9.3X62 is here!
- Thread starter nvbroncrider
- Start date
Great project! My first 9.3x62 was a rebarreled Mod 70 FWT back in the mid-90s. I had to scrounge components back then, ha. It was a slick feeder in that Mod 70, and after playing with the Speer 270 and some 286 Hawks, Nosler had come out with that 286 Partition, so settled on it. I gave that rifle to a young man ( my Youth Minister) and he killed a big spike elk that fall with it. Best part was they walked up on each other about 90yds apart. The bull was behind a good screening of brush, though very visible, readily identified as this spike. My friend had been using a 30-06 up until then, and would have passed on the shot. He thought, hey lets see...pow/plop, ha! He and the elk were both impressed! Its a great round. I always considered the 35 Whelen Improved as Americas equal to the 9.3x62, properly loaded. Most people compare the standard Whelen to it. I base my comparison to my first hunt in south Africa with the 250X in the Whelen AI. When my Afrikaner friends asked about my cartridge, I told them it was "like" the 9.3x62, which they all knew and liked. After taking some heavy critters and only recovering two bullets, they agreed with me. Now, the 9.3x62 does all that w/o fireforming, etc. Only problem I had with my last two 9.3s was some FTF on some factory ammo. This was in a CZ 550Fs and a Ruger 77 African. properly resized fired cases were 100%, of course. Since I was already fireforming for my Whelen AI, I gave the FS to my SIL and sold the Ruger. It is a great cartridge though, a real killer w/o beating you up with recoil ( unless you like that, if so, you can heat that 9.3 up pretty hot!) Good luck to you Pard, you will enjoy it!
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 6
Preacher, I used to live in Sandy Utah, back in the 1980-90's. Lived south of 9400, east of about 1900E.
- Thread starter
- #24
nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 4
Well I got my mounts and rings ordered. It will be 4-6 weeks. I did get an opportunity to work with it. Thursday I swapped stocks on it. Had a dark sporter stock laying around I dropped it into. Stole the bottom metal out of my 6.5 Swede to put it together. I loaded 6 rounds up for test firing so I can go back and measure the lands and such. Loaded 4 250AB's and 2 286 PT and then 21 milk jugs.
Well the firing went very well. The 3rd AB went into jugs stopping in the 6th and cutting the 7th. The 286PT went through 7 jugs before slipping out the side so unfortunately I couldn't collect that one. I will try again later. Recoil was surprising mild but I want no more than this. I was kinda expecting more.
So after thinking last night I decided to mount a scope on her with the mounts intended for the 338. Boy was this a huge mistake!! After mounting I loaded up some more 250AB and went to do some shooting with a friend that wanted some help sighting in her Savage 308 and 30-06.
So I wasn't sure how much she had shot so I took a few rifles and a cheap scope that came off a 700 SPS donor. We mounted the scope on the 308 and went and shot. I brought with me my 22-250 243 7X57 and 9.3X62.
I started her off with the 22-250 @ 25 yards then the 243 which I re-sighted in. Then I got behind the 308 and put it on paper then had her shoot a few with it. Then we did the same with her 30-06. Then I put my 9.3 on paper. Two shots @ 25 yards had me where I wanted. Posted a new target and steped off 100 yards. I started off with the 9.3 and was a bit off but after 3 rounds I was flabbergasted! Rounds 9-11 out the barrel all in the same hole. I haven't measured it yet but it is well under .5". So I made another adjustment to the scope and shot another 3 shot group. I flubbed the second shot but I know if I hadn't it would have done the same thing. So she shot the 308 and 30-06 and got them dialed in. She flubbed the 2nd shot with the 06 but the other 2 were touching. Not bad for the first time she shot the rifle and first time she's shot in 20 years all with factory ammo.
I finished my sight in with the 243 as well and put a 2 in 1 out one inch group with it.
All in all it was a great day. Now I'm perplexed as to just shoot what I've been loading or if I want to chase 200-250 fps. It also brings up questions on what to take for spring bear as well as this shoots wonderfully. I did realize today though that I don't want anymore gun than that. I might be able to shoot a box of shells through that rifle but definately no more. Also wondering what route to go with as far as a stock. Supergrade of Micky.
