Who here has one? I’m going to build one on my savage 111 action with either an 18 or 20” barrel. Main purpose will be for black bear and deer.
9.3x62
- Thread starter remingtonman
- Start date
I built one on a Rem 700 action about 15 years ago. It was a 26'' Lilja barrel, a super accurate rifle. And easy to load for. I was shooting the 250 grain Nosler ballistic tip no longer available. I needed the action for another project so pulled the barrel off. I still have the barrel and I think I will rethread and fit it to a Mauser action. It is a great cartridge you will like it.
I have two.
First is a Husqvarna with an FN action. I have only used 286 grain Nosler Partitions.
I took it to Africa with all the old stories of it’s use there, I was not disappointed. The manager of the Lodge we were staying at asked what rifles we brought, I said a Husky in 9.3. He got a big smile and said "That is what I carry."
Second is a like new CZ 550, I bought at a gun show. I picked it up, looked at caliber, the dealer asked if I had heard of it. I said yes I have one, his response was want another one cheap? So I did.
First is a Husqvarna with an FN action. I have only used 286 grain Nosler Partitions.
I took it to Africa with all the old stories of it’s use there, I was not disappointed. The manager of the Lodge we were staying at asked what rifles we brought, I said a Husky in 9.3. He got a big smile and said "That is what I carry."
Second is a like new CZ 550, I bought at a gun show. I picked it up, looked at caliber, the dealer asked if I had heard of it. I said yes I have one, his response was want another one cheap? So I did.
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62. It's a thumper. Good for anything in North America that is within range. Probably not the ideal choice for shots on game over 300 yards.
FNSafari
Gold $$ Contributor
Most of us probably shouldn’t be shooting game at over 300 yds and some not even that.
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
I shoot sporting clays with a guy who was a guide in Alaska in one of his previous lives. A few of us were taking about this very caliber a couple of weeks ago. The general consensus was that everyone thought it was one of the most versatile. His comments were that it only falls short in open country with longer shots. That's when he reaches for something like an Ultra Mag.
I must say though that this is not a caliber you'd take to the range for a day of plinking. After about 5 rounds through this particular gun I start to develop a flinch. Not sure I could put a whole box through the gun without shedding a tear or two. A couple years ago our esteemed site administrator and I were out with my brother shooting the my 9.3 against his 375 H&H magnum. The 9.3 definitely knocked you back a bit more than his 375 did. If memory serves, our site administrator had his fill after one shot through each. So did I.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
The 9.3x62 has the same distinction as the .35 Whelen, a fine medium power cartridge for America. It has all the fine points but comes with a certain degree of mediocrity. This isn't criticism, just fact.
Here is a very good article discussing both cartridges:
https://www.bullet-behavior.com/9-3x62-or-35-whelen
I like the initial quote used in this article:
"There isn't really a great deal to say about it. Everybody found it so generally satisfactory that there wasn't anything to start a discussion."
This is how John "Pondoro" Taylor sums up the 9.3x62 in his classic "African Rifles and Cartridges".
On the other hand...
The 9.3x64 Brenneke is a nice improvement on the 9.3x62. The only distraction from excellence is the odd rim diameter here in the U.S. It's the middling caliber right between the .35 Whelen and the .375 H&H cartridges.
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/cartridge-board-7
9.3x62, 9.3x64 (3), 9.3x74R (Lutz Moeller)
The 9.3x64 Brenneke gained popularity when RWS finally brought their rugged, well made cases to America. Many of these rifles made their way over to Africa for safaris.
Here is a very good article discussing both cartridges:
https://www.bullet-behavior.com/9-3x62-or-35-whelen
I like the initial quote used in this article:
"There isn't really a great deal to say about it. Everybody found it so generally satisfactory that there wasn't anything to start a discussion."
This is how John "Pondoro" Taylor sums up the 9.3x62 in his classic "African Rifles and Cartridges".
On the other hand...
The 9.3x64 Brenneke is a nice improvement on the 9.3x62. The only distraction from excellence is the odd rim diameter here in the U.S. It's the middling caliber right between the .35 Whelen and the .375 H&H cartridges.
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/cartridge-board-7
9.3x62, 9.3x64 (3), 9.3x74R (Lutz Moeller)
The 9.3x64 Brenneke gained popularity when RWS finally brought their rugged, well made cases to America. Many of these rifles made their way over to Africa for safaris.
I have two both with 20" barrels. One is Ruger #1 with mannlicher stock witha shilen barrel and the other is a Ruger Hawkeye with a Krieger barrel and then bedded up in a lightweight MPI mannlicher stock. I love both of them. They both shoot the 270 gr Speer soft point under an inch and they also like the 250 grain Barnes. Isnt anything walking around North America you cant handle with one of those two rifles
The 4th cartridge from the left looks like it might be something different (sharper shoulder angle maybe smaller neck diameter?). Am I seeing things or is it a different cartridge. It looks like an Ackley of some sort?
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
Not that it makes any difference to the discussion, but to satisfy your inquisitiveness, here is the original label which was transcribed without a key descriptor:
9,3x62 | 9,3x64 alt | 9,3x64 spitze | 8,5x64 | 9,3x74R
This is an illustrative photograph borrowed from Lutz Moeller w/permission.
9,3x62 | 9,3x64 alt | 9,3x64 spitze | 8,5x64 | 9,3x74R
This is an illustrative photograph borrowed from Lutz Moeller w/permission.
Thanks for the clarification. Not much information on the 8.5x64. Looks like a wildcat based on the 9.3x64. All the information I find is in German.Not that it makes any difference to the discussion, but to satisfy your inquisitiveness, here is the original label which was transcribed without a key descriptor:
View attachment 1274667
9,3x62 | 9,3x64 alt | 9,3x64 spitze | 8,5x64 | 9,3x74R
This is an illustrative photograph borrowed from Lutz Moeller w/permission.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
I had to really scratch hard to remember where this idea came from:
8.5 mm Messner Magnum
This is one of several cartridges designed by Joseph Messner who is Austrian, I believe.
8.5 mm Messner Magnum
This is one of several cartridges designed by Joseph Messner who is Austrian, I believe.
Last edited:
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
Looks like a high velocity .338. Don't see any reason to consider it with all the other choices we have.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
Reading is fundamental.
The 8.5 Messner was simply included in the photograph used to illustrate the 9.3x62 and 9.3x64 cartridges. It was not included to be a suggested cartridge for substitution in this discussion. In fact, as stated, I even forgot that the description was faulty in the first place or I would have noted this as a discrepancy just to avoid this type of comment.
But opinions vary and you are certainly entitled to yours.
Sorry to keep the derailment going, but I don’t think the pictured cartridge is an 8.5 Messner. The pictured cartridge is too close in size to the 9.3x64 shown thus, smaller casehead than .535 and not rebated like the Messner, and the shoulder is shorter and a sharper angle. Again, my eyes might be deceiving me.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
This is the original caption which was printed below the photograph above:
Beyond that was some searching for information about Messner cartridges. Here is a link to an exchange started by Varberger757 on another website:
There was a website concerning some of these cases produced as wildcats but those pages are packed away while I shift shop spaces. If I come across them I'll certainly post or pass them along.
Beyond that was some searching for information about Messner cartridges. Here is a link to an exchange started by Varberger757 on another website:
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/the-6-5-x-63-messner-mag.151223/
There was a website concerning some of these cases produced as wildcats but those pages are packed away while I shift shop spaces. If I come across them I'll certainly post or pass them along.
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