As European I am sad to see our cartridges dying out. Our rifle manufacturers for some reason avoid 7x64 while 7x57 is just shy from being burried for good. 8x57 is dying out in Germany while still going strong in Central Europe. Surprisingly 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 are still pushing good against American competition.
Thank you for posting. That is extremely disappointing those great cartridges aren’t being supported much anymore. I love the 7x64, it’s basically a twin of the 280 Remington which receives virtually no support anymore. The constant wave of new cartridges, kills off great cartridges just because they aren’t in the limelight anymore.
I use 8x57 JS in a Husqvarna 1640 from 1954. Still shoots bullseyes on 100 meters. Love the 8x57JS. Good recoil. Im from Sweden and I see a upswing in 8x57 because they are a good cartridge in both deer, elk and wildboar hunting.
what country are you from ? These calibers are still very popular here in Central Europe. Practically all ammunition and weapon manufacturers still offer them here.
The 9.3 x 64 is often overlooked, i have taken deer but it is best a moose or dangerous game rifle. If my swedish mauser is too light, the 9.3 goes for a hunt. The 7 x 57 AI and 280 Rem are very close to the 7 x 64. All NA cartridges have euro DNA.
I went hunting in the Czech Republic in the 90s with a Ruger No. 1 with Mannlicher stock and 20" barrel and caliber 7x57mm. I shot a roe buck there at 180 m. 7x57 is a good hunting cartridge. I also had a pre-war Mauser in 7x57 (1937) and an FN Mauser in 9.3x62 caliber. I am a German from Franconia and now live in Thailand.
@Canadianhunter absolutely true 3 decades behind my k98 24" 9.3x62 232 grains vulkan close 2700fps MV. So efficient from 5 to 300 yards. And really comfortable to shoot for this amount of foot-pound !!
Dad had a 6.5 x55 and a 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schönauer with a full length stock and dual trigger. Back in the early 80's when I was a teenager he'd proudly tell me of it's virtues but I just wanted a ruger 10/22 and I had 458 Win Mag envy. I let my licence slip in my 40's and he gave his rifles away just before he died. I was that annoyed that I got my licence back and brought a Henry 45-70 all weather to show him, he could barely hold it by that time. I let a round of at the front door and that put a smile on his face. I think about those 6.5's often now. 🇦🇺
Thank you for this video. I´m a big follower of our (european) cartridges for allmost 40 years. I do also love the 7x64, it´s a flat shooting beast. May i add a few more cartridges to your list? For the last decades i hunted with a Mannlicher Schoenauer rifle, which i got as a gift from my grandfather, when he stopped hunting with 90. It is a model 1903/14 in 6,5x54 MS. I like to compare it to the phantastic US calibre .257 Roberts. I also hunt with the 6,5x57, a perfect cartridge for roe deer, red deer and wildboar up to 80kg. In the mountains on chamois i use the 6,5x68 a phantastic very flat shooting cartridge. For very heavy game on very long distance we have the famous 8x68S (also called the german Magnum). This cartridge is in my opinion better then the .300 Winchester Magnum. Finally my beloved 9,3x64 (NOT 9,3x62). In my opinion the best cartridge for heavy game in Africa. Periodically i get enraged reactions from english and american hunters, when i tell them, that the 9,3x64 is superior to the legendary .375 H&H. In summary i find all the new, "modern" calibers that have come onto the market in the last 30 years completely unnecessary and primarily a business area for the efficient gun manufacturers in the US and elsewhere!
Interesting, there must be a few 9.3 cartridges. The one I used for a number of years was a 9.3x62 Sauer rifle. Inside 400 yards it could easily drop anything walking the earth. It was also extremely accurate, more than enough for hunting. The best three shot grouping I ever got with it was just under half an inch at 100 yards. About the only thing many of the new cartridges do is have much tighter tolerances, so the accuracy can be significantly better. That said if purely for hunting you only need acceptable levels of accuracy. So many people have dreams of hitting targets and steel at 1000 yards. In my opinion I would never promote shooting at any animal at that extreme of a distance. Seems like North America is fixated on 30 calibers for hunting, my father is included in that group. He is a huge fan of the 300 win mag. Personally I prefer the various 7mm cartridges such as the 280 Remington or 7x64 or 280ai. More often than not my experience has taught me shot placement and bullet construction are the most important for hunting.
