Ease of converting 9.3x62 to 9.3x64 Brenneke

[chren]

For awhile I’ve wanted to get my hands on a 9.3x64 Brenneke, and have gone as far as obtaining (an already sporterized) M98, found a barrel maker who produces chambering for that caliber, and ran into a MASSIVE problem finding reloading components. Bullets, no problem. There seems to be plenty since 9.3x62 is a fairly ubiquitous cartridge still. Reloading dies seem relatively easy to get. My issue I’m running into is finding ANY brass whatsoever. Barnes, RWS, Buffalo Bore….anyone who advertises it shows out of stock and upon reaching out they don’t have any eta on restock or if it’ll ever happen.

Now to my question: Frequently I see Husqvarna 640s in the usual 9.3x62 available for sale (at very reasonable prices). If I purchased one of these to shoot and love while I kept an eye out for and hoarded 9.3x64 B brass, would it be anything larger than a re-barrel and some potential bolt/magazine work from my (good) local gunsmith to convert that Husqvarna 9.3x62 into a x64 Brenneke down the road? From what I hear and read their actions are very solid and I know there are some marginally different dimensions between the two cartridges, but I’d assume it would be a relatively easy conversion to make.

Don’t wanna get wrapped up in the “why” I want the 9.3x64B, just wanted to see if this would be a possibility rather than building one up and PRAYING brass becomes available to feed it.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

It could probably be re-chambered instead of re-barreled.
If you are going to re-barrel I would think almost any large ring Mauser would work.

 

[sgt_zim]

Bummer. Shame you didn't check with the legion of x62 fanbois here before you pulled the trigger on the X64. I think the x64 is a great cartridge, but the only thing it really gets you over an X62 is another 50 or 75 yards of lethal range where velocity is still 2k fps or faster.

Most X62s have a lot of freebore, probably pretty close to 0.1". With a COAL on an X62 of 3.325 or 3.33, 2450 fps MV is a pretty easy reach for X62. The real limiting factor for most X62s on COAL is magazine length. Otherwise, if 3.35 or 3.36 would fit in the magazine, it'll probably easily fit the firing chamber with a 0.02 - 0.04 jump.

I'm getting 2475 fps out of my X62 with 286 gr A Frames, COAL is 3.325 to 3.33.

 

[V.Veritas]

Bummer. Shame you didn't check with the legion of x62 fanbois here before you pulled the trigger on the X64. I think the x64 is a great cartridge, but the only thing it really gets you over an X62 is another 50 or 75 yards of lethal range where velocity is still 2k fps or faster.

Most X62s have a lot of freebore, probably pretty close to 0.1". With a COAL on an X62 of 3.325 or 3.33, 2450 fps MV is a pretty easy reach for X62. The real limiting factor for most X62s on COAL is magazine length. Otherwise, if 3.35 or 3.36 would fit in the magazine, it'll probably easily fit the firing chamber with a 0.02 - 0.04 jump.

I'm getting 2475 fps out of my X62 with 286 gr A Frames, COAL is 3.325 to 3.33.

I love your zebra.

I’m not convinced though on your assertion of x62 vs x64.
I checked RWS website and compared the UNI classics rounds. It seems that the range difference between the 2 contenders when they keep their speed above 2000 ft/sec (609 m/s) is about 400ft (120m).

On the other hand if you can hot rod the x62 by about 200 ft/sec I’m assuming you would be able to do the same with x64, so the 400 ft gap would still be maintained.

I agree that 9.3x64 might not be the best choice for brass availability, convenience, etc, but there is a world of difference between the 2 of them.
I believed it died in the market because it is too much gun for European hunts and not enough European hunters demands it for African hunts.

 

[V.Veritas]

For awhile I’ve wanted to get my hands on a 9.3x64 Brenneke, and have gone as far as obtaining (an already sporterized) M98, found a barrel maker who produces chambering for that caliber, and ran into a MASSIVE problem finding reloading components. Bullets, no problem. There seems to be plenty since 9.3x62 is a fairly ubiquitous cartridge still. Reloading dies seem relatively easy to get. My issue I’m running into is finding ANY brass whatsoever. Barnes, RWS, Buffalo Bore….anyone who advertises it shows out of stock and upon reaching out they don’t have any eta on restock or if it’ll ever happen.

Now to my question: Frequently I see Husqvarna 640s in the usual 9.3x62 available for sale (at very reasonable prices). If I purchased one of these to shoot and love while I kept an eye out for and hoarded 9.3x64 B brass, would it be anything larger than a re-barrel and some potential bolt/magazine work from my (good) local gunsmith to convert that Husqvarna 9.3x62 into a x64 Brenneke down the road? From what I hear and read their actions are very solid and I know there are some marginally different dimensions between the two cartridges, but I’d assume it would be a relatively easy conversion to make.

Don’t wanna get wrapped up in the “why” I want the 9.3x64B, just wanted to see if this would be a possibility rather than building one up and PRAYING brass becomes available to feed it.