Well the firing went very well. The 3rd AB went into jugs stopping in the 6th and cutting the 7th. The 286PT went through 7 jugs before slipping out the side so unfortunately I couldn't collect that one. I will try again later. Recoil was surprising mild but I want no more than this. I was kinda expecting more.
So after thinking last night I decided to mount a scope on her with the mounts intended for the 338. Boy was this a huge mistake!! After mounting I loaded up some more 250AB and went to do some shooting with a friend that wanted some help sighting in her Savage 308 and 30-06.
So I wasn't sure how much she had shot so I took a few rifles and a cheap scope that came off a 700 SPS donor. We mounted the scope on the 308 and went and shot. I brought with me my 22-250 243 7X57 and 9.3X62.
I started her off with the 22-250 @ 25 yards then the 243 which I re-sighted in. Then I got behind the 308 and put it on paper then had her shoot a few with it. Then we did the same with her 30-06. Then I put my 9.3 on paper. Two shots @ 25 yards had me where I wanted. Posted a new target and steped off 100 yards. I started off with the 9.3 and was a bit off but after 3 rounds I was flabbergasted! Rounds 9-11 out the barrel all in the same hole. I haven't measured it yet but it is well under .5". So I made another adjustment to the scope and shot another 3 shot group. I flubbed the second shot but I know if I hadn't it would have done the same thing. So she shot the 308 and 30-06 and got them dialed in. She flubbed the 2nd shot with the 06 but the other 2 were touching. Not bad for the first time she shot the rifle and first time she's shot in 20 years all with factory ammo.
I finished my sight in with the 243 as well and put a 2 in 1 out one inch group with it.
All in all it was a great day. Now I'm perplexed as to just shoot what I've been loading or if I want to chase 200-250 fps. It also brings up questions on what to take for spring bear as well as this shoots wonderfully. I did realize today though that I don't want anymore gun than that. I might be able to shoot a box of shells through that rifle but definately no more. Also wondering what route to go with as far as a stock. Supergrade of Micky.
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DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,502
- 6,506
The accuracy is consistent with what I've witnessed on several of these medium bores, Jake. That is very gratifying when one is in the field and dependent on the firearm to topple a fine head of game. Excellent results.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 6
Looking good Jake!
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,271
- 693
That's very nice Jake. You and your friend had an awesome day! I think I would leave that thing alone! I love the look of the walnut and stainless! Just glass bed it and you would be all set.
- Thread starter
- #28
nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 4
6mm Remington":3dd0mpsn said:
Why? It ain't broke!!! Actually I'm between a rock and a hardspot. It shoots so good im afraid of touching it. Even cleaning it!!!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,502
- 6,506
nvbroncrider":3d4f7m4m said:
Oh, yeah, I've been there on a few occasions. Bedding can be done at any point when it becomes necessary. Of course, you'll kick yourself when you realise how well it shoots after bedding, wondering why you waited. Still, it will be the difference between 0.5 MOA and 0.4 MOA; animals will still drop dead whenever you pull the trigger. Very nice look, that walnut and stainless.
- Thread starter
- #31
nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 4
Well I measured the group and was blown away again. .319" that's just amazing to me. I'm just totally flabbergasted by this thing. Better than I ever imagined.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,836
- 6,312
Sweet...
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,364
- 973
Sorry I'm late to the party Jake but like the others I would leave it in that stock since it shoots so good and I'm glad the stock you got from me is working out so well. It does look very good in that dark piece of walnut. I'm glad I had two stocks so I could sell you that one.
I don't think it would hurt to pillar bed it and bed the recoil lug.
I found with the Whelen that the heavier bullets seem to have less felt recoil than the medium weight bullets 250gr vs 225gr. and a good recoil pad is your friend with these light weight medium bore rifles. My Whelen almost brought tears to my eyes the first time I shot it with 225gr ABs with the factory recoil pad but a Limb saver pad has helped to relieve that problem. I was almost ready to sell it after only 10 rounds down the barrel but I'm in love with it now and can't wait to shoot some game with it.
