In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Experience with 9.3 x 62mm Mauser?

tallcharlietallcharlie Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭✭
edited May 2010 in Ask the Experts
Does anyone have experience with this round? If so, what loads would you recommend?

I plan to zero at 100 yards. Does this sound good or would you recommend something longer? 150 yards? 200 yards?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Comments

  • cowboy77845cowboy77845 Member Posts: 316 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are a lot of guys on {Elsewhere} that use this round. Also much information there under "medium rounds" or something like that. It looks like a fine round that utilizes a medium length action.
  • XXCrossXXCross Member Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 9.3 x 62 is an excellent 'all around' cartridge. I had one for about ten years and my only negative thought would be the limited number of bullets for reloading.
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    You need to talk to NONONSENSE on the Ask the Experts Forum..He will have the answer you seek...
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    tallcharlie,

    I was working on some of these older cartridges a few years ago when the big push over the 9.3 cartridges hit the U.S. The shorter '06 type case of the 9.3x62 is a hit with the market here since cases are easily made if you don't want to buy the cases with the proper headstamp.

    As with most larger caliber cartridges on an '06 case, the reloading is easy and the selection of bullets and powders available is more than sufficient. I'm not sure what others I would ask for given the performance of the weights and designs on the market currently.

    The bullets I use are the 250 gr. Nosler BT and the 286 gr. Nosler Partition. There are others that I tested but these two are standards everywhere. If you are intent on using this for big bears, elk or moose but want a more substantial bullet, Barnes has a couple of good solids. Otherwise the Partition or similar bullet will be just fine.

    The barrels I used were chosen to mimic the classic Mauser barrels at 25.6" but in a sporter taper as opposed to a tapered octagon or the round to octagon combination barrel with the running ribs or quarter ribs. A more standard 23" to 24" barrel will work just as well. The performance is suitable for just about anything on this continent. I have moved on though to the larger 9.3 x 64 since it is less well known and most folks don't want to hassle with anything other than a standard '06-type cartridge. My Mausers don't know the difference...

    So others can share in the description of the cartridge you're considering:

    9,3x62

    93x62.png

    "German gunmaker, Otto Bock, designed this cartridge in 1905 as an all-around big game cartridge adequate for most hunting in German Colonies in Africa. He succeeded admirably and this chambering is still highly regarded there. Similar in performance to the 35 Whelen, the 9.3x62 is one of the most underrated chamberings in the US. This case has a slightly larger base than the "standard" Mauser but it readily chambers in standard-length actions; therefore, many thousands of moderately priced rifles have been chambered in 9.3x62. For many reasons this chambering was an instant success. Farmers all over Africa found it an ideal choice for use against antelope and similar species. Loaded with solids and in competent hands, it was occasionally used for taking the largest and most dangerous of African species. Most European rifle makers still chamber it. In Europe, it remains a popular chambering for hunting driven moose and wild boar. For much North American hunting, it is a fine choice for those who will keep their shots to under about 300 yards. For those preferring a mid-caliber chambering and who are not interested in long-range shooting, this is a good candidate for all-around hunting, worldwide. With practice, most shooters can learn to handle 9.3x62 recoil. With large heavy bullets delivering controlled and predictable expansion, it is a efficient killer on all but the largest of species. Handloaders combining modern propellants and pointed bullets, such as the 286-grain Nosler partition, who will zero their rifle at 200 yards can readily concoct accurate loads capable for shots on large game to about 300 yards by using a dead-on, center-of-kill-zone hold, which is as far as most hunters are comfortable shooting. With relatively modest velocity, 9.3x62 bullets typical damage surprisingly little meat, even on the smallest of species and even when the hunter makes a poor shot. The cartridge delivers surprisingly good accuracy."

    -Courtesy Of Norma Precision-

    These loads are from an article which covers the reloading of this cartridge nicely:

    http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/the-93x62-mauser?packedargs=pagenum=2&showcommentpage=true

    9.3x62 Mauser Load Data BULLET BULLET WEIGHT (gr.) POWDER PRIMER CASE CHARGE WEIGHT (grs.) VELOCITY (fps)
    Norma Orys 232 (gr.) IMR 3031 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 56.0 (grs.) 2,500 (fps)
    Norma Oryx Bonded 232 (gr.) H322 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 56.0 (grs.) 2,570 (fps)
    Norma Oryx Bonded 232 (gr.) IMR 4320 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 58.0 (grs.) 2,505 (fps)
    Norma Oryx Bonded 232 (gr.) RL15 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 59.0 (grs.) 2,515 (fps)
    Nosler Ballistic Tip 250 (gr.) IMR 3031 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 56.0 (grs.) 2,535 (fps)
    Nosler Ballistic Tip 250 (gr.) RL15 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 58.0 (grs.) 2,520 (fps)
    Nosler AccuBond 250 (gr.) Varget Remington 9.5 LR Remington 56.0 (grs.) 2,510 (fps)
    Nosler AccuBond 250 (gr.) IMR 4320 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 57.0 (grs.) 2,515 (fps)
    Speer Semi-Spitzer 270 (gr.) IMR 3031 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 56.0 (grs.) 2,365 (fps)
    Speer Semi-Spitzer 270 (gr.) IMR 4064 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 56.0 (grs.) 2,355 (fps)
    Speer Semi-Spitzer 270 (gr.) IMR 4320 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 57.0 (grs.) 2,375 (fps)
    Speer Semi-Spitzer 270 (gr.) RL15 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 58.0 (grs.) 2,360 (fps)
    Hornady SP RP 286 (gr.) Varget Remington 9.5 LR Remington 55.0 (grs.) 2,282 (fps)
    Hornady SP RP 286 (gr.) RL15 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 57.0 (grs.) 2,343 (fps)
    Hornady SP RP 286 (gr.) H4895 Remington 9.5 LR Remington 55.0 (grs.) 2,310 (fps)

