Recently got a 9.3x57. Read that brass is easily made from 8x57 cases. Is it possible to fireform the cases by firing 8x57 in the 9.3 rifle? Or is it advisable to pull bullets from 8x57 cases and resize them? Beautifully made rifle and low price owing to difficulty in feeding.
9.3x57 Brass
- Thread starter Mike Webb
- Start date
Wondering what the difficult feeding issue is Mike. Is the rifle a Mauser 96 or 98? I have had several Husqvarna M98's and M96's in 9.3x57 and never had a problem with feeding. Regarding fireforming 8x57 rounds in the 9.3x57 chamber, I don't see why that wouldn't work. That is how I make my 8mm-06 Imp cases, by firing a 30-06 round in the 8mm-07Imp chamber. Trim to length if necessary and load them up.
Find 8x57 brass, either new or used, and run it through a Hornady 9.3x57 dies, which have a long, tapered expander and work very well for this purpose. Then load and shoot.
There have been some threads earlier about long chambered or excessive headspace Husqvarna 9.3x57 rifles that needed some fireforming magic to get good brass, but headspace on both of mine has been perfect, so I just loaded the expanded brass and shot it.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I have one of those 9.3x57 Husqvarna rifles with longer than "normal" chamber. I understand Norma, from time to time, has had 9.3x57 ammo for sale in Canada, but I have never seen any to buy - hence I was using PPU brand new "8 mm Mauser" head stamped brass - into a Hornady "Competition Grade Die" for 9.3x57 - I do not recall splitting any necks doing so. However, result was "too short" for this chamber - so as per Internet article - expanded up and created close to straight wall case - then into that 9.3x57 die to force a new shoulder down - a "false shoulder" for fire-forming - a smidgeon at a time until the bolt closed just snuggly on that chamber - was a "bit" longer case than the original "8 mm Mauser" PPU case.
At the time, I could not find C.I.P. nor SAAMI headspace gauges to buy to check / alter the rifle - as I recall, CIP and Norma gave different numbers for that chamber, so I gave up even having a set to be ground. So, instead of altering the rifle to fit to standard ammo, I altered the ammo that I use to fit that rifle - and I really do not care if my ammo will fit into someone else's rifle or not - but it fits this one. Several people have mentioned they just re-sized the "8 mm Mauser" case in the Hornady 9.3x57 die and the round functions fine for them. I have never previously heard of anyone firing 8x57 in a 9.3x57 rifle, on purpose, to "fire form" some brass.
It is possible that the headspace datum is same place for 8x57JS and for 9.3x57 - also, is possible that the shoulder angle is the same - maybe one can use 8x57JS gauges to set headspace on a 9.3x57? If so, and if your rifle is within spec, then is likely possible to "fire-form" by firing 8x57JS (or 8mm Mauser) in your rifle to create brass to load. I suspect the necks would open up enough to get the expander ball in there, from your 9.3x57 die. However, you "wasted" a .323" bullet, a powder load, and a Large Rifle primer to do so.
Last edited:
If you need to sdjust headspace on the case, easiest is to expand neck to. 375 then size neck down just enough to have the headspacing on the .375 portion of the neck remaining ahead of the actual shoulder.
I was referring to ammo availability. It feeds fine. Thanks for all the info. Had a couple guys message with brass offers so think I'm good to go.
I used to make mine from 30-06 brass. Easy to get, easy to neck up, size and trim. Also easy to fit to any if the longer chambered versions. Also did this for 8x60, 9.3x60 and 9.3x62 until I got factory brass. - dan
This ^ I did the same thing .
I have had to do that with other chamberings, but not in any of my 9.3x57's, so far. - dan
You're on the right track, but I wouldn't pull bullets - I'd buy used brass. I don't fire form mine, just step up a few times with the expander. you can get mandrels for this as well.
Norma and PPU still sell this brass, but it's not easy to find.
If making your brass out of the ‘06 make sure you trim to 57mm first, and don’t FL size the first pass. Check your length after the first pass theough and if it’s good you can push the shoulder back. When I make mine I will turn the die down slowly untill it’s a FIRM close on the bolt. As I was told by other members here and my research. Use lots of lube too haha. Just my experience and I’ve had success with it.