@@Canadianhunter Yes, there are a few different 9,3mm cartridges. The 9,3x57, the 9,3x62, the 9,3x64, the 9,3x66, the 9,3x72R and the 9,3x74R. I´m not even sure i knew all of them.....
@@shanmugasundaram4142 there are a bunch that I missed, I just tried to include the most common. I should have included the 8mm Mauser atleast, going to have to do an update. Could include alot more. They sure do have some excellent cartridges that for whatever reason didn’t take off in North America. I think because we have a number of similar cartridges so only the American made became popular in North America. 7mm-08=7x57, 280rem=7x64, 8mm Mauser often compared to the 30-06 etc…
The 30-06 basically negated the need for Americans to consider the 7mm & 8mm Euros. The 270 killed any chance for the 6.5X55 to become desirable. There was just no demand for a 9.3X62. The 6.5, 7mm and 8mm Mauser rounds were also handicapped by the need for ammo manufacturers to account for the lower pressures for shooting in older rifles of unknown quality. All the rounds you mention are useful if you bother to handload and don't mind having to search out brass. Lastly the modern full pressure 7-08 buried any possibility to the 7X57 to become commercially viable.
I have to agree with you. Pretty much hit the nail on the head. They are all great cartridges, but they weren’t really needed because they duplicated the performance of many other cartridges. If you handload you can get the true potential of the European cartridges. I have owned most over the years and really enjoyed them, wish I still had my 9.3x62, within 300 yards the cartridge could drop anything really quickly. There are so many old rifles kicking around, so they load the ammunition to very low pressures. Which makes the cartridges seem rather wimpy. Because I handload most of the cartridges I use, are nonstandard. I love the 284 Winchester and 280ai, for target shooting 6br.
I like the 280 Remington and the 280 Ackley so I would definitely like the 7x64. I’ve thought about buying one but ammo and brass are hard to get for everything the last several years, even reasonably popular cartridges
You are very lucky, I have wanted them all but never had the opportunity. I have had a 9.3x62 and a 6.5x55. The one I want the most is the 7x64, but I have a 280ai so close enough. Such great cartridges that should have a loyal following.
At least with my Savage 9.3x62 which is still recognized as a DGR cartridge - unlike the 35Whelen - I'll be ready if ANTHING escapes from the local zoo! :)
I own and load for all the cartridges listed here except the 7x64. SAAMI MAP for the 9.3x62 is 57,500psi. MAP for the 35 Whelen is 62,000psi. The Whelen will push any same weight bullet at least 100 fps faster than the 9.3x62. Woodleigh makes 310 grain bullets for the Whelen. There are others. The only reason the 35 Whelen is not allowed for dangerous game in countries that have a minimum diameter is that it is only 9.09mm. There is no practical difference between 9.09 and 9.3. The 9.3x62 is grandfathered in some countries because of its reputation even though it does not meet the minimum power requirements of the new laws in those countries. For the most part 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 are two peas in a pod.
I seriously doubt America's "fascination" with 6.5 caliber (.30 cal, yes) has anything to do with these cartridges being unpopular. The 6.5 was decidedly UN-popular in the USA for a 100 years prior to the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor was not an instant success when introduced in '07. It was years before it took off.
In North America the.30 caliber has dominated for many years, the various 7mm cartridges are doing pretty well now as well. I personally think there are many great cartridges used elsewhere that never took off in North America. The creedmoor is an ok hunting cartridge, but the 6.5 prc is significantly better and has a better range of use if you are a reloader.
