Author Topic: A Handi in 9.3 x 62....Possible??? (Read 785 times)

Zeke Menuar · « **on:** August 11, 2005, 06:39:23 PM »

I saw the post on a rechamber to 7.62x54R. Got me thinking. I have always wanted a 9.3x62 Mauser. I don't have a good reason for getting a 9.3x62. That in itself is an excellent reason to get a gun I don't need.

So, any barrel that has the same head size as a 308 or 30-06 is a candidate. I guess I need enough meat on the barrel for reboring. I would probably send it to the usual suspect in Oregon to have the rebore and conversion done. Would the Handi take the stress of a 286gr bullet?

I can see the gunrag article now, "Handi's in Africa, A firsthand report".

I know I am delusional, but I think the conversion just might work?

Comments?

ZM

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2005, 06:56:27 PM »

I would think the 26" 25-06 barrel would make a fine donor, there has already been thought and talk about the .375-06 from the 25-06 barrel, so the 9.3x62 would be a good alternative in the middle twix the 338-06 and .375-06.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/9-3x62mm.htm

Tim

Zeke Menuar · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2005, 07:51:36 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

I would think the 26" 25-06 barrel would make a fine donor, there has already been thought and talk about the .375-06 from the 25-06 barrel, so the 9.3x62 would be a good alternative in the middle twix the 338-06 and .375-06.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/9-3x62mm.htm

Tim

I checked the dimensions of both cases. It looks like it would work. A 9.3x62 with a 26" barrel would be a devastating big game gun. Is there enough meat on the 25-06 barrel to go from .257 to .366? I have not seen a 25-06 barrel in person so I don't know.

ZM

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2005, 07:55:05 PM »

That was my point, the .375-06 was considered when I went to .338-06, either will work fine....just don't be in a hurry to have Wayne do it, he's booked thru December...

Tim

Zeke Menuar · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2005, 08:00:03 PM »

Bad news, I checked his sight. He doesn't rebore .366. I'll e-mail anyway. Never know.

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/id9.html

ZM

handirifle · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2005, 08:04:06 PM »

Here is the email I received concerning a conversion from the 280 to the 375 Hawk/Scovill. It would not be far behind the famous 375 H&H.

You can read about it at the above posted link.

The 30-06 would be the best starting point for a rebore, but it's a litte
short, so if you want the added ballistics of a 26" barrel then I would go
to the 280 barrel. This is a rebore/rechamber job. Current cost is $375,
delivery time on rebore is 10 months to a year.

My dies include your choice of a neck or full length sizer. Also includes
an inline bullet seater ( a more accurate way of seating bullets). $174

We also offer an upgrade to the inline seater $79, a micrometer head which
allows for fast accurate adjustment to desired seating depth. This is the
Cadillac of all seating dies. For more info see this link:
http://www.z-hat.com/MIS.htm

We offer RCBS dies for Hawk calibers too, they run $124.95 per set. Most
Hawk calibers are in stock, ready to ship.

A 30% deposit is required to start work, the balance is due upon completion,
in the case of large jobs we sometimes request a progress payment. We
normally notify you shortly before the job is finished for convenience. Let
me know if you have any further questions. We will be happy to serve you.

If you would like to discuss details you can reach me at 307-577-7443, 9-5,
Mountain time, M-F works best.

Fred Zeglin
http://www.Z-Hat.com
Specialists in Custom Barrels and Quality Hunting Rifles

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2005, 08:04:33 PM »

The muzzle diameter of the .25-06 is .670"... :grin:

Tim

Robert · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2005, 05:29:11 AM »

Can he do a 35 Whelen Improved? There seems to be very little difference in how the two cartridges perform. Or even a standard Whelen..or for more power...a 350 Norma?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2005, 06:13:17 AM »

Quote from: Robert

Can he do a 35 Whelen Improved? There seems to be very little difference in how the two cartridges perform. Or even a standard Whelen..or for more power...a 350 Norma?

