9.3×62mm

9.3×62mm
The 9.3×62mm cartridge.
Type Rifle
Place of origin German Empire
Production history
Designer Otto Bock
Designed 1905
Produced 1905–present
Specifications
Case type Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter 9.30 mm (0.366 in)
Neck diameter 9.93 mm (0.391 in)
Shoulder diameter 11.45 mm (0.451 in)
Base diameter 12.10 mm (0.476 in)
Rim diameter 11.93 mm (0.470 in)
Rim thickness 1.30 mm (0.051 in)
Case length 62.00 mm (2.441 in)
Overall length 83.60 mm (3.291 in)
Rifling twist 350 mm (1-14")
Primer type Large rifle
Maximum pressure 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
15.0 g (231 gr) Oryx 800.0 m/s (2,625 ft/s) 4,810 J (3,550 ft⋅lbf)
16.2 g (250 gr) SP 780.0 m/s (2,559 ft/s) 4,928 J (3,635 ft⋅lbf)
18.5 g (285 gr) SP 720.0 m/s (2,362 ft/s) 4,803 J (3,543 ft⋅lbf)
19.0 g (293 gr) SP 740.0 m/s (2,428 ft/s) 5,209 J (3,842 ft⋅lbf)
Test barrel length: 600 mm (24 in)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World 11th Edition[1] and C.I.P. Data[2]
From left to right 9.3×62mm, .30-06 Springfield, 7.92×57mm Mauser, 6.5×55mm and .308 Winchester cartridges.
Norma Oryx Soft Point cartridges in plastic holder (producer Norma Precision AB, Sweden)

The 9.3×62mm (also known as 9.3×62mm Mauser) is a rifle cartridge suitable for hunting larger species of animals in Africa, Europe, and North America. It was introduced by Otto Bock in 1905. At a typical 720.0 m/s (2,362 ft/s), its 286 grain standard load balances recoil and power for effective use at up to about 250m (275 yds). The CIP Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) for the 9.3×62mm is 390 MPa (56,500 PSI). [3]

The 9.3×62mm was developed around 1905 by Berlin gunmaker Otto Bock, who designed it to fit into the Model 1898 Mauser bolt-action rifle. [3] African hunters and settlers often chose military rifles for their reliability and low cost, but governments fearful of colonial rebellions often banned military-caliber bolt-action magazine rifles and their ammunition. The 9.3×62mm was never a military cartridge and so never had this problem. Like their military counterparts Mausers chambered in 9.3×62mm were relatively inexpensive and quite reliable. Because of these factors 9.3x62 quickly became popular in Africa and usage of the cartridge became widespread.

The 9.3×74R is a rimmed 9.3 mm cartridge that evolved from the 9.3×72R black powder cartridge. The energy levels of the 9.3×62 and 9.3×74R cartridges are similar but in developmental terms are distinct as the cartridges are unrelated. The rimmed cartridge is slightly longer, allowing for lower pressure in the case while retaining muzzle velocity.

Ammunition

The 9.3×62 was first loaded with a 18.5-gram (285 gr) bullet at a muzzle velocity of 655 m/s (2,150 ft/s). After World War I some companies increased the velocity to around 730 m/s (2,400 ft/s), and brought out lighter bullets. Rifles set up for the original load must have their sights readjusted to shoot the newer load to point of aim. Adding to the confusion, loads at both velocities are available today. Several European firms load 9.3×62mm ammunition, including Lapua, Norma and RWS, PPU (Prvi Partizan) as well as PMP of South Africa, and it is widely available in Africa. [4]

In England, Kynoch the well-known cartridge manufacturer, produced ammunition, referring to the 9.3×62mm as '9.3mm Mauser'. Typically it was loaded as 'Metal Covered Soft Nose Bullet', 18.5 grams (285 gr) with the base marked simply Kynoch 9.3 mm. This is no longer listed by them.

Elsewhere

In several European countries, the 9.3x62mm remains a popular cartridge for hunting driven game like moose and wild boar, and it is offered as a standard chambering in rifles from most makers there. The rugged, inexpensive CZ 550 rifle became available in 9.3×62mm in North America in 2002, and both are gaining a strong following there, as the cartridge has a slight power edge over the popular .35 Whelen cartridge. In US, most ammunition makers like Hornady, Federal, and Nosler offer factory loaded 9.3x62mm sporting ammunition. Canadian hunters have long known about and used the 9.3×62mm cartridge to hunt all of the large game of Canada including bison, all the deer species and large bears. Surplus Scandinavian and European Mausers have been brought into Canada in 9.3 calibre since the early 1950s. In recent years, CZ series rifles, as well as Sako and Tikka of Finland have imported many rifles in 9.3×62mm calibre to Canada where demand continues to be high.

Adequacy

The 9.3×62mm is adequate for hunting lion, leopard, gemsbok, kudu, and wildebeest. Most hunters who hunt in Africa consider it a viable all-around cartridge comparable to .338 Winchester Magnum, 9.3×64mm Brenneke, and .375 H&H Magnum. The 9.3×62mm has taken cleanly every dangerous game species in Africa. Though it is of smaller bore than the legal minimum for dangerous game in most countries, the .375 calibre, many countries specifically make an exception for the 9.3×62mm.[5][6][7] The 9.3×62mm is considered adequate for European and North American game that may become dangerous, such as feral hogs and bears.

Sambar hunters in Australia are turning to the 9.3×62mm due to Federal Government's 1996 ban on self-loading rifles. Thousands of deer hunters at once needed bolt-action rifles which delivered one-shot knockdown power on Sambar deer, and the 9.3×62mm calibre has proven to be well up to that task.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cartridges of the World By Frank C. Barnes - Edited By Stan Skinner - ISBN 978-0-89689-297-2
  2. ↑ C.I.P. 9,3 x 62 (online-PDF 98,8 KB
  3. 1 2 "Greatest Cartridges: 9.3×62 Mauser, Effective on About Everything". gundigest.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "The 9.3x62mm Mauser". thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  5. ↑ Minimum required caliber for hunting Africa
  6. ↑ "Minimum Calibers for Africa". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Hunting Laws & Rifle Importation NAPHA Namibia Professional Hunting Association
  • "The 9,3 x 62 mm Mauser is making a strong come back!". reloaders. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
  • "The 9.3 x 62 Mauser". African Hunter. Archived from the original on 15 December 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
  • "Česká Zbrojovka's CZ 550 FS 9.3x62". RGI Media. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
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