9.3×62mm

The 9.3×62mm cartridge.

Type

Rifle

Place of origin

Germany

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

9.91 mm (0.390 in)

Shoulder diameter

11.43 mm (0.450 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

The 9.3×62mm (also known in the USA as the 9.3×62mm Mauser) is an 'all-around firearms cartridge' suitable for hunting larger species of animals in Africa, Europe, or 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).

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. 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. Mausers in 9.3×62mm were inexpensive and reliable, too, so their popularity in Africa grew quickly and 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.

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 Mauser ammunition, including Lapua, Norma and RWS, PPU (Prvi Partizan) as well as PMP of South Africa, and it is widely available in Africa.

Also in England, KYNOCH the well-known cartridge manufacturer, produced ammunition, referring to the 9.3×62mm as the '9.3 mm Mauser'. Typically it was loaded as 'a 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.

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Wikipedia