mauser 98 in 9.3 x 57 mm

[bill439]

what's the problem if any, to reaming out to 9.3 x 62mm?  I got the 57 so I could do the conversion to 62 now I'm covering my tracks to make sure I won't have any unforseen problem.  thanks, bill439

[Brithunter]

Firstly you need to make a chamber cast as despite the drawings saying otherwise more often than not just reaming will not clean up the original chamber so you would have to cut back the barrel shank and then re-chamber. This of course means that the stock inletting will not be correct and look quite unsightly.

Now what I don't understand is why not just buy a new rifle chambered for the 9.3x62mm if that's what you wanted  . I would suggest that you just handload the 9.3x57mm that you have and I really do think that you'll be pleasently surprised with it  .

Of course it's your rifle and your decision in the end but there are folks out there who would gladly buy your rifle just to shoot as a 9.3x57mm  as it's a very nice cartridge to shoot. I have a Model 46 Husqvarna on the 96 action and it's a mild round to shoot and has surprisingly little drop or so I think but I was lucky enough to acquire a batch of Norma 235 grain semi spitzer bullets 

[bill439]

What happened was I came across this FN model 98 in 9.3 x.57 at the same price of the 9.3 in the 96 action.  I have a set of 9.3 x 62 loading dies I had got with the idea I would build a rifle somedayin that caliber.  So I thought all I would need is a reamer and zip-blap done.  Also the 9.3 x 62 ammo is easy to come by, not so with the 57 length.  It also seems that the 98 should be  chambered for the higher pressure cartridge.  As for the 9.3 x 57 I could load the 62 to those velocity and still have more horsepower but not the other way around.  I really thought it would be a simple deal to do.  I was not aware of the size difference of the two rounds.  If you are correct then the 57 case's shoulder would be larger in diameter than the 62?  I will take a chamber cast and check how it matches up with the 62.  if I find you are correct, then I will leave it as is and make another 62 at a later date.  Now I need some 9.3 x 57 loading dies.#$#@$%$# my .35 whelen looks better every day. Thanks for your input, Bill439

[Brithunter]

It's ok  it's just that a lot of these 9.3x57mm's seem to have slightly oversize chambers, This very discussion is going on on gunboards. I know of one rifle here in the UK that was successfully reamed to the 62mm case with no problems. However others it seems have had some problems so just thought I would pass the info on.

Of course your right that the 9.3x57mm dies are not cheap. Mine are RCBS ones and by the time they were shipped and the dealer/importer stuck his bit on they were a bit spendy  .

[bill439]

brithunter, thanks for your input about the neck size.  I checked the neck size as given in several publications and some say it is .001 larger than the 62 and others say it is .001 under.  Your advice doing the chamber cast will tell the tale.  I think I am going to aquire some 9.3 x 57 dies and go from there.  Then if everything proves right I can convert it latter.  I have other actions I can use for the 62 but do not as yet have a 9.3 bbl. but I do have the dies for the 9.3 x 62mm.  You may be correct, that after I shoot the thing in 9.3 x 57 I may want to just leave it as is.  Tomorrow I will order a 9.3 x 57 die set as well as a 9.3 x 62 reamer.  that way I just may end up with both.   Thanks again, bill439

[Brithunter]

Please keep us informed of the progress 

Oh and those Swedish Commercial rifle forums have a sticky with reloading data for the 9.3x57. Might be worth reading it................ Just a thought.

[bill439]

Thanks again, waiting for the dies after chamber cast I will order reamer.  Wish me luck, Bill439

[Brithunter]

Certainly  .................... and I really do mean that I do wish you the best of luck in your endevour