Mauser 9.3x62 caliber rifle re-loading

[Hyde Hunter]

Dave, unfortunately the A-Frames from SWIFT is not readily available in South Africa .

or here in the U.S.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

or here in the U.S.

Really? If it is not regularly available in the USA where is the SWIFT company situated then?????Is the SWIFT company still operating???

 

[Hyde Hunter]

They are in kansas, yes still in business but it seems they only pick a certain bullet to make.he is probably only making bullets he knows he can all at DSC and SCI.he told me about 4-5 months ago he would be running 9.3 bullets in Sept but looks like he did not.I am changing to CEB and Hammer bullets and maybe Barnes, I gave up on Swift

 

[WAB]

Beautiful rifle Gert. My 9.3x62 and 7x57 are
my favorite rifles. Nothing quite like a classic rifle in a proven workhorse of a caliber.

 

[One Day...]

Now THAT makes me question my dedication to the R8

 

[Gert Odendaal]

They are in kansas, yes still in business but it seems they only pick a certain bullet to make.he is probably only making bullets he knows he can all at DSC and SCI.he told me about 4-5 months ago he would be running 9.3 bullets in Sept but looks like he did not.I am changing to CEB and Hammer bullets and maybe Barnes, I gave up on Swift

Hyde, it sure is unfortunate. My observation here in South AFRICA is that our local bullet manufacturers is putting extremely high prices on their bullets.
I FOUND that brands here in SA more expensive than the imported Hornady E=LDX bullets . Especially the all copper bullets designs similar to the BARNES bullets in the USA.
It really would have been great if more American bullet products was available in SA to counter these high prices of local manufactured bullets in SA.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Hyde, it sure is unfortunate. My observation here in South AFRICA is that our local bullet manufacturers is putting extremely high prices on their bullets.
I FOUND that brands here in SA more expensive than the imported Hornady E=LDX bullets . Especially the all copper bullets designs similar to the BARNES bullets in the USA.
It really would have been great if more American bullet products was available in SA to counter these high prices of local manufactured bullets in SA.

What type of prices do you get charged, Barnes cost me yesterday 56.00 for the 250 gr 50 in a box and CEB and Hammer bullets run just over $2.00 each in boxes of 50.

 

[John Wasmuth]

.

 

[Longwalker]

Gert, your question about meat damage is one I can't answer with any detailed knowledge. But I suggest that the 250 grain all copper TSX would be similar in wound channel to a heavier 285 gr. lead core bullet even when the copper bullet has 100 fps more velocity. That seems to by my limited experience with other calibers anyway. There is no fragmentation from the TSX all-copper bullet, only cavitation from the shock wave of the expanded bullet. So don't worry too much, give them a try and make your own conclusions. But I think you'll be happy!

 

[One Day...]

Hello Gert;

I am not reloading yet, but I am nearing the end of my stash of factory loaded Barnes 9.3x62 286 gr TSX ammo.

I do not know what powder Barnes use, and whether the load is compressed or not, but they state 2,355 fps on the box, and the load actually clocks an average of 2,336 fps in my Blaser R8 barrel. So, the 286 gr TSX at proper 9.3x62 velocity is possible despite its length.

To me, this is about ideal, and this is the essence of the 9.3x62 legend: heavy bullet at moderate speed.

I am not worried about arcing trajectory as this is a bush cartridge designed to shoot close. Zeroed at 100 yard, I get 0@50, 0@100, -2.3"@150, and -7"@200, which is perfect with a small holdover. Or if pinpoint accuracy is really critical at 200, 6" clicks up on the Zeiss 1-6x24 will move the zero to 200.

If I need to shoot 300 or 400 yards in the Karoo for Vaal Rhebok or Kudu, the 9.3 stays at home and the .257 Wby or .300 Wby barrels come...

This is what I will try to duplicate when I start reloading: 286 gr TSX @ 2,300 fps.

This may be sooner than I thought because Barnes discontinued that load over 10 years ago, they told me 3 days ago over the phone. That is bizarre because I bought 5 boxes from Graf & Sons when I bought the barrel in 2021 to be my recoil-sensitive wife's DG barrel. Maybe I bought the last 5 boxes in the US...

