Just sent a heym mauser for a barrel install in 9.3x62, wanna work up a load w/ the 320 woodies for sub 250yd. brush hunting.

Question is a bud and me are planning a kamchatka bear hunt for next yr, the rifle will have a cerakote finish and a set of express sights to go w/ the 2x7 leupold in warne QR rings.

I have much larger rifles, but would really like to use this one, never hunted big bears and have never fired a 9.3x62.

Any experienced hands feel comfortable w/ a 9.3 and 320 woodies @ about 2400fps. some cover is thick, so the potential for a close shot is there. So how bout it, will that combo safely and humanley get it done?

Thanks in advance
Gunner

i like the 250 accubond in the 9.3

I would really be suprised if you can ge anywhere close to 2400fps with 320gr Woodleigh bullets and be anywhere close to pressure limits.
If you can though it should make a great rifle for big bear. I've use 286gr Partitions at 2400fps in mine and it works great.

Make sure you check out Midway's clearance on the 320 softs . They're about $15 off per box right now if someone else didn't get the last of them.

I could only get 2400 FPS with my 22" 9.3 X 62 with RL 15 .
When I used JB load recomendation of Ram Shot Big Game with 286 gr NP. I saw 2520 FPS with great accuracy.

Never loaded anything heavier.

Listen to Phil, he knows of what he speaks!!!

I've used his load twice and it worked twice.

Furprick, would you trust the 250 AB up close in the thick stuff?

458Win, Thought about the noslers, Bud shot his bear there last year and it squared a little over 10' my thought was for a bigger slug for a little insurance.
I believe I read here somewhere about a outfitter from Idaho that got 2400 w/ the woodies from his rifle pretty easy.
Anyway that was what I was gonna shoot for w/ rl-15.

Klikitarik,
Yes, midway sent me 4 boxes this week.
Thanks

ColeK,
What kinda penetration/wound channels did you get w/ the noslers?

Gunner,

I have used the 9.3X62 for more than 25 years, in two different rifles. It works quite well on everything we have up this way using various 286 gr bullets at 2400 fps.

Have killed tons, literally, of really big game, and almost always with a single shot. It will fix up any big bear you find, and do it in a hurry. It is essentially a 375 H&H with five in the magazine, if you ever need it!

Ted

I was thinking the same thing, but saw some load data from Woodleigh on 35cal.com; the data was for the 310gr bullet in the .35 Whelen and claimed velocity was from 2220 to 2435 fps. It seems optimistic but if the .35 Whelen can hit even 2350 fps then the 9.3x62 ought to be able to reach 2400. I think.

http://35cal.com/loading.html#1908

I thought the whole point of medium bores was using larger bullets so that velocity would not be so important. I get 2300 fps with 286's and RL15 in my 20" barreled 9.3X62 and I'm perfectly happy.

http://35cal.com/loading.html#1908


Loads listed with the 35 Whelen Imp are 4 grains over mine!
I run mine with 58.5 grains of RL 15 with a 250 gr bullet around
2580 FPS in 22" barrel! Good case life.

Yukoner,
Thanks for the information, starting to feel better about the cal. for big bear, main concern is stopping a charge.

Arac, I think I can reach 2400 fps w/ rl-15 or 17, chamber will be cut to allow a col. of 3.375.

husqvarna, I agree but, seeing my friends bear [full mount] FTF makes you want to hunt w/ something with a lanyard rope.

My 9.3x62 will be slinging 286gr. Noslers at somewhere north of 2350 should I ever decide to go tangle with a big bear.

Biathlonman,
That 286NP seems to be popular in the 9.3x62, I gotta get my head around the idea of a bullet that size, and its ability to stop a charge.
I familiar w/ the effects of .416/400gn .458/500gn. and up just no ex. w/9.3

I did some testing in wet phone books not to long ago and posted it in the reloading section. The partition penetrated far and away better then anything else including the 286gr. TSX and 286gr. Woodleigh protected point.

That being the case the 286Np will be second in line for testing.
So a 320 woodie rnsp should deliver a heavy punch up close, thanks for Your thoughts Sir.

Hornady now makes a 286g IL also now. Makes for good practice loads with the same POI as the Partitions in my CZ 550. They probably would do just fine hunting for all but the really big/tough critters.

