9.3x62 Opinions?

B

Beaver Skin

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Lower Mainland, BC
Hi folks,

I'm hooked on the idea of a 9.3x62 on a mauser style action. I'm thinking a zg-47 would be just about right! I have been a M70 man and shoot a 30-06 and 375H&H both in Classic Stainless rifles but I want to split the difference.

The primary game animal is moose. Does anyone have experience with this caliber? Realistically, how difficult is it to obtain components?

Seeing Mauser98's rifle has just rekindled the flame! :D

I would love some insight!
 
Old traditional German caliber....essentially a German 30-06
I reckon there are a few on board that shoot this caliber on a regular basis and have some access to ammo (particularly in BC and west canada).

It is unfortunately definately more common in Europe than in North America
 
No personal experience but I just finished reading Rifles for Africa by Gregor Woods and he has nothing but good things to say about the caliber. According to Woods it's one of the legendary rifles of Africa.

The 9.3x62 was popular during an era when premium bullets had not yet been developed and operated at ideal muzzle velocities to get great penetration etc... It was and is the most popluar rifle amongst farmers across South Africa, far ahead of the .375H&H in use and popularity.

Also according to Woods, the 9.3x64 Brenneke was a flop due to being too fast. Bullets available tended to blow up and failed to penetrate, but of course is fine with todays premium bullets.

FYI Gregor Woods has lived in Africa for something like 60 years and hunted for 45 of those on every species of big game on the dark continent. He is also an editor of Magnum Magazine, which is apparently a popular mag on African hunting and rifles.
 
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big heavy bullet, moderate velocity = good combonation for big game

Lapua makes brass, Hirsch Precision and others import it


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Winz said:
Old traditional German caliber....essentially a German 30-06
Click to expand...
Actually it's more powerful than the '06 and has an edge over the 35 Whelen.
Beaver Skin, I think it's perfect as a medium point between your '06 and 375 H&H.
And there are plenty of 9.3 cal bullets available.
Speer makes a 270gn Semi Spitzer, Nosler make a 250gn Ballistic Tip and 286gn Partition, Barnes make a 250gn and 286gn Triple Shock, and there are any number of European bullets if you aren't satisfied with the American ones.
Incidentally, Woodleigh Bullets of Australia make 8 different bullets from 250gn to 320gn including a 286gn FMJ and a 320gn FMJ.
BTW, one day I'd like a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 too.;)
 
I will echo Paul's comment, at standard factory loads, there isn't a whole lot of difference from the 375H&H and your 9.3x62. I consider them both very cool calibers, a pile of power, managable recoil and they will just plain work.
I have long wanted a 9.3x62 but am still waiting for that perfect mauser to show. Could be a long wait but a Husqvarna 1100 would be just perfect for me!
Noel
 
I sold my 375 Brno Zkk602 and purchased a CZ550 in 9.3x62 in the lux, for me I find the shorter bolt throw, lighter weight (7.5lbs) before scope,controlled round feed , adjustable trigger etc and still lots of punch to be about perfect in a medium rifle. I shoot the 286 nosler partition and 270 speer bullets with Graff brass and the components are both readily available and accurate. Its not fussy what Ive fed it so far and puts 3 shots into under an inch consistently, the first group I fired with the rifle went .680 for three shots. I havent harvested anything with it yet but plan on hunting with it this fall. I'd like to try the tsx 250's @ 2600-2650 as well and think It would cover all the bases so loaded.
 
I built mine on a 1908 DWM(Brazil) action,got the barrel in US, Bits&Pieces did the finishing reamer for head spaceing,plus some other stuff I've got it in a Hogue stock and an AETEC scope on it. Recoil is mild (like a 35 whelen) acuraccy is Great! <1" if I do my part, And it is a fantastic cartridge! You wont be sorry .....and on a zg47action........incredible GO FOR IT
 
Almost forgot.
If you can get it Privi Partizan also make a 285gn SP factory load and brass for the 9.3x62.
The stuff is good too and about half the price of Norma, Sako and RWS.
 
