More thoughts on 9.3x64

[rookhawk]

I don't know about lions with a .30-30, but Jim Corbet killed several man-eating tigers with a .275 Rigby (7x57). For all I know, our own hunters habit might have as well. Maybe he'll tell us. Anyway the exploits of "Karamojo" Bell are well.dacumented. I believe he killed over 1100 elephants, most of which were with a 7x57.

I would not try to accomplish either of those things with a rifle that light even if it was legal. Those who say that cartridge doesn't matter at all and only shot placement counts are living in a dream world. There who live in flat, wooded country where any shot over 100 yards if long range and likely have never seen a game animal bigger than a white tall, really need to get out more before they lecture other hunters that "magnum" rifles are not useful and only Eastern hunters know anything about stocking.

Sort of a slide thread, but an interesting anecdote. I had a friend (now deceased) that will remain anonymous, that wanted to out-do WDM Bell with his elephant prowess. The friend had taken many elephant over the years with all sorts of calibers big and bigger. He killed an elephant with a 256 Newton, thus using a smaller gun than even Bell.

I asked him how it went on his hunt and his answer was it went without any fanfare. Shot to the brain, dead instantly.

We're fortunate to live in an era where wholly reliable powders exist and the quality of our bullets have never been better. I'd be completely comfortable hunting elephant with any weapon above 40 cal and 400grains given today's bullets. I'd be comfortable with my kids doing the same with a 375HH if I was backing the shot.

But in Bell's era under his circumstances? He made the right choice. The ammo was terribly unreliable and he had numerous problems hunting elephants with bigger guns until he settled on reliable 180gr FMJ solids in his 7x57 and 160gr solids in his 6.5x54MS. They penetrated straight and went bang every time he shot, better than he could accomplish in that era with his large bores.

 

[MS 9x56]

I might feel the same way if I was in New York and naive about the demands of hunting in big, steep, open country, or dangerous African big game. Please don't tell me about Bell killing 1,000 elephants with a 7x57. Just because something can be done does not mean it is a good idea.

One thing I am not is niave! I freely admit I am not a good enough shot to take advantage of a gun in a caliber that can shoot tiny groups at 5-600 yards or further. If I offended you I apologize. To me the challenge and thrill of hunting is getting as close to my quarry as I can and humanely ending its life. But that’s just me. If you enjoy the challenge of long range hunting with magnum calibers go with god and do what you enjoy. The great thing about this sight is that no one here tries to tell you how you should do it. We kid and try to educate and seek others opinions. Ok down off my soap box. Enjoy your hunts.

 

[Odinsraven]

Just picked up a Masuer 66 in 9.3x64 along with a 7x64 barrel for same....waiting for it to arrive to Iceland. Have a Baikal 9.3x74r ou double...which should be fun to regulate !

 

[Grandpa Moose]

Had a x62 and enjoyed it when I was an active gunsmith also built one for each of my three boys. Got talked out of my x62 and later got a Highwall in 375 that made one shot kills on Eland, Buffalo and Sable. Recently found an 8x68S in a Brno 602 and am looking forward to using it on moose. Understand that it is a great alaround caliber for heavy game similar to the 93’s. Any input would be appreciated

 

[Zkk93]

Dear all,
I am returning to this discussion to seek your help and suggestions.
I'm working up a load around the 250 grains of Accubond pushed by 70 grains of URP, it gives a great accuracy(Attached four shoots at 100 meters) but is not able to stop a wild boar.

I use it in my Mauser 66 to hunt wild boar, mainly during night in maize field.
Actually, I shot three and no one fell on the spot:
1) 76 Kg - 167 Lbs 50/60 metres. Side shot and hit a few centimetres over the heart and ran away without falling down. I found him 60 metres away. Two holes of the same diameter and no particular damage to internal organs;
2) 134 Kg - 295 Lbs, 60 metres near a frontal shot (4/5). Hit in the middle of the shoulder, moved back on the shot and fell down, I found it 40 ca metres away. The bullet broke the shoulder and 4/5 ribs around it, and was lost in the internal organs. Incredible blood trail.
3) 116 Kg - 255 Lbs 35/40 side shot, hit the middle of the shoulder. He ran off and almost trampled me, I found him about 80 metres away. The bullet shattered the shoulder and didn't hit the shoulder on the other side. There was hardly any blood.