10-4 djb,

Thanks

Ted, been thinking about a 9.3 to replace the 338/06 I had, and your experience certainly is persuasive.

Gunner, JB has some experience w/250 AB on bear in a 9.3 B-S IIRC, the 350 RM case necked up. Said the 250 AB is one heck of a bullet for retention, penetration, and expansion. Even had a write up in one of the gun mags at your newstand.

If I get a 9.3 I will be looking at the AB and the 286s.

Go to the Norma homepage and then ask Don Heath if HE has faith in the 9.3x62 on big game..........

Norma lists their factory 325gr load at 2300 fps.

Just read it. Pretty exciting stuff, and don't doubt for a moment it could do it, however don't see where it indicates he used a 9.3X62.

Ted

I think Phil is right, 2400fps is optomistic as I haev loaded 286gn Woodleighs to 2330fps and called that max.

Irrespective of the paper ballistics, that 320gn Woodleigh will deal will any bear situation.

JW

yes I would , I run them 2700fps out of a 370 sako aka 9.3x66. There supposed to retain 80% weight, don't know this as I never recovered a bullet, this bullet will sink deep into any animal at spitting distance and shed 20% for good collateral damage.

On the forum that had the link, they talked about him using a 9.3. A later post said it may be a 450. I'll go check.

Thanks for all the advice and opinions gents,

I did a little comprative figuring on the 9.3 w/ 320 woodies, its only 50 thou. smaller than .416 and 90gns. lighter than a 410gn. woodie for the 416 rigby. IIRC the 416 rigby w/ 410gn. bullets is a phenominal penetratior. Thats startin to usher in the comfort level using the 9.3x62 for big bears.

I do my part and it should be good.

Anyone ever use the 285 Norma Oryx on game? This bullet shoots very well out of my CZ550 while I don't get as good of accuracy w/ Nosler 286 bullets. Only thing I've shot with it so far is a buffalo.

I was in South Africa in March. Had to borrow a rifle and ammo from the PH. It was 286gr Norma Oryx and worked just fine on warthog, impala, blue wildebeest, and kudu. All were complete pass throughs except the blue wildebeest. Rear quartering shot came in behind the right shoulder, through the heart, lungs, and left shoulder, and was recovered as a bulge under the hide on the front of the left shoulder.

Thanks 257

My bear taken with a 250 AccuBond from the 9.3 BS (2600+ fps) was a 7-1/2 foot interior grizzly, not a coastal bear.

If I were hunting the big ones, I'd go with the 286 Partition. It does penetrate extemely well. The load I use (65.0 Ramshot Hunter) gets around 2500 fps in 24" barrels and has been pressure-tested at 60,000 psi. But I sure as hell wouldn't worry that it would bounce off if started at 2300-2400.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but the case capacity of the 9.3 BS is virtually identical to the 9.3x62. What kind of velocity can you get with it out of a 20" barrel? Is the 65.0gr load compressed? Have you tried RL19? The 9.3 BS is a very interesting cartridge (as is the .375/350 and .416 Express).

Ganyana uses a 9.3....

Some of the posts said 9.3 and one mentioned 450.
There was no definite call.
What ever he used, he knew how to use it.
I have read the story several times.
He is a master craftsman with the proper tools........He got the job done.

I noticed Don did not have his double and when I asked what he used and he said it was one of the Parks .416 Remingtons.

But back to the original question. Here is a photo of 9.3 bullets recovered from large bears. In all my testing the 286 gr Partitions gave the deepest penetration



Here is one of my 9.3x62 rifles shown above an original 350 Rigby

I love that Rigby! I love the minimalist approach to the stocks on those rifles.

Funny, I was at the zoo w/ the kids last night. It was cold/snowing and the place was basically empty. The animals all got up when got to their exhibits. I stood in front of a pacing grizz for about 10 mins with about 5 inches of glass between us just mesmerized. A truly impressive animal. I hope to see one in the wild some day....from a distance.

I like that Rigby! Thanks.

arac,

Yes, the powder capacity of the 9.3 BS is virtually identical to the 9.3x62. The loads I use in the BS get about 2650 fps with a 250-grain bullet and 2450 with a 286.

Those velocities are from a 23" barrel. I've never tested them in a 20" barrel and don't even know if Charlie has ever built a 20" barreled BS. (He says he's built about 20 rifles for the round now.) But based on some experience with a 20" barreled 9.3x62 I would guess that very little velocity would be lost.

