30.06 to 9.3x62

[PA_Hunter]

Greetings All,

I have a Golden State Arms (sporterized Mauser) chambered in 30.06. I would like to have it rebored to a 9.3x62mm. I’m not sure what the best option would be, rebore or have the barrel replaced if I can find one. Or lastly just find a new rifle with a Mauser action in 9.3x62.

Is anyone aware of a smith in the IE who can do this work?

I have sent rifles to JES in OR but shipping was always a royal PITA in CA.

Any and all suggestions or information is welcome and appreciated. TY

[Fjold]

Re-boring takes some specialized equipment and tools that most gunsmith won't have. If the barrel is not some special profile, I would say rebarrel it.

By the time that you spend the time and money to have the barrel removed, shipped to a reboring company, re-bored, shipped back, chambered and reinstalled, you could have a higher quality barrel replaced by any local gunsmith.

[N21911S]

9.3x62 is an interesting cartridge but did you consider 35 Whelen? It's more popular in the USA than the 9.3 and therefore brass, bullets, ammo, barrels etc. are more available. I've done a rebore and a new barrel. They both work.

[ar15barrels]

Greetings All,

I have a Golden State Arms (sporterized Mauser) chambered in 30.06. I would like to have it rebored to a 9.3x62mm. I’m not sure what the best option would be, rebore or have the barrel replaced if I can find one. Or lastly just find a new rifle with a Mauser action in 9.3x62.

Is anyone aware of a smith in the IE who can do this work?

I have sent rifles to JES in OR but shipping was always a royal PITA in CA.

Any and all suggestions or information is welcome and appreciated. TY

I can do a rebarrel for you.
I have 35 whelen and 35 whelen ackley reamers but nobody has ever asked for a 9.3x62 so I have not bought a reamer for that.
If you want to buy the reamer and gauges, I can do the work.
I am a little over an hour from downtown Riverside and I do the work the same day so you only need to make one trip.

[PA_Hunter]

Gentleman, Thank you for your replies, information and assistance, greatly appreciated. I have a few rifles chambered in .35 Whelen. I was looking for something cool & different to do with this .06 but since it’s in great condition, I think I’ll hunt with it as is.

I think I’ll continue to search for a rifle already chamber in 9.3x62 assuming it will be the simplest course.

Randall, I do have another rifle which needs attention as it was “boogered” by two other smiths in my area. Once, I get my paws on a decent Rem 7600/ 760 .270, I’ll need to have it modified to a carbine.

Thanks again.

[Sailormilan2]

I think rebarreling would be easier and cheaper than boring. It’s my understanding, that in some African countries, it’s legal to hunt with the 9.2x62, but not legal with the 35 Whalen.

[GunDog]

9.3x62 is an interesting cartridge but did you consider 35 Whelen? It's more popular in the USA than the 9.3 and therefore brass, bullets, ammo, barrels etc. are more available. I've done a rebore and a new barrel. They both work.

Still another caliber to consider is a .338-06 however, I would have to agree with N21911S regarding the many virtues of the .35 Whelen.

[PA_Hunter]

I love the idea of a .338-06 and wish it was more popular, plus I don’t reload. I also really like the .338 Fed but that caliber fizzled fairly quickly. I completely agree with the .35 Whelen and have 2.

I’m looking for something different and have an opportunity to purchase a few hundred rounds of 9.3x62 at a great price. Thank you for the advice.

[Fjold]

I think rebarreling would be easier and cheaper than boring. It’s my understanding, that in some African countries, it’s legal to hunt with the 9.2x62, but not legal with the 35 Whalen.

The 9.3/375 caliber requirement applies to Dangerous Game hunting in most African countries. Most countries list a minimum bore size for Elephant, Baffalo and Rhino as .375 but some allow the 9.3mm calibers. Some countries such as Namibia, list different minimum calibers and or energy requirements depending on the size of the animal, such as:

Small Game:
(e.g. Dik-Dik; Steenbok; Duiker; Springbok)
Minimum caliber: .243 (or equivalent caliber in mm)
Energy: 1350 Joule

Medium Game:
(e.g. Hartebeest; Oryx; Wildebeest; Kudu; Eland and all exotic species)
Minimum caliber: .270 (or equivalent caliber in mm)
Energy: 2700 Joule

Dangerous Game:
(e.g. Elephant; Hippo; Rhino; Buffalo; Lion)
Minimum caliber: .375 (or equivalent caliber in mm)
Energy: 5400 Joule