I’m sure the question has already been asked a million times but I have yet to see the comparison from real hunters in the outdoors. You guys in Alaska who hunt moose, brown bear & blackbear, do you see any significance in stopping/killing power between the 9.3x62 vs the 375h&h in bullet weights from 250 up to 300?
In the last two decades I’ve killed a bunch of stuff with both and cannot see any difference in performance between the 300gr .375 and the 286gr 9.3. This includes moose, brown bears, deer, mountain goats. I basically never use the .375 any more because the 9.3 does the same thing in a rifle that is lighter and holds more ammo.
I’m sure the question has already been asked a million times but I have yet to see the comparison from real hunters in the outdoors. You guys in Alaska who hunt moose, brown bear & blackbear, do you see any significance in stopping/killing power between the 9.3x62 vs the 375h&h in bullet weights from 250 up to 300?
Some great experiences and conclusions in this excellent thread:
I just bought 4boxes of Remington 9.3x62 loaded with 286gr cor-lokt $48 bucks. Anyhow i have both mentioned chambering. I need to send my 9.3 off get open sights put on it.
I'd like to know the barrel lengths folks are using on the 9.3x62. The older 375 h&h and 9.3's I've seen all have 24"-26" barrels. I've got the Ruger 338RCM and Ruger Alaskan in 375 ruger and they have the 20" barrel. These shorter rifles with irons are my favorite bolt actions.
Yukoner needs to respond to this, Have heard the 9.3x62 called the 5 shot 375 H&H probably by Ted!
Ted alias Yukoner has caused a lot of us to try the 9.3 X 62!
After listening to Ted I had Pac-Nor rebarrel a LH Winchester 70 to 9.3X62 22" same contour as factory 270 Win a very accurate rifle with good balance.
I'd like to know the barrel lengths folks are using on the 9.3x62. The older 375 h&h and 9.3's I've seen all have 24"-26" barrels. I've got the Ruger 338RCM and Ruger Alaskan in 375 ruger and they have the 20" barrel. These shorter rifles with irons are my favorite bolt actions.
Like the way you think. Do not have a 9.3 but carry a Sako TRG Sporter in 375 h&h. It has a full magnum action on it and will hold 5. Came with a mickey stock and irons. About 28 years old. A 9.3 would be a fun rifle. Could consider one but there are many others on my short list that would be more interesting to my hunting needs...
My 375 is a Winchester stainless classic with 24 inch barrel. My 9.3x62 is a rebore and barrel is 24 inches long. Both rifles are phenomenal shooters. I shoot 250 AB out of the 9.3 because at the shooters pro shop was selling them cheap. I shoot 300gr barnes tsx out of my 375 H&H.
Yukoner needs to respond to this, Have heard the 9.3x62 called the 5 shot 375 H&H probably by Ted!
Ted alias Yukoner has caused a lot of us to try the 9.3 X 62!
After listening to Ted I had Pac-Nor rebarrel a LH Winchester 70 to 9.3X62 22" same contour as factory 270 Win a very accurate rifle with good balance.
I'd like to know the barrel lengths folks are using on the 9.3x62. The older 375 h&h and 9.3's I've seen all have 24"-26" barrels. I've got the Ruger 338RCM and Ruger Alaskan in 375 ruger and they have the 20" barrel. These shorter rifles with irons are my favorite bolt actions.
My Springfield rebored by JES was bobbed back to 23.5". Shoots great. Have not yet hunted it. Heck, I haven't even finished the stock. Hope to have it ready by this fall.
I'm not an Alaska guy, but my 9.3x62 is an Interarms Mark X mannlicher with a 20" Lothar Walther barrel. It is a handy length and heavy enough to help absorb the recoil. I'm shooting 286 grain PP factory loads, but would opt for a tougher bullet that would provide deeper penetration and hold together better when hitting bone if I was hunting anything bigger/tougher. When shooting into gallon milk jugs this bullet expanded to around 8/10", but penetration was less than I'd expected. I don't know how that would translate to actual field performance on game, but it is what I've experienced.
Would love to see a picture of that one. Were the irons replaced to the new barrel or did it have any to begin with?
Seems like a Swift AF in 286 would be a good choice (if they could be found) as would a Barnes TSX in 250 grain or a TTSX in 286. Am thinking your 20" might get 2,300 fps headed out the tube. Would be good medicine for most that walks on four legs methinks....
Would love to see a picture of that one. Were the irons replaced to the new barrel or did it have any to begin with?
Seems like a Swift AF in 286 would be a good choice (if they could be found) as would a Barnes TSX in 250 grain or a TTSX in 286. Am thinking your 20" might get 2,300 fps headed out the tube. Would be good medicine for most that walks on four legs methinks....
bhtr
The Lothar Walther barrel was 24" so I trimmed and recrowned it to fit the mannlicher-style stock. I didn't install the open sights from the original 7x57 barrel on the 9.3x62 barrel, as I felt that I was more likely to catch the front sight on something than to ever use it to aim at a target. The 286 grain PP load appears to have the same approximate trajectory as FED/REM/WIN 170 grain 30-30 factory loads. This rifle rifle is one-half of a nearly matched pair, the other being chambered in 7x57. This is a classic parts gun, the action is from a rifle that I bought from Weagle in 2004 and the stock came from a riflle that I bought at Cabela's flagship store in Sidney, NE, in 2003.
I had a LH Ruger SS MK ii put together with a Douglas 24" No 3 barrel and had the factory laminate stock trimmed back to more of a Hawkeye-esque type. I shoot 286 NPs under 58.5 gr RL 15. Don't know about speed but suppose somewhere close to 2500. I mainly use an NECG peep with a wide open ghost ring and their tallest patridge sight. The barrel banded sling swivel allows me to hold it at the pistol grip and swing off the shoulder to fire very quickly. The only change I want to make is have the comb lowered a tad. I increased the LOP to about 14.25 to fit me nicely. It makes for a nice medium bore boomer at 8.5 lbs on the scale.
I began guiding in Alaska 43 years ago with a 375 H&H and decided to give the 9.3x62 a try almost 30 years ago. I have killed a lot of big bears with both and "know" the 375 has to be a better killer. But I have seen no examples to prove it.