The 65.0 grain load mentioned should have been Ramshot Big Game, not Hunter--and that is only in the 9.3x62. TAC works better in the BS with both 250's and 286's.

In my experience, Reloder 19 is way too slow and bulky for use with either round.

Very informative, nice rifles there 458

Gunner

Thanks for the final word. I had no idea where to get the info.
That Rigby is elegant.
Thanks for the pics.

One thing to check in regards to bear hunting in Kamchatka is that when my cousin and his buddy went there a couple of years ago, the shots could get long. Like 200+ yards. Just something to keep in mind, so if it were me, I would go with the 286 gr. Partitions to get a bit flatter trajectory than the 320 gr slugs. YMMV

duckster,

Thanks for the tip, bud that Im huntin w/ said there were lots of open areas there as well, his last 3 kam. bears were shot @ 22, 42, & 51 yds. he's got a brushy pocket spot that has produced all 3 bears, said thats where were goin.

Just talked to Mike Kuypers @BC about installing a quarter rib and banded front sight on my rifle. now all it takes is time.

Gunner

Rigby does look nice, but I like Mannlicher stocks myself, like to hear more about that rifle.

I assume the 9.3x62 holds one more round than the 9.3/350 B-S?

JB, your B-S on a Rem action? OEM extractor or Sako? Seems Sisks using those and M70 alot correct?

The first one was quartering away at about 100 yards. I hit a rid taking out the onside lung, heart, the upper part of the off side lung and breaking the off side shoulder. The bullet was found just under the hair on the off side.

The second one was a finishing shot on a wounded one. As he came out of the thick stuff I was the first to see him and I shot him at about 50 yards. I hit him in the spine in front of the shoulders. That bullet removed over 4� of spine.

Has anyone used any of Northfork's bullets in the 9.3?

Wondering what they offer in that caliber,and how they have worked for people?

Being there is a ton of 9.3x62 experience on this thread:

Do any of you have thoughts, good or bad, on the current factory 9.3x62 rifles sold in the US?

I've used the CZ 550FS as a loaner, but I see now they offer it as a 550 Carbine-Kevlar which looks interesting. It appears the Ruger African will be offered in this chamber for 2011, and it also appears that a few of the European Zastava M-70s(the standard M-98 Zastavas in European trim) were brought over for sale NIB.

I was thinking of grabbing one of the Zastava M-70s, but they do not appear to be on the same level of quality as my older Mark-X, and I'm thinking they may need a bunch of work to make me happy. I've owned an African and that was a nice rifle, but I'm not sure I want to go that route either. Lastly, my only dislike for the CZ is with the 375H&H as I think the Magnum action too big and heavy for that cartridge. But on the loaner FS 9.3x62 I used, it wasn't bad at all. It appears that this new Carbine-Kevlar is the exact same 20 1/2 inch barreled rifle stuck in the new Kevlar stock. The twist seems fast on paper by Mauser standards, but the one I shot was on fire with good accuracy.

Not trying to steal the thread, but if anyone has some input good or bad on any of those models, I'd sure like to get some feedback.

Thanks!

65BR,

Yes, my 9.3 B-S is on a stainless Remington 700 action. It's all factory, originally from a 7mm SAUM. (Actually it still is, when I screw the factory barrel back on.) Charlie discovered that any action designed for the newer short-fat beltless magnums feeds the .350 Remington case flawlessly. While mine is a 700 action, he built his 9.3 B-S on a Model 70 action.

I'd already shot the action several hundred times so wasn't too worried that the bolt handle would fall off, or that the extractor would fail. (I've never had a 700 extractor fail anyway, in tens of thousands of rounds on a bunch of rifles.) It feeds 9.3 B-S rounds really slickly.

The rifle got used on the grizzly hunt by accident. The trip was supposed to be a black bear/fishing trip, but the outfitter had a grizzly hunter cancel while I was there, and the deal was too good to pass up. Despite the 700 being push-feed, I got 3 shots off in maybe 5-6 seconds when shooting the grizzly.

The first went into the crease behind the left shoulder at 60-75 yards, and exited the middle of the right shoulder. The bear turned around and ran broadside past me, and my second shot missed, when I shot just he turned to bite at his wound. The third shot was taken as he angled away; it went in behind his right shoulder and angled forward through his neck. That bullet was found under the hide, halfway up the neck, retaining 81% of its weight.

