9.3x57

[ratherbefishin]

I recently acquired a very nice old Husqvarna 9.3x57 built on a swede action from Tradex-has an excellent bore.So far I have ground the bolt so as to accomodate a compact Leopold 2x7 scope on medium rings,installed 3 hidden crossbolts ,steamed out the dings on the stock and re oiled it with watco oil and waterproof furniture polish,and sent off for a Pachmeyer recoil pad I got on E-BAY.It looks like I will be taking up reloading as this isn't a readily available chambering-although Norma sells  a 286 gr  ''Alaska''shells.
I understand this is a medium range rifle-and the intended use will be for moose hunting.I already have a 6.5x55 swede and like the quality as well as the effectiveness [shot over 25 blacktails and a couple of black bear-nothing went very far]and am hoping for similar results in the larger caliber.
Anybody else shoot this one?

[deltecs]

I too live in Alaska and have shot many black tailed deer and more than a few black bear.  The 9.3 x 57 Mauser is a bit more powerful than the .358 Win and a bit less than the .35 Whelen.  So, it should work just fine for the game intended.  Reloading cases will give you a bit more flexibility with the bullet selection and probable accuracy improvement.  I've used a 9.3 x 62, a near ballistic twin of the .35 Whelen, on these game animals with full satisfaction.  The 9.3 x 57 is fully capable and should provide you with the same satisfaction.  I would not hesitate to use the 9.3 X 57 on any game in NA with the proper bullet.

[ratherbefishin]

Norma only loads it in the 286 gr bullet-I am interested in the most efficient load-not neccesarily the fastest.I'm not sure if a 225 or 250 gr bullet would be better,although it would be a bit faster.It seems to me 286 grains of lead hitting anything is going to have considerable smack ,especially at ranges under 200 yards.I'm even wondering what cast bullets would be like

[deltecs]

The 286 gr bullet at a muzzle velocity around 2100 fps hits like the fist of Thor on big NA game.  The 250 gr at around 2250 fps has plenty of punch for game and the 232 gr at around 2400 fps is a fine choice.  Use the bullet and load that gives acceptable trajectory and accuracy and have fun.  The 232 gr has a sectional density of .247, equivalent to a 165 gr .308 bullet.  Good penetration.

[Brithunter]

Hmmm the first thing to do is check the bores groove diameter as they vary. I have one which has very deep grooves and measures 0.370" and this makes a difference to the loading. For my first trials at hand loading for the 9.3x57mm I used the information from the article in Wolfe Publishing "Big Bores rifles and Cartridges" his top loads gave very low pressures in my rifle and the cases did not obdurate in the chamber. I had to increase the powder charges considerably before the cases sealed and I am still on the low end of the pressure by case indications.

   I am surprised that Norma does not offer the lower weight bullets now as the 232 Grn & 235 Grn bullets that they used to offer in this cartridge are very good. I was lucky to stumble of a batch of Norma 235 Grn semi spitzers which I have been using for load development. S&B also offers bullets in 9.3mm, I have soem of their 286 Grn Round Nosed and their 193 Grn Flat Points. A superb bullet although expensive is the RWS 247 Grn Cone Point.

[ratherbefishin]

the Norma 286 gr bullet is a round nose,and my suspicion is any moose or bear taking that in the lungs  won't be going far.Any idea of  the SD of the 250 and 286?

[deltecs]

You bet.  The 250 grain .366 bullet has a sectional density of .266 while the 286 grain has a sectional density of .305.  The 286 grain has the same sectional density as a 300 grain .375 bore bullet.  Not bad, is it?  Woodleigh makes both steel jacketed solids and round nose soft points in 320 grain for the .366 bore.  The sectional density of the 320 grain is .341.  That's impressive.

[ratherbefishin]

sounds to me that a round nosed bullet weighing around between 286 and 300gr  gr,give or take, and moving at a modest 2000-2200 fps,is going to hit with an awful clobber.The intended application is moose hunting ,where   shots would be typically under 100 yards.Grizzlies around too,so that is a factor for consideration