I've been looking at the Husqvarna rifles on Tradeex and am wondering about the difference between the M96, M98, and the 1600 in terms of relative strength. I am one of those guys who likes to load to max, and am wondering about the above rifles as to thier strength to take max loads. Also how about the triggers? I have a German Mauser WW2 vintage that has a lousy trigger, are these any better? Thanks-Karl
Husqvarna 9.3x62
- Thread starter hermie
- Start date
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
1600 for handloading
If you're "one of those guys who like to load to the max", buy a modern action. If you stick to factory pressure equivalent loads, any one of them will do, with the 98 getting my nod. - dan
Moose Masher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oak Hammok Manitoba
The 98 is a large ring (front reciever ring is 1.41") with 3 bolt lugs, good gas venting and cocks on opening.
The 1600 has all the features of the 98 but is a small ring (front ring is 1.29").
The 96 and 94's are small rings with 2 bolt lugs, they don't vent gas away from the shooter as well, and they #### on close.
I think the 1600 will handle the same loads as the 98, but it's probably not a good idea to load the 96 and 94 close to redline.
The triggers on my 2 94's aren't great but they're not terrible either.
The trigger was done on my 1600 before I got it, by someone who knew what they were doing. It is very light and consistent, so I know they can be made to work well.
If you find a 1600 in 9.3x62 for a decent price, I would snap it up.
I think in the last year, I've only seen one on Trade-Ex. It sold for $975.
My 1600 is a 30/06. I like it a lot.
The 1600 has all the features of the 98 but is a small ring (front ring is 1.29").
The 96 and 94's are small rings with 2 bolt lugs, they don't vent gas away from the shooter as well, and they #### on close.
I think the 1600 will handle the same loads as the 98, but it's probably not a good idea to load the 96 and 94 close to redline.
The triggers on my 2 94's aren't great but they're not terrible either.
The trigger was done on my 1600 before I got it, by someone who knew what they were doing. It is very light and consistent, so I know they can be made to work well.
If you find a 1600 in 9.3x62 for a decent price, I would snap it up.
I think in the last year, I've only seen one on Trade-Ex. It sold for $975.
My 1600 is a 30/06. I like it a lot.
I would say that the 1600 and 98 actions are roughly equivalent. If either of these actions can't handle a load, it isn't safe in any rifle. The 96 actions are not the best choice if you want to push the envelope.
Huber Concepts makes a good drop-in adjustable trigger for the Husqvarna actions. I have one in my Mannlicher stocked .308
Huber Concepts makes a good drop-in adjustable trigger for the Husqvarna actions. I have one in my Mannlicher stocked .308
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I stick to the modern actions if I feel hot rodding but that's just me. That being said...9.3x62 runs at fairly reasonable pressures and 96's have been converted to hotter chamberings . Its not a flat shooting cartridge at any rate and anything hit at the right place with a 286 gr. bullet at 2300-2400 fps will be very sick .
Triggers ? a lot of them come with the military triggers, They dont' bother me so much for what I do with my 9.3 but you can always swap for a Bold or other aftermarket trigger if you find it so offensive.
Triggers ? a lot of them come with the military triggers, They dont' bother me so much for what I do with my 9.3 but you can always swap for a Bold or other aftermarket trigger if you find it so offensive.
I'll second that. All of them will be ok with factory or equivalent handloads. If you want to hotrod the the x62 go with a M98 or a 1600, not the M96.
Several on the threads have mentioned, "Modern actions."
What do you mean by modern? My version of modern is anything made after World War One.
From what I read, I have gathered there is nothing known about steel making now, that wasn't known at World War One.
What do you mean by modern? My version of modern is anything made after World War One.
From what I read, I have gathered there is nothing known about steel making now, that wasn't known at World War One.
If you want a light slim rifle, the 96's have a big advantage. 1600's in 9.3 x62 are very rare as stated above. A FN 98 is never a bad choice in any calibre. If you are cost conscious (poor) a 9.3 x57 in the 96 or 98 are cheaper than the same in 9.3 x 62 .
Couldn't you convert the 9.3x57 in a 98 to 9.3x62 for less than purchasing it already configured?
I think the only modern action for the 9.3x62 is the Sako/Tikka. The only other rifle in 9.3x62 that I can think of is the CZ550 which is a 98 action
FWIW, below is the response from Tradeex regarding my inquiry to clarify exactly which action their 9.3x62 Husqvarna Sporters are built on.