All great cartridges with history, but each has an improved North American version. Like the 9.3x62 has the 9.1x64 (aka 35 Whelen) same energy but it is designed to shoot lighter bullets much faster and flatter. Same with the 6.5x55 Swede. It was not surpassed by the Creedmoor, in North America after 1916 we used the 250 Savage, then the 257 Roberts, then the 25-06, then it was the 260 Remington that had more power and shot flatter and faster. Realistically some wersion of the 08 or -06 will meet or excede all of these for our .
@@Kysushanz well it's like everything else built by Europe or Japan. They believe in perfecting the reliability as close to perfection as possible, of an older product. American companies like to modify and perfect the design and performance of a product sometimes at the risk of reliability or perceived quality. It's a difference in philosophies. If you want to buy something that's 5% better so you can win on the range today. You'd likely buy an American cartridge. If you wanted to buy a rifle that would be in your safe for your great grandson in 100 years and have him still be able to buy ammo for it, you'd buy yourself a European rifle.
I don’t use any other social media beyond TH-cam, I am not the best with technology. I would like to get a larger audience. February was a fantastic month for me, I picked up over 200 subscribers that month and got tons of views. I have a fair number of projects I am working on, but I need sometime as I just had another major surgery. I have a ton of follow up range/accuracy videos. I also have a few more reviews of new to me rifles. A ruger American go wild 6.5 creedmoor, a tikka t3x 243, a tikka t3x snow camo varmint 223, and finally a savage 110 hunter 280ai. I won’t be buying anymore new rifles for atleast a year or more now. I need to focus on getting a few new scopes for my new rifles. I am very excited to get a 280ai again. Such an amazing cartridge.
As European I am sad to see our cartridges dying out. Our rifle manufacturers for some reason avoid 7x64 while 7x57 is just shy from being burried for good. 8x57 is dying out in Germany while still going strong in Central Europe. Surprisingly 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 are still pushing good against American competition.
Thank you for posting. That is extremely disappointing those great cartridges aren’t being supported much anymore. I love the 7x64, it’s basically a twin of the 280 Remington which receives virtually no support anymore.
The constant wave of new cartridges, kills off great cartridges just because they aren’t in the limelight anymore.
I love the 9.3X63 is an incredible cartridge!!!
I use 8x57 JS in a Husqvarna 1640 from 1954. Still shoots bullseyes on 100 meters. Love the 8x57JS. Good recoil. Im from Sweden and I see a upswing in 8x57 because they are a good cartridge in both deer, elk and wildboar hunting.
9.3x62 is catching on big In United States.
what country are you from ? These calibers are still very popular here in Central Europe. Practically all ammunition and weapon manufacturers still offer them here.
The 9.3 x 64 is often overlooked, i have taken deer but it is best a moose or dangerous game rifle. If my swedish mauser is too light, the 9.3 goes for a hunt. The 7 x 57 AI and 280 Rem are very close to the 7 x 64. All NA cartridges have euro DNA.
I went hunting in the Czech Republic in the 90s with a Ruger No. 1 with Mannlicher stock and 20" barrel and caliber 7x57mm. I shot a roe buck there at 180 m. 7x57 is a good hunting cartridge. I also had a pre-war Mauser in 7x57 (1937) and an FN Mauser in 9.3x62 caliber. I am a German from Franconia and now live in Thailand.
9.3x62 absolutely ROCKS!!
Best elk rifle I've ever used.
Drops anything in one shot
@Canadianhunter absolutely true 3 decades behind my k98 24" 9.3x62 232 grains vulkan close 2700fps MV. So efficient from 5 to 300 yards. And really comfortable to shoot for this amount of foot-pound !!