I wouldn't back away from a 1000-pound bear if my 9.3 was loaded with 250 AccuBonds, as I've had them perform splendidly on several large big game animals. But the 286 Partition REALLY penetrates, so why not use it instead?

GaryVA,

My 9.3x62 is a CZ 550, purchased new in 2004, if I remember correctly. It shot well well from the start, and the action was also very well-finished and slick. Since then I briefly owned a full-length stocked 550 in 9.3x62, purchased in 2007, and it wasn't as nicely finished, though it also shot well. This lower level of finish quality appears to be a trend with CZ's, though all I have fooled with (several) have all shot well.

I like the 550 action a lot, and also have a 550 Magnum .416 Rigby. The 550 has all the pluses of the basic 98 Mauser with a few refinements. Many people spend another $500 or so getting them spiffed up (M70 safety, new trigger, bolt handle, etc.) but I have never seen any reason to do so. I like the 3-position CZ safety, which like the Model 70 safety holds the firing pin back--but unlike the M70 safety doesn't stick out like a bear's ear, or require a long push. The triggers work fine, as do the bolt handles. I've used mine a lot and never had a problem, even when pumping several rounds into a water buffalo very quickly.

While having no-where near JB's experience level...I agree with his assessment of the CZ. I did quite a bit of work on my stock (refinished and shaped, recut checkering, added grip cap) and polished the action. My came with a plastic follower so I called and complained...they sent me a steel follower for free.

Basically I love the 550. It is the perfect action for this round IMHO. I wouldn't want a smaller caliber in this model as it is big and heavy. Being big and heavy does make it a soft shooter with the 9.3. CZ provides scope mounts that are rather crude but strong. I tried replacements but just went back to the factory rings. With a VX2 2X7 my rifle is an even 9 lbs.

Here's a pic after I had just finished the stock work next to my CZ 527.

so any WSM chambered rifle would work just as well as a SAUM rifle for the 9.3 Barnes Sisk? The CZ rifles seem to be getting cheaper but more expensive, my problem with them was also that the long bolt handle made low scope mounting a bit tough.

a few years back i bought the 550FS in 9.3x62. i pulled it out of the stock and bedded it into a McMillan hunting stock with a fixed 6x swarovski scope. makes for a great rig.

Tim do you have a picture you can share?

Reference the CZ 550 9.3x62:

Are any of you guys seeing any problems with the fast twist CZ uses in their barrels when using the bigger bullets?

If I'm not mistaken, Mauser recommends 14" twist which is what Zastava and Sako uses whereas I believe the CZ is very fast. The CZ loaner I used had 286 Partition reloads and I do not recall any accuracy problems out of the 20 1/2 inch FS barrel. It was a few years back, but my recollection was that the rifle shot extremely well, but I only ran the Partitions given me.

Thanks:)

CZ uses the original traditional twist for the 9.3x62.

Yes, it is way faster than necessary for the available bullet lengths.

The negative accuracy effect of too fast rifling is real but very minor. Noticable in a bench rest rifle but probably not in a sporter weight.

Rifling that is too fast causes increased chamber pressure, increased bore wear, and increased copper fouling.

Barrel life is probably halved, but is still sufficient for 2 or 3 generations of average hunters. Improper cleaning will have a bigger effect.

Factory ammo takes the fast twist rifles into account, so only blindly using max loads developed in slower twist rifles presents any danger.

All things being equal - barrel length, bore and groove diameter, throat length, chamber pressure, etc - you might safely use a bit more powder and squeeze 75-100fps more out of a slow 14" twist barrel.

I'd have to see REAL HARD data to believe a fast twist cuts bbl life in half, sorry. 'Probably' is just not enough science for me.

No doubt pressure goes up and some fouling increase.

I'd reckon as large a bore given capacity ie. GOOD expansion ratio - the 9.3 is VERY efficient no matter the twist. If one got that much more speed out of it, I think no more than half that would be directly attributed to twist rate.

Throat can help, my 338/06 Hart did was cut for 250s, so when loaded w/200-225s, I had them out long, plenty in the case for grip, yet into lands for accuracy. Everything shot 1/2 MOA.