I began guiding in Alaska 43 years ago with a 375 H&H and decided to give the 9.3x62 a try almost 30 years ago. I have killed a lot of big bears with both and "know" the 375 has to be a better killer. But I have seen no examples to prove it.
If a fellow was to build a 9.3x62, what barrel length would you recommend?
Having followed wounded bears more than a few times in nasty brush, 20" is almost too long. No way I would run 24" or 26".
My 375AI has a pacnor #5 at 20". With 270gr TSX it is plenty.
I have not had the displeasure of the bear follow up. But, I certainly appreciate the 20” barrels for my normal moose hunting with 375 Ruger & 416 Ruger. The 270 grain TSX is what I use in the 375’s. It has performed outstandingly from under 25 to 180 yds. As has the 350 grain TSX in the 416’s from under 25 to about 80 yards.
I am debating on reboring a heavy barrel 19.5 “ 30-06 to 9.3x62. But, not sure if I want to deal with more dies, brass, and bullets.
I began guiding in Alaska 43 years ago with a 375 H&H and decided to give the 9.3x62 a try almost 30 years ago. I have killed a lot of big bears with both and "know" the 375 has to be a better killer. But I have seen no examples to prove it.
If a fellow was to build a 9.3x62, what barrel length would you recommend?
My primary 9.3 is 20.5", which I find ideal. 2400 with 286s, 2500 with 250s.
I began guiding in Alaska 43 years ago with a 375 H&H and decided to give the 9.3x62 a try almost 30 years ago. I have killed a lot of big bears with both and "know" the 375 has to be a better killer. But I have seen no examples to prove it.
If a fellow was to build a 9.3x62, what barrel length would you recommend?
My primary 9.3 is 20.5", which I find ideal. 2400 with 286s, 2500 with 250s.
I’ve thrown the idea around of having a rifle bored to 9.3 by JES. I’ve been stuck on 21.5” in my head. With Sitka saying 20” is almost too long in the nasty stuff it has be rethinking things. First, I’d have to find a candidate I liked to rebore though. My .338 WM does what I need it to, but I also like to be different.
I began guiding in Alaska 43 years ago with a 375 H&H and decided to give the 9.3x62 a try almost 30 years ago. I have killed a lot of big bears with both and "know" the 375 has to be a better killer. But I have seen no examples to prove it.
What are you using as your primary bullet choice in the 9.3 for the grizz?
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS From the 9.3x62's Centenary in 2005, the 9.3x62 Journal enjoyed unexpected interest. Since the target audience back then were South African hunters, it was first published in A4 magazine format, with a fair amount of contributions written in the Afrikaans language. Self published of course... who knew the 9.3x62 Mauser back then afterall? But readers wanted a book and the 2nd Edition in A5 was printed from 2007 - 2013. The fully revised 3rd Edition english version was underway, but due to many challenges, it took no less 9 years to complete. The result is a 9.3x62 Journal filled with contributions from Spain, Italy, USA, Australia and South Africa with more than 600 full color pages... Real life bullet tests, real life experiences, opinions, reports, images and what not, makes the 9.3x62 Journal unequalled in its genre. I have the honor to have received the proof copy this week... it looks great!
I have two 9.3x62's and a 9.3x57 in the stable.
Ruger Hawkeye S/S in 22", rebored from a 30-06. This one has a 1/10 twist for the heavier bullets. I am hoping to take it to AK this fall for a moose hunt.
Man i dont know, no Alaskan or Guide here, but would dearly love to take on all that Alaska has to offer with my 98 Mauser 9.3x62 with the big 320gr Woodleigh round nose Weldcores.
No Sir, but have more of the 320gr Woodleigh protected points loaded up than the round nose, i think both would plow plenty deep, they all leave at 2400 fps over RL-17.
After checking out the link your provided, I looked on Kindle and was able to buy the book. I've been reading it this evening. I doubt I will ever buy a 9.3x62, but am enjoying the book.
No Sir, but have more of the 320gr Woodleigh protected points loaded up than the round nose, i think both would plow plenty deep, they all leave at 2400 fps over RL-17.
Are you running a 22 or 24"on that 98, gunner? That should be enough for all that walks on four legs...
No Sir, but have more of the 320gr Woodleigh protected points loaded up than the round nose, i think both would plow plenty deep, they all leave at 2400 fps over RL-17.
Are you running a 22 or 24"on that 98, gunner? That should be enough for all that walks on four legs...
Good deal bearhuntr, glad to know that, i had this rifle built from the ground up, the stock has a LOP of 13-7/8ths, so had the barrel cut at 25 inches, perfect balance imho.
I may be looking into 286-300gr bullets someday if the Woodleigh factory doesn't get back up and running, that said and not to hijack the thread, but a buddy offered me 286gr oartitions for 35 bucks a box and 286gr TSX at 45 bucks a box, he sold his rifle and they're just sitting on his load shop shelf gathering dust, a man could probably do a lot worse than those two loading the 9.3x62, the 300gr A Frame comes to mind as well, bet it's a hammer at 2500 fps.
I may be looking into 286-300gr bullets someday if the Woodleigh factory doesn't get back up and running, that said and not to hijack the thread, but a buddy offered me 286gr oartitions for 35 bucks a box and 286gr TSX at 45 bucks a box, he sold his rifle and they're just sitting on his load shop shelf gathering dust, a man could probably do a lot worse than those two loading the 9.3x62, the 300gr A Frame comes to mind as well, bet it's a hammer at 2500 fps.
If you pass on those bullets give me a shout... 😇😀
We have probably discussed this before, but what muzzle velocity were you getting?
The 286 Partition load I've used gets around 2475 fps.
Those figures are close to what I experienced and not much different than many 300 gr 375 H&H factory loads I have chronographed. With equal sectional density to the 286 gr 9.3x62 and appx same velocities, the difference of 15 grains of Bullet weight and the difference in diameter only the depth of the rifling, it's no wonder we don't see a lot of difference in the field.
Shhhhhh. Don't jinx it. I'm enjoying the straight forward talk. Reading these threads convinced me to convert my LH M70. Thanks guys and thanks to JES. Haven't played with it yet but can't wait.
