Barrel lenght for a 9.3X57?

You can only cut it down to 18". If you want anything shorter you need to get a "new manufactured" barrel in your desired length as long as your overall firearm length isn't shorter than 26"
 
9.3x57 is certainly not over bore, and I'd bet an 18.5" bbl would be fine, certainly out to 200 yards or better.

I've killed tons (literally) of big game with a Rem 600 in .308 with an 18.5" bbl, and the 9.3x57 packs noticeably more punch than a .308 (my loads are around 3300 ft/lbs) and probably would actually be a better candidate for short barrels than the .308, based on the bore size vs case capacity.
 
I just came back from a hunt where I whacked a nice moose with a Husqvarna 9.3X57. The barrel on that one was 24", but I have no doubt whatsoever that four inches shorter would have killed him any less dead or less quickly.

You will still have a very effective 200+ yd big game rifle, even at 18 inches.
Ted
 
I recommend more research on how the bbl length will affect velocity if you cut it down.

A 286gr starts at what, only 2050 fps to begin with? Will the bullets you want to use perform properly at lower velocity, etc.
 
Hold onto that hacksaw for a minute. The importance of rifle balance cannot be overstated; if the barrel is cut too short the balance shifts rearward making it feel clubby, slow to bring to target, and difficult to hold on target unsupported. The Husky 9.3s have light contour barrels which are are designed to balance well with the full barrel length, effectively making balancing a short barrel problematic. I'd start by cutting the barrel at 22" and see how it feels. That might be as short as you want to go. But if you want to reduce the barrel length further go in half inch increments. You can cut twice, but once cut you can't stick it back on. Crown it only after you've achieved the length you want.

As for short barrel ballistics; medium case capacity, medium bore cartridges, which fire heavy for caliber bullets at moderate velocity, in practical terms are not affected adversely by reduced barrel length. A loss of 25-50 fps doesn't change the cartridge's potential in terminal performance or in real world trajectory, and if the barrel length is kept long enough to maintain the balance of the rifle, the velocity loss will be even less then that.
 
357_fan said:
I recommend more research on how the bbl length will affect velocity if you cut it down.

A 286gr starts at what, only 2050 fps to begin with? Will the bullets you want to use perform properly at lower velocity, etc.
Click to expand...

Most modern expanding game bullets have a performance envelope starting at 1700 fps. In fact impacting a game animal at 1700, they'll penetrate better than they do at 2500, because the frontal diameter is only 1.3 calibers rather than two calibers, and weight retention will be better.
 
sinawalli said:
What is the barrel length of a Husky M96? From what I've read, it seems like a good choice of rifle. I don't reload, so what is the availability of ammo? Thanks for the replies!
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9.3x57 is a great cartridge but factory ammo availability in Canada is just about nil. If you did stumble across some factory ammo i expect it would be very pricey, like $60 box or more. If you don't reload or know someone who does then this is probably not a great choice of cartridge.
 
jethunter said:
9.3x57 is a great cartridge but factory ammo availability in Canada is just about nil. If you did stumble across some factory ammo i expect it would be very pricey, like $60 box or more. If you don't reload or know someone who does then this is probably not a great choice of cartridge.
Click to expand...

Well I do know someone who reloads! What about brass and bullets? Thanks!!
 
357_fan said:
I recommend more research on how the bbl length will affect velocity if you cut it down.

A 286gr starts at what, only 2050 fps to begin with? Will the bullets you want to use perform properly at lower velocity, etc.
Click to expand...

286 gr bullets start at well over 2250 fps with at least half a dozen different powders and handloads in the 9.3X57.

As well, the Speer 270 gr is a perfect match for the '57, gets over 2400 fps, and kills moose and bear with aplomb.

Ted
 
sinawalli said:
Well I do know someone who reloads! What about brass and bullets? Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Reloading components are easy to find. Norma makes brass - which is kind of pricey, or it's easy to neck up 8x57 brass which is about 1/2 the cost of the Norma 9.3x57 brass. There is a good variety of bullets by most of the major bullet manufacturers available. The Speer 270 gr is a good bullet. Look at the reloading components section on the Tradeex website to get an idea what's available.
 
Boomer said:
Hold onto that hacksaw for a minute. The importance of rifle balance cannot be overstated; if the barrel is cut too short the balance shifts rearward making it feel clubby, slow to bring to target, and difficult to hold on target unsupported. The Husky 9.3s have light contour barrels which are are designed to balance well with the full barrel length, effectively making balancing a short barrel problematic. I'd start by cutting the barrel at 22" and see how it feels. That might be as short as you want to go. But if you want to reduce the barrel length further go in half inch increments. You can cut twice, but once cut you can't stick it back on. Crown it only after you've achieved the length you want.

As for short barrel ballistics; medium case capacity, medium bore cartridges, which fire heavy for caliber bullets at moderate velocity, in practical terms are not affected adversely by reduced barrel length. A loss of 25-50 fps doesn't change the cartridge's potential in terminal performance or in real world trajectory, and if the barrel length is kept long enough to maintain the balance of the rifle, the velocity loss will be even less then that.
Click to expand...

I have a couple 9.3's. one an x57 and one an x62. both feel very muzzle heavy, as the stocks are very trim, and the barrels, although they have a big hole, are NOT light.

I vote for 20" (maybe shorter....) but I think BOOMER offers great advice... start longer, and take it down by 1/2" at a time, trying it out in real world conditions.
 
you can PaperPatch a plethora of 35cal cast bullets, or .358jacketed, so bullets are not really that scarce, unless you want only 9.3's.

brass can be made from any x57, but they might be a bit short, although that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, any -06 based cartridge can be made to fit. I'd guess running a 30-06 into the sizing die, to create a proper positioned shoulder, then cut it to length, then fireform with COW. Trim, resize, reload, go hunting, would work just fine.
 
The 9.3X57 does very well in a 20" barrel... I wouldn't go longer in a hunting rig... And unless you have more time than patience than me, cutting down and recrowning from 24" to 18" or 20" in 1/2" increments is an "unpalletable" option.
 
I bought one of these rifles from tradeex and it already had the barrel cut to 20.5 inches, I like it like that. Feels good to me (although I'm not sure where the actual balance point is supposed to be?) and the velocities are just fine. Soon it will have a weaver classic V 1-3x20 mounted.
I don't think you could do any better for a bush gun for big game.
Reloading and cast bullets are the ticket for this round.. there is not much performance loss at all with the cast at the ranges this round shines at.
If you can set up the reloading, go for it!!
 
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