9.3x62 reviews?

[RevJim]

 Anyone out there use a 9.3x62? Do you handload or use factory ammo? I really like this round, and am glad to see amm beginning to be more readily available. It's like the Whelen, once people have used a good Medium caliber, they realize they work, and they don't beat you up in the process, ha. I am interested in what rifles you use it in too. I am about to try out a Ruger African 9.3x62, so just curious.
  My first 9,3x62 was back in the late '90s, a semi-custom Model 70 ( for the CRF) and a krieger barrel. Had to buy factory ammo from "The Old Western Scrounger". I finally gathered up some brass/bullets and played with it from there. I gave all my reloading stuff to my SIL along with a CZ 550FS back in 2004. I have a couple boxes of Lapua ammo with the 285 Mega bullet. Anyone use this load on boars,etc, and if so, what was your impression?

[JesterGrin]

 If you do a search you will find lots of information on the 9.3x62. But why lol. You have a 35 Whelen lol.

 When I was looking at mid caliber rounds I did look at the 9.3x62 next to the 35 Whelen. And well the 35 Whelen is American lol. Plust a little over a year ago the components to load the 9.3x62 were allot more expensive than the 35 Whelen.

 If you go to the Cast Boolits forum I think there is a  group buy for a nice 9.3x62 cast bullet mold.

[LanceR]

Jim, if you check out   http://www.realguns.com/   there are some good articles on reloading the 9.3x62mm.

Lance

[JJ Kelly]

Have a CZ 550 fs in 9.3x62mm and love it.  I only have 2 other hunting
rifles both Ruger #1's .458w and .338w and I find myself using the CZ
more. I have owned a lot of bolt guns and the CZ is very well made but
still don't like rear of stock. I only reload for my hunting guns and find I
have a lot of fexibility. I make my 9.3x62mm brass from 30-06 brass and
never had a problem, I mostly shoot speer 270 gr. but use the 286 gr. for
bigger stuff.

[Thebear_78]

Stick with the 286gr Nosler partitions @ 2400fps.  It makes for an excellent combo for all around big game.  The speer 270gr bullets are a tad soft and I wouldn't use them for anything larger than whitetails or smaller black bear unless you keep the velocity down around 2200-2300fps.  I think that speer 270gr bullet would be great for the 9.3x57.   


I've used the nosler 286gr bullet on moose and found it to be very effective.   Its the only thing I shoot out of my 9.3x62.    I have a good buddy with a 9.3x64 that came to the same conclusion about the 270gr speer bullets.  Its a shame since they are very accurate and cheap.



My 9.3x62 is a P17 enfield rebarreled with douglas match grade barrel and hard chromed with luepold 2.5x scout scope and original irons.  Its fairly heavy but holds 6 down so no need to reload

[Sweet 6.5]

Hi
 
I have no personal exp with the 9.3x62 but I have used Lapua Mega in my 6.5x55.
I shot this warthog which had a nice body with a 155gr. There was no meat damage
and he went 15-20 meters.
 
 

[RevJim]

 I love my 35 Whelen AI, but I have always been intrigued by the mediums. I am also a bit nostalgic, I like the Old world rounds too. Finn Agaard's article back when got me stirred up on the 9.3x62, so that's where the Mod 70 came in. I gave that rifle to a young man who grew up hunting elk with a 30.06. I had worked up a load for him with the Nosler 286, also going real close to 2400. Anyhow, he shot a big bodied spike bull the following fall, and he too came away impressed. I played with almost all the 338 mags, one 338/280 wildcat, and both the H&H & Weatherby .375, all great rounds. I just found that for the ranges I hunt, 250yds or less, the whelen AI was about perfect for me, and much more pleasent to shoot, ha. I'm sure the 9.3x62 will be too.
  I plan on shooting a big Russian around 50-75yds, so a big softnose like the Lapua 285 will be alot of fun to use. Like Sweet's 6.5, I figured it would "wad up" and hold together. Later on, when I handload for it, I know for sure I want to go back to the Nosler 286 ( I Barnes TSX out of my Whelen exclusively) and will have to give the 250 Accubond a trial, just for grins. Spitzers do help if one has to take a 250yds shot, which, here in Utah, is very common. I ordered a bunch of the PRVI 285 ammo for barrel breakin and practice, then I'll set my sights for the Lapua ammo for the march MI, UP boar hunt. Whoopee. ha
  Hey Bear, a Mod 1917 Enfield was my very first bolt gun. My uncle gave me a stock Eddystone and a bandolier of armor peircing ammo when I was 16. Man it was heavy, but boy did it shoot! I gave it to an old friend about 15yrs ago. I had it sporterized somewhat too, but it was still heavy. I imagine it is a sweetheart in that 9.3x62. Our moose are the "little" Shiras and one has to draw a Once In a Lifetime Tag for them. 20yrs so far, no tag, ha. Thanks guys for all your responses/reviews, if you hear of anymore I'd love to hear of them. RevJim

