B & R Photography

Now this is an interesting cartridge and one that I have had the weirds want to own, why I couldn’t tell you all I know is I want a 9.3x62mm barrel for a Tikka T3X. Coming from the engineering world I like metric things so this is one of them, I guess.

Created in 1905 by Otto Bock who was a German gunmaker. The cartridge is suitable and was designed with medium to large sized game in mind. Think Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. The 9.3x62mm was designed to fit within a standard Mauser 98 bolt action rifle without needing any modifications to the rifle or magazine. Another thing I have read is the reason it was designed for the Mausers was that allot of European settlers and hunters in Africa chose military rifles as they where affordable options however the governments at the time often banned military ammunition and cartridges to help avoid rebellions. The 9.3x62mm not being a military cartridge was easily attainable and did not suffer from the legislation other cartridges did.

The mix of all these factors led to the 9.3x62mm being a super popular cartridge in Africa. While the 9.3x62mm does not meet the legal minimum in Africa for dangerous game it has taken everything. An allot of places have an exception to the .375 rule allowing for the use of a 9.3x62mm cartridge.

The 9.3x62mm is comparable to things like the .375 H&H Magnum, 9.3X64mm Brenneke and the .338 Winchester Magnum. All of which pack a big punch with a heavy projectile. The rifle has become very popular in the USA and Canada due to its knock down power and that fact that most ammo manufactures are loading for it. CZ and Sako/Tikka have imported many rifles chambered in the 9.3x62mm into Canada and the Use since the 1950s. It works great on large game like moose and elk as well as protection from Grizzly and Brown Bears. The cartridge has also become popular for Sambar hunters in Australia after the Federal Governments ban on self-loading rifles in 1996.

This rifle was originally loaded with a 285gr projectile with a muzzle velocity of 2150 ft/s. After World War 1 companies increased the projectiles velocity to 2400 ft/s. With modern loadings you see a 286gr Norma Oryx going 2362 ft/s which delivers a staggering 3544 ft-lbf or energy.

As far as trajectory goes the with a 232gr Norman Vulcan travelling at 2690 ft/s with the rifle zeroed at 215 yards we get the following data.

100 Yards: 2.82 Inches high.

300 Yards: 9.02 Inches of drop.

400 Yards: 29.64 Inches of drop.

(Please note the above trajectory information was pulled https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/the-surprising-93×62-rifle-cartridge )

Short Notes.

Official Name: 9.3x62mm, 9.3x62mm Mauser

Year Designed: 1905

Designed by: Otto Bock

Parent Case: Unknown

Rifling Twist Rate: 1 in 14.

Maximum Point-Blank Range: Roughly 300 Yards.

I hope you enjoyed this brief overview of the 9.3x62mm and will return next week for our Cartridge of the Week series.

Please remember to always practice safe muzzle control when dealing with firearms and happy shooting.

B