A random advantage is that this load shoots exactly to the same point at 50 yards, and close enough at 100 yards, as the cheap PPU ammo 285 SP that clocks 2,253 fps average in that same barrel. So it gives me great flexibility to save the Barnes for DG or tough PG.

The "nine-three" was the only barrel I took to Africa this year for a short hunt near Rustenburg, and it worked beautifully.

The Barnes 286 gr TSX factory ammo worked great on Sable...

The PPU 285 gr SP cheap factory "training ammo" was perfect on Impala...

Both shots were at less than 100 yards/meters in dense bush, the very reason why the 9.3x62 pipe was bolted on the R8 for that hunt

 

[Rare Breed]

Hello Gert;

I am not reloading yet, but I am nearing the end of my stash of factory loaded Barnes 9.3x62 286 gr TSX ammo.

I do not know what powder Barnes use, and whether the load is compressed or not, but they state 2,355 fps on the box, and the load actually clocks an average of 2,336 fps in my Blaser R8 barrel. So, the 286 gr TSX at proper 9.3x62 velocity is possible despite its length.

To me, this is about ideal, and this is the essence of the 9.3x62 legend: heavy bullet at moderate speed.

I am not worried about arcing trajectory as this is a bush cartridge designed to shoot close. Zeroed at 100 yard, I get 0@50, 0@100, -2.3"@150, and -7"@200, which is perfect with a small holdover. Or if pinpoint accuracy is really critical at 200, 6" clicks up on the Zeiss 1-6x24 will move the zero to 200.

If I need to shoot 300 or 400 yards in the Karoo for Vaal Rhebok or Kudu, the 9.3 stays at home and the .257 Wby or .300 Wby barrels come...

This is what I will try to duplicate when I start reloading: 286 gr TSX @ 2,300 fps.

This may be sooner than I thought because Barnes discontinued that load over 10 years ago, they told me 3 days ago over the phone. That is bizarre because I bought 5 boxes from Graf & Sons when I bought the barrel in 2021 to be my recoil-sensitive wife's DG barrel. Maybe I bought the last 5 boxes in the US...

A random advantage is that this load shoots exactly to the same point at 50 yards, and close enough at 100 yards, as the cheap PPU ammo 285 SP that clocks 2,253 fps average in that same barrel. So it gives me great flexibility to save the Barnes for DG or tough PG.

View attachment 735069

View attachment 735070

The "nine-three" was the only barrel I took to Africa this year for a short hunt near Rustenburg, and it worked beautifully.

The Barnes 286 gr TSX factory ammo worked great on Sable...

View attachment 735071

The PPU 285 gr SP cheap factory "training ammo" was perfect on Impala...

View attachment 735073

Both shots were at less than 100 yards/meters in dense bush, the very reason why the 9.3x62 pipe was bolted on the R8 for that hunt

If you reload my friend go with the Big Game powder for the 9.3x62. Getting ready for my upcoming hunt using 270 grain speer 62 grains gets me 2417 FPS with 91.7% fill rate producing only 48,000 PSI with a max of 56,000. Produces clover leads at 100 yards for me out of my Steyr

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Gert,

LOVE your rifle!!! By the way, how many cartridges fit in the magazine?
Agree 100 % with longwalker! In my 9,3x62, a BRNO ZKK 600, I mostly use the 250 grs bullets: BARNES TSX and TTSX (I like more the later) Hornady GMX, NOSLER Accubond, and the great RWS H-Mantel 258 grs a friend sold to me in those old green 25 bullets round boxes.
I can load my cartridges at 87 mm OAL because de long BRNO magazine. But, anyway, for your needs, I can say the W748 is a very good, ball and dense powder. Is an old one somewhat temperature sensitive, so is better to develop the charges to a range of temperatures they will be used. Nothing too complicated. With that component combinations 2600 f/s is a realistic MV that can be reached with totaly safe pressures. I use W748 and/or the great R15. You have some great SA powders. I have not tried the newer Ball powders like RAMSHOT Big Game or CFE 223, but I have read only great reports on them!
I don't see any advantage to go for heavier monometalic bullets like BARNES TSX 286 grs, for medium big game. I would use them for buffalo at the ranges they should be shoot.

