Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 9.3x57mm????

I seem to read a lot about the various 9.3mm rounds and the 9.3x62 and 9.3x64 seem very popular. Even the 9.3x74R gets an occational mention but I don't recall ever seeing anything about the 9.3x57mm.

Reason I'm asking is that I have run across a Mauser 96 chambered in 9.3x57mm in a local shop. Price is very attractive as no one knows anything about this round. from what I've read it seems to be a "swoll-up" (.366") version of the .358 Winchester as far as ballistics go.

I like the idea, but was wondering if there is something I'm missing. Is there a problem with this chambering or am I wrong about it being unpopular.

Nothing wrong with it, just not very plentiful. You'll get more "oomph" than an 8x57, and the joy of shooting a 9.3. I like mine

The 9.3x57 is an overlooked round, but there are getting to be a few more around. You can get brass from Midway and Grafs, made by Norma. I suspect reforming it from 8x57 brass would be pretty easy, too.

Mine runs 250 gr Woodleighs at about 2300 fps, which pretty much puts it in the same class as a .358 Win. I think I could run them harder, but it's an iron-sighted rifle and 2300 fps will do just fine within 150 yards or so.

Buy it...you won't be sorry .

DN

Rick,

In a recent conversation with Laramie, Wy gunsmith and some times writer, Dieter Sturm, I was told that the 9.3x57 is entirely adequate for any big game in the Lwr 48 and most of Alaska.

The ballistics on paper belie the usefulness of this cartridge. But then, most cartridges work better in the field than they do on paper. I own two, and have not used handloads in mine as yet because some years ago, I purchased a quantity of Norma factory fodder.

Those old Huskys are fine rifles and a joy to carry and hunt with. For me, at least, there is something just personally satisfying about hunting with a vintage rifle. You could do a lot worse...

Grasshopper

Some info about the 9.3x57 from Norma�s web site:

"Interestingly, no one seems to be able to determine exactly when or by whom the 9.3x57 cartridge was designed but it dates back to around 1900. This is nothing more or less than the 8x57J with the neck opened up to accept the then widely popular .366-inch diameter bullets. This chambering is obviously similar in performance potential and range of applications as the 9x57 Mauser. Performance and design are also similar to the 9.5x57 Mannlicher, which has a differently shaped case. Several similar chamberings were common at the turn of the last century. Of these, only the 9.3x57 survives in common use. This chambering is still used all over Scandinavia for hunting driven Moose and lesser species. The most common gun chambered for this round is the Husqvarna bolt action. This chambering has been nicknamed "The Potato Thrower" due to the fact that it launches a heavy bullet at moderate velocity. With such popularity and such a good track record on game at typical driven ranges, it is likely to be with us for a good many years, despite the fact that no mainstream manufacturer now chambers it."


(Case drawing from Norma's website.)


How the 9.3x57 compares to some other cartridges. Velocities listed are factory ammo specs.



Here's a photo of my Husqvarna Model 46 in 9.3x57 Mauser that my gunsmith is currently refurbishing and doing some other work on it. I haven't fired it yet.



I really like the 9.3x62 cartridge in my CZ 550 so I thought I'd try out the 9.3x57 just for the heck of it.

Here's a link to the Swedish Civilian & Sporting Firearms forum over on Gunsboards. Lots of good 9.3x75 info there.

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50

Cheers!
-Bob F.

do it! get it!

TexasRick,

Count me in as one who is definitely interested in this fine ol' cartridge. With modern day powders/bullets available the posibilities to breathe new life into the ol' 57mm case in various bullet diameters. This reasoning led a good friend in Alaska and myself to design the 338x57 MAI(Mauser Ackley Improved) using the 200gr CT/BST and VV 150 powder to produce velocity of 2800fps + with pressures less than 59,000psi.

Hope you get the rifle. It should be a winner in all respects.

Regards,

Ol' John

Should be just the thing for slaying hogs around a feeder.

Why would one take a gun to Sizzler...?

There's meat at Sizzler? Who knew...