All the shots were fired at night in the middle of maize fields, where every metre is a problem...

What are you thinking about?

I am thinking of moving to another one, I am looking at two main ideas:
1) Something lighter and harder like a 232 Woodleigh PP or a Norma Oryx;
2) Something heavier like an A-Frame 250 or 286 or a Norma Alaska 286.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
I would like to use on big wild boar on a range between 50 and 150 meters.

 

[dchamp]

Dear all,
I am returning to this discussion to seek your help and suggestions.
I'm working up a load around the 250 grains of Accubond pushed by 70 grains of URP, it gives a great accuracy(Attached four shoots at 100 meters) but is not able to stop a wild boar.

I use it in my Mauser 66 to hunt wild boar, mainly during night in maize field.
Actually, I shot three and no one fell on the spot:
1) 76 Kg - 167 Lbs 50/60 metres. Side shot and hit a few centimetres over the heart and ran away without falling down. I found him 60 metres away. Two holes of the same diameter and no particular damage to internal organs;
2) 134 Kg - 295 Lbs, 60 metres near a frontal shot (4/5). Hit in the middle of the shoulder, moved back on the shot and fell down, I found it 40 ca metres away. The bullet broke the shoulder and 4/5 ribs around it, and was lost in the internal organs. Incredible blood trail.
3) 116 Kg - 255 Lbs 35/40 side shot, hit the middle of the shoulder. He ran off and almost trampled me, I found him about 80 metres away. The bullet shattered the shoulder and didn't hit the shoulder on the other side. There was hardly any blood.

All the shots were fired at night in the middle of maize fields, where every metre is a problem...

What are you thinking about?

I am thinking of moving to another one, I am looking at two main ideas:
1) Something lighter and harder like a 232 Woodleigh PP or a Norma Oryx;
2) Something heavier like an A-Frame 250 or 286 or a Norma Alaska 286.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
I would like to use on big wild boar on a range between 50 and 150 meters.

I think I would try the 325gr Oryx or the 300gr A-Frame, lots of momentum. Alliant’s RL-17 would be my powder choice. Another option would be 286gr North Fork SS. They are manufactured in Sweden now, great bullet.

 

[V.Veritas]

If a 250 gr from a 9.3x64 does not drop a wild boar maybe you should change the point of aim? I don’t want to sound condescending but I’ve seen (on YouTube of course) Prince Franz Albrecht dropping them like bawling pins with a 270 Win. So it can be done.... Just saying.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi ZKK93,

As V.Veritas say. I must add that not always, on the contrary, more often than not, a game animal well hit with a deadly shot, stop at the hit spot! After all, you got your wild boars. I will look at other things, like to change the point of aim to get a shot to stop mechanically the animal. A 250 grs Accubond from the 9,3x64 is more than enough !

Good luck!

CF

 

[Sheldor]

I'm not sure what you are planning on doing, but I friend of mine bought a 9.3 CZ and out of the box it was a really nice rifle. That would seem like a good place to start.

 

[Zkk93]

Dear all,
Thanks for the answers, I'm trying to shoot in the shoulder to stop mechanically, but at the moment I don't have so great result,
Any other suggestion for shooting place over the brain shoot?

My idea about changing the bullet is also related to the fact that two times it didn't reach the other side of the boar.

About the video, it is a hunting film, are you sure that there isn't a post-production that chooses only the best shot?
I could bet that Prince Franz Albrecht is the greatest boar shooter in the world, but could you bet that the production doesn't choose only the most incredible kills?

Those are the reasons because I am looking another bullet with deeper penetration and better performance.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Dear all,
Thanks for the answers, I'm trying to shoot in the shoulder to stop mechanically, but at the moment I don't have so great result,
Any other suggestion for shooting place over the brain shoot?

My idea about changing the bullet is also related to the fact that two times it didn't reach the other side of the boar.

About the video, it is a hunting film, are you sure that there isn't a post-production that chooses only the best shot?
I could bet that Prince Franz Albrecht is the greatest boar shooter in the world, but could you bet that the production doesn't choose only the most incredible kills?

Those are the reasons because I am looking another bullet with deeper penetration and better performance.