Thanks, Phil. That is basically what I recalled--and have experienced!
Haven't used the 9,3x62 much in Alaska, just on a couple of bear hunts--though one of them was was with the 9.3 Barsness-Sisk wildcat, which was designed to get the same ballistics in a short-action case.
But have plenty of experience with both the "modern loaded" 9.3x62 and 375 H&H in Africa, and also some in the Lower 48, with a wider variety of bullets. So far still haven't been able to discern any difference in field performance.
The ole nine three is really catching on it seems. Even in treeless Alaska, it reaches out to 400 yds with ease.
One of my greatest memories hunting a nine-three, was running the baldwin peninsula at moonlight with no headlamp. Mid-day light, filling the ole freight sled and rerurning in the evening sore and cold, to a fresh litter of puppies.
I may be looking into 286-300gr bullets someday if the Woodleigh factory doesn't get back up and running, that said and not to hijack the thread, but a buddy offered me 286gr oartitions for 35 bucks a box and 286gr TSX at 45 bucks a box, he sold his rifle and they're just sitting on his load shop shelf gathering dust, a man could probably do a lot worse than those two loading the 9.3x62, the 300gr A Frame comes to mind as well, bet it's a hammer at 2500 fps.
If you pass on those bullets give me a shout... 😇😀
The ole nine three is really catching on it seems. Even in treeless Alaska, it reaches out to 400 yds with ease.
One of my greatest memories hunting a nine-three, was running the baldwin peninsula at moonlight with no headlamp. Mid-day light, filling the ole freight sled and rerurning in the evening sore and cold, to a fresh litter of puppies.
I like this thread; I've been curious about the 9.3. Sounds really cool, but it seems from this thread is that there really is no reason for me to get a 9.3 if I already have a .375 I really like. Ya know, other than more guns = more fun.
Always liked that video of Don crumpling the charging elephant with his 9.3....
It was impressive for sure ! He sent it to me right after it happened, and before the Park came down on him for pushing the elephant one too many times. He had two cameramen working and according to him he was teaching some aspiring PH applicants how to judge a charge. I ask what solids he was using in his 9.3 and if I remember correctly he told me he was carrying a Park issued 416 Rem.
In the day of benchrest and long range stupidity influencing the big game rifle, the original 9.3x62 was proper for harsh environments.
The chamber dimensions of my 9.3x62, 1922 oberndorf sporting mauser were designed to keep pressures low in dirty or hot environments:
Generous throat dimensions where even a 300 grain swift a-frame can be loaded out until the base of the bullet is loaded to the base of the neck.
Generous neck dimensions, fired cases expanded almost one full caliber at the neck.
Sleek and balanced like a fine upland shotgun, the oberndorf stock gives lightening fast aquisition of the sights.
The case capacity of the 9.3x62 is just right, for a balance of killing power, range and recovery from recoil for shot number two,three, four or five.
Sleek cartridges with minimum, but sufficient case taper, sleek shoulder angle and designed to fit in a standard mauser rifle that is lighter than any pre 64 featherweight of equal barrel length. The oberndorf barrel contour is thin, everywhere.
Nowadays, we gotta have staight cases, sharp 30-40 degree shoulders, minimum "benchrest chambers", more gun powder and 3 round capacity rifles.
In typical hunting scenarios and typical range, The 9.3x62 isnt outdone by any modern 375
No matter what the caliber, Don's ability to correctly place his shot saved his life. Although the momentum of dying elephant did make contact and broke his arm
I like this thread; I've been curious about the 9.3. Sounds really cool, but it seems from this thread is that there really is no reason for me to get a 9.3 if I already have a .375 I really like. Ya know, other than more guns = more fun.
Like the .375, the 9.3x62 is an ideal round for SE. What's your .375? Switching to a 9.3 would get you the same performance with a lighter rifle that holds more ammo and kicks less.
I like this thread; I've been curious about the 9.3. Sounds really cool, but it seems from this thread is that there really is no reason for me to get a 9.3 if I already have a .375 I really like. Ya know, other than more guns = more fun.
Like the .375, the 9.3x62 is an ideal round for SE. What's your .375? Switching to a 9.3 would get you the same performance with a lighter rifle that holds more ammo and kicks less.
Mine is the Kimber Talkeetna. It's the best kimber I've had. It has the factory 24 inch barrel and iron sights on it now; I'm thinking hard of sending it out for someone to chop it to 20 or 21in to make it a bit more handy in the brush.
I just don't see how 3-4" of barrel makes a rifle "handier".
Well I'll put it this way: At the ranges I typically shoot with .375, an extra 3-4 inches makes no difference in energy to the animal on the receiving end. So either way it wouldn't matter. And I usually strap my rifle to my pack and use my chest rig when going through really thick stuff. My rifle sticks up 4 inches above the top of my pack. If I cut off 4 inches, for me and my setup, it will make a noticeable difference.
And in southeast there have been times I've sworn up and down while trying to get through alders or blueberry bushes. If chopping off my left nut would help me through that rat nest, I'd probably do it.
And in southeast there have been times I've sworn up and down while trying to get through alders or blueberry bushes. If chopping off my left nut would help me through that rat nest, I'd probably do it.
I just don't see how 3-4" of barrel makes a rifle "handier".
If extra barrel length was an asset all the military door kickers and police SWAT teams would not bother with carbines. And in the dense alder/willow pucker brush wounded brown bears hole up in I know for a fact that shorter barrels give you an edge ! A shorter overall length is also the primary advantage African PH's list for double rifles !
Its mostly lower-48 ruffed grouse hunters who think they know something about busting brush, as most upland shotguns have 24-26 inch barrels.
One day of hiking treeless alaska alders, any of them would quickley change their tune.
Short action 20" barrel carbine: 40 inches Long action 20" barrel carbine: 41-41.75"
I dont know about Alaska but recall living in Maine and I dont see how.4 inches of barrel makes a whit of difference when that big.buck clears out and.you try.to get a quick shot off at his quickly fleeing form.
And in southeast there have been times I've sworn up and down while trying to get through alders or blueberry bushes. If chopping off my left nut would help me through that rat nest, I'd probably do it.
