce velocities equal to the 9.3x57, but the difference is more like 100 - 125 fps with same weight bullets, not 200 - 300 fps.

They are both accurate and very reasonable on the shoulder. The 9.3x62 has a slight range advantage, but IMO, when loaded properly, but the 9.3x57 will still put down big game out to 300 yards readily.

Factory ammo for the 9.2x62 is much easier to find. Norma makes 9.3x57 ammo, which they state clearly on their website is purposely underloaded to match original 9.3x57 specs.
 
Northman999 said:
I own and shoot both.

Many handloaders, like me, ignore the fact that the 9.3x57 is rated for a lower pressure (Since I'm shooting both calibers in using the same modern brass and in the same make and model of firearm) when loading for these two. The 9.3x57 is a smaller cartridge and does not produce velocities equal to the 9.3x57, but the difference is more like 100 - 125 fps with same weight bullets, not 200 - 300 fps.

They are both accurate and very reasonable on the shoulder. The 9.3x62 has a slight range advantage, but IMO, when loaded properly, but the 9.3x57 will still put down big game out to 300 yards readily.
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What kind of bullets/velocity are you talking about?
 
Most use the 9.3 x 57 with 286gr bullets at about 2060fps. Don't forget you can also use 232gr bullets (Norma Vulcan or Oryx) at about 2380fps.

Velocities for the 9.3 x 62 with 286gr bullets run from 2360 to 2400fps. The 232gr bullets will get you about 2680fps.
 
1899 said:
What kind of bullets/velocity are you talking about?
Click to expand...

Based on my discussions with two vetaran reloaders, and one gunsmith, and my own experiences, a typical 9.3x57 won't have to be pushed hard to get between 2200 - 2300 fps with a 286 gr bullet and the 9.3x62 should be clearly over 2300 any day of the week. Now these are maximums, mind you. One fellow on the trade-ex site, in the picture section (with his animal) claims to be shooting 270's in his 9.3x57 at 2460 fps; which seems way hot to me, but whatever, it's still information that may, or may not, be useful. Could be a typo as well, but I thought I'd mention it.

My current standard 9.3x57 load is a 270 gr speer hot-cor loaded to 3225 fps for 3241 ft/lbs of energy, and I'm not seeing pressure signs at that level. I consider it to be kind of a "vanilla" load for that caliber, but perfectly fine for big game. That load is also very accurate.

Another interesting note - the last time I checked Norma's website they had their 9.3x62, 250 gr ammo loaded TO THE SAME SPECS AS THEIR .338 win mag 250 gr ammo. Now, I have been shooting the .338 win mag for many years (much longer than any 9.3), and IMO a 9.3x62 is not quite a .338 win mag, but it is interesting food for thought. (Their web page is gimped on my computer right now so I can't see if they've changed anything, but last year it was same bullet weight at same velocity.)
 
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9.3x57

i just bought one from tradex 2 months ago. But wanted to trade it for 9.3x62.
I will keep mine for now.

I already have a dieset that i bought from a local gun show for 35$ and bought 232gr Norma bullets for 50$ that same day. So i will be set.

Im planning to put a peep sight on it, any recommendations for what type of peep sight?
 
Neither the X62 nor the X57 needs to go at lightspeed to kill games. They both do it as they are, and do it well.
FN Sport is a real pain when it comes to import specialties (they do much better with the Savage thing) but I heard through the grapevine that they just got a shipment of the X57... but it might be gone at the time I write this.
 
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