Brass isn't that hard to find, but if you can't get it, it's possible to form from '06 brass with a little work. .366 bullets are easy to find
 
kombi1976 said:
Actually it's more powerful than the '06 and has an edge over the 35 Whelen.
Beaver Skin, I think it's perfect as a medium point between your '06 and 375 H&H.
And there are plenty of 9.3 cal bullets available.
Speer makes a 270gn Semi Spitzer, Nosler make a 250gn Ballistic Tip and 286gn Partition, Barnes make a 250gn and 286gn Triple Shock, and there are any number of European bullets if you aren't satisfied with the American ones.
Incidentally, Woodleigh Bullets of Australia make 8 different bullets from 250gn to 320gn including a 286gn FMJ and a 320gn FMJ.
BTW, one day I'd like a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 too.;)
Click to expand...

Can you provide a link to Woodleigh Kombi? I don't know what I would shoot with a 320gr fmj(Gophers maybe?)
 
Lazy Ike said:
Can you provide a link to Woodleigh Kombi? I don't know what I would shoot with a 320gr fmj(Gophers maybe?)
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Your wish is my command!:p

http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/Bullet List 2.html

Here's the link to their bullet list.
I can honestly say I've heard NO ONE say anything bad about Woodleigh bullets.
Considering the price of Swift and other premium brands Woodleighs look quite cost effective too.;)
As far as those FMJs go, I'd probably not use the 320gn FMJ in anything but a 9.3x64 or a 9.3x66 Sako.
If you have a Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74R and feel safe to push the friendship then go for it but the 9.3x62 seems to have a happy maximum 286gn.
It'll push heavier stuff but 286gn bullets sit in the 2200-2400fps zone which by all reports is perfect for big and dangerous game.
Hodgedon data says a 67gn load of H4350 behind a 286gn Nosler Partition will yield just over 2400fps.
Exchange the Partition for a Woodleigh FMJ and you could well have a good water buffalo load.
You could probably comfortably squeeze about 2250fps out of it using the 320gn FMJ but I'm not entirely sure that the buffalo could tell the difference.:confused:
You, copping recoil, probably would though.:(
Besides, the 2400fps 286gn load packs 3658 ftlbs at the muzzle and 2895 ftlbs at 100yds, while the 2250fps 320gn load packs 3597 ftlbs muzzle energy and 2900 ftlbs @ 100yds.
In other words in energy figures their virtual twins.
What is more important is that the 286gn bullet reaches 100yds doing 2135fps and the 320gn is doing 2020fps and the closer you can keep your impact velocity to the 2200-2400fps the better.
The 286gn load is still doing 2200fps @ 75yds and that really is where the magic happens when hunting dangerous game like buffalo, whereas the 320gn has trundled down to 2076fps by then.
Anyhow, I think I've illustrated my point.;)
I do go on, don't I.....:redface:
Incidentally, I've heard the 270gn Speer bullets are excellent.
A guy used them to great effect on nilgai in Texas with a 9.3x74R double.
 
The thing I liked about going with a 9.3X62 in a Mauser was that I didn't have to worry about the bolt/magazine/rail modifications that have to be done to a Mauser when using a magnum case.

Just screw the barrel on, mount a scope, stick the barrelled action in a stock and shoot. Simple.

I like simple.

Also, it appears that the 9.3X62 is about 200-250 fps slower than the .375 H&H with the same bullet weights(2500 vs 2700 for 270 gr). Recoil is substantially less.:)
 
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kombi1976 thanks for the Woodleigh link. I have never heard anything bad about Woodleigh's either.

Woodleigh has done much for the revival of double rifles by very carefully building ammo that duplicates the old cordite loads, so it will regulate properly. Again referring to Gregor Woods, Rifles for Africa, he recommends only Woodleighs, Barnes X or Swift A-Frames in soft point bullets. He actually rates the Barnes X as No. 1.

Who sells Woodleigh's in Canada?

http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/Distributors2.html
 
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