That is very interesting. The original bronze point was like a ballistic tip only it had a metal bronze tip instead of plastic. I thought the bronze tip was done away with years ago. But a true bronze tip in 9.3x62 would be very unusual. thanks
Ok,,,,, I shoot this load in my 30-06 180gr BP, same box design, the PSP is Power Soft Point, but it's still got the Bronze Tip, better hurry-up like a Bunny, and get those, while the gettin is Good...Lj Ok, PSP= Pointed Soft Point......
And in southeast there have been times I've sworn up and down while trying to get through alders or blueberry bushes. If chopping off my left nut would help me through that rat nest, I'd probably do it.
I just don't see how 3-4" of barrel makes a rifle "handier".
This is the important part:
“ make it a bit more handy in the brush”.
It won’t hang up as much.
I've never seen this to be the case in my experience, if the brush was a problem I have always went with a big bore revolver. Now that is much handier
I have seen it make a difference more than once with different length barrels and I am not ever carrying both.
I carried both and it paid off once. While working a moose kill a 7 footer came and my rifle was out if reach, but my 475 Linebaugh revolver was in my shoulder holster. Jimmy shot first and the bear went down and came up like he was spring loaded, I fired and the bear went down and never got up again.
I can seen a difference from a 26" barrel to a 18 or 20. But a 22 to 20 I don't see that being much of a difference
And in southeast there have been times I've sworn up and down while trying to get through alders or blueberry bushes. If chopping off my left nut would help me through that rat nest, I'd probably do it.
And in southeast there have been times I've sworn up and down while trying to get through alders or blueberry bushes. If chopping off my left nut would help me through that rat nest, I'd probably do it.
I just don't see how 3-4" of barrel makes a rifle "handier".
This is the important part:
“ make it a bit more handy in the brush”.
It won’t hang up as much.
I've never seen this to be the case in my experience, if the brush was a problem I have always went with a big bore revolver. Now that is much handier
I have seen it make a difference more than once with different length barrels and I am not ever carrying both.
I carried both and it paid off once. While working a moose kill a 7 footer came and my rifle was out if reach, but my 475 Linebaugh revolver was in my shoulder holster. Jimmy shot first and the bear went down and came up like he was spring loaded, I fired and the bear went down and never got up again.
I can seen a difference from a 26" barrel to a 18 or 20. But a 22 to 20 I don't see that being much of a difference
What caliber did you end killing the bear with? How did you like the performance of the 475 linebaugh on the bear charge?
I just don't see how 3-4" of barrel makes a rifle "handier".
This is the important part:
“ make it a bit more handy in the brush”.
It won’t hang up as much.
I've never seen this to be the case in my experience, if the brush was a problem I have always went with a big bore revolver. Now that is much handier
I have seen it make a difference more than once with different length barrels and I am not ever carrying both.
I carried both and it paid off once. While working a moose kill a 7 footer came and my rifle was out if reach, but my 475 Linebaugh revolver was in my shoulder holster. Jimmy shot first and the bear went down and came up like he was spring loaded, I fired and the bear went down and never got up again.
I can seen a difference from a 26" barrel to a 18 or 20. But a 22 to 20 I don't see that being much of a difference
What caliber did you end killing the bear with? How did you like the performance of the 475 linebaugh on the bear charge?
The 475L with a wide meplat hardcast is impressive on large game. I shot Moose Bison and Asian Buffalo with it and hit hits like the hammer of Thor.
The 500L and the 50JRH do hit a bit harder to me. I mean you can see the ribs push in more on impact
In my experience there is a significant step up in impact over a 454
I just don't see how 3-4" of barrel makes a rifle "handier".
Wow,,,,, and with a comment like that, it's pretty obvious you don't get out much, let alone traverse the pucker-brush and alders,,,,, and this Bbl length discussion, is more in-line with Mr. Brown Bear, or that interior Grizz,,,,,, and not getting off a shot at some white tail deer. Lj
Not yours ! That is for sure. The thread is about caliber NOT barrel length.
Go back to sleep!
Hip
Actually, it is about cartridges. And you obviously have zero personal knowledge nor experience to add. Barrel length is a huge factor when discussing cartridges. If you knew anything you would know that.
One of the more interesting experiments I've made is comparing the same 9.3x62 ammo in a 21"-inch barreled CZ 550 Stutzen (which most Americans would call a "Mannlicher" model) with the 23.6" barreled CZ 550 sporter I've been using for 20 years now.
The biggest lost in muzzle velocity was around 75 fps, if I recall correctly, but one factory load actually got slightly more velocity from the 21" barrel. This was all done on the same day, with the same chronograph.
From this I deduced that the barrel length wouldn't make any difference in "killing power," but would with rifle handling in thick cover....
This thread almost got the better of me….which ain’t hard considering my level of loonyism. I’ve got a pre-64 model 70 in 30-06 that I almost sent to JES to rebore in 9.3x62 because Mainer and Mr. Brnbear are bad influences whose opinions I hold dear. Once I came to my senses and decided I didn’t need a new caliber with the attendant dies, bullets, etc that a new caliber in one’s arsenal requires I decided to instead stay with my 9x62…aka the .35 Whelen. 😁. Since I already have a 20” Whelen I’ll keep the model 70 at 24” and that’ll be for my wife or son in certain country. If anyone is going into the brush where a short barrel heavy hitter is needed I’ll take the 20” Whelen or one of the 20” .338 Win mags. I did pick up some 280gr Swift A-Frames so I can pretend it’s a 9.3 but inside I’ll always feel 3/10mm short and I’ll always know it’s only a 9x62. 😂. I intend to load the 250gr A-Frames and the 280gr A-Frames but I’ll likely use the 225gr TTSX as my do-it-all bullet.
I have decided (thanks again to Mainer 😉) that our daughter’s model 7 in .243 is going to become her new .338 Federal after it gets the JES treatment. I’d rebarrel her model 7 but for the price difference I can rebore 2 rifles for less than a barrel and a smith. I had to figure out how to get good use from all those 185gr .338 bonded bullets from Midway and the model 7 was screaming for a facelift.