[kombi1976]

I have a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 9.3x62 & its an excellent rifle. Presently it has a Lynx 1.75-5x20 on it but it'll soon be upgraded to a Leupold VXI 2-7x32. I've found it a brilliant & decisive killer & it earned the nickname "The Judge" early on. It doesn't just shoot things, it "delivers its sentence". I use the 270gr Speers & they've been good. Its very light but hey, man up, it isn't 577NE.

[RevJim]

 I have a friend who has a Tikka in the 338 Federal. He was a .270 user for deer/elk and wanted a bigger caliber for elk. I talked him out of a 338 winmag, as where we hunt, its rare to get a shot over 250yds. He was also not a handloader, had a young family and no time to play with a magnum. I suggested the 338 Federal and he ended up with that Tikka, also a stainless synthetic model. He shot a nice muley that year (didn't get into the elk) and he was converted to a Medium Bore Believer, ha. Our other friend who has been using a .270 for 35yrs, gets an elk every year with 150gr factory loads, so not knocking the ol .270, of course, I tease him unmercifully about his popgun though, ha.

[JJ Kelly]

I have a .338wm that I did shoot my Elk with using a 250 gr. bullet at
2650 fps but if I could only have one hunting rifle it would be the CZ
bolt gun in 9.3x62mm. The 270 speer bullet come out of my 20" barrel
2480 fps and have dropped everything 1 to 2 shots with a lot less recoil.
Using 30-06 brass and less powder, it's cheaper to shoot.

[RevJim]

 I shot the Speer 270 out of that first 9.3x62 I had built, got some great groups too. I don't have my notes, but it seems I was around 2500. I never killed anything with it. I bet it would do swell at that velocity, maybe a tad slower, on deer/elk. I have gathered up some more 285 Lapua Megas and a bunch of PRVI 285 factory loads, so I am set for awhile. I like how the Mega has almost a flat meplat with the soft lead showing. Booyaw! ha.

[kombi1976]

My 9.3x62 is knocking the Speer 270gr Semi Spitzers out at about 2350fps and the groups are around MOA @100yds. I need to spend a little more time at range working out exactly how it's shooting to get it perfect. It's an excessive rifle for the job but it is fun to use when culling kangaroos. Most shooters use a .204, .222, .223, 22-250 or 243 for the job as roos hit the deck when head shot and any of these cals is enough. But the amazing WHOOOMPH!! that the 9.3x62 creates as it makes impact is impressive. 
In fact my best trophy billy goat was taken with this rifle. Goats aren't massive animals but they take more killing than you'd think. Here I am with the head. The rack measured 36.5" from memory with almost 2 complete twists. I still need to boil out the skull and mount this European style. And yes, I did get tagged by the scope! But, hey, it was worth it.

 
I'm seriously tempted to switch from the 8x57JS I've been carrying as a deer rifle to this instead. And when I go chasing sambar deer in the Victorian Alps in July next year it'll be with the 9.3.

[RevJim]

 Nice goat! I have shot a few Spanish goats and several smaller sheep, i.e the Corsican, Mouflon cross, Black Hawaian and Texas Dall. I agree, they tend to be prety phlegmatic. I can't remer one that went down like a wet dishrag, all flopped around and struggled at least a half minute, some longer until a second shot was made. I can eat a young goat on the Barbie, but Bedouins can have all those sheep, ha.
  I keep reading where that Sambar is a tough deer. How big in pounds do they go? Only "Indian" game I've shot has been Blackbuck and Axis down in Texas. The Blackbuck is the most tenacious of life. The Axis is my very, absolute favorite venison for eating. Will you use the Speer 270 load you have on the Sambar or go with a tougher/heavier bullet?

[RaySendero]

I rebarreled my Vz-24 to 9,3x62 with a 24" Shilen 1:12 twist.  Had the rear top of receiver ground to accept a 2 screw weaver type mount, added a scope, a bent bolt, a recoil pad and a Timney trigger.  Work-up a reload using the 286 NPT over IMR-4320.
 