That very rifle WAS a 700, and that handle fell off the bolt the 1st shot at the range after returning from a Colorado Elk/Muley hunt. Fired around 200-300 rounds total before that happened - it was made on a New SS/ADL 270 rifle mfg. the first yr that came out around 95 or so, rough bead blast finish w/MR contour bbl and heavier Hard Rubber, vs the plastic used on later mfg. models.

So JB, No doubt one gets confidence the longer they use something w/o problems. Immediately after that happened, I got home and turned over every Rem bolt I had, inc. a NIB 338 SS/BDL and THAT rifle's bolt Brazing had VOIDS in it, very noticable looking underneath the handle. I'd suggest any Rem owner take a look at theirs. That 338 Win Mag, defective w/alot of VOID of braze - also went back for a new braze job.

I must say, the ADL action that 338/06 was built on had a bolt that was never jeweled. Rem CS felt gracious enough to do so, WITHOUT my requesting w/o charge. Upon return, that bolt was SLAM FULL of lapping compound that had worked itself INSIDE the bolt body - rendering the bolt INOPERATIVE as the firing pin would hardly operate. YET, if it had, all that CRAP left in the bolt from the factory, would have FIRE LAPPED the HELL out of my EXPENSIVE Hart Bbl and Ruined it.

Yep, thas was B-S and I ain't talking Barsness - Sisk!

Later had a 700 that was in 221FB, done by a TOP smith in the USA, on a 223 action. It failed to extract a good % of the time, also eject properly. Not sure if the 223 base action was the issue, as perhaps the 221 is set up to eject differently - timing - being a shorter round, YET the extraction was erratic and would fail quite often.

The extractor issue, if there would be readily apparent I'd suppose, as either defective now, or not, unless IN the Field - it literally breaks, wears out, comes out, or gets fouled w/brass shavings as one author wrote a lengthy article on a few years back.

The bolt handle on a Remmy, although not common, they happen, and have been reported. I can only imagine if someone fires on a large bear, or African animal, and the handle falls off in hand after the first shot, and the animal is not down, what that does to the 'Pucker Factor'.....glad yours performed flawless as intended those 3 rounds.

Btw JB, didn't you know that Bear was dead the first shot

Good shooting, and I agree, no reason NOT to use the 286 PT on the Big Nasties.

Facts do not support this widely held belief. Tests in ballistics lab indicate the difference in pressure difference with the same loads in a slow twist barrel is insignificant when shot in a fast twist barrel

Exactly.

The big factors in pressure are throat length, engraving of the bullet in the rifling, and powder charge. The effect of rifling twist is tiny.

The big factors in bore life are the barrel steel and load used. Again rifling twist is way down the list.

Copper fouling depends on the cartridge, bore surface, bullet and the powder used. I have yet to see any significant difference in copper fouling in faster-twist barrels.

those are a couple of nice looking stocks djb,--especially like the one on the right...:)

Thanks for the feedback on the rifling twist. I reckon it be best I forget about the fast CZ twist rate as it doesn't appear to be an issue at all. Looks like I'll probably order one of those new CZ 9.3 Carbine-Kevlars.

Thanks Again:)

NICE!!

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/550CarbineKevlar/

I'm in Bahrain at the moment but i can take one for you when i get home on wed.
Only thing i'd like to do is find a different bolt knob and replace the factory one with something a little bigger.

Take a knee,

Gee, if I recall correctly my list of 700's has included a custom .270 Weatherby, a 7mm SAUM, a .300 Winchester Magnum, a .300 RUM, and a .350 Remington Magnum, along with my 9.3 B-S. I've also hunted with a pile of people who had 700's (and Model 7's) in various magnum cartridges. None of those extractors ever broke.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I doubt it, since so many scopes have fallen apart in my presence during the same period, including some very pricey ones.

Kick A$$, Karnis has my stock ready, one step closer to stonin' some critters.

Gunner

I have a 9.3x62mm and like it very much, but surely the .375 Ruger makes far more sense for big bears in North America???

Even if you don't need full power loads, I'd prefer to load down a cartridge to get the performance I want, than run a smaller one to the red line to get similar performance??

