I have been bitten by the 9.3x62 bug! I will use this gun mostly in North America (Elk, Moose, maybe Bears) and plan to take it to Africa for Buffalo someday.
I have a pre-64 Model 70 winchester action (30-06) that I am going to start with. I am going to have Redneck re-barrel it to a 9.3x62. I have ordered a Fiberglass Legend from Echols and I am going to have Alex Sitman fit the action to the stock, paint, etc.
Several questions:
What would you suggest as a target weight? In something I read by Kevin Robertson he was suggesting that 10 pounds scoped and loaded would be an appropriate weight for a 9.3x62. Seems a bit heavy to carry around but I do not enjoy recoil that much (one of the reasons I am going for a 9.3x62). What barrel contour would get me there and handle well? I am considering a pac-nor #3 or #4 at 24 inches.
Dare I ask about putting on iron sights? (I was leaning against them) Scope suggestions? (Leupold 2.5-8 was my thought)
One of my favorites. I had one put together about a year ago and carried it for elk and deer this past season. No luck on elk but did shoot a nice 8 pt buck DRT. I went Douglas Premium #3 cut at 21 inches and added iron sights. I have not weighed mine but it is considerably less than 10 pounds and would not want it any heavier. Mine probobly goes 8 1/2 pounds all up and carries very well. It is configured now with irons (peep) only and is around 8 pounds. I like it a lot I am thinking of adding a lightweight Basner stock to make it a little lighter. Les
Its not always easy to do the right thing, But it is always the right thing to do.
When I find a LH standard bolt face M 70 action, I may well build a 9.3x62.
I think 10# is about 1.5# heavier that I would be aiming for.
I would not go any shorter than a 23" barrel, not because of cartridge considerations, but because of what works well with the Legend stock (which I think is a grand choice for your project.)
I would play around with barrel contours starting with a muzzle diameter of .75", which would give a wall thickness of almost .20". But I would go with a steeper taper than most factory rifles, which mostly taper at about .008"/".
Have you thought about recutting the tang into the pre-war style and building up the bolt release tab? I think it creates a good look that works well with the contours of the Legend stock.
I like that look very, very much! Who did the work for you? Did they also do the bolt release? ( I like that very much also)
I agree with both of you - 10lbs seemed heavy (but I am sure comfortable to shoot). 8.5 was my goal to start with, but I did not want to be unhappy with the recoil. I am thinking that I can compare the 9.3x62 recoil to my 300 H&H and it is real easy to shoot for me at 8.5 scoped.
My 9.3x62 is a factory CZ 550 barreled action in a fancy Circassion walnut stock by Serengeti. It weighs 8 pounds on the nose with Talley rings and a 4x33 Leupold scope, which means it goes around 8-6 with five rounds of 286-grain loads in the magazine. My handloads get around 2500 with 286's and the recoil doesn't seem at all bad, certainly nothing like a .375.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
You could just rebore the 06 barrel and be done with it. Save $ and if it has sights you are all set. A 24" barrel works fine and the scope is among the best in it's price range, although I might lean toward a 1-4 for big game as it's not a long range cartridge. BTW it also LOVES cast bullets! Check with High Plains Reboring in ND. He did a 300 H&H 700 classic to 400 H&H for me and a 25-06 Browning high wall to 40-82 and they will both dump 3 in 1 MOA.(it's a .411 40-82 which in this action exceeds the 400 Whelen) Here's pics of my 2 9.3x62s...... about 6 decades apart and the 400 H&H.
A simple rebore won't do it; it requires a rechamber as well. In that case, you might as well start with a new barrel, and get things the way you want from the get go.
In Europe 9,3x62 is often used for driven hunt. I own three: one Steyr SBS, one Mauser 98 custom and one KR1 Tracking rifle from Merkel. Not one is over 8 pounds with scope (Leupold 1-4x20)or red dot sight (Aimpoint9000). The Kr1 is used without scope for tracking wild boars, roes and red deers. Weight 3kg with four cartridges, barrel is 18inches. In hunting recoil does'nt matter you can't feel it. At the shooting range can fire 40rounds without too much problem using a Limbsaver shoulder pad.
The 9,3x62 is really effective and efficient!
Experience is a lantern, carried in our back, only lightening already walked path. (Confucius)
All this talk about weight got me to wondering so I went and weighed mine. It's a 1909 M98 with a 21" Lother-Walther barrel and wood stock. It weighs 9.02 pounds scoped up with a Leupold European 2-7 and Talley mounts.
IMHO 10lb is too heavy for a 9.3x62; I have a full custom 9.3 at a bit over 9lb, recoil is light but it does get heavy to carry by the end of the day. I've also got an 8.2lb, 9.3 it's not pleasant to shot over the bench, but it's the one I use for serious hunting. I don't notice the recoil in the field and its good to carry, don't know that I would go any lighter. Barrels I've had good results with the 24 inch Walthers, shoot well and easy to clean, my 9.3s are 0.60 and 0.625 at the muzzel, would not want heavier. Scopes, one wears Leupold 2.5x8 the other Kahles 2-7. I think the Kahles is the better scope, but the Leupold is afine choice as well.
I really think that is a disinformation answer. Of course you rechamber.... try and bore a .366 rifled bore up through a 309 diameter neck..... might not work.
The advantages to a rebore are numerous and well known by guys "back in the day".. Where do you think the 35-40 came from?
The metal stresses are already relieved. The sights are there. It is a LOT less expensive than a quality new barrel, the barrel is already blued. It is real cut rifling.It fits the existing stock.
It's the OP's money and his choice but there is no DISADVANTAGE to a quality rebore from a reputable maker. To think so is just wrong. Holland & Holland thinks Cliff LaBounty is good enough to rebore and reregulate double rifles costing 100s of thousands.... that's good enough for me!
I built a 9.3X64 with a #5 Douglas cut at 23.5" on a Mc Millan Remington Sporter stock. The barrel is fluted and weighs 8.14 w/o shells in it. It does push you around a bit on the bench but when you are standing on your feet it is completely tolerable.
My 9.3x64 Brenneke's weigh: 1. 8# even, empty, scoped 2. 7.75# empty, sans scope/rings
I have found both to be very manageable while shooting.
I am getting a 404 Jeffery built that I am aiming for 10+ pounds in that rifle/cartridge.
I know that recoil calculators aren't the end all when it comes to felt recoil since there are many other factors. But it would be a great place to start. Plug in numbers on other rifle/cartridge combinations you have shot and figure out your what you are comfortable with and build from there. If recoil is the main concern for the weight.