A pair of 9.3s

[Foxtrot1]

The past few years I have been attracted to some of european medium bores. Overall they are pretty sensible rounds that fit in a standard action.

The first rifle is a custom CZ550 9.3x62 built by AHR in Montana. It's basically a double square bridge mauser action that's been upgraded with a Winchester style 3-position safety. It's been fitted with a set of quick detach Alaskan arms rings to allow for use of the Express sights. Most Americans consider the 9.3x62 as a close range brush gun, but with modern handloads and 250 grain Nosler accubonds it closely duplicates a 338 win mag as a 400 yard elk rifle. You can also load it up with 285 grain or 320 grain round nose bullets to approach a 375 h&h performance. All while kicking like a 20 gauge with heavy field loads.

The second rifle is a little trim Husqvarna 146 in 9.3x57. Built in 1941 on a FN mauser 98 action it is a classic european stalking rifle. Nice and trim with a schnabel forend it weights under 7lbs. Loaded with 285 grain bullets it will push 2100fps. It would be a pretty handy rifle for elk in black timber. One day I hope to try it out there....

 

[Ben Lamb]

Lovely pair of 9.3's. That CZ is gorgeous.

ive got a 9.3x74r in a Ruger #1 that I'm seeing around 2350 fps with the 286's and 2600 with the 250's. Recoil is significant. I bet those 2100 fps loads are much nicer to shoot and just as effective on large cervids.

a 9.3x62 is on the list for the next bolt gun. Those CZ's are the most likely action since they make it in left hand.

Thanks for posting these lovelies!

 

[Foxtrot1]

Lovely pair of 9.3's. That CZ is gorgeous.

ive got a 9.3x74r in a Ruger #1 that I'm seeing around 2350 fps with the 286's and 2600 with the 250's. Recoil is significant. I bet those 2100 fps loads are much nicer to shoot and just as effective on large cervids.

a 9.3x62 is on the list for the next bolt gun. Those CZ's are the most likely action since they make it in left hand.

Thanks for posting these lovelies!

Those 9.3x74 no 1s are some interesting rifles. I might have a problem, but I keep going back and looking at them. But I need one like a hole in the head. Haha

 

[Europe]

Very nice. Congratulations. Beautiful

 

[Kfd518]

@Foxtrot1 nice rifles. Do you by chance know the dimensions of the sights for the 146

 

[Foxtrot1]

@Foxtrot1 nice rifles. Do you by chance know the dimensions of the sights for the 146

Which measurements do you need? I'm happy to measure them

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Surprised I missed this. Nice looking rifles. How do you like the Alaska Arms quick detachable rings? Been thinking of getting some for my 9.3 to use on a moose hunt this fall.

 

[Foxtrot1]

Surprised I missed this. Nice looking rifles. How do you like the Alaska Arms quick detachable rings? Been thinking of getting some for my 9.3 to use on a moose hunt this fall.

They are top notch. I would definitely use them again.

 

[Kfd518]

I believe my original reply may have posted to your profile page @Foxtrot1 .
I need the sight heights front and rear from bottom of dovetail to top of sight also on the rear sight the depth from top of sight to the bottom of the express notch.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

Surprised I missed this. Nice looking rifles. How do you like the Alaska Arms quick detachable rings? Been thinking of getting some for my 9.3 to use on a moose hunt this fall.

Just a month ago I almost bought a 9.3 x 57. I would have done it save for two factors. One it was an iron sight only rifle and my eyes are too old and despite that I woud have bought it if I could have gotten reoading components to enjoy shooting it.

The corcet powder was the big issue. All that said, I have had two 35 Whelens, and still have one. There seems little reason to nearly duplicate a rifle I aready own and have components to enjoy shooting it.

The histoy and rommance of the 9.3 x62 are very alluring. I recall one fictional character from Africa whose only ever, do all caliber was a 9.3x62.

Townsend Whelen and his creation of the 35 Whelen was equally alluring. My one and only custom rifle was a 35 Whele built on a commercial mauser action from Belgium. I so regret that I chose the 1/14 twist. It did not shoot the custom shot loads I made for it well at all. While the the 1/16 did and slaos shot the 225 Grain Barnes bullet very well indeed.

Going back to the 9.3, I have read that hunters in the Yukon wil double papaer patch two of those 38 plastic shot sheels together and make a rousingly good mini shoegun with it,,,,for grouse and also paper patch 9mm bulllets for fine small game load.

A great foraging rifle in either caliber, the 35 Whelen or the 9.3.

I did two such adventures in Alaska,,,$20 for the nonresident small game liscense and away I went,,,acrtic hares, grouse and ptarmigan. Hoorah for the mid-bores

 

[Foxtrot1]

Front: 0.198"
Rear: 0.372" total
To bottom of notch: .327" ie, notch is 0.045 " deep

Hope this helps

 

[Foxtrot1]

Since this original post, I have done some work to this rifle to make it a little more modern and functional. It had previously been drilled for a side mount so all collector value was gone. I added a red recoil pad, full lenght bedded it, installed a crossbolt thru the wrist, drilled and tapped it for weaver bases, added a timney trigger, added a wisner 2 position safety, an extended magazine release button, and a new low swing bolt handle. She is wearing a 1-4 30mm Bushnell with an illuminated #4 reticle.

I really like this little rifle. It handles and points beautifully. It has become one of my favorites.

I shot a deer with it this year at about 150 yds. No fuss, just dropped him in his tracks. Since it is a 98 action, I have a little leeway in reloading. I loaded up some 250 gr Nosler accubonds at about 2350fps at the muzzle. Good performance on the deer, opened up nicely without excess meat damage.

