14 March 2006, 21:04
shrps74Norma 9.3 232 gr. Vulkan performance
I have noted on this board that a number of Swedish/Northern European Moose and Elk/Stag hunters seem to like the Norma 232gr Vulkan bullets. I'm planning on going on an elk hunt next year (Idaho) with my CZ550 in 9.3x62. I'm hoping to use the 250 gr Nosler BT, the Norma 232gr Oryx, or the Vulkan. Does anyone have any first hand experience on larger (read as: harder to kill) animals such as elk?? Thanks! Shrps74
14 March 2006, 23:07
<9.3x62>I've done some informal penetration tests (using fresh cut aspen) with the 232 Oryx and the 250 Nosler BT. The Oryx is a bonded bullet and held together beatifully at 2600 fps, however, it onyl penetrated about 9". The BT, however, penetrated about 14", expanded well, but its core came loose. Based on these and so other various tests, I relegated the 232 Oryx to deer/black bear, and they have performed wonderfully on this size game. IIRC, the Vulkan is supposed to be a bit tougher than the Oryx, but I've not tested the vulkan.
16 March 2006, 15:30
Husqvarna M98In short vulcan 232 is a no, no and the 232 Oryx is a great yes, yes.
The vulcan was developed by Norma with a soft steel cup and worked great for many a number of years.
however due to the fact that Norma couldn´t stop meddeling with a winning concept or the fact that the company completly left soft steel cups behind then the vulcan changed and is now no better than ofter copper and lead bullets.
There has been known to happen a few to many failures to penetrate on moose and wildboar.
The Oryx is a bonded version of the Vulcan and a good one at that, the 232 will give you good speed but not a great BC from the 9,3x62 and will deliver ample "kill" to any larger game one does hunt.
If you can find old Vulcan 232 or 286 grain then you have struck gold and will be blessed with top class on game performance. And the look good to, the bullets that is.
Best regards Chris
I agree with you Vulcan 232gr is not as tough as Oryx, but i don't think the old Vulcan had steel cup.Vulcan used to have a "interlock",but I'am not sure if it has interlock anymore. .Another Norma bullet named Alaska used to have steel cup and had a good reputation.Nowadays Alaska is just a ordinary standard bullet. More about Norma, also in english, at
www.norma.cc For those interested in ballistics I especially recommend using "Ballistic". There you can try different bullet weights and BC,velocity and so on. Both in meters or yards.
18 March 2006, 03:51
Allan DeGrootAre you asking about loaded Norma ammunition?
AD
It's been nearly 20 years since I've seen Norma projectiles sold as reloading components and that was a box of steel cup semi-RN 8mm bullets that was literally older than I am.
AllanD
19 March 2006, 00:12
shrps74Thanks for the responses so far. It helps! No I'm not asking about loaded ammo, just the projectiles. Any additional info is appreciated. While I'm at it, does the Oryx shoot as well as the Vulkan in the 9.3? I shot a 3 shot group at a lazered 228 yards yesterday that measured 1.71" center-to-center, right after I shot a 3 shot group at 100 meters that was just about 1". Any info on ballistic coeficients? thanks! shrps74
At
www.norma.cc you can find all the information you need about Norma bullets, also BC's on all bullets.Norma is known for making very accurate bullets and ammunition.So it is impossible to say if Vulcan is more accurate than Oryx in your rifle. Only testing can give you the answer.
19 March 2006, 04:32
<9.3x62>The 232 Oryx has proved to be capable of excellent accuracy in my 9.3x62s. Often 0.5MOA groups, and rarely worse than MOA.
Re15, Re10x, Varget, and H414 have been my powders of choice...
19 March 2006, 20:49
packrattusnongratusHow about the barnes Triple Shock X in 250 gr #36625? I'm thinking my 9.3X57 is too slow for that bullet but I'm using conventional cup/core in 285 gr. The X62 should be excellent with the Barnes. You would still get plenty of velocity and little copper fouling. Just an idea. Packy