New Caliber ...for me.

[Larryjk]

Today we, my son and I , shot a new caliber I barreled up at his request. The 9.3 X 64mm. He got a .375 last year and using the Nosler manual #5, he came across the write up on the 9.3 x 64 and the juices started to flow. We planned a rifle that would weigh about 9 1/4 lbs. His 375 weighs 10.25 and is a pussycat to shoot. We felt this caliber would be liveable at a pound lighter.
Bought a Ruger in .280 on the internet for the project. Got the new barrel from Shilen (#4), some brass from Huntington's (no longer available as a component from RWS), and went to work. Opened the bolt face and extractor to .500, and put the barrel in the lathe. Rented the reamer and headspace gauges as I figured I probably wouldn't be making many more. Cut off the front sling swivel base and just left a rounded button that I slotted for a screwdriver. Sweated a Dakota swivel base on the barrel ahead of the forend (and drilled and tapped for screws also) and inletted to mate of the pair over the hole that held the original rear swivel base. My son let me have the first shots, the first and second were sighters and then I shot 3,4, and 5 for record. Heavens, even these old eyes were able to keep them just a little over an inch at 100 yds. Those were loaded with 64 grs. of RL15 behind a nosler 286 gr. bullet. Recoil was there, a little more than the 375, but not bad.
Jeff shot groups with 64.5 and 65 grains of RL15. His groups were right at an inch and he was very pleased. I shot the gong at 300 meters with 65.5 grs. and the bolt had a little sticky just before it broke the shells loose from the chamber. We decided that 65 grs. was probably our max with this bullet. We had a lot of fun on this little project. If I an lucky in the antelope draw, I will have to take a buck with it this fall. I will hold back in the lungs so I won't ruin too much meat. If I do that, I may put a picture on with the evidence.

[fabsroman]

That sounds like a sweet rifle. Post a pic of it if you get a chance. Wish I knew how to do the gunsmithing that you obviously do. Then again, my wife probably wouldn't be too happy about it because I would be spending money like crazy.

[Mike Moss]

Larryjk,

Sounds like a nice rifle. I looked in the Nosler #5 here and I see a 9.3-62 but no 9.3-64 Brenneke loading data?

If RWS no longer makes brass why choose a less than popular cartridge?

[Larryjk]

Mike Moss, The data for the 9.3x62 is on page 447 of the Nosler #5. The data for the 9.3x64mm is on page 455 of that manual. There are a couple reasons we decided to build the 9.3x64. (1) It is in a separate niche, the 9.3 being .366. We have the .358 calibers and the .375s. This is in the middle.(How is that for logic that wives can't understand.) I had suggested a .358 Norma, but son Jeff had this burning itch. (2) When we originally got this idea there wasn't any problem getting the RWS brass from Huntington's. Just a month or so ago RWS said they wouldn't be sending components to the US, only loaded ammo. We can still get brass and/or loaded ammo from A-Square.

We had compared the case to the Ruger .375, but that would have made it a wildcat. In Europe, the 9.3 x 64 is a fairly popular cartridge, and it is legal for dangerous game in 3 African countries. The caliber has a very good reputation for large game. It would make a fine cartridge for moose and the bears. It is not as popular as the 9.3 x 62 because that is basically a 30-06 case. The 9.3x62 is in the same league as the .35 Whelan.

I will try to get my son to help me with the picture project this week.

[Catfish]

What are you pushing the bullet at?? I would think in the 2,500 to 2,600 fps. range. Do you think a 286 gr. bullet at those velocities is really enough for an antelope????:D

[Larryjk]

Catfish, According to the Nosler #5, the heaviest load should be around 2575fps with the 286 gr. Of course we won't know until we run them over the chronograph; which is after we finish the break-in on the barrel. I may moly some just to see what the difference is. We are also going to load some 250 gr. which is probably what we will use for anything less than moose. Adequate for antelope?
Here is the scenario. We will locate the buck and wait until 4:30 pm. I want the antelope east of me, the sun coming over my right shoulder, I will aim about 6 inches back of the front leg and about 6" above the bottom line. At the shot I expect to see the large halo of his hair from that side reflected in the late day sun. I had a friend tell me a 375 took about half the hair from one side. I will not waste much meat because there just isn't that much in that area of the ribs. I am anticipating an instantaneous kill.