Now that we're back on the 9.3x62 train of thought ...
I went back the next day to pick up a couple more boxes of 250 gr 338 cal Accubonds they had on the shelf and saw the 9.3x62 ammo again, figured I'd buy a box for my collection and when the kid put both boxes on the counter I said hell with it and bought both !
Went home and did some searching on the web for the ammo by plugging in the upc, item number, name on box and multiple different ways to find something just like it ... Zilch .... all the searches came up with the 285 gr PSP Core-Lokt ammo and zero mention of "Bronze Point"
Both boxes contain the 285 gr PSP-CL ammo, no such "Bronze Point" bullet in the boxes even though it's what the box indicates ... boxes made that way by Remington ....... Bronze Point across the box and the front flap also shows 285 gr PSP R93X621 , searching that # leads to the 285 gr Core-Lokt ammo, one big circle with zero info on the BP part ...
Maybe someone switched up the ammo and nobody ever noticed, I've no clue ... the weird thing is I can't find anything on the internet about a 285 gr .366"/9.3 caliber Bronze Point bullet ....
just so y'all don't think I'm haloosinationing, here's some pics ....
Oryx bullets tend to retain about the same percentage of weight as A-Frames, but open up a little wider.
Awesome, I’m going to be heading to Alaska in the near future and will be taking either my 9.3x62 or my 300win mag. I have some 286 partitions and the 250 AB but I would like to reload some of these orx projectiles to try out over a dose of big game 😛
Now that we're back on the 9.3x62 train of thought ...
I went back the next day to pick up a couple more boxes of 250 gr 338 cal Accubonds they had on the shelf and saw the 9.3x62 ammo again, figured I'd buy a box for my collection and when the kid put both boxes on the counter I said hell with it and bought both !
Went home and did some searching on the web for the ammo by plugging in the upc, item number, name on box and multiple different ways to find something just like it ... Zilch .... all the searches came up with the 285 gr PSP Core-Lokt ammo and zero mention of "Bronze Point"
Both boxes contain the 285 gr PSP-CL ammo, no such "Bronze Point" bullet in the boxes even though it's what the box indicates ... boxes made that way by Remington ....... Bronze Point across the box and the front flap also shows 285 gr PSP R93X621 , searching that # leads to the 285 gr Core-Lokt ammo, one big circle with zero info on the BP part ...
Maybe someone switched up the ammo and nobody ever noticed, I've no clue ... the weird thing is I can't find anything on the internet about a 285 gr .366"/9.3 caliber Bronze Point bullet ....
just so y'all don't think I'm haloosinationing, here's some pics ....
..
I just looked at my Remington 9.3x62 ammo and it's the same down to the barcode with the exception that my boxes only show that it's Express Rifle.
Slightly off topic, but I'll try ( related the "how a 9.3x62 handles with respect to barrel length" comments)
For you who have done it, or would do it again to "make it better", and were going to rebarrel (not rebore) a bolt action - let's say going from a 30-06 to 9.3x62 - what muzzle diameter and taper would /did you chose? For 20". 22" or 24" long barrel?
Slightly off topic, but I'll try ( related the "how a 9.3x62 handles with respect to barrel length" comments)
For you who have done it, or would do it again to "make it better", and were going to rebarrel (not rebore) a bolt action - let's say going from a 30-06 to 9.3x62 - what muzzle diameter and taper would /did you chose? For 20". 22" or 24" long barrel?
I’m thinking about doing this for one my savage rifles. Rebarrel with a Shaw barrel 18” with a sporter diameter of .650-.700
Slightly off topic, but I'll try ( related the "how a 9.3x62 handles with respect to barrel length" comments)
For you who have done it, or would do it again to "make it better", and were going to rebarrel (not rebore) a bolt action - let's say going from a 30-06 to 9.3x62 - what muzzle diameter and taper would /did you chose? For 20". 22" or 24" long barrel?
I’m thinking about doing this for one my savage rifles. Rebarrel with a Shaw barrel 18” with a sporter diameter of .650-.700
I don't generally like carbines because many are just cut off barrel that balance poor. I think you are on the right to make your rifle balance well.
Now that we're back on the 9.3x62 train of thought ...
I went back the next day to pick up a couple more boxes of 250 gr 338 cal Accubonds they had on the shelf and saw the 9.3x62 ammo again, figured I'd buy a box for my collection and when the kid put both boxes on the counter I said hell with it and bought both !
Went home and did some searching on the web for the ammo by plugging in the upc, item number, name on box and multiple different ways to find something just like it ... Zilch .... all the searches came up with the 285 gr PSP Core-Lokt ammo and zero mention of "Bronze Point"
Both boxes contain the 285 gr PSP-CL ammo, no such "Bronze Point" bullet in the boxes even though it's what the box indicates ... boxes made that way by Remington ....... Bronze Point across the box and the front flap also shows 285 gr PSP R93X621 , searching that # leads to the 285 gr Core-Lokt ammo, one big circle with zero info on the BP part ...
Maybe someone switched up the ammo and nobody ever noticed, I've no clue ... the weird thing is I can't find anything on the internet about a 285 gr .366"/9.3 caliber Bronze Point bullet ....
just so y'all don't think I'm haloosinationing, here's some pics ....
..
I went in their yesterday to buy that 9.3 ammo lol. I bought the 4 boxes they had on the shelf about a month ago. The 3bears in Tok had all this 9.3x62 ammo and sent it to this 3 bears.
When I had my 9.3x62 made I was lucky and powder valley had a bunch of these I think I got 5-6 bags of the 285gr ppu bulleys. Then nosler had 250gr AB seconds on sale $25 a bag I think I bought 4-5 bags. Speaking of 338 250gr AB sps had these as well, I have a lefty model 70 in a 338 win mag that will not shoot 225’s but will shoot these 250 AB very well.
were the boxes of Rem 9.3x62 ammo the exact same bs ? with the Bronze Point labeled box only with PSP-CL bullets or were the ammo boxes labeled Express without BP ?
