9.3x57mm?

[jhgreasemonkey]

Is this cartrige obsolete. The only factory ammo I can find is Norma and its over $40 per box :eek:
The reason I ask is that sarco has used husky sporting rifles with mauser actions at a great price. This is one of the two caliber offerings. The other is 8x57mm and I know that is fairly common and inexpensive to buy ammo for. But the 9.3x57mm just sounds kinda fun.

[Scorch]

jhgreasemonkey-
9X57 and 9.5X57 are a couple of my favorites, but they are obsolete, due mainly to the older rifles they were chambered for. 9.3X57 is a newer version of the same reliable round, the bullets available for the 9.3mm are very reliable and tough and the newer rifles are typically very strong. Here in the USA, 9.3mm bullets can be hard to find for reloading, but are available from Barnes and Woodleigh.

These cartridges based on the 57mm case are very good, mid-power range rifle rounds. Think 338 Federal/358 Winchester power levels. Not a magnum, but very good, solid performers on anything up to elk. I used to own a M98 in 9X57, and it had no problem dealing with animals. My next project Mauser will be a 9.5X57 (.375" bullet on a 57mm case), and I have no doubt it will work very nicely. I chose the 9.5X57 because of a personal fondness for 375 caliber rifles, but a 9.3X57 will be about the same.

[TRexF16]

Scorch, I know the post is a year old, but I thought I'd ask if you ever got around to doing the 9.5x57 (AKA .375 Rimless Nitro Express) you mentioned in your reply. I have been hot for a few years to make a 9.3x57 (don't ask me why...just...because!). Then last weekend I'm at the flea market of all places and there sits a brand new set of RCBS 9.5x57 dies which followed me home for $4. Researching, it seems this might be the better choice anyway, since there are many more .375 bullets available than .366, and of course there are the bullets meant for the .375 winchester for making mild loads. Plus there's a better selection of cast bullets too, so I'm getting kind of stoked for the project. Anyway, just thought we might exchange notes if you were interested.

Thanks!

[Mike Irwin]

Yep, largely obsolete.

It wasn't all that popular in Europe, and never gained much traction here in the states.

A former coworker of mine at American Rifleman took a moose in Finland with one, though.

It's ballistics are virtually identical to the .358 Winchester.

[el Divino]

a rechambering job to 9.3x62 would be the best option for this rifles

[Mike Irwin]

"a rechambering job to 9.3x62 would be the best option for this rifles"

I wouldn't say that at all.

Cases are pretty easy to make from 8mm Mauser cases by either progressive expanding or simple fireforming.

9.3 mm bullets aren't exactly common, but they can certainly be had, and enough loading data is available.

It would make a fine woods caliber.

[Scorch]

9.5X57mm is an exceptional round, but was limited by the rifles it was chambered in. I would not want to touch off a full-house laod in a 1895 Mannlicher-Schoenauer or a modified 1888 Commission rifle.

The 9.5X57 was also good enough to serve as the inspiration for the 375 JDJ, a rimmed 9.5X57.

[el Divino]

"a rechambering job to 9.3x62 would be the best option for this rifles"

I wouldn't say that at all.

Cases are pretty easy to make from 8mm Mauser cases by either progressive expanding or simple fireforming.

9.3 mm bullets aren't exactly common, but they can certainly be had, and enough loading data is available.

It would make a fine woods caliber

9.3x57 much like 358 win and 9.3x62 much like or better than 35 Whelen

I have a 9.3x57 build in a 1981 Argentine Mauser action and building a 9.3x62 in a 1909 Arg.

cases won't be a problem neither for the 9.3x62 due to they could be made from 06's