Once you get it smoothed up you might want to look at some cast lead Boolits for it to help cut the shooting cost and lighter recoil. I have a new friend over on the Boolits web site that is sending me some samples to try in the Whelen and if they don't show signs of leading I might be casting my own so I can shoot the Whelen more with cheap ammo.
I don't think it would hurt to pillar bed it and bed the recoil lug.
I found with the Whelen that the heavier bullets seem to have less felt recoil than the medium weight bullets 250gr vs 225gr. and a good recoil pad is your friend with these light weight medium bore rifles. My Whelen almost brought tears to my eyes the first time I shot it with 225gr ABs with the factory recoil pad but a Limb saver pad has helped to relieve that problem. I was almost ready to sell it after only 10 rounds down the barrel but I'm in love with it now and can't wait to shoot some game with it.
Once you get it smoothed up you might want to look at some cast lead Boolits for it to help cut the shooting cost and lighter recoil. I have a new friend over on the Boolits web site that is sending me some samples to try in the Whelen and if they don't show signs of leading I might be casting my own so I can shoot the Whelen more with cheap ammo.
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,271
- 693
truck driver":44hi2qsm said:
I know you hate to touch it Jake, I do completely understand as she aint broke right now. As hard as it kicks though over time if they are not constantly checked, the wood can and most likely will compress a bit where the action screws go through the stock. Then you could have a situation where the action gets a bit loose in the stock, and the recoil lug is not sitting perfectly in it's slot and you pull the trigger and bam! The rifle goes boom and the metal is slammed back into the wood where the action screw shanks are making contact. Next think you know after a couple shots you have a crack in the grip area behind the rear action screw and your stock is ruined. And it is a very pretty stock right now!
It did it to me in a Remington Model 700 MTN rifle in .280 and we all know how hard the .280 kicks!
:evil:- Thread starter
- #36
nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 4
truck driver":1jck3sin said:
Thanks Rodger. The old Red rubber recoil pad scared me. I chickened out and changing the stock before I fired it. Glad I did cause she's all there. Not like killer recoil but a good solid shove. And enough that you know you pulled the trigger. It's like a 8-10 shell gun after that I don't think I can hold steady enough. I will find out.
There's a few of you guys saying I should bed it. I'm just not sure what I want to do with it yet. I need to shoot it more. Thinking about a Supergrade stock or a Mickey. But I do love the look of dark Walnut and Stainless something about that combo is just right. I got a bunch of seconds for it so I think I'm set for bullets.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 6
Jake, I wouldn't touch that rifle's bedding before you have finished breaking it in. You don't really know what you have so far. My .270 Win Pre 64 has never had the bedding touched and its shoots under 2 inches at 300 yards, has for 40+ years.
pre6422hornet
Handloader
- Jan 24, 2012
- 974
- 12
Man that thing is shooting Jake!
It is funny, I have never heard of a 9.3 x62 that doesn't shoot extremely well. I swear when they cooked up some of those rounds they struck ammunition gold. Bullet weight, speed, twist, etc.... just plain works... period.
I really want one of these 9.3's now. Darn it... Thanks Jake
It is funny, I have never heard of a 9.3 x62 that doesn't shoot extremely well. I swear when they cooked up some of those rounds they struck ammunition gold. Bullet weight, speed, twist, etc.... just plain works... period.
I really want one of these 9.3's now. Darn it... Thanks Jake
- Thread starter
- #40
nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 4
pre6422hornet":3hbe8f61 said:Man that thing is shooting Jake!
It is funny, I have never heard of a 9.3 x62 that doesn't shoot extremely well. I swear when they cooked up some of those rounds they struck ammunition gold. Bullet weight, speed, twist, etc.... just plain works... period.
I really want one of these 9.3's now. Darn it... Thanks Jake
That's what friends are for!! Best part about the 9.3 is I can shoot one and hold 5 in the mag. That's a lot of firepower!!