Has become one of my favorite rifles!
 
 

[kombi1976]

Oh, goats can make it a decent distance when shot. I smacked one little brown nanny with a 8mm 150gr Sierra Prohunter Spitzer from my 8x57 k98 Mauser sporter and she ran a good 40yds up a very steep hill before expiring. I also shot another nanny with 120gr 25 cal Hornady HPs from my 303/25. It isn't a hot rifle and was probably pushing them out around 2500fps but I put 4 rounds into that goat at close range and first the 2 didn't even stop it moving. After the 3rd and 4th it was still standing and the 5th between the eyes eventually dropped it. It's like they don't know they're dead! They are but I've lost a couple that ran off into the scrub. The only sure one shot killer is a head shot.
 
Sambar deer are BIG. Between 550lbs and 650lbs. Some guys reckon they're almost as big as an elk but they don't have the same impressive rack. I wouldn't know though since I've never seen an elk in the flesh. As to bullet choice I'm not sure. I'll ask my mate who took a brilliant stag this year. He used a SAKO 7mm-08 with Woodleigh 140gr Protected Points (like MagTips) to prove it could be done but I suspect he'll be taking his Rem 700 in 358 Win this time. I have a choice of suitable rifles. I have some Woodleigh Weldcore 250gr RNSNs for my 8x57 Mauser rifle or, should I want to go a bit nuts, I could take my Ruger No1H 450/400 NE 3" and it's 400gr Woodleigh RNSNs but general logic says it's a bit excessive.
 
But to return to the point if my mate reckons the Speers will be fine I'll stick with them. I'm not driving them at 2500fps or more so they should expand well. OTOH, I could get some 286gr Lapua Megas (to match the excellent Lapua 9.3x62 brass I have!) or some Woodleighs. Woodleigh makes both RNSNs and Protected Points in 250gr, the traditional 286gr and in 320gr, although these are designed more for 9.3x64 Brenneke and 9.3x66 SAKO. Truth be told a good but affordable 232gr bullet would be my preference over the heavier weights. The 375H&H uses 235gr for the flatter plains game loads. Makes sense for the '62 to be able to do the same. But the Norma Vulkan 232gr is almost US$70 a box of 100 and lots pricier in Oz. I guess the answer is I don't know. I'll probably go a 286gr if I don't use the Speer and it could be Woodleigh or Lapua.
 

[ratherbefishin]

I have three  9,3x57's that I hand load with 286gr Privipartizans over 47 gr of IMR 4064,and that has a bit less velocity than the 9,3x62-but I still think anything hit with that big chunk of lead isn't going to go very far

[RevJim]

 I saw an older Husky 9.3x57 at a local Cabela's, very slim/trim. I bet it woul be about like a .358 winchester. I have shot Woodlighs at paper only, in several calibers, and I like how accurate they are, and the speeds one can get with them, as compared to pure copper jacketed rounds, i.e. Hawk precision,etc. The Hawks shoot well too, but being softer, they bump alot and anyhow, one doesn't need alot of velocity out of these kinds of rounds. Whenever I get to agonizing over speed, I go back and remember the 9.3x62 made it's Laurels going around 2150! Even the 350 Rigby Magnum was only around 2400 with a 225, and it was considered poison on plains game, even alright for dangerous game out in the open. I like to match the speed with the bullet design. If I really want to use speed, I use the Barnes X (especially the TTSX) drop down in weight and let her rip! A good example is my 35 Whelen Improved with the 200 TTSX going an honest 2950fps! Shoots right with a 338 using the Nosler 210 (another great round btw)
  I want to keep this 9.3x62 in the "285-286" range as it just seems balanced well with this weight, and all my shots will be at woods ranges with it really.

[kombi1976]

On first glance the 9.3x57 appears to be alot like the 358 Win but with the preponderance for heavy bullets that the European calibres have the only general performance similarities will be with 232gr or 250gr bullets. Norma has figures for the 9.3x57 for 232gr and 286gr bullets but not for the 250gr and 270gr pills. In general the '62 has close enough to 300fps on the '57 to make a fair reckoning. So the 9.3x57's approx speeds are thus:
 

• 232gr = 2350fps
• 250gr = 2200fps
• 270gr = 2125fps
• 286gr = 2075fps

Now, I should say that these estimates are based more on Norma's figures, NOT on Hodgdon's. The 9.3x62 barely pushes a 286gr over 2400fps by Hodgdon's figures. Problem is all of their figures are based on max load pressures varying between stuff as meagre as 41,400 CUP (yes, that's their 61gr max for IMR 4007 SSC!) and no higher than 48,900 CUP. The bulk of the 358 loads are on the 50,000 CUP mark or slightly above. So, find the right powder and be willing to load it a tad above the US maximums like the Europeans do all the time and the 9.3x57 will be a better performer than the 358 Win.
 
