9.3x62 Boolits or Mold Needed

[Uncle Grinch]

I have having a 9.3x62 built on a VZ-24 action and was wondering if I can use either my Lyman 375248 mold or my RCBS 37-250-FN mold to trow undersize boolits for my 9.3x62.

I'm thinking this because I have not been able to find a 9.3mm or .366+ mold. Maybe it would be more economical to buy ready made cast boolits from a manufacturer.

Hopefully someone will pitch in with a solutions..... user name 9.3x62 ???

[oneokie]

You are looking at sizing down from~.375" to .366"~

[Uncle Grinch]

You are looking at sizing down from~.375" to .366"~

I understand. My Lyman cast close to .377 and I would expect to need a .367 or .368 for the 9.3 (typically) so we are talking about .009 of an inch.

[MT Gianni]

9.3 is a custom mold. It is a one time expense so design it well. One other reason to take a long hard look at what the 35 bores do well.

[gandydancer]

NOE has them in stock 368 280 grains also accurate molds will make you a custom mold. also I have a accurate mold I only cast 8 rounds with it to check it out for dimensions. and sold the rifle so I am not going to use it. it is for sale. PM me if you have an interest. 370/280B or 285B /GC I will check it out on sunday what one I have. check it out on accurate molds Tom/GD

[waksupi]

If possible when ordering a custom mold, do your self a favor and order them one of two thousandths oversize.

[Shooternz]

I have a NEI 9.3 245 PB mould load it to 38/55 velocity for practice, next mould on the to buy list is Accurate molds No 37-285B GC hard to beat making your own projectiles, with Blammer getting 9.3 gas checks and Buckshot making size dies the 9.3's should become more popular, we don't have any animals in New Zealand that the 9.3x62 won't stop so if I wanted only one hunting rifle the 9.3 is it.
Robert.

[Uncle Grinch]

9.3 is a custom mold. It is a one time expense so design it well. One other reason to take a long hard look at what the 35 bores do well.

The 35 Whelen is a fine caliber and one that I looked at very hard. I already have a .358 Win on a military FN. Since I'm kind'a wierd on calibers, in that I like something that is different from the guy next to me, I came upon the 93.x62. Everything I read about it is very favorable, with the exception of finding cast boolits for it.

I also like the euro-look in rifles and even prefer reciever sights over scopes.

[Bullshop]

We sell a 280gn rngc boolit. Lots of satisfied customers with that one.

[Uncle Grinch]

We sell a 280gn rngc boolit. Lots of satisfied customers with that one.
Thanks Bullshop, I'll keep that in mind.

[ammohead]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?106416-NOE-9-3-group-buy!

check this thread out. These moulds are available from NOE now.

[OuchHot!]

I have the noe mold and the gas checks. They work well, haven't hunted with it yet. That is the only 9.3 mold I have, don't know about any others.

[Uncle Grinch]

Is Blammer the only source for 9.3 gas checks?

[9.3X62AL]

The 9.3mm moulds with gas check shanks have been made with either 35 or 375 caliber shank sizes. My mould, a 270 grain flatpoint (70% meplat) was done by Dan at Mountain Molds. It is a slight tweak of Eirik's design (member at accuratereloading.com) to accomodate the throating quirks of my CZ-550.

The mould and its castings are excellent. If I were to re-do the design, I wouldn't have such a large meplat--it hangs up while feeding on occasion. Depending on rifling twist, don't over-do boolit length--most 9.3mm barrels feature a 3 turns/meter twist rate (about 1-13"), and 286 grain spitzers like the Hornady and Nosler Partition are about as long a bullet as they can shoot accurately. Later-series CZ-550s feature a 4 turns/meter twist (1 in 9.75") to accomodate the Woodleigh and Barnes Kenworth-Flatteners of 320 grains or so.

I would be interested to learn if Blammer used an existing shank diameter, or came up with a proprietary shank to fit his own check designs. I have no issues with the Hornady 375 checks and the MM castings' shank so far. I've fired samples of Lyman #366408, a Loverin-style with thick plain base sized at .367". It shot quite well to 1400 FPS, its weight was in the 265 grain ballpark IIRC. Zero leading. Right now, I'm engaged in working the other end of the ballistic spectrum with the MM 270, seeking its "speed limit" with scaled boolits and lube upgrades. When I get that nonsense beaten out of me (both literally and figuratively), I'll re-visit the plain-base middle velocity venue again.

[Blammer]

on the gator 9.3's the max shank dia is .354, the same dia as on the 375's. The difference is that the 9.3 GC material is thinner. If you are familiar with gator 358 cal GC's it is that material. The main complaint on the 375 GC's was that it was very thick and it was sometimes difficult or caused the bottom of the GC to be "rounded" on the bottom after being seated/sized on.

I will have some 9.3 gator checks on hand shortly.

[Uncle Grinch]

With the 9.3's modest velocities, would a PB boolit be very usable? My intentions with this build is mostly target and hunting deer and hog in Georgia, of which is almost all less than 150 yards.

I'd like to keep it as simple as possible, but don't want to limit myself too much.