Good luck! And Merry Christmas for all!!

 

[ALGARROBO]

Hola Gert,

¡Me encanta tu rifle! Por cierto, ¿cuántos cartuchos caben en el cargador?
¡Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con Longwalker! En mi 9,3x62, una BRNO ZKK 600, uso principalmente balas de 250 gramos: BARNES TSX y TTSX (me gusta más esta última), Hornady GMX, NOSLER Accubond y la estupenda RWS H-Mantel de 258 gramos que me vendió un amigo en esas viejas cajas verdes de 25 cartuchos.
Puedo cargar mis cartuchos a 87 mm de longitud total gracias al largo cargador BRNO. En cualquier caso, para tus necesidades, puedo decir que la W748 es una pólvora densa y de bola muy buena. Es una pólvora antigua algo sensible a la temperatura, por lo que es mejor desarrollar las cargas a un rango de temperaturas dentro del cual se usarán. Nada demasiado complicado. Con esa combinación de componentes, 2600 pies por segundo es un MV realista que se puede alcanzar con presiones totalmente seguras. Yo uso W748 y/o la excelente R15. Tienes algunas pólvoras SA excelentes. No he probado las pólvoras de bola más nuevas como RAMSHOT Big Game o CFE 223, ¡pero solo he leído excelentes reseñas sobre ellas!
No veo ninguna ventaja en usar balas monometálicas más pesadas, como las BARNES TSX de 286 gramos, para caza mayor mediana. Las usaría para búfalos en los campos de tiro donde deberían disparar.

¡Buena suerte! ¡Y Feliz Navidad a todos!

Hola Clodo..., a cuantos pies puedo disparar las TSX de 286 g. o las Hornady DGS de 300 g. con un caño de 22 pulgadas..., teniendo en cuenta que parto de una acción 98 Argentina y no tengo mucho margen para el largo del cartucho..., hablando de cargas normales, no extremas.., sería para búfalo de la india.

 

[Delloro]

@Rare Breed What bullet are you using?

I wonder too. I got 2359 with 62.0 and a Hornady 286, compressed load. I ran out of room at 63 gr, too compressed.

 

[Rare Breed]

I was using a Speer 270 grain

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi ALGARROBO!

Easely 2370/2400 f/s the TSX 286, and 2300 f/s the H DGX 300 grs.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

 

[ALGARROBO]

Hola ALGARROBO!

Fácilmente 2370/2400 f/s el TSX 286, y 2300 f/s el H DGX 300 grs.

¡Buena suerte y feliz año nuevo!

Excelente Clodo...!!, no creía que podía llegar a esas velocidades con esos pesos de punta y el caño de 22", muchas gracias por la información, feliz 2026 para vos y para todo el grupo..!, Salud..!!

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

ALGARROBO, of the powders we can get here, I can say only two can fit inside the cases for a rather short OAL (because the magazine lenght) to give the velocities I told: W760 and/or W748. I would chose the W760 as the best option, is slower, in the 4350s range. That's because they are ball, with enough density to avoid compression.
Take care to develop the charges for the temperature range you will use the loads, because these powders are somewhat temperature sensitives.

Good luck!

 

[ALGARROBO]

ALGARROBO, de las pólvoras que podemos conseguir aquí, puedo decir que solo dos caben en los casquillos con una longitud total bastante corta (debido a la longitud del cargador) para alcanzar las velocidades que mencioné: W760 y/o W748. Elegiría la W760 como la mejor opción, ya que es más lenta, en el rango de 4350. Esto se debe a que son de bola, con suficiente densidad para evitar la compresión.
Tenga cuidado de desarrollar las cargas para el rango de temperatura en el que utilizará las cargas, porque estos polvos son algo sensibles a la temperatura.

¡Buena suerte!

Muchas Gracias Clodo.., muy apreciada su información...
Sdos.

 

[Daryl S]

I got my best ballistics in my 22" 9.3x63 Oberndorf Mauser using BLC2.
2,519 with the 286gr. Norma Dual Core.(yellow tip semi-RN)
Gun maker and gunsmith in Wyoming compared notes with me - identical ballistics with BLC2. Like the WW BALL powders, it is temp. sensitive.