8x57 data in 9.3x57?

[rudolphc]

Am looking for load for 200 gr. cast bullet in 9.3x57. Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook shows loads for a 214 gr. cast bullet in 8x57 with the following powders: Unique, Red Dot, H4895, SR 4795, IMR 4198 and others. Would this be a good place to start for the 9.3x57?

[9.3X62AL]

I don't feel comfy saying "yes" or "no" to this question. One idea that DOES occur to me is that a 214 grain bullet is relatively heavy for its caliber, while a 200 grain bullet is kinda light for the 9.3mm bore. Since we're dealing with the same "boiler room" size, extrapolation says that following the 8 x 57 guidelines SHOULD be fairly safe, assuming rifles of similar strength--like Mauser bolters. Load extrapolation is really rolling the bones, though--and it isn't something I recommend to others.

That said, I've done it--but I prefer to use calibers closer in character and dimensions to one another. When I got started with the 9.3 x 62, I used a lot of 35 Whelen data to develop loads. No drama or surprises resulted.

[John Boy]

rudolphc, for starters there a TWO 9.5x57R cartridges:
* 9.5x57/360 aka 360 Nitro, era 1890, straight case
** 190gr Lead - 22gr IMR 3031 ... 2000fps

* 9.5x57mm Mauser - a bottleneck case
** 232gr Lead - 47gr IMR 3031 ... 2330
Source: The Complete Handbook of Cartridge Conversions

I don't have a clue which cartridge your looking for data for. If it is the Mauser, the 200gr bullet is not a standard weight for this rifle


Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook shows loads for a 214 gr. cast bullet in 8x57 with the following powders: Unique, Red Dot, H4895, SR 4795, IMR 4198 and others. Would this be a good place to start for the 9.3x57? Not for any reloads that I do! And you shouldn't either!

[rudolphc]

9.3x62 AL...Would a 358 Winchester 206 gr. cast load be a safer place to begin? Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook lists this bullet with several powders. I understand it is a higher pressure cartridge.

[Larry Gibson]

Am looking for load for 200 gr. cast bullet in 9.3x57. Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook shows loads for a 214 gr. cast bullet in 8x57 with the following powders: Unique, Red Dot, H4895, SR 4795, IMR 4198 and others. Would this be a good place to start for the 9.3x57?

f your talking the 9.3x57 Mauser then a better "interpolation" would be to use the .358W data. The case capacity is slightly larger with the mauser cartridge and the expansion ratio is greater. I'd suggest, if that is a 200 gr GC'd bullet, to start with 28 gr H4895 and use a 1/2 gr dacron filler. Work up in 1/2 gr increments until accuracy goes south, probably around 1900+ fps. A sweat spot should be found in the 1750 - 1900 fps range.

Larry Gibson

[9.3X62AL]

Yes, the 358 Win might be a better "guinea pig" given the proviso you acknowledge. What Larry said, too.

With the 9.3 x 62, 1700-1800 FPS has been a real sweet spot too. Running the 270 grain flatpoint past 1900 FPS to 2100 FPS has made nice 3-shot groups so far, but as firing continues for 10 shots the rounds start dispersing radially. Let things cool down, clean the bore, fire 1 fouler.......the next 3 rounds make a nice group, same place as the first 3-shotter, then start going wide again. No leading visible, but not much of a lube star at the muzzle like there is with the 1700 FPS loads. Maybe Javelina Alox is starting to fail in some way. For a hunting rifle, 3 accurate serial shots is probably enough.

[runfiverun]

going up in bore diameter usually lowers pressure.
weight and bearing length makes it back up.
you'll also have a difference if the nose is engraved versus a running start.
and throat shape will influence this also.
taking loads from the 358 win would be a good starting place,as would the 8x57 with the same inner case capacity.
you can probably find some very similar cast boolit loads in the books for similar boolit weights between the 358 and the 8mm, [i'd be very comfortable using them] start low and come up.

some of the older military rounds have similar issues where boolit weight is similar,or case capacity,or the bore, but with no data for the specific case.
like the 6.5x57,and the 7.5 swiss.

[9.3X62AL]

We're all a bunch of extrapolators, it appears.......though we advise others against it. Hypocrisy, but with the best intentions. :)

[runfiverun]

gotta love the three days of agonizing over a load and re-reading all the boolit manuals for a load.
then pretty much just using the same thing you allready use in everything else.
:lol:
at least all the trajectory's and scope settings are similar.