[Charlie, AKA The Deacon]

I had a 9.3 in a CZ and like a dummy I sold it, (still kicking myself). If you do not have brass I was always able to get what I needed through Graff&sons they seem to carry more supplies for the 9.3 than other vendors. Never had a chance to run cast I think I would lean twords a GC.

[Reverend Recoil]

Accurate Molds lists several 9.3mm bullet molds in their catalog. I have ordered two of their molds. They are fair priced, reasonable delivery, and top quality. I would consider their 300gr. gas check mold.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/

An alternative is to paper patch .358 cal bullets. They work well with my Ruger 9.3X74R.

[Bullshop]

For PB designs we also have a very old Ideal mold for a 250gn for the 9.3mm. It is much like the Ideal/Lyman 250gn PB boolit for 375cal only not quite so fat. I have often wondered if when the cherry for the 375 got too dull if they didnt just re grind them for 9.3mm

[Uncle Grinch]

I just bought RCBS dies and 100 pieces of Privi brass from Grafs and you are right, they do seem to have a much larger selection of 9.3 items. The best part of Grafs was their shipping special.

Bullshop, do you have a number for the Ideal mold? Is it something you would consider selling? I really like the idea of a PB boolit due to the fact that I'll mostly be shooting paper and maybe deer or hogs at short ranges (150 yds or less)

[LIMPINGJ]

Accurate list both GC and PB molds in his catalog.

[9.3X62AL]

Accurate list both GC and PB molds in his catalog.

I would verify with Tom at Accurate Molds what the GC shank size is on his mould designs. Blammer, I'll be a customer for your 9.3mm GCs as soon as they're available. That thinner metal might make a difference with the higher velocity attempts I'm making now.

FWIW, the Hornady 375 checks do produce the "convex finish" aspect when attached to the MM castings' shanks. They aren't REAL tough to apply, but it goes better if I attach them using the Lyman check seater first, then run the boolits into the sizer die full-length to finish and lube the grooves.

Accuracy has been splendid from 1400-1800 FPS with the checks attached as above and Javelina Alox as the lube of choice. Once velocities exceed 1800 FPS significantly, the lube star at the muzzle disappears--and only the first 3-4 rounds stay in a group at 100 yards. Any more rounds at higher speeds start expanding radially as the firing continues; a gray wash appears on the bore surface, also. My thoughts were that the lube was failing at higher pressures/velocities. It is just as likely that the convex gas check might be causing the problems, but I am testing one altered element at a time--for the present, that is lube type......Carnauba Red by LS Stuff vs. the Javelina. Two "constants" have held true--1) loads running 1650-1700 FPS with Javelina (23.0 grains of 2400) remain accurate and shoot 1.5"-1.75" 10-shot groups at 100 yards with eyeballed boolits, and 2) jacketed bullets remain 1.25-1.5 MOA to 200 yards at full-tilt velocities (250 BalTips @ 2625 FPS, 286 NosParts @ 2375 or so). The 250s aren't too bad, but those 286s beat ya up some.

Having a gas-check design enables more choices in caliber performance, no doubt about it. If you look at the bullet weight offerings traditionally sold for the 9.3mm rifles, the majority run between 232 and 286 grains. For me, the odd bore diameter hasn't posed insurmountable problems. The 35 Whelen is far simpler to deal with, as is the 375 H&H Magnum for the boolit caster. In terms of net performance, the 9.3 x 62 runs about halfway between the two in terms of downrange WHOMP. The 9.3 with the 250 grain spitzer offers trajectory identical to that provided by the 30-06 and its 180 grain bullet, no slouch as a game-taker itself. The difference is that at any range from muzzle to 400 yards, the 9.3 hits with half-again more energy, and from a rifle of the same action length and round capacity as the 30-06. The 35 Whelen is about 10% under that capability, the 375 runs about 10% over.

That said, my next mould acquisition will be a lighter-weight plain-base design for this rifle. Even if the "speed limit" for the GC castings turns out to be 1700 FPS, that is still a 38-55 +P+ with a 270 grain soft-point cast boolit. The slower, lighter castings will serve as varmint rounds so the rifle gets a little springtime usage. You should see what a 9mm Makarov j-word pistol bullet does when driven to 3000 FPS upon connection with a jackrabbit. Rated "R", for certain.

[Uncle Grinch]

Thanks for the infiormative input 9.3x62AL. I am really getting into this "odd" caliber and can't wait to finish up my project.

I think I'll go the 250 gn PB route. It shouldn't handicap me too much with my intended uses. If, by chance, I ever did need more velocity, I can always go the (forgive me...) jacketed route.

[shooter93]

I have 9.3 molds from both NOE and Tom at accurate molds. Tom lists several but will also fit your throat dimensions or any size you want at no additional charge. You could also try some from Bullshop and if they shoot well for you then have that duplicated. A member here also makes sizing dies should you want a custom sizer. DJ's ...aka Blammer's gas checks work well on both the NOE and Accurate molds. I love the 9.3x62, had a very nice Custom gun made on an 09 Argentine and took it to Zimbabwe as my back up rifle.