PETE E,
I couldnt agree more, hence the reason I started this post w/ so many questions about the 9.3x62 and its effectiveness
I handload from a 22-250AI up to 577 NE and have magazine rifles in 375AI, 458WM, and 505 Gibbs.
Just thought it would be fittin to chamber a barrel for an old heym action I had layin around to Mr. Bock's finest.
Plus, a bud will be huntin w/ me one land he's very familiar with.
Gonna try the 320 woodies between 2350/2400fps w/@24.5" brl.
rl-15, 17 or TAC outta get it there.
Thanks for Your opinion,

Gunner

A Heym in 9.3x62mm would certainly be a classic combination and would be hard not to like.

My observation was a reflection that many here are trying to run 9.3 to the red line, when its simply not needed..

I have tried the 286grn barnes X and they shoot very well. Mu next venture will be the 250grn Barnes, as i think they might be a better "all roader" for plains game ect..

Keep us posted on the Heym and would love to see pics when its done..

Regards,

Peter

10-4, Ill see if Karnis will post some pics of the beautiful job he done on the stock.

Pete,

You're right, there's no reason to red-line the 9.3x62.

But loading it up to 60,000 psi (standard .30-06 factory pressure) with modern powders will get 2650 with 250's and 2500 with 286's in a 24" barrel. So there's also no reason not to exceed the original factory velocities of over a century ago.

Here are the pics of Gunner's stock:

Thanks a billion Karnis, Your modesty is a very nice trait but, You are Master Grade in my book.

Gunner

Dont mean to dredge up such an old topic but, !!!MY RIFLE FINALLY GOT HERE!!! , it was a long wait.

i did reach my goal of running the 320 Woodleighs to 2400 fps w/ RL-17, was about 50 shy w/ RL-15, i had my rifle throated so i could use all available magazine space.
It allows a col of 3.340 w/ the big Woodleigh, therefore 63.5 gns of RL-17 is an easy fit.
I fired a 1.25" 3 shot group off sticks @50 yds with the quarter rib express sights , with my limited skill, this load is very promising.
I may take this rifle to Tenn and try to knock over a pig w/ it, my old bud had some medical issues last year so no bear hunt, but theres always next year.
Rifle weighs 8.75 lbs with no scope or rings but with a Montana sling and 5 rounds on board, recoil with a 320 @2400 is pretty snappy

Gunner

Let go of the charge thing...bears are not hiding behind every bush waiting to pounce out and get you.....Have been hunting Alaska for 25 years and have never been charged. Been around plenty of brown and interior bears. could happen but you are more likley to die of exposure or in a super cub flying to your hunting area. If you do shoot one and hit him right you wont have to worry about a charge. Besides your spending time dinking around with ballistic gack instead of practicing you will probably miss the charging bear and he will get you anyway.

BTW nice rifle!

lefty, no GACK intended, just a simple test to see what can safely be obtained on the '06 sized case, been done thousands of times before by other folks.
In using such a small round in the thickets of Kamchatka, i had to prove to myself this round could do a proper job, dont guess i'll e-mail that bear whisperer dude for advice, he's bear [bleep], so i guess it does happen on occasion.
Oh, and i actually shoot everyday, mostly with irons or peeps.

Gunner

That's the equal of a .375 H&H... nothing wrong with that. Lots of hunters and guides think that the old .375 "is just perfect" for the big brownies!

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

Thanks CZ550, thats what i hoped to approach with this rifle, i may be cheating a bit as my rifle has a 24.5" barrel.

i just finished reading your 5 pages on the 9.3X62, a very informative and interesting read, Thanks

Gunner

I killed kudu and gemsbok with the Norma factory 285gr Oryx, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I also used it as a second shot from My 9,3X74R on buffalo after a good hit with a 286 Woodleigh solid. It was from a combo gun with one rifle barrel, and the solid was in the chamber, as I wasn't the primary hunter, just a bit of back up. I was in the right place at the right time and used the solid first.

As to the 320 Woodleighs in a 9,3X62 at 2,400 FPS...Good 'effen Luck! I tried them in my 9,3X62s with many different powders, and I popped primer pockets at around 2,300 FPS at best.

Of course, that was in your rifle, not his.

I have three 9.3X62 rifles, and there is close to 100 fps difference between the fastest, a Husqvarna with a 600 mm (23 3/4") barrel that has a long throat, and a 22" Les Bauska barreled pre-war Model 70 that has much shorter throat.