In order to have the boar, or any animal, drop to the shot the central nervous system needs to be compromised. Hogs are thick and can absorb a lot of energy and damage. I prefer to shoot them in the head or neck right behind the head. They don’t walk away.

 

[BlueFlyer]

I have used the RWS 258gr H-Mantel with good results in my 9.3X64.
The Nosler partition would also be a good option on boars, but I have not used it.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi ZKK93

In my experience there are very few bullets better than the Accubond 9,3 mm 250 grs! What velocity do yo get with them?
If you want more penetration should try the 250 grs BARNES TTSX.
As BlueFlyer say, the H-Mantel is also a great bullet for spectacular results! I have used, a lot, the H-Mantel in my 7x57, 173 grs and, recently, that 258 grs in my 9,3x62 at 2650 f/s. I use it for my last Red Deer. Deadly!
I don't know where do you live but another very good bullet that can be loaded at high velocity is the slovenian FOX. I have used the 220 grs one, monometalic, at 2800 f/s in my 9,3x62. In a 9,3x64, all other things being the same, can reach 2900 f/s or more.

Good luck!

CF

 

[Zkk93]

Thank you to all for reply,
Unfortunately the H-Mantel in 9,3 are discontinued as relaoding components.
It could be a great choice, otherwise!

I have some 286 A-Frame on the shelf I will start from them.
I don't know what think about, any ideas?
Softer bullets like Alaska I believe can't open too much at closer distance.

 

[MS 9x56]

Even on hogs I have never seen a 9.3 bullet seperate jacket from core.

 

[RayAtkinson]

I thought the 9.3x64 was a better caliber than the 9,3x62 until I shot across the chronograph and found I only got 100 to 150 fps advantage, all things equal, and more felt recoil it seemed off the bench..Also had my 64 loaded too hot and gave me trouble on safari temps,,.Both are good calibers wnen properly loaded...I found little difference in the 9.3s, and 375s, and found you have to go to a 416 or 404 to be able to realize a difference, maybe, but they all seem to give me similar results in the bush.

 

[luger6]

I've taken a bunch of PG with my 9.3-64B. With TSX 250gr loaded to 820m/sec it worked well.

 

[Antho9364]

Hello everyone,
With a friend we worked on a load which seems to me to be a very good compromise.
This is the Degol stm HP 17 g (262gr).
I thank Luederitz who gave us a very good starting point.
From a 65 cm (25.6") barrel we had a speed of 830 m/s (2723 fps) with a Garmin chrono,
the loading seems very promising (around 5900 J) and it almost touches 4000 bar, but without exceeding it.
I haven't tried it yet but this season it will be tested on deer.
Some might say more than me.
(photo: a 17 g degol expanded in wood, 16 g left, 2 cartridges, a TUG in comparison)

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Ray,

Agree. In my experience, loading the 9,3x62 to the same aprox. pressure and barrel lenght as the 9,3x64, the difference is no more than 100 f/s. The cases capacities speack for themselves. There are no magics...
Having said this, if the 9,3x64, both cartridges and cases, were more common or easy to get, I would chose it...

 

[ZG47]

Hi Ray,

Agree. In my experience, loading the 9,3x62 to the same aprox. pressure and barrel lenght as the 9,3x64, the difference is no more than 100 f/s. The cases capacities speack for themselves. There are no magics...
Having said this, if the 9,3x64, both cartridges and cases, were more common or easy to get, I would chose it...

John Barsness discovered via his own handloading work that: increase in velocity is equivalent to 25% of the percentage increase in propellant capacity. In practical terms the major advantage—accruing to the hand loader—with a larger capacity cartridge case is that, typically, the neck length and chamber reamer dimensions allow for the use of longer bullets.

All things being equal, a small increase in bullet diameter is likely to be far more useful to the hunter. A classic example is the ballistic advantage—to the hunter—of using the .358 Winchester instead of the .338 Federal cartridge. The .358 Winchester propels same weight—and type—projectiles at higher velocities. If you wonder why this is not evident in factory ammunition performance … the original BLR mechanism is relatively weak and can break when someone tries to extract a case after firing a heavy load. A departed friend, Din Collings, had to remove the barrel from a brand new original model BLR, shortly after the NZ introduction, that was chambered in .308 Winchester; in order to remove the case and repair the action! I would have loved to hear what he said to the rifle’s owner about safe reloading practice!