9.3x62 bolt rifle barrel length...

[Tanks]

There is a possibility that I might order a bolt rifle in 9.3x62. I was thinking a 20" barrel. This would be used mostly for driven pig hunting.
What say you?

 

[MS 9x56]

Great choice in fact CZ made just what you are looking for the CZ550 FS. Although the barrel is actually 21” and it has a single set trigger. I have hunted wild hogs with mine and have never had to shoot one more than once. The 9.3x62 is a very emphatic round.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Do it! Make it with a full stock/mannlicher like the CZ FS.

 

[USMA84DAB]

Or you could just buy the Alaskan Bush rifle I have up for sale in the classifieds...

 

[TOBY458]

If you have a choice in barrel length, I think I’d do 22”. Kind of a happy medium between portability and performance. I have a Tikka T3X in 9.3 and I wish it was a little longer. But it is a very handy rifle nonetheless.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

For possible running targets I like a little muzzle weight. It seems like you can feel where it’s pointing better when it’s a bit muzzle heavy.
Of course barrel profile has as much to with that as length.

 

[pilar]

20 inch long sounds great, I have been chasing a Tikka battue 9.3x62 and finally Sako said yes but 8-10 month wait.
I’m not gonna be putting a scope on it because I’m understanding that the fiber optic rail / sight is designed for fast quick driven and hunting in the heat of the moment with accuracy and speed

 

[Rare Breed]

You should know better my friend, I am a Rigby man a proper Rigby HS is 22 inch barrels and shoots lights out for me at 100 yards with three holes clover leafing. Good for pretty much anything. I will be taking mine to Zambia on all PG

 

[VIGILAIRE]

+ 1 for the CZ 550 FS

 

[grand veneur]

It works, the muzzle velocity loss is minimal. That is why in the past the cartridge 9,3x62 were often found in Stutzen that typically had a barrel length of about 20".

 

[spike.t]

20 or 21 inches max
Would be my choice...

 

[Fryeguy]

I carried my Ruger Alaskan 9.3 several times on deer drives after my lovely wife gave it to me for Christmas. I absolutely loved the short barrel while on those long walks! Walking through laurels and thick cover, etc. handles wonderfully. I have not shot it thru a chronograph yet, but it shot both loads I tried under an inch. Just not sure the FPS loss compared to my African. I doubt it’s much based on what I’ve seen with my other guns thou. I’ve cut just about all of my barrels short and threaded for suppressors. I have really started to like shorter is better! I don’t even look at long barrel rifles anymore.

I say go for it!!!!

 

[mark-hunter]

What say you?

I am generally against short barrels, except for 9.3.

Because the internal volume of barrel 9.3 bore will give ample internal volume for full powder combustion.
Go for it, and have a piece of mind!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A funny, informative and very tongue in cheek article on the CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62. This is the article that informed me about Dennis Olson, the excellent gunsmith in Montana. Also got me interested in the 375 Ruger.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have 24" barrel with #5 profile on my 404. Surprisingly, it balances perfectly at the front of the floorplate. The gun is a bit heavy but I'm used to that. My upland shotgun is a 31" Browning A-5 Magnum Twelve, probably the heaviest twelve gauge ever made, and I carry it all day almost every day for six weeks every year. When I'm hunting big game, my rifles are either slung on my shoulder or in my hands. It could weigh fifty pounds and not be a problem when slung. In my hands I want a gun that's balanced perfectly. Easier to quickly get on target and stay on target. For shooting moving targets balance is important. Actually, paramount. I learned a long time ago at the skeet range that I swing a heavier gun better than a light one. Short barrels tend to also have more muzzle jump which theoretically might be an issue for fast followup shots (the theory hasn't convinced me - never been a disciple of fast shooting). They are noisier too. And finally, short barreled African guns just don't look right to me (wait ... I'm supposed to be the guy who's not in it for the style show ).

Tanks, you're obviously in better shape and younger than me. If I can handle a heavy gun in the bush, I'm sure you can handle one better. This past fall I really shot lights out with that heavy A5 pheasant hunting in Montana. One of the best years I've seen in more than a decade for bird numbers which I'm sure made a difference in my shooting (didn't have to walk twenty miles per bird for a change). So I can appreciate what the fatigue factor can do to marksmanship. But just how much walking will this gun see? Keep in mind that my upland bazooka only wears a sling for long walks out at the end of hunting. It's in my hands most of the time (the sling never left my game bag once last season). I still shot nine birds straight without a miss carrying it in my hands. Less miles/bird this past year but public land so we still had to work for them.

 

[WAB]

My highland stalker in 9.3x62 has a 22” barrel. The length suits the design of the rifle. However, a 20” barrel should be fantastic in an appropriately designed/proportioned rifle. I think a full stock ‘98 with a shorter barrel in 9.3x62 would be just the ticket for wild boar.

 

[Tanks]

+ 1 for the CZ 550 FS

This would be a Rigby London Best in left handed bolt.

And finally, short barreled African guns just don't look right to me

My .458 B&M has an 18" barrel and looks fine. Also, this rifle would not be for Africa.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I like the 22" barrel on my Highland Stalker in 9.3, feels like the perfect barrel length. The rifle is still very easy to swing and I'm still able to get good velocities out of it. I use it alot on running pigs here in Australia.

 

[rohroh]

9.3x62, stutzen.

Absolutely brilliant on boar. The only downside is it's LOUD!

 

[dchamp]

I don’t think barrel length matters much with the 9.3x62. Get what ever rifle tickles your fancy. Do you have a particular rifle you are looking at? Are you planning on hand loading or going with factory ammo? You won’t go wrong with any common barrel length in the 9.3x62.