Jim, I wouldn't feel limited by range with the 286gr bullet. It's just a case of knowing the drop. If it's zeroed to 200yds out to 220yds they're almost a flat aim....either 3" above or below. Further, well, just be aware of the rate.

[RevJim]

  Anyone use the Barnes Vortex or Federal loaded Barnes 286 tsx? Or handloads with it? I admit, I am a far gone Barnes tsx user, unashamedly, ha. I am thinking now that I may try these 286 tsx in the 9.3x62 for that big Russian boar ( I "should" get one over 300 # as I am paying for the boss hog, ha. I want to shoot him through both shoulders and all that gristle plate with a goal of a complete pass through. Only bullet I have had that happen with plains game was the Barnes x and xbt's. No I don't "need" to, but I "want" to, ha.

[Beau9.3]

I have a CZ550 American 9.3x62. I handload it with Lapua cases, Varget/2208, WLR primers, 250gr Accubond, TSX, Woodleigh, A-Frame & North Fork.  Max COAL 3.400"
There is very little intrusion into powder space & I record velocities of 2600 FPS with 250gr & 2500 FPS with 286gr Nosler Partition. None of these loads show excessive pressure & case life is very good.  Over the  many years I have hunted with 7mm Mags, 30.06, 300 Weatherby, 340 Weatherby & much more recently the 9.3x62.  I have proven to myself many times that on big Sambar Deer that the 300 is a lot more gun than the 7mms, the 340 is a lot more gun than my beloved 300.
I do believe that if I was hunting big dangerous game, I would use my 9.3. I place no value on ft/lbs of energy. It seems to me that diameter, sectional density & bullet integrity is the deciding factor in killing power. A velocity of over 2500 fps is not needed. I will continue to use my 300 Wby with 180gr North Forks at 3175 fps for all manner of long range game hunting, but if that game is dangerous, I will leave that job for my 9.3 because it does it better. Just like the 375 does it better than the 338 when the game is BIG.  My favorite projectile is with out doubt the magnificent North Fork SS in all these calibers. Lapua brass is the very best in the 30.06 & the 9.3x62.  The 9.3x62 deserves serious respect. Try it & you'll agree. Of that I am certain as it is now my very favorite & God forbid, if I was reduced to one firearm it would be the 9.3x62 Mauser, because it does what it is meant to. Bang Flop DRT.

[kombi1976]

Lapua brass is the very best in the 30.06 & the 9.3x62.

Thank you for saying this!
What I really don't get is why people happily pay alot for a good rifle, a good scope and good projectiles but stint on brass and form it out of '06 brass.
Lapua stuff is top notch, match quality in fact.
It also lasts forever and a day.
And yeah, 9.3x62 is brilliant.
It's the reason why I named my Tikka T3 9.3x62 "The Judge". 

[RevJim]

  I like Lapua, Norma, Nosler brass myself. I like Winchester/Remington, but I prep them before loading. I like how I don't have to prep the "Big 3" I just listed, ha. I understand American's making .35 Whelens out of necking up a 30.06, it started life that way, ha. I never did, but that Remington 750 in .35 Whelen I had chewed up brass pretty good. If I shot one of those alot, I would use picked up range brass/necked up '06 as I hate to chase brass. I used to chase it, but now I'm older, fatter, stiffer, can't get on my knees ( new titanium/plastic knees) so...ha
  I got a couple boxes of the Vortex factory ammo in 286 TSX, so I'm set. I just barely had time last month to set my zero with the Privi 285s, but it dialed right in, shot like a match rifle! I want to do a modified barrel break in on my Ruger before I set the zero with the Vortex. All Barnes bullets love a slicked up bore! ha. I am getting jazzed!