    Velocity figures taken from a 23.6-inch barrel. Abbreviations: SP, Spire Point; RP, Recoil Proof.

    Best.

    ADDED:

    OOPS!

    I forgot to write that, independent of the suggested article, I found that I liked the Re-15 the best for most loads in the range of bullet weights. However, it would be hard to overlook IMR-4895 if I had it in the cabinet. Accurate Arms 4064 would also be difficult to pass up since those loads filled the case and gave top performance. Many choices.

    Best.

    ADDED (again):

    You haven't stated your area of hunting or choice of game. Zero ranges are dependent on velocity achieved with your load testing. But in general...

    I think 100 yards is more than adequate for a zero for most general hunting. If you feel that the predominant number of shots will at the longer ranges then use 150 yards. If it appears that most shots are necessary at the much longer yardages, use the 200 yard zero but I think you'll be fine at the lesser distances.

    Best.
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    tallcharlie,

    I've had a lot of fun loading this round with anything from 200 up to 300 gr. rounds. Most predominant in my loadings are 232 gr. Norma Oryx that I got cheap. 250 gr. Nosler Bt's and Accubonds. I understand they no longer make the BT's for that caliber. 270 gr. Speer and 286 gr. Nosler and Norma bullets.

    Since I don't like a beating, and my 6.5# Husqvarna likes to give one, I pay careful attention to the loads. I chrono everything except a few off hand shots I like to make to keep me proficient at taking punches. For the most part I never even get close to max loads with my rifle.
    Seriously, though, this round doesn't hammer you as bad as anything .375 H&H and up. But it has solid stopping power. For all intents and purposes it WAS the 30-06 of South Africa when it was mostly Dutch. If you are thinking about taking it up to Alaska against big bears, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. My light rifle will pound anything it hits. Same with moose up there. Our A/C mechanics were more worried about moose than bear up there. This caliber would be an excellent all-around caliber in AK I think. Same with Montana or anywhere you may encounter big bears. For anything else, I would have to say if you liked shooting it, it would be fun, but maybe a bit overkill.
  • tallcharlietallcharlie Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great information. Thank you all.

    I recently bought a Steyr SBS Forester with walnut stock in this caliber. I haven't fired it yet; I'm waiting for a set of Leupold bases and rings. I'm a little queer for Steyr rifles, having several in my safe.

    Here in Tennessee I'll be using it for whitetail deer and brown/black bear. That's the limit of my planning so far. I'd like to hunt elk and moose eventually, but that depends on my business and the economy.

    Thanks again.
  • jptatumjptatum Member Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The ammunition made by Norma and Sellier & Beloit is pretty good.
  • darksiderdarksider Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I shoot a wild-cat based on that case developed by Bob Fulton because he did not like 338-06 Ack so he just neck sized the 9.3 case to .338

    resize the neck to .338 and it becomes the 338 Hawke or the 338 Hawke-Scovell

    338 Hawke from 9.3X62 brass just necking down
    338 Hawke-Scovell from 30-06 brass
    basically 338 Win Mag performance in a non-belted case
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by darksider
    I shoot a wild-cat based on that case developed by Bob Fulton because he did not like 338-06 Ack so he just neck sized the 9.3 case to .338

    resize the neck to .338 and it becomes the 338 Hawke or the 338 Hawke-Scovell

    338 Hawke from 9.3X62 brass just necking down
    338 Hawke-Scovell from 30-06 brass
    basically 338 Win Mag performance in a non-belted case


    I'm missing something here. The 9.3 case is the same size in diameter and body length as the 30-06 case except it has a 1mm shorter neck. How are you getting .338 WM performance out of a smaller case than the .338-06?
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    sandwarrior,

    This requires more thought and reading than what is presented incorrectly above.

    "Each of our cartridges at left is based on the 280 Remington case which is slightly longer than the 30-06. The big four cases, 338-411 Hawk (lower right) are based upon the 30-06 case."

    Refer to the Z-Hat website for the magazine articles and claims made by the gunsmith who worked on this line of cartridges.

    http://www.z-hat.com/HawkCartridges.htm

    Obviously his success has been limited since he now works for Montana Rifleman running their production...

    Best.
Sign In or Register to comment.