Ted

One was an Husqvarna 98 with a 24" barrel, and the other was a BRNO ZV 24 Mauser action with a Bauska barrel, medium contour 24". I never tried them in my CZ American I had later.

I was able to get a bit over 2,200 in several 9,3X74Rs, and I was happy with that.

Neither 9,3X62 wanted anything to do with the 320s, much to my disappointment, and with any powder or seating depth I tried.

I believe you, and am not questioning your experience or results. However, gunner500 is reaching that velocity using Re17.

I know you are aware of this, but every rifle is different. I knew PO Ackley personally, and he told me one time that, just to see what would happen, he made a very long barrel and cut it into two equal lengths. I can't remember the length, but he made it.

He then threaded, chambered and headspaced the two barrels to the same action using the same reamer. When he chronographed the two barrels there was around 40 fps difference, IIRC.

Perhaps Re17 is the magic needed for really heavy bullets in the '62. I know it sure is in the 308 Win with 200 gr bullets.

Ted

Thanks Yukoner, my rifle is long throated to allow a COL of 3.340 with the big Woodleigh, the charge of RL-17 is just slightly compressed, that coupled with a 24.5" 12 twist barrel is the reason i believe these vels are possible in my rifle.

These are the RNSP's, the 320 gn Woodleigh protected point has a little higher BC and should be an excellent hitter at a little longer range if one was so inclined.

Gunner

I didn't try R-17, and maybe that is the ticket. My main motive for suggesting caution is that pressures can skyrocket in the 9,3X62 with heavy bullets.

The 9,3X62 kills fine at the usual velocities. Blue-pilling it just doesn't seem necessary to me, but to each his own...eyes and thumbs...

i mainly conducted my podunk test to see the un-real efficiency of the '06 case in this dia, heck it rivals the 338 WM and the great 375 H&H in much larger hulls.

Gunner

luv2safari,

I believe I bought that VZ24 from you and rechambered to 9.3x64 Brenneke. Test firing blew the primers out of their pockets with moderate loads.

After casting the barrel, it was discovered to be undersize. That is why you never got the velocity expected out if it. I replaced it with a Lothar Walther and issued resolved.

THAT explains a LOT!

I was shooting moderate loads with cheap Previ 286gr bullets into the same hole with it, but when I tried to hot rod it I wasn't happy.

I'm happy with a 9,3X62 that shoots 286gr bullets 2,300-2,350 FPS to match my 9,3X74R guns.

Did you shoot any groups with Norma or Previ factory ammo? I tried both, and it shot same hole groups off a steady bench.

My Husqvarna acted about the same as the ZV 24 with the 320s. I wish I had kept it, but a surgery needed funding.

Totally agree with you, and that is why I have stayed with 286s at 2400. The 9.3X62 has only had 105 years to prove that 100 fps less than that is plenty!

270s at 2500 work very well, too.

Ted

I never shot it as a 9.3x62.
Barrel was changed immediately after it blew the primers in two test firings. At least the action was proof tested, with no lug setback.

The LW barrel is fantastic. Shoots RWS factory 293gr TUGS at 2575fps consistently about 1". I cannot get it to shoot any 250gr bullets. Going to try the 286 Partition & Hornady's next week.

I'm sorry you had trouble with the gun. It shot my fodder well...so well that I almost kept it, but it went for the same reason as the Husq. Those cheap Previ bullets at around 2,320 were the most accurate 9,3 bullets I've ever experienced! Go Figure.

No worries. It is a solid, functional, performing rifle. Had CAS Cerakote and paint the stock, you would not recognize it anymore.

Definitely one of my favorites rifles now.

I can't get my LW barrel to shoot 250's either, except the AB at Max+ loads. Shoots everything else fine including 232 Normas and Woodleigh 320's.

Talking about the 9,3x62 it always amazes me the popularity of this cartridge and the obsolescence of the 9,3x64.
Even in europe, where metrical cartridges are far more common, you very-very seldom see one.
BBerg

Will either know the difference - or care?

BBerg - Prolly b/c those wise Europeans figured out back in the 1890s that the 6.5x55 will drop all game when hunters do their part

LOL.

djs,

I don't know what you mean, but your same question would apply to 7-08 and 280, .308 and 30.06, 30-06 and 300... and for many other pairs of cartridges where both share the popularity of their diameter.

BBerg