Location, location, location.

For brass use your German connections:

9.3X64 | Jagd Online Shop | FRANKONIA

9.3X64 kaufen | 9.3X64 im Frankonia Jagd Online Shop | 9.3X64 für Jäger kaufen ✓ auf Rechnung ✓ seit 1908 ✓ Filialen ✓ Katalog

www.frankonia.de

For rifles use you Canadian connections:

https://ellwoodepps.com/steyr-mannlicher-s-with-scope-package.html

https://ellwoodepps.com/brenneke-wilhelm-m98-with-kahles-3-9x-scope.html

Good luck.

 

[sgt_zim]

I love your zebra.

I’m not convinced though on your assertion of x62 vs x64.
I checked RWS website and compared the UNI classics rounds. It seems that the range difference between the 2 contenders when they keep their speed above 2000 ft/sec (609 m/s) is about 400ft (120m).

On the other hand if you can hot rod the x62 by about 200 ft/sec I’m assuming you would be able to do the same with x64, so the 400 ft gap would still be maintained.

I agree that 9.3x64 might not be the best choice for brass availability, convenience, etc, but there is a world of difference between the 2 of them.
I believed it died in the market because it is too much gun for European hunts and not enough European hunters demands it for African hunts.

I jus did a basic check for a 286 gr bullet fired at 2450 vs 2600. It's only 50 - 75 yards. If you could get an X64 to 2700, yeah, I could see 100+ yards. But at only 150 fps faster, an extra 120m ain't gonna happen. That's true for every cartridge ever made. It's why I don't chase MV for anything I reload. Wasn't chasing velocity with my x62, I just did a ladder as John Barsness/MuleDeer suggested and found out he was right. There just aren't many cartridges with enough freebore relative to SAAMI spec COAL to be able to do that. Can you with X64? IDK. Maybe. If you can, that's great, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

To me, goosing a load means toe-ing the line on max chamber pressure. I don't know where max is on my X62, but I do know I wasn't close to it based on bolt lift and absence of primer deformation.

No experience with X64 other than what I've read, but I don't imagine the chamber dimensions for them allow for as much (or any at all) expansion of performance as most X62s have.

 

[V.Veritas]

You might be right.
Now I've noticed that RWS publishes their data using 2 different barrel length. 2" longer for x64.
However, Woodleigh reloading manual published data with max velocity of 2675 ft/sec for x64. Probably we can get the powder though in NA.

 

[AZDAVE]

Without going down the rabbit hole of loading to the same PSI level and yada yada interior ballistics.

You want to get a 9.3x64. A gunsmith can pull the barrel, put it in the lathe and rechamber to x64 in most cases. Then the magazine follower might need to be changed. The bolt face will need to be opened a bit. Then the rails will most likely need some work. The other is depending on how much free bore the x64 is set up with the gunsmith may need to work length issues in the magazine or put in one of the aftermarket ones designed for 375 H&H length rounds. With that will also come action work that will need to be done.

I worst cased what could need to be done. But that will give a starting point to make build decisions on. You will also need a gunsmith willing to take on the project.

Nothing on the build is hard just all the interrelated steps that "Might" be needed.

 

[grand veneur]

For awhile I’ve wanted to get my hands on a 9.3x64 Brenneke, and have gone as far as obtaining (an already sporterized) M98, found a barrel maker who produces chambering for that caliber, and ran into a MASSIVE problem finding reloading components. Bullets, no problem. There seems to be plenty since 9.3x62 is a fairly ubiquitous cartridge still. Reloading dies seem relatively easy to get. My issue I’m running into is finding ANY brass whatsoever. Barnes, RWS, Buffalo Bore….anyone who advertises it shows out of stock and upon reaching out they don’t have any eta on restock or if it’ll ever happen.

Now to my question: Frequently I see Husqvarna 640s in the usual 9.3x62 available for sale (at very reasonable prices). If I purchased one of these to shoot and love while I kept an eye out for and hoarded 9.3x64 B brass, would it be anything larger than a re-barrel and some potential bolt/magazine work from my (good) local gunsmith to convert that Husqvarna 9.3x62 into a x64 Brenneke down the road? From what I hear and read their actions are very solid and I know there are some marginally different dimensions between the two cartridges, but I’d assume it would be a relatively easy conversion to make.

Don’t wanna get wrapped up in the “why” I want the 9.3x64B, just wanted to see if this would be a possibility rather than building one up and PRAYING brass becomes available to feed it.

The master say no !

Preferring the 9,3x64 Brenneke cartridge over the 9,3x62 cartridge is a very good idea, but having a mediocre rifle made in this caliber is a bad idea. The 9,3x64 Brenneke cartridge is a high-performance cartridge that show its potential in a rifle designed for it, meaning with the appropriate bolt action and magazine and a 26-inch barrel, all of which are completely different from the 9,3x62 cartridge. Converting a rifle caliber 9,3x62 to caliber 9,3x64 maybe not achieve much of a ballistic gain, which will ultimately be irrelevant when hunting. After more than 50 years of gun and rifle ownership, I can only recommend getting premium rifles, used or new builts, because they provide lifelong enjoyment, which is not the case with anything cheap or patched together.