Robert:

Do you mean a 350 Remington Magnum...or a 358 Norma Magnum...either way...he probably could...but I doubt that he would..and as too the Whelen improved...this too he could cut...but he has some reservations about doing it in a Handi-rifle..you should give him a call and discuss it..

Mac

Fred M · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2005, 08:18:49 AM »

Zeke.
The Handi frame is stressed to about all it can handle with an 06 type cartridge base. The 9.3x62 is 0.006 bigger in diameter at the pressure ring
or about 3% more thrust aria. This relates to about an extra 1800psi on the thrust area.This sounds not to bad and is perhaps possible.

When I load any of the high pressure cartridges in a Handi I like to stay 10% under max wich is about 54kpsi in 25-06 or a 270 or 243. That is if you want to have reasonable accuracy for a long time.

A magnum base cartridge like the 350 Rem Mag or the 358 Norma is not anywhere near in the picture for a Handy. I think a 35 Whelen or even better a 338-06 with 300gr bullets will be all you need for the biggest game in Africa Elephant excluded. Barnes makes some impressive solids for this caliber.

This is not to say the 9.3x62 is no good, this cartridge has proven it self the world over and still is a most favorite in Northern Europe. A Ruger #1 would be a much better foundation for the 9.3x62. There is a lot more to this discussion if you have an inquirering mind.

JPH45 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2005, 02:21:27 PM »

The 338-06, 35-06 (35 Whelen) 9.3x62 and the 375-06 (in it's several guises) are for practical purposes equals. There is only .020" that seperate the last three. A rebore is a perfect idea, as I wonder if the 1:18 twist of the 357 Mag barrel is enough to stabilize bullets of 270 to 300 grains which is where these cartridges really shine. The 375-06 is capable of driving 300 grainers to 2400 fps, that is only 200 fps or so shy of 375 H&H performance. The 9.3X62 has a very solid reputation on African game, and is the only exception one will find as a non-magnum that has a reputation for being a buffalo rifle as well. Amoung the locals there, it is considered all the rifle one needs. Personally, I would prefer the extra heft of a long action bolt rifle for these big boys, a 10 pound rifle would be the least I would want. but shot off the hind legs I cannot imagine that they woud be any worse than a heavily loaded 45-70. The one advantage the 9.3X62 has oer the 375-06 is that it is a factory offering, and anyone who makes metric dies should carry this as a standard offering, whihc translates to no special die costs.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2005, 07:32:28 PM »

It does look like a good choice...and should work...I say...go for it...

Mac

tom barthel · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2005, 04:56:09 AM »

It's your money. You earned it and you can spend it anyway you like.
If you want it go for it. It isn't a high pressure round by todays standards. The .338-06 seems to be a successful option. Why not the 9.3x62? You will have something unique.

Go ahead and treat yourself.

Good luck and God bless.

Tom

ScatterGunner · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2005, 05:29:13 AM »

somewhere around the house i have a ruger #1 falling block chambered in 375 h & h magnum that i bought about 20 years ago for some reason i can't remember. the gun weighs in at 8 pounds and change and kicks like a mule with factory rounds. i'm not convinced a 5 pound handi would be my first choice of an action for the 375 or any bottle neck case within a couple hundred fps with 300 grain bullets.

in comparison to the ruger, which i have no love for at all, or any bolt gun, the handi barely supports the barrel. i don't know, maybe i'm just a wimp :grin: !

sg

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2005, 05:42:09 AM »

Hmm, not knocking the spirit of your post SG, but where is everyone getting these 5lb Handis?

I've got a bunch and none weight only 5lbs, they all weight right around 7½-8lbs..... or more....specially with a scope on em. Even the SL weighs 5½lbs unscoped according to H&R, dunno, don't have one of them. :?

