[madgunsmith]

Ok folks, here's the best cartridge that most Americans have never heard of.

Without further ado, I present the 9.3x62mm.

This round was developed by Otto Bock back in 1905. The Germans took a look at the forerunner of the .30-06, the .30-03 and they used the case as the basis for the 9.3x62mm.

The 9.3x62mm is basically a .30-06 with the shoulder brought forward and the case necked up to 9.3mm, which is .366". Nosler makes a 250 grain 9.3mm Ballistic Tip and this slug has a sectional density of .307. It also has a ballistic coefficient of .482. The muzzle velocity of the 9.3x62mm is about 2500 fps.

The round has long been used as an African caliber and it is known as a particularly deadly number. Sako makes rifles in this caliber and my friend Brother Holmes has a 9.3mm Sako L61 with a 4 power Zeiss scope. And what a shooter it is!!

It is possible to make cases from .30-06 brass.

With Nosler's new ballistic tip, I hope that the 9.3x62 will gain a following in the US.

Mad

 

[AK]

This is similar to the Russian 9.3x64, which is chambered in SVD-K sniper rifles. This is actually a proper sniper rifle, comparable to an M-21 now, unlike the SVD which is comparable to a blind man with some hits of cocaine in his system with a FN-MAG/58.

I'm going to check out that Sako rifle for sure, thanks for the heads up Mad.

 

[mele]

Very interesting cartridge. The BC isn't bad at all. I suspect we could pick up the velocity a bit from the 2500 ?? Even just 2600 would match/beat the balllistics of a .30 168 MK, but with a big bore and much better SD.

MEL

 

[madgunsmith]

Unfortunately, Sako does not make the L61 anymore. They replaced the L61 action with the Model 75.

But you can find lots of L61s on the used market. And Sako still makes barrels in 9.3x62.

You could probably juice up the velocity just a bit, but you really don't have to.

Mad

 

[muzzleblast]

Hey, give me one in a Mannlicher stlye full length european stock, say...Turkish walnut and 40 inches OAL...Express sights and a compact 4x scope...*drools*

 

[Scatch Maroo]

The 9.3x62mm is basically a .30-06 with the shoulder brought forward and the case necked up to 9.3mm, which is .366". Nosler makes a 250 grain 9.3mm Ballistic Tip and this slug has a sectional density of .307. It also has a ballistic coefficient of .482. The muzzle velocity of the 9.3x62mm is about 2500 fps.

What is a "ballistic tip" vs. any other sort of tip? And the sectional density, is that simply how dense the bullet itself is? The ballistic coefficient is the rate at which the bullet, while travelling, is affected by both wind and gravity, yes?

Scatch Maroo

 

[muzzleblast]

A ballistic tip is a nosler trademark, but lots of companies use something similar. For example, Remington bronze points and scirrocos, accutips, etc. Its a plastic tip on the bullet instead of a lead soft point. It makes them more accurate, initiates expansion better when it hits something, and doesn't deform like lead does when you carry em in your magazine or pocket. Before like last year though, they were for thin skinned and deer sized game only until they perfected bonded cores.

You're right about the ballistic coefficient...I'll let someone with better writing explain sectional density to ya, as I'll screw it up lol. Its a great indicator of how well your bullet will penetrate though.

 

[spade]

After some thorough research (read druken fooling around) on the internet. I found out CZ also chambers a rifle for this cartridge. Their 550FS model comes in it.