"Hello Neil,
The ones marked Husqvarna sporters are M96 actions.
Thank you
A###xx T###xx
T.E.C. Trade Ex Canada Inc.
5706 Vanden Abeele
Saint-Laurent, Quebec
H4S 1R9
Tel:514-335-2829
Toll Free:1-866-635-2829
Fax:514-335-9439"
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I'm a bit funny, but I wanted a rifle with a flag safety. I bought a 9.3x62 M98 from Trade Ex when there weren't many around. The factory 2 stage trigger was OK but I swapped it out for a Bold from Brownells. I also added a NECG Masterpiece banded front sight (my rifle had no front sight) and restocked it with an unfinished semi-inlet from Brownells as well. Now it's just about perfect for what I wanted.
Why not buy one of the M98 9.3x62s that are listed on TradeEx's site? There were some there the last time I checked. Buying a x57 and reworking it is going to be pricey, don't believe the guys that tell you otherwise. If you go that route you might be just as happy with a x57. Noel went from a x62 to an x57 and never looked back, IIRC. In fact, Why Not? (Ted) might still have a real sweetie of an x57 for sale.
Why not buy one of the M98 9.3x62s that are listed on TradeEx's site? There were some there the last time I checked. Buying a x57 and reworking it is going to be pricey, don't believe the guys that tell you otherwise. If you go that route you might be just as happy with a x57. Noel went from a x62 to an x57 and never looked back, IIRC. In fact, Why Not? (Ted) might still have a real sweetie of an x57 for sale.
Yep, I still do have that 9.3X57, and it is a real sweetie. Have never posted it for sale but thanks for the plug. 
How about posting a few pictures of your ten yard rifle, so everyone can see what it ended up like?
Ted
How about posting a few pictures of your ten yard rifle, so everyone can see what it ended up like?
Ted
Oh you missed one!
I went x57 in a HVA 146 (98 large ring) to a 9,3x62 and then back to the 9,3x57.
I just had so darn much fun with the smaller one and got such a great bull with it too I just didn't need more. I also did not care for the 1960's flare the ZG47 x62 had. Very nice rifle but just not what I was after. Flame away.
I came across a 1/2 octogon small ring 98 guild rifle from 1912 or so IIRC, a very rare gun to come from Germany chambered in 9,3. Most were straight 9x57. Found some dry out cracks behind the front lug so it needs serious tlc before I can go hunt moose or bear.
The woes of loving old school guns.My good friend M1Garandfather coerced me into selling my HVA 146 to him right after my moose trip. He has since had the stock repaired and it is still the most beautiful 146 I have seen.
I'll see if he will let me post pics of it.146 x57
ZG47 x62
Pre war guild gun
Anyone tiring of these pics yet?
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I don't think there are currently any 9.3x62 M98's on tradeex, only M96's.
I've never shot either the x57 or x62, but the x62 just seemed to have that extra oomph if you needed it. I was told by someone that it's a cheap swap, but I'm pretty sure it's been a few years since his was done.
Until I decide on what I'm going to do, I may just get an FN98 8x57 to scratch my itch for now....
Oh yeah...I just wet my pants on that last rifle....
I guess we have one guy not tired of seeing that gun then. I really need to take it out for a proper photo shoot.
You'd be suprised how nice that 146 looks now it is refinished, the fiddle back in the grain absolutely glows.
It needs a set of Suhler claw mounts and a real old steel 4x too.
Oh wait......... this is the reloading forum.........
x57 is pretty much a 358 winchester factory loads, in a strong action you can do better for sure. Recoil in a light gun like the 146 feels just like top loads in my 338-06 were, a quick sharp snap. Factory style loads are very manageable.
x62 top loads feel just like the 338 win mags I've shot and power wise I'd say you be hard pressed to tell the difference.
The first test loads I tried in the guild rifle were 270gr Speer going 2100 on the chrony and they had a pretty good boot to them. Bear in mind the rifle is the weight of a ping pong ball, 5 1/2 lbs IIRC. Good for packing long days, not long shooting sessions tho...
As for the rechambering I asked Martini&Hagn about reaming my 146 and he said it can be done but there isn't a whole lot to gain. The shank of the barrel is so short top loads may bulge the barrel.
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