Dad had a 6.5 x55 and a 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schönauer with a full length stock and dual trigger. Back in the early 80's when I was a teenager he'd proudly tell me of it's virtues but I just wanted a ruger 10/22 and I had 458 Win Mag envy. I let my licence slip in my 40's and he gave his rifles away just before he died. I was that annoyed that I got my licence back and brought a Henry 45-70 all weather to show him, he could barely hold it by that time. I let a round of at the front door and that put a smile on his face. I think about those 6.5's often now. 🇦🇺
Thank you for this video. I´m a big follower of our (european) cartridges for allmost 40 years. I do also love the 7x64, it´s a flat shooting beast. May i add a few more cartridges to your list? For the last decades i hunted with a Mannlicher Schoenauer rifle, which i got as a gift from my grandfather, when he stopped hunting with 90. It is a model 1903/14 in 6,5x54 MS. I like to compare it to the phantastic US calibre .257 Roberts. I also hunt with the 6,5x57, a perfect cartridge for roe deer, red deer and wildboar up to 80kg. In the mountains on chamois i use the 6,5x68 a phantastic very flat shooting cartridge. For very heavy game on very long distance we have the famous 8x68S (also called the german Magnum). This cartridge is in my opinion better then the .300 Winchester Magnum. Finally my beloved 9,3x64 (NOT 9,3x62). In my opinion the best cartridge for heavy game in Africa. Periodically i get enraged reactions from english and american hunters, when i tell them, that the 9,3x64 is superior to the legendary .375 H&H. In summary i find all the new, "modern" calibers that have come onto the market in the last 30 years completely unnecessary and primarily a business area for the efficient gun manufacturers in the US and elsewhere!
Interesting, there must be a few 9.3 cartridges. The one I used for a number of years was a 9.3x62 Sauer rifle. Inside 400 yards it could easily drop anything walking the earth. It was also extremely accurate, more than enough for hunting. The best three shot grouping I ever got with it was just under half an inch at 100 yards.
About the only thing many of the new cartridges do is have much tighter tolerances, so the accuracy can be significantly better. That said if purely for hunting you only need acceptable levels of accuracy. So many people have dreams of hitting targets and steel at 1000 yards. In my opinion I would never promote shooting at any animal at that extreme of a distance.
Seems like North America is fixated on 30 calibers for hunting, my father is included in that group. He is a huge fan of the 300 win mag. Personally I prefer the various 7mm cartridges such as the 280 Remington or 7x64 or 280ai. More often than not my experience has taught me shot placement and bullet construction are the most important for hunting.
@@Canadianhunter Yes, there are a few different 9,3mm cartridges. The 9,3x57, the 9,3x62, the 9,3x64, the 9,3x66, the 9,3x72R and the 9,3x74R. I´m not even sure i knew all of them.....
What about the 8×68s?
@@shanmugasundaram4142 there are a bunch that I missed, I just tried to include the most common. I should have included the 8mm Mauser atleast, going to have to do an update. Could include alot more. They sure do have some excellent cartridges that for whatever reason didn’t take off in North America. I think because we have a number of similar cartridges so only the American made became popular in North America. 7mm-08=7x57, 280rem=7x64, 8mm Mauser often compared to the 30-06 etc…
The 30-06 basically negated the need for Americans to consider the 7mm & 8mm Euros. The 270 killed any chance for the 6.5X55 to become desirable. There was just no demand for a 9.3X62. The 6.5, 7mm and 8mm Mauser rounds were also handicapped by the need for ammo manufacturers to account for the lower pressures for shooting in older rifles of unknown quality. All the rounds you mention are useful if you bother to handload and don't mind having to search out brass. Lastly the modern full pressure 7-08 buried any possibility to the 7X57 to become commercially viable.
I have to agree with you. Pretty much hit the nail on the head. They are all great cartridges, but they weren’t really needed because they duplicated the performance of many other cartridges. If you handload you can get the true potential of the European cartridges. I have owned most over the years and really enjoyed them, wish I still had my 9.3x62, within 300 yards the cartridge could drop anything really quickly.
There are so many old rifles kicking around, so they load the ammunition to very low pressures. Which makes the cartridges seem rather wimpy. Because I handload most of the cartridges I use, are nonstandard. I love the 284 Winchester and 280ai, for target shooting 6br.
