Post by Lee Martin on Feb 11, 2024 15:20:44 GMT -5
I’ve been shooting this 9.3x62 of late and thought I’d post some updates. The bullet I’ll stick with is Hornady’s 286 gr Interlock. I like the weight and it has proven quite accurate. While AA 4350 can get it over 2,400 fps, best accuracy is @ 2,250 fps. Plenty of punch and very consistent on paper. I sighted the load to print 1” high at 100 yards. The last group I shot put 8 rounds into 1-1/4” at 100 yards. Good enough for a rifle of this caliber. I will add Accurate Molds 37-285C as a cast option in time. The nose looks good, and the weight matches my jacketed.
One thing I neglected to mention in this thread are brass dimensions. The original 9.3x62 Mausers measured 0.476” at the base. My reamer cut 0.474”, so slightly less. When Graf & Sons carried Prvi Partizan 9.3x62, I bought 200 at $42/bag. I wish I purchased more because it’s excellent quality and cheap compared to Hornady. I also bought a fair amount of Hornady and immediately noticed a difference. The Prvi mics 0.473” at the base. That perfectly suits my chamber. The Hornady however comes in at 0.467”. It became apparent they formed it from their basic .30-06 hulls. I’ve seen a few internet discussions around forming 9.3x62 from .30-06. Many claim this is less than ideal because the shells get over-worked at the 0.200” mark in a 9.3 chamber. Head separation ensues. I don’t buy this, at least not with appropriate ’06 cases. Old military brass or any which has been work hardened could be dicey. But using virgin .30-06 in conjunction with FL sizing won’t pose a problem. My dad formed his 9.3x62’s from ’06 and they work fine. Moreover, I’ve leaned on my Hornady 9.3x62 hard over many reloads and they’ve held up beautifully. Out of the box they mic 0.467”. Fired they mic 0.4685”. Recently I purchased an AMP pilot for 9.3x62 and will begin annealing every couple of firings. No doubt it’ll help the necks and shoulders but will also aid the base of the brass. When you anneal, there is quite a bit of heat flow to the head area. Not enough to compromise strength or elasticity, but enough to be beneficial. In my .30 Stingray benchrest rifle, I anneal after every firing and the primer pockets are holding up better compared to unannealed. In January, I shot a BR match with brass on its 47th reload and won the event; and I shoot the .30 Stingray hot. A 114 gr going 3,025 fps from that small case puts pressure over 65,000 PSI. Despite the load level, the pockets feel tight when seating primers. I attribute much of this to annealing. If it works for the Stingray, it’ll work for the 9.3x62. More to come as I move into cast bullets.
Prvi brass left, Hornady right:
Midsouth had a sale on Hornady’s 286 gr Interlock in December so I stocked up.
AMP pilot for the 9.3x62 Mauser:
The Accurate Molds 37-285C profile:
-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"
One thing I neglected to mention in this thread are brass dimensions. The original 9.3x62 Mausers measured 0.476” at the base. My reamer cut 0.474”, so slightly less. When Graf & Sons carried Prvi Partizan 9.3x62, I bought 200 at $42/bag. I wish I purchased more because it’s excellent quality and cheap compared to Hornady. I also bought a fair amount of Hornady and immediately noticed a difference. The Prvi mics 0.473” at the base. That perfectly suits my chamber. The Hornady however comes in at 0.467”. It became apparent they formed it from their basic .30-06 hulls. I’ve seen a few internet discussions around forming 9.3x62 from .30-06. Many claim this is less than ideal because the shells get over-worked at the 0.200” mark in a 9.3 chamber. Head separation ensues. I don’t buy this, at least not with appropriate ’06 cases. Old military brass or any which has been work hardened could be dicey. But using virgin .30-06 in conjunction with FL sizing won’t pose a problem. My dad formed his 9.3x62’s from ’06 and they work fine. Moreover, I’ve leaned on my Hornady 9.3x62 hard over many reloads and they’ve held up beautifully. Out of the box they mic 0.467”. Fired they mic 0.4685”. Recently I purchased an AMP pilot for 9.3x62 and will begin annealing every couple of firings. No doubt it’ll help the necks and shoulders but will also aid the base of the brass. When you anneal, there is quite a bit of heat flow to the head area. Not enough to compromise strength or elasticity, but enough to be beneficial. In my .30 Stingray benchrest rifle, I anneal after every firing and the primer pockets are holding up better compared to unannealed. In January, I shot a BR match with brass on its 47th reload and won the event; and I shoot the .30 Stingray hot. A 114 gr going 3,025 fps from that small case puts pressure over 65,000 PSI. Despite the load level, the pockets feel tight when seating primers. I attribute much of this to annealing. If it works for the Stingray, it’ll work for the 9.3x62. More to come as I move into cast bullets.
Prvi brass left, Hornady right:
Midsouth had a sale on Hornady’s 286 gr Interlock in December so I stocked up.
AMP pilot for the 9.3x62 Mauser:
The Accurate Molds 37-285C profile:
-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"