 

[WCFMetalsmith]

The 9.3x64 is a rather odd sized cartridge, thus the hard to find brass

I have modified several Mauser 98 actions to it over the years, as well as making a few new machined trigger guards to fit that caliber

Changes needed are
Open bolt face, and lips, and the extractor hook.
Machine the inside of the old trigger guard, or a new properly sized trigger guard
Re-machine the receiver rails wider to match the guard, and the feed ramp for proper feeding
A new follower in the proper width
Hand fit the rails for Proper feeding

This above work is hard to find a Good Metalsmith that could do it properly

Personally I would stay with the 9.3x62 as ammo, and reloading supplies are fairly easy to find, as well as rifles

WCF

 

[Muskox]

So provided that the chamber will be cleaned up completely, yes it is possible. You have to contend with the bolt face issue, and the magazine feeding.

Also the action is strong enough, so any Husky that is an FN98 or a military 98 should work.

My 98, is based on a a commercial Mauser 98 clone. It doesn't have a thumb cut. It is a Voere 2165.

Yes it has a lot of recoil, in a lightweight rifle.

I have other rifles that are already set up, so it will hunted when I move back to the USA next year.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi,

I don't se how the differences between the 9,3x62 vs 9,3x64 are calculated. Or, better said, estimated...
The case capacity for the x62 is around 76 grs, the x64 has a 84 grs capacity. Both rounded numbers so, Aprox. 10%. If we use the "rule" of 4 (John Barsness), the potencial velocity increase, in %, is 1/4 the case capacity difference, in %. So, the potencial for the x64 is 2,5% more velocity, ALL MAIN FACTORS DE SAME: Bullet weight, barrel lenght and pressure. So, in the 286 grs bullet case, it is easy to get 2450 f/s at safe maximun pressure with the correct powder. If we add that 2,5%, a little less than 62 f/s, we end at 2512 f/s for the x64, all factors the same...
So, if a difference of 200 f/s is talked about, not apples to apples are compared.
To ME, a 9,3x62 to 9,3x64 convertion is not an interesting one.

 

[Nhoro]

The 9,3 by 64 is legal for buffalo, elephant and hippo in Zimbabwe. The 9,3 x 62 is not. Other than that fact, I think that if you really want the x 64 then go for it. Surely you can ship brass across from Europe?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bummer. Shame you didn't check with the legion of x62 fanbois here before you pulled the trigger on the X64. I think the x64 is a great cartridge, but the only thing it really gets you over an X62 is another 50 or 75 yards of lethal range where velocity is still 2k fps or faster.

Most X62s have a lot of freebore, probably pretty close to 0.1". With a COAL on an X62 of 3.325 or 3.33, 2450 fps MV is a pretty easy reach for X62. The real limiting factor for most X62s on COAL is magazine length. Otherwise, if 3.35 or 3.36 would fit in the magazine, it'll probably easily fit the firing chamber with a 0.02 - 0.04 jump.

I'm getting 2475 fps out of my X62 with 286 gr A Frames, COAL is 3.325 to 3.33.

@sgt_zim
I agree with you mate. Just get a longer mag box for the 62 and a bit longer bolt throw.
The speed you are getting with your 286gn is only 20fps more than I'm getting out of my Whelen with 310s. They are doing a sedate 2,455fps.
Pity it ain't legal for buffalo otherwise I would be tempting.
Bob

 

[rifletuner]

My 9.3x64 is made off a Zastava M70 action. It used a 30-06 bolt face that was opened up to suit the case head and feeds 4 rounds from the original 30-06 magazine no problem. The 9.3x64 is a great cartridge. I love mine. I pretty much just load it with the 320gn Woodleigh RNSP bullet and it has been devastating on the few things I have shot with it.

Any competent gunsmith should be able to take a 9.3x62, rechamber it to 9.3x64, open up the bolt face and address any feeding modifications required to make it work. Its not a big job - getting the feeding right is the most complex part if there is any issue. Though mine feeds fine, and the Woodleigh round nose bullet may be a part of that.

 

[rifletuner]

Another photo of my 9.3x64 - because I like the picture, and you cant get enough photos of nice rifles can you?

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Nhoro,

As far as I know, the 9,3x62 is also legal for Buffalo, elephant and hippo in Zimbabwe.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Bob,
"get a longer mag box for the 62 and a bit longer bolt throw."
That is the case with BRNOs ZKK 600 and standard CZ 550s. The magazine lenght allows cartridges with an OAL of 87 mm. Being so long the chamber throat is almost never an issue.
The real velocity differences with the 9,3x64 at similar pressures, barrel lenght and bullet weight, are less than 100 f/s