9.3x62 hot loads

stonercanada

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Hello
I am looking to add a 9.3x62 to my collection, and am wondering what action would handle higher chamber pressures. A Husqvarna FN98, A Husqvarna 1640, or a carl gustaf 3000. Thank you
 
The FN 98 is a large ring mauser with three locking lugs, versus the 1600's which is a small ring and two locking lugs. So out of that bunch I'd say the FN 98.

Pretty much that third locking lug should not be bearing load at all, if your action has not failed - so you should be depending on the two front lugs (only) for lock-up and to hold against breech pressure. 9.3x62 is a "bad" round to pick to "red-line" - it made it's Africa reputation "back in the day" circa 150 fps less than current factory stuff - better to just get a larger round - 375 H&H / 416 Rem Mag, if you need / want "more power". It is in a class where "faster" muzzle velocity does not necessarily mean "better" killing power, for what it was meant to do - USA advertising not withstanding. Drive the same bullets faster, maybe they no longer penetrate in straight line, or come apart on impact - or have to use 4x price premium bullets - was opposite what 9.3x62 was designed for - to be a farmer's rifle to do most anything that a rich Englishman "sportsman" would do with his very expensive 375 H&H.

That said - my 9.3x62 is a Husqvarna branded Mauser 98 - probably the action was made by FN in Belgium - I think it is or was called a Model 649 - Husqvarna's a bit different than we are used to now - used to have same Model number for either the Large ring or Small ring action - I suspect the Husqvarna rifles that are proofed for 9.3x62 are likely all about equivalent for handling pressure. The Small ring Husqvarna here - a Model 4100, I think, is chambered for 7x57, and there was a Small ring Mauser 8x57 Model 648, until I re-barrelled it to 9.3x57. My current loading for the 9.3x62 uses 250 grain Accubond bullets, although there are a few boxes of Woodleigh 320 grain on the shelf for it - when I decide it needs to be "more". I think the original loading used 285 or 286 grain bullets, at about the same velocities as the 300 grain bullet from 375 H&H did, in those days. In the past, I had worked up decent loads with 285 grain PPU Soft Point and 286 grain Nosler Partition, past 2,400 fps muzzle velocity. I doubt there is much in Manitoba that warrants that - maybe the white bears on the North East side of the province?

The Woodleigh manual lists various loads for their bullets and various powders - 2,580 fps Max for 232 grain; 2,560 fps Max for 250 grain; 2,400 fps Max with 286 grain; and circa 2,200 fps with the 320 grain bullets that I have. I can not find where they list the barrel length for those velocities.
 
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The FN 98 is a large ring mauser with three locking lugs, versus the 1600's which is a small ring and two locking lugs. So out of that bunch I'd say the FN 98.


Not so. The 1640 (which is wrongly called 1600) action have three lugs, just like the 98, but uses the breeching systems of the M94/96/38 - which, in counterpart, have two lugs.
The 1640 was also factory chambered for the .358 Norma Magnum and the 7mm Remington Magnum.
 
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Not so. The 1640 (which is wrongly called 1600) action have three lugs, just like the 98, but uses the breeching systems of the M94/96/38 - which, in counterpart, have two lugs.
The 1640 was also factory chambered for the .358 Norma Magnum and the 7mm Remington Magnum.

My bad, just double checked, 3 indeed. Had a brain fart mixing up the small vs large ring and thinking M96.
 
Hello
I am looking to add a 9.3x62 to my collection, and am wondering what action would handle higher chamber pressures. A Husqvarna FN98, A Husqvarna 1640, or a carl gustaf 3000. Thank you

Any of the above; pick the one you like the best. I have an FN98 Husqvarna, and run my loads fairly hot, with some room to go up still. I just happen to like Mausers.
 
Hello
I am looking to add a 9.3x62 to my collection, and am wondering what action would handle higher chamber pressures. A Husqvarna FN98, A Husqvarna 1640, or a carl gustaf 3000. Thank you

The 9.3x62 cartridge does not need to be hot-rodded to be effective on any game you choose to hunt in Canada. My rifle is an FN98, I have the same in 8x57, and of the three actions you mentioned it would be my choice for the x62.
 
I think mine is a 649 and I get around 2450fps with 286gn Aframe and I wouldn’t want anymore, plenty of a killer and enough but not too much recoil! I have a 9.3x74r coming( end of the month supposedly) and I’m hoping to keep it at around 2350fps with same weight bullets!
 
Was shooting some Prvi 286gr at 2500fps, fairly miserable out of my 98, downloaded it to 2300fps to make it a little nicer.
 
Was shooting some Prvi 286gr at 2500fps, fairly miserable out of my 98, downloaded it to 2300fps to make it a little nicer.

I'm also down to 2,300 fps with 250 grain, with the 9.3x74R. Plenty of powder to kill a moose and bear.
 
If you have to load for higher pressures trying to get more velocity out of the 9.3x62, you should be looking for a rifle on a modern action for the additional strength, for example, Sako, Sauer, etc.
If looking for higher velocity with good performance that won't beat you up, consider dropping down in bullet weight such as 232 or 250 gr bullets.
The factory Nosler 250 gr AccuBond ammo performs very well in my Sako 85, with very manageable recoil, and the moose at 178 yards expired on the spot!
 
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If you have to load for higher pressures trying to get more velocity out of the 9.3x62, you should be looking for a rifle on a modern action for the additional strength, for example, Sako, Sauer, etc.
If looking for higher velocity with good performance that won't beat you up, consider dropping down in bullet weight such as 232 or 250 gr bullets.
The factory Nosler 250 gr AccuBond ammo performs very well in my Sako 85, with very manageable recoil, and the moose at 178 yards expired on the spot!

I searched in vain for the Norma 232 grain Vulkan. The Vulkan was my first choice however, settled for my second pick, the Nosler 250 grain Accubond. I believe that the flatbase bullet is a great choice, it stabilizes from the muzzle to the 200 yard mark. The Accubonds did quite well on paper and on bull moose this past autumn.
 
With hot loads, that rifle will pound you. However, the FN98 is the bettter choice.

I have an FN 98; it pounds you with regular loads. LOL (it weighs just a shade over 7 lbs.

Be mindful that with those big heavy bullets, pressure builds fast as you start increasing powder.
 
Any of those 3 would be just fine and about the same strength.

The rifle is not the weak link.

I find the full power load (270 gr at 2500) a ##### to tolerate off the bench, Very uncomfortable, but not an issue when standing.
 
I have an FN 98; it pounds you with regular loads. LOL (it weighs just a shade over 7 lbs.

Be mindful that with those big heavy bullets, pressure builds fast as you start increasing powder.

I was proactive before firing the rifle. I knew mine was 7 pounds when I purchased it. I then purchased an 11 oz mercury recoil reducer, Recknagel scope mounts and a Zeiss V4 4-16x44 to increase the weight, to reduce recoil. It's not a fun cartridge to shoot off the bench, it's kicks more that my 300 Weatherby with 180 grain, full powder capacity of 84.5 grains of IMR-7828.
 
Was shooting some Prvi 286gr at 2500fps, fairly miserable out of my 98, downloaded it to 2300fps to make it a little nicer.
Like you, I was at 2550 fps with 290 gr Matrix ballistics bullet, now back down to a happy place at less than 2400 fps. Harvested a moose and large bison
 
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