 

[Kfd518]

Yes that is very helpful!
Nice job with latest updates to the husqy. Looks to be quite well usable and at home among many “modern” rifles.
I have debated chambering mine to x62 but I have already invested in the dies for x57 and feel the x57 will suffice for anything around here. It is also a bit redundant as I have a 35 Whelen I built about 4 years ago.

 

[Cav1]

Very nice rifles. I've always found the 9.3x62mm intriguing but when it came down to my first custom rifle, a southpaw Zastava large-ring Mauser action being built now (with good back-up iron sights), I went with its likewise under-rated little brother the .35 Whelen cuz I'm already so familiar with that caliber and have all the reloading equipment and components.

I just happened to be reading the chapter on medium bores in John "Pondoro" Taylor's African Rifles and Cartridges last night. Circa 1952 he called the 9.3mm Mauser a "sound, reliable, general purpose" cartridge and wrote: "I have never heard any complaints about the 9.3mm Its penetration is adequate for anything. It has never had the write-up that certain other calibers receive from time to time. Men just take it for granted and it goes steadily on its way like some honest old farm horse. In spite of all the more modern magnums and 'supers', the 9.3mm still remains the favorite medium bore of many experienced hunters."

"There isn't really a great deal to say about it. Everybody found it so generally satisfactory that there wasn't anything to start a discussion."

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[reg26]

The past few years I have been attracted to some of european medium bores. Overall they are pretty sensible rounds that fit in a standard action.

The first rifle is a custom CZ550 9.3x62 built by AHR in Montana. It's basically a double square bridge mauser action that's been upgraded with a Winchester style 3-position safety. It's been fitted with a set of quick detach Alaskan arms rings to allow for use of the Express sights. Most Americans consider the 9.3x62 as a close range brush gun, but with modern handloads and 250 grain Nosler accubonds it closely duplicates a 338 win mag as a 400 yard elk rifle. You can also load it up with 285 grain or 320 grain round nose bullets to approach a 375 h&h performance. All while kicking like a 20 gauge with heavy field loads.

The second rifle is a little trim Husqvarna 146 in 9.3x57. Built in 1941 on a FN mauser 98 action it is a classic european stalking rifle. Nice and trim with a schnabel forend it weights under 7lbs. Loaded with 285 grain bullets it will push 2100fps. It would be a pretty handy rifle for elk in black timber. One day I hope to try it out there....

Beautiful rifles and happy to find some 9.3x62 content! I got the pictured Sako Deluxe in 9.3x62 very recently. I have a couple of other Sakos in 30-06 and check periodically for Deluxe versions for sale in the US, which are rare to see. I found this one via a shop up in Minnesota. The 9.3x62 cartridge was new to me but I didn't want to pass up the shot at the rifle so I bought it. I'm glad I did. I can't wait to put her into action.

 

[MTLabrador]

View attachment 186932View attachment 186933

Beautiful rifles and happy to find some 9.3x62 content! I got the pictured Sako Deluxe in 9.3x62 very recently. I have a couple of other Sakos in 30-06 and check periodically for Deluxe versions for sale in the US, which are rare to see. I found this one via a shop up in Minnesota. The 9.3x62 cartridge was new to me but I didn't want to pass up the shot at the rifle so I bought it. I'm glad I did. I can't wait to put her into action.

Damn….

 

[noharleyyet]

Damn….

Plus 1...

 

[Cousin Basil]

Since this original post, I have done some work to this rifle to make it a little more modern and functional. It had previously been drilled for a side mount so all collector value was gone. I added a red recoil pad, full lenght bedded it, installed a crossbolt thru the wrist, drilled and tapped it for weaver bases, added a timney trigger, added a wisner 2 position safety, an extended magazine release button, and a new low swing bolt handle. She is wearing a 1-4 30mm Bushnell with an illuminated #4 reticle.

I really like this little rifle. It handles and points beautifully. It has become one of my favorites.

I shot a deer with it this year at about 150 yds. No fuss, just dropped him in his tracks. Since it is a 98 action, I have a little leeway in reloading. I loaded up some 250 gr Nosler accubonds at about 2350fps at the muzzle. Good performance on the deer, opened up nicely without excess meat damage.

Nice rifle! I have one also. What is your powder and approximate charge for the 250's? I have been using IMR4895 at about 2100 fps and the sights are no where near zero at 100 yds (about 6" high). Mine isn't D&T'd and I would like to keep it that way if I can but my eyes aren't the best anymore either! I'm gonna have to work on my stock also.

 

[Foxtrot1]

Nice rifle! I have one also. What is your powder and approximate charge for the 250's? I have been using IMR4895 at about 2100 fps and the sights are no where near zero at 100 yds (about 6" high). Mine isn't D&T'd and I would like to keep it that way if I can but my eyes aren't the best anymore either! I'm gonna have to work on my stock also.

See the attached email from Ramshot. I would work up slowly, and wouldn't get close to the max load in a 96 action.

My rifle seems to like the combo. These were shots 1, 2, and 3 (top to bottom) when I sighted it in. I need to do more testing, but with powder and primer shortages, I haven't taken it back to the range.

 

[MS 9x56]

View attachment 186932View attachment 186933

Beautiful rifles and happy to find some 9.3x62 content! I got the pictured Sako Deluxe in 9.3x62 very recently. I have a couple of other Sakos in 30-06 and check periodically for Deluxe versions for sale in the US, which are rare to see. I found this one via a shop up in Minnesota. The 9.3x62 cartridge was new to me but I didn't want to pass up the shot at the rifle so I bought it. I'm glad I did. I can't wait to put her into action.

That is some gorgeous wood right there.