Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser 96 Action

I have been looking at a 9.3 X 57 in a Husky.Strength wise is there a big difference between a 96 and 98?????Where can I find loading data for this cartridge????? Can I form this brass from 8 or 7 X57 brass??Thanks ahead Huntz

You can use 8x57 brass by merely necking up and FL sizing.

Loaddata.com has loads for it.

Here are 15 tested in a Husky.

9.3x57 in a Husqvarna

Warning! Notes: Test rifle was a Husqvarna Model 146 with 24 3/4-inch barrel. Loads developed in Norma 9.3x57 brass, using CCI-200, Remington 9 1/2 and RWS-LR primers. All loads should be reduced by 10 percent and worked up carefully. (Handloader Issue #125)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
270 Speer IMR IMR-4895 46.0 2,145
Remarks: good hunting load
270 Speer IMR IMR-4895 47.0 2,205
Remarks: maximum
270 Speer Winchester W-748 46.0 1,985
Remarks: accurate, mild
270 Speer Winchester W-748 48.0 2,165
Remarks: accurate, maximum
270 Speer IMR IMR-3031 42.0 2,110
Remarks: fair
232 Norma IMR IMR-3031 45.0 2,335
Remarks: Barnes data
232 Norma IMR IMR-3031 48.0 2,485
Remarks: maximum, but accurate
232 Norma Norma N-201 49.0 2,329
Remarks: Norma data
232 Norma Norma N-201 53.0 2,435
Remarks: warm, accurate
232 Norma Winchester W-748 54.0 2,450
Remarks: most accurate
258 RWS Rottweil R-902 46.0 2,115
Remarks: RWS data; R-prefix powders are Rottweil, not available in the U.S., and are shown for reference only. R-902 is close to Norma 201, W-748 and BL-C(2).
258 RWS Rottweil R-903 48.0 2,001
Remarks: RWS data; R-prefix powders are Rottweil, not available in the U.S., and are shown for reference only. R-903 lies between H-335 and IMR-4064
286 Norma IMR IMR-3031 40.0 2,000
Remarks: Barnes data
286 Norma Norma N-201 44.6 2,067
Remarks: Norma data, maximum
293 RWS Rottweil R-903 47.0 2,001
Remarks: RWS data; R-prefix powders are Rottweil, not available in the U.S., and are shown for reference only. R-903 lies between H-335 and IMR-4064
(c) 2004 Loaddata.com

According to Frank deHaas the M96 was proofed with loads of about 66Ksi.

Kimber used to sell them mounted in Butler Creek stocks and chambered in .308 and 22-250 and they seem to handle those factory loads just fine.

True, the M98 is a very strong action and the small ring (M93, 94, 95, 96) are probably less strong. But also keep in mind that the M96 is used by NORMA for testing its commmercial loads, including such modern cartridges as the 308 Winchester, 260 Remington and 338 Federal. The M96 is a strong action, but it lacks the third or "safety" lug.

Strength wise, Swedish M96 may be comparable to M98s of the same vintage. Safety wise, I would hedge. As mentioned, M96 lack some of the gas control features of the M98, specifically the gas deflection flange on the bolt shroud to block the left raceway, large gas relief ports in the bolt body and the reinforcing collar in the front ring. Extra careful inspection and liberal culling of the brass prior to reloading is a prudent practice with M96 actions.

M46 and M46B Husqvarnas in 9.3x57 are very cool rifles. When the 9.3x57 is handloaded to published data and pressure limits, it is ballistically comparable to the .358 Win, .348 Win and surprisingly, the Marlin .444. So IMO, there is little need to push pressures.

Forming brass from 8x57 is how I obtain 9.3x57 brass.

I think that the commercial Husqvarna SR 1894/1896/38 style Mauser actions are the ABSOLUTE BEST of the whole crop of pre-1898 style Mauser actions. That said, none of the pre-1898 Mauser designs were designed to handle escaping gas as well as the 1898s, due to the larger gas shield on the bolt shroud. Brownells and MidwayUSA both sell commercial style bolt shrouds for the pre-1898 Mausers that incorporate a larger gas shield.

3 things that I ALWAYS do when I build around a mil-surp Swedish Mauser action are:

1. Replace the existing bolt shroud with a commercial style unit with a larger gas shield.
2. Install a Dayton-Traister cock-on-opening kit.
3. Install a Bold or Timney trigger with an integral safety.

I have 1 commercial Husqvarna 8x57 built on a SR action, SN 868xx, that has not been modified with these 3 parts/kits, but only because it is in minty condition and is a casual shooting range rifle, rather than a hunting/field rifle.

JEff

Good info guys.Thanks for the help!!!

+1 to all of the above (particularly a bolt shroud with a larger gas-deflecting flange and...

If you wish, it is a very easy and cheap job for a gunsmith to mill the gas escape holes in the bolt body.

This is a fairly common modification here in Sweden (rifles with these actions are as common as dirt here!).

I even know some guys who did it themselves at home with a drill press and drill press vise. The bolt body is not hard steel so the drilling is easy. Do not forget to de-burr the holes.

I have seen lots of .30-06 and .308s on the Swede 96 (38) action, and one .270 Win. Would not be my first choice of calibers for this action, but neither did I hesitate to prone shoot the .30-06 nor the .270 at 600m at my local range. The .270 is one of the highest-pressure cartridges...

And yes, I realize that the the '06 and .270 are longer than the action was designed for. I do not know what else was done to make them feed these cartridges.

John

The 96s are fine actions, well worth the trouble. Good advice above, in terms of extra gas protection. Integrity of design is nearly as good as M98, sans the third safety lug of the M98 (never heard of a "save" because of this, however). Gas handling properties are about on part with the highly touted pre-64 Model 70, once the new bolt sleeve is added (minor addition).

These were made with excellent steel, and had superb workmanship to boot.

When they adopted the M94 and M96 actions, the first rifles were made my Mauser at Oberndorf (until the Swedes could get production up and running). The Swedes demanded that only Swedish steel be used and supplied it to Mauser. They always believed that Swedish steel was better.

I believe that the Swedes perfected the smelter process and chemical properties better than the Germans and thereby "created" better steel.

One of the things that's never been mentioned in this thread is that Model 96 Mausers are still somewhat superior to the pre-'64 Model 70 Winchester as far as handling escaping gas. Yet very few people worry about it with a Model 70!

That has always baffled me, and if you bring it up in a conversation about the M70 you'll get scornful replies

We like what we like I guess.

Terry

Just bought a Huskey in 9.3x57 and love it. All I've shot so far have bee the 270gr Speers. Got 9.3 brass in the deal but will try 8x57 for necking up.

I have a 35 Whelen IMP on a 96 action. Peep and blade for sights, 20" barrel and tupperware stock. Factory 250 gr tips have to filed a bit down to feed smoothly, the only factory load I have used so far - for Hogs. Loaded some Hornady 200gr round nose and function fine. Paid 300.00 for it. Do go for top velocity or use hot loads, just to be safe - but that goes with any firearm.

Yep.

... and a bump for the Model 70 crowd.

John

On the Simpsonltd website they have quite a few Mauser M96s
for sale in different calibers.