Short Barreled 9.3x62 rifle

[Jayjay]

Dear all,

I am currently eyeing to buy either a 20 inch Sako or Sauer rifle chambered in 9.3x62 Mauser. How far should I limit my shots to? Will the weight of the bullet be an advantage to buck wind or will the velocity I will be getting from the 20 inch barrel negate this?

Should I go with 232 grain Oryx or 250 grain Nosler Accubonds for plains game?

Thank you.

 

[Streifengnu]

I shot an oryx with the 9,3x62 on a distance of 180 m (checked with a rangefinder). I used the Norma Oryx amunition.

 

[Jayjay]

Hello Streifengnu.

Thank you for your reply.

How many grains was the Norma bullet you shot the oryx with? 232 or 286 grains? How was the performance of the bullet at 180 meters? Was the gemsbok able to run after you hit it? Where was it hit? Did the bullet penetrate all the way? How long is the barrel of your rifle?

 

[Streifengnu]

I had a good shot into the chamber, so the Norma Oryx with 285 grains made an excellent performance. The gemsbok walked obviously shocked about 100-150 meters into the bush were we found it. My rifle (Merkel Helix) has a barrel with a length of 56 cm. The bullet did not penetrate all the way.

 

[IvW]

22 inches would be ideal. 9.3 x 62 mm is best suited to 286gr bullets(the original load), not only due to barrel twist but that is the weight of bullet that gave it it's reputation as one of the best all-round calibers for African PG including giraffe, eland and buffalo(where legal).

If you want to shoot lighter bullets step down in caliber to the 338. There are many to choose from 338-06, 338 Sabi or any other moderate velocity one available. Or even a 30 caliber with 220 grain bullets such as the good old 30-06.

 

[Streifengnu]

22 inches ~ 56 cm, that's it.

 

[Jayjay]

Merkel Helix! That was my original rifle of choice. I really loved the straight pull action. However, I was scared by the reviews I read in the net saying that it's accuracy is questionable. Do you have accuracy issues with your Merkel Helix? Should I go back to my original choice?

 

[Streifengnu]

Good question. I also had accuracy problems. If it was caused by the gun or me is an open question because i am not used to shoot that big calibers like 9,3x62.

 

[Jayjay]

I agree that the 22 inch will be ideal for the 9.3x62 rifle. I will consider getting this if I go with the Merkel.However, I am very partial to the Mannlicher stock. If I go either Sako or Sauer, the only Mannlicher stocked rifle they both have sports a 20 inch barrel.

These are the rifles I dreaming about.

 

[Jayjay]

Good question. I also had accuracy problems. If it was caused by the gun or me is an open question because i am not used to shoot that big calibers like 9,3x62.

Oh! that is very scary. I am thinking very hard on the rifle that I will buy since this will probably be my one and only hunting rifle. I will be using this for wild boar mostly. And Africa hunting hopefully once every couple of years.

I really appreciate your answer above.

 

[IvW]

The full stock rifles are beautiful and ideal for boar hunting. They will serve you equally well in Africa. Good luck.

 

[Jayjay]

They are IvW. I just need to make up my mind on what brand to invest in.

It would really help if our friends with Sauer 404 Stutzen , Sako Bavarian Carbine and Merkel Helixes would chime in and lend a hand in helping me choose which one to get . Hehehehehe

 

[stug]

BLC -(2) is a fabulous powder in 9.3x62, you can get up to 2500fps with a 286gr projectile. With a 20" barrel I don't think you'd lose too much velocity. I load my 9.3 to 2260 with 286gr prvi projectiles. I haven't shot too much with it, one red stag at 97yds and a goat at 70. Both projectiles exited. My rifle has open sights and I managed to hit a steel plate at 255yds with it, but I only tried once.
There is a video on YouTube of someone shooting a kudu at 325yds with a 9.3x62, put it down pretty quick. Not sure what projectile though.

**NOT**PERMITTED** has a lot of load data for the 9.3 but you need to be a member to use the search function.

 

[Jayjay]

BLC -(2) is a fabulous powder in 9.3x62, you can get up to 2500fps with a 286gr projectile. With a 20" barrel I don't think you'd lose too much velocity. I load my 9.3 to 2260 with 286gr prvi projectiles. I haven't shot too much with it, one red stag at 97yds and a goat at 70. Both projectiles exited. My rifle has open sights and I managed to hit a steel plate at 255yds with it, but I only tried once.
There is a video on YouTube of someone shooting a kudu at 325yds with a 9.3x62, put it down pretty quick. Not sure what projectile though.

**NOT**PERMITTED** has a lot of load data for the 9.3 but you need to be a member to use the search function.

255 yards with iron sights! That's a hell of a shot stug! I will be very happy if I can find a load for 250 gr Accubonds or Barnes TTSXs that will do 2500fps out of a 20 inch barrel.

Saw that kudu video before, totally awesome!

 

[aleli]

I have shot dozens and dozens of wild boar and deers with my Blaser R8 with 57 cm barrel in 9.3×62 loaded with the 232 gr norma oryx loaded to 2670 fps.

I have also used Barnes TSX 250 gr @ 2550 fps with success.

 

[Jayjay]

I have shot dozens and dozens of wild boar and deers with my Blaser R8 with 57 cm barrel in 9.3×62 loaded with the 232 gr norma oryx loaded to 2670 fps.

I have also used Barnes TSX 250 gr @ 2550 fps with success.

Thank you for your info aleli.

How much velocity would be lost between a 57 cm and a 51 cm barrel? Seems that there are not a lot of 9.3x62 rifles with 20 inch barrels in the web. I would love to get your velocities in a 20 inch/51 cm barrel.

 

[DWB]

I used a CZ 550 Battue FS with 20.5" barrel with 286gr projectiles as 2250fps.

It killed everything I shot...

 

[aleli]

Thank you for your info aleli.

How much velocity would be lost between a 57 cm and a 51 cm barrel? Seems that there are not a lot of 9.3x62 rifles with 20 inch barrels in the web. I would love to get your velocities in a 20 inch/51 cm barrel.

Short barreled 9.3s are quite common where I hunt. I know at least 5-6 guys who uses them for moose and boar.
I checked and a friend of mine loads his 50 cm to ~2600 fps with the Oryx 232 gr and he has taken some nice moose bulls and at least 50 boars with it.

The R8 is so short as it is so I didn't feel the need to shorten the barrel (it is also sold with 52 cm barrel as a standard option)

 

[aleli]

Here are some data for commercial ammo (not handloaded) from my crono:


Oryx 232 gr
Blaser R8 (57 cm): 2595 fps
Huskvarna (50cm): 2538 fps

 

[Jayjay]

Short barreled 9.3s are quite common where I hunt. I know at least 5-6 guys who uses them for moose and boar.
I checked and a friend of mine loads his 50 cm to ~2600 fps with the Oryx 232 gr and he has taken some nice moose bulls and at least 50 boars with it.

The R8 is so short as it is so I didn't feel the need to shorten the barrel (it is also sold with 52 cm barrel as a standard option)

Thank you for the information aleli. How far do you shoot the boar and the moose? If it is not too much trouble, can you ask your friend what velocities he gets with 250 grainers out of his 51cm barrel?

Regards.