My Sako TRGS in 340 Weatherby really, really likes the 250 gr Noodler Accubonds, have a couple boxes of ammo loaded in Wby brass and have 3 boxes of bullets on hand, just got 150 pcs of Peterson 300 Wby brass I'm gonna neck up and pop to 340 Wby, figured I'd get some more bullets to fill those empties, there was still about 6 boxes left after I bought the 4
They were labeled express cor-lokt no bronze point.
guess I picked up the dumb ones then, they don't even know what they are, lol they'll shoot the same
time to order a 9.3 cal barrel and build one on a cheap Rem 700 Sportsman in 30-06 I got laying around, probably the 20th project I've considered doing on it and nothings happened yet, lol
Arctic Ammo has a bunch of 35 Whelen brass I can snag and pop into 9.3x62 via false shoulder headspace, cow & pistol powder and I have two buckets of mixed 30-06 brass
Don’t run modern pressure ammo in the 9.3 with brass formed from ‘06 or Whelen. The case head diameter will be to small and end up unsupported. I had two massive case failures running modern pressure loads in hornady brass, which they make from their ‘06 blanks. RCBS dies exacerbated the issue, because they resize cases back to ‘06 dimensions just forward of the casehead.
They were labeled express cor-lokt no bronze point.
guess I picked up the dumb ones then, they don't even know what they are, lol they'll shoot the same
time to order a 9.3 cal barrel and build one on a cheap Rem 700 Sportsman in 30-06 I got laying around, probably the 20th project I've considered doing on it and nothings happened yet, lol
Arctic Ammo has a bunch of 35 Whelen brass I can snag and pop into 9.3x62 via false shoulder headspace, cow & pistol powder and I have two buckets of mixed 30-06 brass
I made a bunch with r-p cases. I was using those PPU bullets jammed into the lands and imr 4320. Actually, shot them very well. My bud squared me up with some 9.3x62 Nosler brass so I stopped making it.
I’ll be damned…..went to the local Cabelas and on the rack was a brand new Lipsey’s special Ruger M77 Hawkeye African in 9.3x62. I think it was right about $1200 but it wasn’t in new condition. It must’ve been lost in the shuffle because there were scratches and dings all over it. Ruger, especially the M77, isn’t typically synonymous with fancy wood so with little effort that stock could be cleaned up.
Just thought I’d pass that along….👍
ETA….the salesman said that the scratches were from going back and forth into the safe and onto the racks so it is a new rifle.
Its mostly lower-48 ruffed grouse hunters who think they know something about busting brush, as most upland shotguns have 24-26 inch barrels.
One day of hiking treeless alaska alders, any of them would quickley change their tune.
Short action 20" barrel carbine: 40 inches Long action 20" barrel carbine: 41-41.75"
I dont know about Alaska but recall living in Maine and I dont see how.4 inches of barrel makes a whit of difference when that big.buck clears out and.you try.to get a quick shot off at his quickly fleeing form.
Simple question: do you hunt any big game? If so, what and where do you hunt?
Alaskans trying trying to convince some sort of lower 48 heckler about ideal rifles for Alaskan conditions, is sort of like walking up to some dude licking a fking window........and asking him to please stop doing that.
Its mostly lower-48 ruffed grouse hunters who think they know something about busting brush, as most upland shotguns have 24-26 inch barrels.
One day of hiking treeless alaska alders, any of them would quickley change their tune.
Short action 20" barrel carbine: 40 inches Long action 20" barrel carbine: 41-41.75"
I dont know about Alaska but recall living in Maine and I dont see how.4 inches of barrel makes a whit of difference when that big.buck clears out and.you try.to get a quick shot off at his quickly fleeing form.
Simple question: do you hunt any big game? If so, what and where do you hunt?
Alaskans trying trying to convince some sort of lower 48 heckler about ideal rifles for Alaskan conditions, is sort of like walking up to some dude licking a fking window........and asking him to please stop doing that.
A waste of time for everyone.
Iived in Alaska for 7 years. And hunted at every opportunity
Sure right here in Maine with the usual species. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything but I don't see a couple of inches of barrel to be a hindrance in thick brush. Perhaps YMMV.
Once it warms up here in minneapolis I plan on rebarreling one of my commercial mauser 98's in 9.3x62 I have had the blank and reamer sitting in the shop for about a year. The intent of the 9.3 is to replace my 375 Ruger as my bear gun, I only hunt black bears, can't afford the others. Barrel length will be 18 inches,
I spent a fair amount of time shooting a DARPA-designed sniper rifle they built for the Marines called the XM-3 alongside the standard USMC sniper rifle the M40. The XM-3 has an 18 inch barrel and the M40 a more traditional 26 inch barrel and I really liked how the XM-3 handled better. I do my hunting over bait so range is short and being able to get the gun on target faster has some increased utility and the loss in muzzle velocity will not be felt by the bears I still should get two holes, I shoot Hammers. The 18 inch barrel will come in handy should I end up having to track a wounded bear as the brush can get thick.
...I decided to instead stay with my 9x62…aka the .35 Whelen. 😁. .... I did pick up some 280gr Swift A-Frames so I can pretend it’s a 9.3 but inside I’ll always feel 3/10mm short and I’ll always know it’s only a 9x62. 😂. I intend to load the 250gr A-Frames and the 280gr A-Frames but I’ll likely use the 225gr TTSX as my do-it-all bullet.
Hey Aces, you can make up for the "3/10mm short" angst with the knowledge that you actually have a whole extra mm of case length. The Whelen would actually be a 9x63, just as the 30-06 is with its Euro alias of 7.62x63. Those 280gr A-Frames ought to do the trick, that's for sure, though I've not used them. The 225 TSX and 250 partition have performed great for me in my "9x63" AI.
I believe the x62 case holds about 10% more powder than the 06 case but I think the Whelen neck looks good.
While I'm a big Nine-Three fan, I think 10% over the Whelen is on the high side. My two respective rifles are magazine, not throat-limited, so I seat my bullets to 3.375 for them both. Comparing 250 grain bullets for apples-to-apples fairness: My 35 WAI holds 65.7 grains of water underneath a 250 Partition seated to 3.375" in a once fired case. My 9.3x62 holds 65.2 grains of water underneath a 250 Nosler AB seated to 3.375" in a once fired case.