Tim

Mac11700 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2005, 05:45:30 AM »

Scattergunner:

Your not a wimp...but your sadly mistaken if you think my 338-06 weighs only 5lbs...it doesn't..it's a-lot heavier than that...It has to be or you will get the snot kicked out of you... :eek: ..Mine weighs in at 10.5lbs...and with my Limsaver recoil pad...and my improvised cheek rest...it is very manageable to shoot off the bench...and even better standing upright..I've just started load developement with it..and it is showing great promise...and...with factory loads is very accurate from the get go......With the way Wayne at Oregunsmithing cuts his barrels...I expected no less...This cartridge... the 9.3 X 62 was brought up in my researching the 338-06..and I did check it out before going the 338-06 direction...if your wanting to take it to Africa it is one of the few cartridges that is exempted from the 375 ruling in a-lot of contries from what I've read about it.....and looks like it would work just fine with the availble ammo for it....on any critter on this continent..or any place else for that matter..

As to your Ruger in 375 H & H...I know of a couple folks who own them...and they both had them restocked to eliminate the brutal recoil from Rugers poor designed stock...they are pretty to look at..but aren't much for helping tame the breast

Mac

ScatterGunner · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2005, 06:40:49 AM »

i stand corrected on the weight, my 357 handi weighs in at 7 1/2 pounds with a synthetic stock and iron sights, just about all of my handi's have synthetic stocks except for the 243 and 204 which the 243 is a laminate and the 204 is walnut stock. they both have 50mm scopes and that probably adds a pound.

still, i think the 375 is out of the handi's league, just my opine, not necessarily a fact ! i think handi's were designed for almost any straight wall case and bottlenecks up to 150 grain 30-06 factory loads, the green box stuff !

i just weighed the ruger on my bathroom scale and it comes in between 10 1/2 and 11 lbs with a 3 - 9 x 40 leupold, and sling. and for the money, it isn't worth it. when i first got it, i shot it from the bench with a bag of shot between the gun and shoulder to spread the energy of recoil out over a longer period of time. i ended up shooting cast bullets through before putting it away. it would be a reasonable african game gun with factory loads, but i havent to been to africa on a safari since, maybe, never !

thanks for correcting me !

sg

Mac11700 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2005, 07:34:36 AM »

SG:

No problem...I kinda figured you was using the synthectics on it to be that light...The Handi will take a-lot before giving up anything to the Rugers..I know...the Rugers are stronger...but from my own experiance of owning several of them in just standard calibers...it just seems their stock design is at fault..even in the 270..30-06's I've had...they all kicked...it's funny...the last #1 Ruger I owned...I traded it for my first ultra in 30-06...they thought I was nuts...but...even back then...I new they would be worth the trouble...even thru all of the snickers and sneers...and... after all of these years they haven't ever let me down...With it's wide recoil pad base..from it's shotgun style stock dimensions...it naturally spreads recoil better than the Rugers..As to what other calibers the Handis can work with...well...that all depends on who is doing the chambering work...a good smith can work wonders with them...and can take these rifles to a totally different level than what is being offered or has been offered from the factory...and still remain within the rifles pressure limatations...I'm certainly not saying my 338-06 is a light recoiling rifle...because it's not...nor is my heavy loaded 45-70 Limited...but...they both are more comfortable to shoot than any of the Rugers I've owned in the same calibers..with the same loads...

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** August 13, 2005, 09:47:36 AM »

Well, FWIW....I shot the 405 Winchester Target with the laminated stock and limbsaver recoil pad, from the bench with no additional weight in the stock....I forgot to put it in!!! :eek: ....with 2150fps 300gr factory ammo....40 shots....recoil was stout....but no sore, bruised shoulder. Wasn't using the Past magnum shoulder pad, either.....it was very tolerable.... :wink: I just weighed it on my digital bathroom scale which is sposed to be accurate to within ½lb, it weighs 10lb, the difference between with and without me!!! Ain't tellin the with me part!!! :oops:

Tim

ScatterGunner · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2005, 10:31:36 AM »

for the record, i do have one handi that weighs a little under 5 pounds. it's a beat up put-together .410 synthetic with an old and really slim H & R barrel that i got from MSPRET !

it's my bad weather grouse gun !

sg