I have a Cape gun in 9.3x72R. The ammunition is on the pricey side, at least $2.50 per cartridge. I'd like to reload and know where to get the equipment and have a list of loads I'd like to try. I can't find the right bullets, however. The problem is the 9.3x72R uses 193 gr bullets. The only 9.3 bullets I can find are for the more popular 9.3x74 which are about 250 gr +. They should be .365-.366 caliber. S&B sells them but not in the US. Any ideas anyone?
Frank
If you know someone with a lathe, you might look into have a couple of swages made up. I am thinking terms of going down in two steps of .005 from .375 bullets although the weight might be difficult. I am shooting cast bullets in my 9.3 using a home made mold starting with a second hand Lee mold recontoured etc.
cheers Doug
HVF I don't know who made it but I bought a double mold for 9.3x72R off of Ebay a long time ago. There's no makers name on it but someone has made them. Contact the popular mold makers and I'll bet one of them makes it. The 9.3x72R is not the same diameter as the 9.3x74R. Good luck.
Cartridges of the World says that it should be a 186 gr. bullet and that both Barnes and Speer make the appropriate bullets.
Look at Huntingtons. I bought some IIRC 193 grains slugs there for my 9.3X72R
If it isn't there look at Buffalo Arms.It was one of those two.
Hey Frank.
I saw your postings on NE.
I believe that there are a number of loadings that use the larger .366 and are safe in your rifle as per European proof house specs.
Tom
Thank all of you very much. Problem solved. I just ordered 100 cast lead bullets from Huntingtons. For this particular gun I'd like to stay as close to the S&B loading as possible. The gun is in great shape but is not nitro-proofed and was made pre-1911, possibly as early as the 1890's. I'm looking at a drilling that is more modern and is nitro proofed. I'd like to try some of the loadings Tom suggests in that one. The only thing holding me back was components but with your help it's taken care of. Thanks again to all of you!
Frank
I may have missed it, but someone should warn you not to use .366 diameter bullets in a 9.3X72R. I have owned several of them, and they usually slug .364 or less. Also, most bullets made for the 9.3X74R, 9.3X62 and 9.3X64 are heavier, the most common being 286 grain. The standard bullet for the 9.3X72R is under 200 grains, most commonly 196 grain, if memory serves me correctly. The heavier bullets are also tougher and are therefore harder on your barrel. Also, most of my 9.3X72R drillings were proofed for lead bullets only. I have some leftover RWS factory ammo and these bullets have a thin jacket over a lead core with a flat nose. Your best bet on an old drilling is to use cast lead bullets. Slug you bore first and make the bullets .001 to .002 larger.
I have a couple of these beasts that need regular feeding. During a recent trip to Ukraine I stopped by a nice sporting goods shop in Kiev, just to look around. I found the S&B 9.3X72R
for $4.80 US.. The 9.3X74R S&B was alot higher! $6.80. So now I need to find out about tossing a bunch of this stuff in my suitcase. I doubt that it'll work on an international flight though..
NEI makes a mold with a bullet that drops out around 193grs cant remember the number. I use them in my 360BPE double rifle. Check out their web site. The 360BPE cases are made from shortened 9.3x72R Norma brass.
Vol717-Good advice. I have quite a few loads that are biased towards more modern guns of this caliber they all seem to be for heavier bullets. I just got the bullets from Huntingtons. They are solid lead. They came already lubed. I just miked one and it is .366". They are listed at 200 grains. I slugged the bore and the rifle has 4 grooves and 4 lands, that appear to quite shallow.Also the grooves are about .17" wide and the lands .10". The rifle has a twist of 1 in 24" so I don't know if a heavier bullet would work very well. The S&B shells have a copper jacket. I have some loads that should pretty well duplicate the factory load with these bullets. I won't know till spring when I can load them and compare, I'll pass on anything I come up with than. There was just a short article in the GGCA newsletter that followed your recommendations.
Hey Mike-on domestic flights you can take 11 pounds of ammo. I'd check with the airline maybe you could make it work. If not loaded ammo S&B sells the components separately in Europe.
Thanks again guys I appreciate the help,
Frank
I also have a 9.3x72R x 16ga cape gun . I have lots of extra brass and some extra bullets I believe.
e mail me at lsstallones@centurytel.net and I will see what I can find. I had a mold made for it several years ago and it works well. It is about a 170 gr. mold I believe
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I have loaded hunreds of these and killed 4 deer with them , load them to 2000 fps. if the gun is ok. rich
another source for bullets appropraite for older 9.3x72R rifles is here, hawk bullets, on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/9-3-MM-200-grain-bul...tem220036254950i have just purchased some of these and there are othere sources i can look up; DKT bullets are excellent as well.
Rd Show- What load do you use in your 9.3x72 with that jacketed bullet?