My Whelen is an AI so it picks up a little more case capacity over the basic, but not nearly enough to give the 9.3 a 10% advantage over the basic Whelen. As Mule Deer wrote, "The .35 Whelen Ackley Improved, for instance, gains almost nothing in case capacity over the standard .35 Whelen, simply because there isn’t much shoulder to blow out." (and he's right, of course).
Nosler publishes water capacity for all the loads in their last couple manuals and here's what they say about the 9.3x62 and the basic 35 Whelen: 9.3x62, 250 NAB, 3.230" COAL = 62.5 grains H2O capacity 9.3x62, 286 NPT, 3.220" COAL = 60.4 grains H2O capacity 35 Whelen, 250 NPT, 3.330" COAL = 62.2 grains H2O capacity
Since virtually all 9.3x62 have very long throats, not sure why they loaded theirs so short. Clearly the 0.10" difference in COAL between the 9.3 and the 35 costs some H2O capacity, but not nearly enough to equate to a 10% advantage to the 9.3.
One more consideration is the pressure limits. The Whelen is 62K SAAMI and both Sierra and Speer are now publishing data that are taking advantage of that. The original 9.3x62 is much less. I think Mule Deer is wise to publish 9.3x62 loads that are approaching the 60K limit of the 30-06, but I've not read anybody advocating exceeding that in the 9.3x62, though certainly the Lapua brass and modern actions would handle it. There's just little need to.
I love both these chamberings. I just started shooting the .375 H&H and haven't hunted it yet so can't speak to that aspect of the OP question.
Since virtually all 9.3x62 have very long throats, not sure why they loaded theirs so short. Clearly the 0.10" difference in COAL between the 9.3 and the 35 costs some H2O capacity, but not nearly enough to equate to a 10% advantage to the 9.3.
One more consideration is the pressure limits. The Whelen is 62K SAAMI and both Sierra and Speer are now publishing data that are taking advantage of that. The original 9.3x62 is much less. I think Mule Deer is wise to publish 9.3x62 loads that are approaching the 60K limit of the 30-06, but I've not read anybody advocating exceeding that in the 9.3x62, though certainly the Lapua brass and modern actions would handle it. There's just little need to.
I love both these chamberings. I just started shooting the .375 H&H and haven't hunted it yet so can't speak to that aspect of the OP question.
Cheers, Rex
The 9.3x62's overall cartridge length is so short because it was designed specifically to fit in the 3.30 inch magazine of 98 Mauser military actions, at least partly to make inexpensive yet powerful rifle was available to German settlers in Africa.
The long, tapered throat was common during that era, due to being designed to accommodate the long, heavy-for-caliber round-nosed bullets used in many early military and hunting rounds--such as the 285-grain (18.5 gram) bullet the 9.3x62 was also designed around. The conflict between magazine length and "reaching the lands" only occurred when hunters started using spitzers in the 9.3x62.
Thanks John! I just measured several Lapua factory loads and they go no more than 3.265", perfect for the magazines you mentioned. Don't think you listed a COAL for your 9.3x62 loads in your "Medium Mediums" article. Do you keep yours to less than 3.3" or load them out a bit more given the longer magazine in your CZ? Thanks again, Rex
well, maybe I'll do a 9.3 Gibbs then , so I can use that '06 brass I got taking up space
....
S : show some leadership, and do a 9.3 X 66 / 370 Sako ;-)
Sourcing brass would be a pain in the butt, just to gain 4mm longer case lenth & 75 fps over the 9.3x62 .... not worth the time, effort & cash $$
now that I think about all this, it doesn't have the capacity that I require, much like the other 65-68 gr cases,
I'm just going to neck my Razor brass to 9.3 and end up with around 115 gr h20, already have a bunch of custom brass made that I can neck and the 416 Razor project is underway on a Win 70 Classic stainless donor I have in 300 Win Mag, can just add an additional barrel to the build in 9.3 Razor or 370 Razor, whichever name sounds cooler, lol
With the case capacity it opens up a bunch more powders for max power loads or can be toned down to whatever the comfort level is, bullets used and game persued
Thanks John! I just measured several Lapua factory loads and they go no more than 3.265", perfect for the magazines you mentioned. Don't think you listed a COAL for your 9.3x62 loads in your "Medium Mediums" article. Do you keep yours to less than 3.3" or load them out a bit more given the longer magazine in your CZ? Thanks again, Rex
If I recall correctly the OAL possible in my CZ 550 is close to 3.35", maybe 3.4", because it's designed to handle standard .30-06-length rounds.
Thanks John! I just measured several Lapua factory loads and they go no more than 3.265", perfect for the magazines you mentioned. Don't think you listed a COAL for your 9.3x62 loads in your "Medium Mediums" article. Do you keep yours to less than 3.3" or load them out a bit more given the longer magazine in your CZ? Thanks again, Rex
If I recall correctly the OAL possible in my CZ 550 is close to 3.35", maybe 3.4", because it's designed to handle standard .30-06-length rounds.
Same with the magazines on my commercial Mauser .35WAI and Springfield 9.3x62. Both are 3.4". Even at 3.375" OAL, both cartridges have about .200" jump to the lands. They feed great at that length and have plenty of bullet shank in the neck, so I have just been seating all bullets 3.375". And happily, both shoot consistently sub-MOA.
EDIT: One exception is the 225 Sierra GK in the 35 Whelen. It is a stubby little thing and I needed 3.335" to get what I thought was enough bullet shank in the neck. I only used that bullet on Pronghorn back in '94. All the other .358 bullet types of 225gr and up have fit fine at 3.37-ish. Even the 200 TTSX was fine at 3.375.
