9.3 bullets

[JJ Kelly]

I would like to make 9.3 bullets from other caliber jacketed bullets
like .375 or .358. In 9.3 caliber there is plenty of bullets that are
286 gr. and 270 gr. but nothing that is 200 gr. or 225 gr. which is
a better choice for deer hunting.  I read where a guy cut off a .222
rem sizing die at the right place so he swaged a .375 bullet from
bottom and it came out .366 on top. So the question is who makes
a die that I can put in my RCBS rockchucker press to make 9.3 bullets.
Thanks

[Reed1911]

So the question is who makes
a die that I can put in my RCBS rockchucker press to make 9.3 bullets.

I don't think anyone does, could be wrong though.

The 9.3 is a pretty big bullet and most 7/8" dies are for smaller calibers. If I'm right, I'm thinking you are trying to do this on the cheap and shell out a bunch for dies, press, etc. Two options I see are, either contact Hawk bullets they will make you just about anything you need and are damn good bullets, or use a cast and gas-checked bullet. I do agree that the common 9.3cal bullet available are way to heavy for deer, but then again a dead deer is a dead deer. The only other option I see is buying a 3 die set of draw dies and draw the Hdy 220g or Sie 200g .375's down to .366, I opt for a 3 die set one to .372, to .369, to .366. It will save a lot of stress on both you and the press that way.

[Syncerus]

There are 193 gr bullets available that are designed for the 9.3x72R (not the 9.3x74R) cartridge, which is a fairly low velocity cartridge (very similar to .30/30 or .35 Remington ballistics, as I recall). Before you go down the custom bullet road, you might see what's already available on the market. As others have suggested, try Hawk.

[iiranger]

This is a bit silly but keeps you off the streets. O.K. the .222 family is about .373 in the body at the base. So you propose to cut off the die to resize --.222 family... .221, .222, .223, .222 Mag or the TCUs-- so a .375 bullet will slip into the die WELL LUBED, lanolin and castor oil or a mix is the "old standard" and come out the top... .366.

Can you do it? Probably. Hard work? HARD WORK for a Rockchucker Press? Yes. Love mine but this is not what it is designed for. Rock Chucker Bullet Swage (s) made .224s with rimfire brass for cases. If you do many, that press may retire long before you planned. Please lube it well.

Basically you need a machinist with exceptional measuring skills. Or buy up a half dozen dies used at a gun show and go "back yard bubba." Neck will be in the area of .224 + .0015 + .0015 (neck thickness), maybe .227 outside and you want to cut it off in the shoulder in the neighborhood of .366. Look up the diagram in a reloading book. I would want to go in steps. .375 to .370 or so. .370 to .368. .368 to .366 or .3665... You will find the bullet core protruding...

Mr. Dave Corbin has his books posted on his web site without pictures. He does this with 8mm bullets, .323 to .318. Quite a squirt of lead coming out the swaged down bullet.

So you cut the first used die off with a carbide hack saw or Probably hardened inside anyway. Lube a bullet. Shove it thru? Mike the bullet. .370 or plus? Cut another die a bit shorter... Try again...

Yes, this is a lot of "bubba work." Fast and cheap you go to a machinist and have them make you, Mr. Corbin calls them "ring dies" to do each step... or a real, long tapered die with a long punch... Might have synthetic lubes to sell you too. Core? You have to decide. You push it back rounded over or clip it off. More "die work."

The alternative is to buy a LEE size die, probably custom order, in .366 and WELL LUBED, tap the .375 bullets thru gently, slowly... Might, MIGHT not break the die...

As said with all the cast bullets and gas check available or paper patch a .358...

Your bucks, Your plan, your time.... ENJOY. Luck.

[JJ Kelly]

Thanks, I enjoyed your posts, great discusion.  Those of you
more experienced with swaging are right about over stressing
the press or the possibilty of poping a die.  Since my last post
I had to try something, using a .338 win mag. form and trim die,
.338wm empty case with fitted brass rod placed in shell holder,
I could swage a .375 bullet through neck of die that is .367.
Will it work? For how long? Until I put the bullet in I won't know.
Your input is valued and common sense says, just go buy the
right bullet or get into swaging the right way.  I guess part
of the fun is the experimenting.

[Reed1911]

  Now that was thinking outside the box! Damn fine job JJ

[MIBullets]

Normally you can't reduce a bullet that much. This limit is about .005 + or - according to Corbin.

You might be able to buy a bullet fixing die from one of the Corbins to bump a .358 bullet up to 9.3 and reshape it at the same time. Probably not cheap though.

[Drilling Man]

  Speer made 250 grain 9.3's, and there's still some of them around, if you look.  The 270 grain they make now, makes a decent deer bullet too, depending on the velocity you push it.

  DM