[Beau9.3]

I cannot fathom why anybody would use 30.06 cases to form 9.3x62 when excellent cases are available for a very reasonable cost. They are not the same case.  I think RCBS made the 9.3x62 dies off their 30.06 dies. They work the brass more than the excellent & correct Redding Dies. Redding is the only Dies I use now for all my rifles. Most people load the 9.3, to around 56000PSI which was correct for the old mausers back then. The CZ550 is a modern & very strong action & it is chambered for cartridges that operate well over 60000PSI.  I do the same with my 9.3x62. The Lapua brass is very strong & can be used many times.  I believe the available reloading data is listed to allow safety in the old rifles chambered the 9.3x62 & rightly so.  My loads are a heavier than any listed loads I have seen, but I worked up to them in my particular rifle which has a long throat. With the 250gr TSX loaded to a length of 3.4325" the bullet is almost flush with the bottom of the neck & does not protrude into the powder space. The same applies to  the 286gr Partition.   This is so close to a 375 H&H in power that the difference does not matter in the real world.  My CZ550 American has a 23.6" barrel which is about perfect for this case capacity & bore. It is all steel. Foor Plate, Trigger Guard, Magazine Follower.  I had a Zeiss Victory Diavari 1.5-6x42 on it, but I am changing that to a Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x50. because it I can use it at longer ranges than originally expected & that scope in poor light is amazing. My opinion is the 9.3x62 is the best medium bore cartridge bar none, it is plenty powerful & when loaded properly one shot kills at 300 yards are easy enough.

[jedman]

  I have a Sig / Sauer  M 200 switch barrel rifle in 9.3 X 62.  I bought the rifle in 308 Win. and later found the 9.3 barrel, magazine, dies , brass from someone who never fired it and sold it all to me for about 1/3 cost.  I have shot a couple antelope and one mule deer with the 9.3 with the Nosler 250 gr. ballistic tip bullet, that bullet is no longer being manufactured but worked great for medium game.
 I have also loaded and shot the 286 gr. Partition and the 270 gr. Speer SP  all of them shot MOA or better from my Sig rifle. The only advice I would give to someone who wants one is if you are going to shoot it with a scope be sure to get one with 3.5" or more eye relief as the 9.3 does have a good amount of recoil and I found out the hard way , getting a bad case of Weaver Bites ( 3 ) from mine.

[kombi1976]

I feel your pain, Jed.
As you've probably seen in the pic above I too bear the mark of 9.3mm upon my forehead.
Perhaps we should form a support group.
Hopefully the Leupold VX-I 2-7x32 I just fitted will be better.

[JJ Kelly]

I see that some folks wonder why a person would make 9.3x62mm
from 30-06 brass. Well just like some enjoy reloading, I enjoy making
brass for this rifle. Yes, I get 30-06 brass for free instead of $100
for 100 peices of brass. Also by using the expanding die after proper
annealing, I use a forming die to get the head space perfect. Folks
that have a .35 whelen using factory ammo sometimes have fail to
fire because the head space is not right. I like my 9.3x62mm so much, I'm
selling my Ruger #1's in .338wm and .458wm, don't need them.

[RevJim]

  Bummed out! I went out to the range this am, seems my rifle has a headspace problem. I get some FTF and light primer strikes, but round goes off the second try. No good. I just ran out of time too, so it looks like my .35 Whelen AI will be going with me next month. I'll have to get back to this Ruger 77 later this spring looks like. Oh well, no sweat, my Whelen AI is an old friend, I know right where she shoots with everything I have loaded for it, heck, I don't even have to resight it! I have to admit...I "am" getting more crotchety as I get older, and I will not, not, hunt with a rifle I ain't 100% sure about. I know nothing is for certain, but I've been half way around the world and back twice with this Whelen AI, and I'm not sure I even want to fool with anything else now...I'm hot! ha

[kombi1976]

Bit of a report on the scope change.
I switched the Lynx 1.75-5x20 scope I had on T3 9.3x62 for a Leupold 2-7x32.
Not a massive change but I couldn't afford to drop serious money on a more powerful scope.
The Lynx seemed to continually tag me on the forehead.
When a friend told me he'd had the same problem and had solved it by switching to Leupolds it seemed a little suss and brand biased.
But I knocked down 5 kangaroos and fired a few other shots last Saturday and not once did it come up on my face.
I guess the eye relief is better or something. 
Still the problem is solved and now it's perfectly set up for the sambar deer hunt I'm doing in July.

[RevJim]

  I like Leupold, not just for the longer eye relief, but also for the latitude of eye placement when shouldering the rifle. Say Komb, where do you shoot those kangaroos, through the shoulders or head?

[kombi1976]

The law on filling tags is head or heart. When using a small bore like 223 REM I'll aim for the head but with the 9.3mm I go heart. Firstly because its a larger target for the recoil and secondly because should I miss the heart specifically it'll still nail the animal and possibly kill it outright smashed. If not its not long for this world.