I have never owned a 375 H and H. I have guided with a 375 Ruger, a 45-70, and now bounce back and fourth between the 45-70 and a Husky 9.3x62. So having said that my opinion only means so much, but I can say that since I’ve been using the 9.3, have wondered why it’s not more popular in Alaska. The 375 Ruger was adequate for what I needed it for but was terribly loud, like permanent hearing damage loud, and the recoil was “sharp” for lack of a better word, compared to the 375 H and Hs I’d shot. I just never really clicked with it. 45-70 is proven and works well, and in the short barreled Marlin with the octagonal barrel and straight stock makes a really attractive little lever gun to tote around. But it’s limited as we all know in terms of range. The 9.3 is a pretty neat medium bore in my opinion, seems like it’s just enough to do some heavy backing up roles and not quite overkill enough to not use on a caribou or sitka blacktail if you’re just out hunting for your self. So for that I like it, very versatile. I bought an old husqvarna from Simpson Ltd for $450, had it rechambered from 9.3x57 to 9.3x62, cut and recrowned barrel to 21”, glass bedded it and slapped a Leupold 1-5 with the qd rings. Have a XS rear peep I can pop on if pursuing bear or whatever in thick stuff. So for about $800 have a unique and very nice rifle. It’s worked out pretty slick so far. Plus there’s the whole appeal, to me at least, of the FN 98 action, schnable forend, barrel band sling mount etc. No hard data here, and I realize the original question was comparing the 375 H and H and the 9.3, but from my experiences with a similar bullet in the 375 Ruger, and my relatively new experience with the 9.3, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate using the 9.3 in a client backup situation that more traditionally would’ve been a 375 H and H, 45-70 and so on
For all of you 9.3x62 fans... have you tried CFE223 yet? I recently tried it in my Husky 350 Rem Mag and got 250s past 2800fps in the 26" barrel. I was still .6gn below max Alliant published load for the 35 Whelen.
My experience in thick brush has taught me.if a 24 gets hung.up a 20 will as well. To each his own I guess despite my disagreement.
I have to agree with that.... There's plenty of brush in Ontario and Maine (I grew up in New Brunswick alongside Maine) where we hunt big moose and bear!
My 9.3 x 62 (Tikka T3 Lite) sports a 22.44" (Sako) barrel, which I find perfect for the job, whether for long range shooting in clear cuts, marshes or at the end of lakes. And also in thick woods or brush. My favorite loads are the 250 AB and 286 Partition, though I'm wanting to try the 320 Woodleigh PP on a bear. It leaves the muzzle at +2400 over a dose of RL-17.
Now that we're back on the 9.3x62 train of thought ...
I went back the next day to pick up a couple more boxes of 250 gr 338 cal Accubonds they had on the shelf and saw the 9.3x62 ammo again, figured I'd buy a box for my collection and when the kid put both boxes on the counter I said hell with it and bought both !
Went home and did some searching on the web for the ammo by plugging in the upc, item number, name on box and multiple different ways to find something just like it ... Zilch .... all the searches came up with the 285 gr PSP Core-Lokt ammo and zero mention of "Bronze Point"
Both boxes contain the 285 gr PSP-CL ammo, no such "Bronze Point" bullet in the boxes even though it's what the box indicates ... boxes made that way by Remington ....... Bronze Point across the box and the front flap also shows 285 gr PSP R93X621 , searching that # leads to the 285 gr Core-Lokt ammo, one big circle with zero info on the BP part ...
Maybe someone switched up the ammo and nobody ever noticed, I've no clue ... the weird thing is I can't find anything on the internet about a 285 gr .366"/9.3 caliber Bronze Point bullet ....
just so y'all don't think I'm haloosinationing, here's some pics ....
..
And "them" Bronze Points were made by Hornady for Remington. Almost from the horse's mouth. It's the same bullet Hornady makes in 9.3 x 62/ 286gr. RP (Recoil Proof) These were the first bullets fired in my Tikka 9.3 x 62, as handloads. One bear finally killed by the Hornady 286gr after having been wounded by a young friend. It's a very good bullet for deer, black bear, and likely elk and moose. It went through the bear from right flank to take out three vertebrae before going off somewhere into never, never land! MV was +2400 from close range.
Ted alias Yukoner has caused a lot of us to try the 9.3 X 62!
Ted's influence on my shooting goes back 25yrs. Thanks to him, I've had three 375H&Hs, a 375CT, four or five 35Whelens, a 358NM and two or three 358Winchesters.
Oddly, I never did buy a 9.3x62. I'm away from the med bores now and the largest I shoot is a 30cal now.
Those who favor the 9.3 over the .375 for Alaska, would that change if lion and buffalo entered the equation?
I think if hunting in Alaska and lion and Buffalo suddenly entered the equation there’d be a lot of re-evaluating happening. 😂
Personally if I’m hunting brown bear or if I’m hunting in brown bear country the rifle I’m carrying would be sized accordingly and I’d likely be carrying the .338 or .35 Whelen, both of which are capable of taking any lion or buffalo in Alaska. 😉. If it’s adequate for brown bear it’s adequate for lion or buffalo imho. A big brown bear is as formidable of an animal as anything out there.
Those who favor the 9.3 over the .375 for Alaska, would that change if lion and buffalo entered the equation?
I think if hunting in Alaska and lion and Buffalo suddenly entered the equation there’d be a lot of re-evaluating happening. 😂
Personally if I’m hunting brown bear or if I’m hunting in brown bear country the rifle I’m carrying would be sized accordingly and I’d likely be carrying the .338 or .35 Whelen, both of which are capable of taking any lion or buffalo in Alaska. 😉. If it’s adequate for brown bear it’s adequate for lion or buffalo imho. A big brown bear is as formidable of an animal as anything out there.
Pre 64 M70 in .338 win mag is the ultimate Alaskan rifle in my mind, but a 375 certainly wouldn’t do any worse and will fill the bill for Africa as well.
Last year I saw an old pre-64 375 alaskan rifle in a local shop. Gorgeous condition but it was a fit for me because I'm a lefty so I ended up with a lefty M70 winchester stainless 338 win. I'm happy and maybe I need to take it up north. I've got lots of 338 cal experiance on elk and the 338's have been smashing
Those who favor the 9.3 over the .375 for Alaska, would that change if lion and buffalo entered the equation?
The late Don Heath ,aka Ganyana, who instructed aspiring Zimbabwe professional hunters, preferred is 9.3x62 for lion and Cape buffalo.
I still lament this man's passing. Given his style and foundation of experiences, anything his wrote was very interesting. I wish one could buy his work gathered into a book.