[9.3X62AL]

I'll cop right out to being one of the 9.3 x 62 Mauser's cheerleaders on this site. It is an efficient, affordable, large-game cartridge that can benefit ballistically from use of a gas-check boolit design, but 250-280 grains running 1400 FPS with a plain-based boolit will make venison or ham very well. Such loads have a bit of a basketball trajectory, but so do 38-55 and 45-70 OEM loadings. All will do the job very well, just be mindful of range limitations. Every muley and whitetail I've ever harvested could have been taken with .366" castings at 1400 FPS, or a 30-30 WCF. 2 of them did fall to the trienta-trienta, in fact. I'm mindful also that the "most-blooded" game rifle in my safe is no howitzer, either--it's a Win '73 in 44-40 that has accounted for several dozen deer and at least 2 black bears with its docile performance--200 grain bullets running at 1100-1200 FPS from its 19" barrel.

As ballistic hobbyists, we enjoy and appreciate powerful rifles. They inspire awe when run at their performance peaks, but are also tractable and efficient game-harvesters when toned down from their full-bore potential. The 9.3 x 62 makes a VERY FINE 35 Remington or 38-55, and at a pittance for ammo costs when castings and modest velocities are combined.

[Bullshop]

Al I have to agree with you that the 9.3x62 is a wonderfuly efficient cartridge that will cover nicely most game world wide. It was always given high praise by one of my favorite gun writers Finn Aagard who grew up with the cartridge on the dark continent.
BUT!!! You knew this was comming didnt you. But on this continent 9.3mm caliber is not so populer and so loading components and molds sizing dies etc are not so common as other calibers.
If I may voice my opinion on the matter all things considered and to top the list of considerations is that I am a penny pinching miser. The rout I take to get the performance of the 9.3x62 is to use a case that is common on this side the 30/06 and neck it up to a caliber that is just as common the the case choice that being 375. The 375/06 can equal the 9.3x62 in velocity with equal bullet/boolit weight.
It just seemed to me a better cheaper alternative to get a cartridge in the same performance class.
I would also point to results of my testing a 375/06 and comparing results to the published balistic data for the new (a few years now) 9.3mm Norma cartridge. The 375/06 would equal the Norma cartridge for velocity and bullet weight. The Norma cartridge was said to be an improvment on the 9.3x62 so go figure.
Anyway your baby is unquestionably a great round and has earned a reputating based on many decades of performance so one cant dispute that. But for the truest of cheapscates the 375/06 has the appeal of basicly free brass as I find it where ever people sight in for hunting season and unquestionably a better selection of off the shelf molds not to mention the gas check issue for 9.3mm.

[Uncle Grinch]

I'm finding out very quickly the "extra' cost involved with the 9.3 round. My feet are already wet as I already have the rifle, dies, brass and just bought an Accurate mold (37-285B). I still want a PB mold and need GC's also, along with a sizer for my boolits.

You can probably tell this is really an emotional foray based on reading too many African safari articles.... but it's what I want.

[9.3X62AL]

All good points, Bullshop. All of these calibers, from 35 Whelen through the 375-06, are excellent hunting rounds. To argue strenuously over which one is "better" would generate much more heat than light.

The gas check question for the 9.3mm is likely its largest speed bump. A plain-based boolit gets past all of that, at the price of sacrificing 350-500 FPS (perhaps more) bullet velocity. That loss would be meaningful to a hunter in Africa, Alaska, or Canada--less so for me in central California. And there's always jacketed bullets (GASP!) if you absolutely have to deliver your bullet at its fastest achievable velocity, recoil notwithstanding. And I don't withstand recoil for 50 rounds of full-tilt 9.3mm like I do 30-06 or 223, for darn sure.

[stocker]

If I had a 9.3 X 62 I think I would like to try a 358009 sized to .358 and then paper patched to proper diameter. My moulds cast in the 280-285 range. Might be a good option. Same with 358318.

[Uncle Grinch]

I've never tried paper patching. My group buy Lee 360-220 FNGC may be a candidate for PP'ing. This might give me another option to try.

[John Boy]

Uncle, here is the Accurate catalog mold for the 9.3x62 ... http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=37-250B-D.png

[9.3X62AL]

I have paper-patched Lyman #358430 with 9# airmail paper, and it was pretty successful. That is to say, they shot accurately and did not plate the bore with boolit metal, the exact opposite of what occurred when I PP'ed some castings for the 45-70. That Ruger #1 in the .gov chambering got bushed down to about 41-42 caliber, I would estimate.

[Uncle Grinch]

I'm getting close to putting this all together. There has been a delay in receiving some of the components due to the buying frenzy.

I picked up the dies and brass from Grafs
The Accurate 37-285B mold from gandydancer
Buckshot is making the sizing die
Bullshop is shipping me 300 PB boolits
Ordered a Redding case timming pilot .362 size

Other than these shipping delays, I should be getting close to a test run of some 9.3x62 ammo.

[Bullshop]

Bullshop boolits should be there today or tomorrow.

[Uncle Grinch]

Must be Friday... nothing showed up today.

Appreciate the heads up Bullshop.