9.3 x62mm Mauser Ammunition

The 9.3 x62, or 9.3 x62 Mauser, was designed by Otto Bock in 1905 and almost immediately took off in popularity among colonists in Africa. It’s a medium-bore that was initially introduced in a Mauser 5-shot bolt-action rifle. Using the European ammunition naming convention of using the metric system for straightforward identification, 9.3 x62mm means that the bullet diameter is 9.3mm in diameter, and the case is 62mm long. The overall cartridge length is about 83.6mm, depending on what loads you’re using.

What is a 9.3 x62 good for?

9.3 x62 ammo is ideal for hunting medium to big game. Although steadily gaining popularity in the United States, it has been a well-known and popular round in Africa, Europe, and colonial territories for over 100 years. The cartridge loads are offered in plenty of different varieties that enable it to be used for light-bodied animals like whitetail deer all the way up to the dangerous game of Africa. It has been reported to even be successful in elephant hunts. This makes it a real all-around round for anyone hunting anything larger than a coyote (although it would certainly do well against those, too).

What is bigger, .30-06 or 9.3 x62?

With a 7.8mm (0.308 inches) bullet diameter, 9.3 x62 ammunition is definitely bigger than a .30-06. However, their other cartridge dimensions are nearly the same, and .30-06 brass is often “necked up” to reload 9.3x62mm into it. Depending on the grain weight of the bullet, the 9.3×62 can deliver higher ft-lb (foot-pounds) of energy upon impact, too.

How far can you shoot with a 9.3 x62?

It’s generally accepted that the 9.3 x62mm has an effective hunting range of up to 300 yards, depending on the load (again, this is a super-versatile caliber). Long-range shooters online have reported reliable performance at targets out to 400 and 500 yards, but that’s generally considered too far out and unethical for a shooting scenario with these guns.