Hello

[collath]

Wayne, I think it is correctly called a "wing" safety and surprisingly it doesn't get in the way unless it is on safe and then it obscures the sights. Somehow I managed to put two of the same photos in so here is one of the gun assembled.Collath IV.jpg

Mike, Funny you should mention it but I just mailed an order to the home office for that journal. Jon Spencer has been a huge help already and suggested it to me when I joined. Also, I rechecked the mark, it is located on the left side of the lump below the gauge - caliber marks and the whole line is: 2.45G 1550 K.m.g. for sure. I'll try to get a photo. I may try to open a thread on the Hanquet as well. Bear with me I'm new at this, Thanks.

[collath]

Mike, here is the photo of the lump with the markings. I thought the 2.45G indicated the load and the k.m.g. indicated a copper jacket but the 1550 has me guessing.

Collath Lump Marks.jpg

Any ideas? Thanks

[mike ford]

Collath,
I can't figure it out. They had their own line of ammo, but this doesn't match. The listed powder charge was 2.5 g BP #5,not 2.45g the listed bullet was 12.5 gram(193 grain).There is no way to add a comma or period to 1550(if one was left out) to make it match bullet weight. It can't be velocity, that would be 3 times what would be reasonable.Maybe Axel can explain it. Sorry.
Mike

[collath]

Mike,

Thanks for trying. There are other marks on the barrel for St.M.G. indicating steel jacketed and show either 16G or 18G marks that would make around 247 or 278 grain bullets but I don't think they are in the normal weight range for a 9.3. I also looked very hard for a missing period or comma as you said but there isn't one. Although if you were to assume it should be 15.50 then that is 239 grains and gets pretty close. I also thought it may be pressure in bar that would equal 22,480psi or so. I believe the CIP Max is now 29,000psi. It's a puzzle. Thanks again.

[mike ford]

Collath,
Now that you mention it,it may be the pressure after all. My 1989 version of Wiederladen,in the tables, shows a max.gas pressure of 1,800 bar, which converts to 26,106 psi. The intended load could have very well been loaded to 1550 bar. I will defer to Axel, if he comes in. BTW, 16G or 18g St.M.G. bullets would be appropriate for 9.3x74R, does the rifle have a crown "R" proofmark ? If it was rechambered,a "repair"proof would have been required.
Mike

[collath]

Mike,

There is no crown "R" mark anywhere so I think it was always a 9.3x72R. I am not really familiar with bullets in those weights, most I know being 193, 232 & 286 grain weights but I am sure you are correct in that there were many more available back when this gun was made. Thanks, I appreciate your comments.

[mike ford]

Collath,
Even now or recently,RWS had steel jacketed bullets in 16.7,18.5(286gr),and 19.0 grams for 9.3x62/74R/64 class cartridges,in addition to 12.5(193gr)steel jacketed flat point for 9.3x72R. DWM and others had different weights also.
Mike

[collath]

Hello Mike,

I have a selection of older RWS H-mantel and Norma soft points in 286 grain that I used in a double 9.3 x 74R. This is one caliber that I don't have forming dies to make bullets so I am stuck trying to find them around the gun shows. I think I mentioned that I shot some Sellier & Bellot with 193 grain soft points in the Collath. They worked very well and they are fairly easy to find.

Thanks again

[mike ford]

collath,
If the S&B 193 grain bullets are easy for you to find, I reccomend that you use them. They are made for the 9.3x72R,and you said they work very well. If we have this settled to your satisfaction,could you enlighten us on your 5.6x61R vom Hofe and your bullets. I also have a 5.6x61R and am especially interested in the bullet.
Mike

[collath]

Mike, I posted a new thread in General Discussion with pictures of the VH. Take a look and comment if you want. Thanks