9.3x57 Load Development

[Ganderite]

I recently purchased a pair of Husky rifles. The M98 version has a scope and the one based on the M96 is with irons.

Today the bullets arrived (Speer 270 and Privi 285) so I can start testing. While waiting for the reloading supplies to arrive I made some brass out of RP 30-06 cases. I fire formed the brass because I did not yet have the dies. This was ok, except I used lead Makorov bullets which leaded the barrel very badly. I am scrubbing with a stainless steel rush and copper Cor-Boy plus a lead solvent. It is slowly getting better. But the following test was done in a still-leaded barrel.

I now have a couple of bags of 8x57 brass and the dies, so will make more brass. I can't use the 30-06 brass in the iron sight rifle. It seems to have a tighter neck.
Neck with 30-06 brass .394 (This is about 4 thou too fat.)
neck with PPU 8x57 .389

My objective for ammo is:
Accuracy - 2" or better at 100 yards.
2100 to 2300 fps
Preferably the same load will work in both rifles.

My first test was a survey of 5 loads (in 1 gr increments) to get a feel for the powder, velocity and pressure signs. The biggest load in each powder just about filled the case.

IMR 4895 (surplus, not cannister)
47-1988
48-2011
49-2057
50-2115
51-2155
52-2228
53-2235

N140
49-1966
50-1990
51-2066
52-2108
53-2159
54-2295
55-2284

N540
49-1996
50-2026
51-2029
52-2063
53-2141
54-2167
55-2256
56-2338

N150
50-2098
51-2109
52-2108
53-2155
54-2163

H380
50-1947
51-1934
52-2051
53-2092
54-2077

H335
51-2204
52-2194
53-2255
54-2263


Note: 30-06 brass. Case capacity is less than 8mm brass. The PPU 8mm brass could probably use anther 1 gr of powder.
CCI 200 primer
No pressure signs

The H380 is definitely too slow. I thought it might be, but wanted to find the limit myself. I always like to test a ball powder because they throw so well in a powder thrower. I thought H335 would be too fast, but it looks good. Almost fills the case.

Next step is to shoot the N540 and H335 at 100 to get a feel for accuracy.

I used to have a 358 Win made on a small ring Mauser. It was a favorite hunting rifle. This caliber is like a 358 on steroids.

Shooting Results (100 yards)

I bought two 9.3x57 rifles. A scoped M98 and a iron sight M96. I bedded both before firing a shot. The M98 has what I would call a poor barrel, based on what I see with a borescope. I made it worse by fire-forming brass with lead bullets. The barrel leading was heavy. A week of heavy cleaning got most of it out. I had visions of tumbling bullets. But it did ok. My requirement for a hunting rifle (moose/deer) is at least 2MOA. This rifle is close. I hope more shooting, plus more cleaning will get all the lead out and the grouping will improve. I noticed the groups were shrinking as I shot it.

M98 with scope

M96 Iron Sights

Speer 270gr SP

Privi 285 gr SP

I had two surprises. First, I had expected the H335 powder to shine. I loaded 3 increments 52,53 and 54 gr) but the 52 showed a flat primer.
Second - the recoil. I shot all the chrony shots standing, and the recoil was just a push. But sitting at a bench, I got hit.

 

[Ganderite]

I have a few bags of PPU 8x57 brass. It makes very good 9.3 brass, easily with my Hornady sizing die and expander.

I got to thinking about a few cases of milsurp 8x57 ammo I have. maybe the Berdan brass would make good throw-away case ammo?

I opened a case and found that they are steel cases.

But they neck expand easily. 6 of the 20 cases split. Not good.

I will load these few and see what happens.

 

[bearhunter]

I've reloaded steel cases and even necked a few up and down without any issues. The steel is almost as maleable as brass.

I've even pulled the used primers out of them and replaced them with the Dominion offerings once sold by Canada Ammo. You should be able to get up to four reloads out of them.

I'm willing to bet the primers in those are corrosive.

 

[old303]

I... I opened a case and found that they are steel cases. ...

With cases that look that much like cheap'n'cheerful surplus 7.32x39, I'd be going "hmmmm" and reaching for a magnet fairly early on.

 

[Why not?]

Ganderite, you will be pleased, I’m sure, with your 9.3X57s. I had Bevan King barrel me up a pair of 9.3 x 57 on two Turkish Mausers more than 30 years ago.

Ball C2 was the powder that I used more than anything else, and those rifles did well on all of our big game up here. I gave one to a pilot friend of mine, and he still has it.

Just loaded some 270 gr Speers ahead of 53 gratis of H335, and I’m heading to the range in a few minutes. Will get back to you with a report on that load.

Ted

 

[Ganderite]

I found H335 a tad fast. I might try BLC2.

 

[Canuck65]

I found H335 a tad fast. I might try BLC2.

I agree. I like Varget for 250s, but found I had to slow it down for the heavier stuff. Your 335 should be excellent if you choose to bullet-down a bit.

 

[Why not?]

I found H335 a tad fast. I might try BLC2.

Eight rounds of 53gr averaged 2246 fps in my Husqvarna 98. Seems to be about right, not too hot. Certainly a satisfactory big game load, with a tad more than 3000 foot pounds of energy.

Accuracy, however, at 200 meters was barely acceptable for hunting at that range, eight inch group with the Pecar set at 4 power.

Ted

 

[Ganderite]

Eight rounds of 53gr averaged 2246 fps in my Husqvarna 98. Seems to be about right, not too hot. Certainly a satisfactory big game load, with a tad more than 3000 foot pounds of energy.

Accuracy, however, at 200 meters was barely acceptable for hunting at that range, eight inch group with the Pecar set at 4 power.

Ted

Did you use a magunum or Winchester primer? A ball powder can often do better with a hot primer.

 

[Why not?]

Standard primer. Yes, thanks, magnum primers usually do work better with ball powders.

Will go back to 3031 and keep the magnums for the 270 Winchester.

Ted