But that probably only applies to you in America. All of these cartridges are still highly valued worldwide today
Another Good Information Video,. Be Safe
Thank you. I am pumped, where I live tomorrow is the day I can put in for all of my hunting tags. Hopefully I get drawn for something
I like the 280 Remington and the 280 Ackley so I would definitely like the 7x64. I’ve thought about buying one but ammo and brass are hard to get for everything the last several years, even reasonably popular cartridges
At prophet river firearms you can generally get 7x64 bullets and reloading brass etc…
I know it would make 6, but 9.3x57 should at least make honorable mention. I have all listed except the 7x64.
You are very lucky, I have wanted them all but never had the opportunity. I have had a 9.3x62 and a 6.5x55. The one I want the most is the 7x64, but I have a 280ai so close enough. Such great cartridges that should have a loyal following.
@@Canadianhunter Agreed!
At least with my Savage 9.3x62 which is still recognized as a DGR cartridge - unlike the 35Whelen - I'll be ready if ANTHING escapes from the local zoo! :)
I own and load for all the cartridges listed here except the 7x64. SAAMI MAP for the 9.3x62 is 57,500psi. MAP for the 35 Whelen is 62,000psi. The Whelen will push any same weight bullet at least 100 fps faster than the 9.3x62. Woodleigh makes 310 grain bullets for the Whelen. There are others. The only reason the 35 Whelen is not allowed for dangerous game in countries that have a minimum diameter is that it is only 9.09mm. There is no practical difference between 9.09 and 9.3. The 9.3x62 is grandfathered in some countries because of its reputation even though it does not meet the minimum power requirements of the new laws in those countries. For the most part 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 are two peas in a pod.
I seriously doubt America's "fascination" with 6.5 caliber (.30 cal, yes) has anything to do with these cartridges being unpopular. The 6.5 was decidedly UN-popular in the USA for a 100 years prior to the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor was not an instant success when introduced in '07. It was years before it took off.
In North America the.30 caliber has dominated for many years, the various 7mm cartridges are doing pretty well now as well. I personally think there are many great cartridges used elsewhere that never took off in North America.
The creedmoor is an ok hunting cartridge, but the 6.5 prc is significantly better and has a better range of use if you are a reloader.
All great cartridges with history, but each has an improved North American version. Like the 9.3x62 has the 9.1x64 (aka 35 Whelen) same energy but it is designed to shoot lighter bullets much faster and flatter. Same with the 6.5x55 Swede. It was not surpassed by the Creedmoor, in North America after 1916 we used the 250 Savage, then the 257 Roberts, then the 25-06, then it was the 260 Remington that had more power and shot flatter and faster. Realistically some wersion of the 08 or -06 will meet or excede all of these for our .
Oh of course, everything is better in Merika, blah,blah,blah.
@@Kysushanz well it's like everything else built by Europe or Japan. They believe in perfecting the reliability as close to perfection as possible, of an older product. American companies like to modify and perfect the design and performance of a product sometimes at the risk of reliability or perceived quality.
It's a difference in philosophies. If you want to buy something that's 5% better so you can win on the range today. You'd likely buy an American cartridge. If you wanted to buy a rifle that would be in your safe for your great grandson in 100 years and have him still be able to buy ammo for it, you'd buy yourself a European rifle.
Best European cartridge ever developed - 9,3x64 !
Agreed that’s a beast, can handle any animal alive.
Are you on twitter/Instagram?
I don’t use any other social media beyond TH-cam, I am not the best with technology. I would like to get a larger audience. February was a fantastic month for me, I picked up over 200 subscribers that month and got tons of views.
I have a fair number of projects I am working on, but I need sometime as I just had another major surgery. I have a ton of follow up range/accuracy videos. I also have a few more reviews of new to me rifles. A ruger American go wild 6.5 creedmoor, a tikka t3x 243, a tikka t3x snow camo varmint 223, and finally a savage 110 hunter 280ai.
I won’t be buying anymore new rifles for atleast a year or more now. I need to focus on getting a few new scopes for my new rifles. I am very excited to get a 280ai again. Such an amazing cartridge.