Hi everyone,

I was thinking about loading up some Prvi Partisan 285 gr loads with Varget, but ran into an issue that concerned me.

At the Hodgdon site, they indicate a maximum load of 59.0 gr of Varget with the 286 gr Nosler Partition bullet (@2350) for a working pressure of 47,500 CUP.

On the other hand, the Nosler site shows a maximum load of 55.5 gr (@2362 fps) for a 92% load density, with the same bullet.

This is a pretty extreme variation in a maximum load in my opinion. Does anyone have any experience as to what constitutes a real threshold load for a 285/286 bullet with Varget?

Nosler #6 lists a start load of 51.5gr and a max of 55.5gr.(99% load density) I would trust the bullet manufactures data for the bullet you are using over the powder company's data, so I don't know how this reflcts with the Privi bullet. Hodgdon is typically quite conservative on their data, so this is a bit of a surprise. I do know that RL-15 seems to be THE powder in the 9.3. Work up some loads from start to max and see what the loads tell you as far as velocity and accuracy. You should be able to determine if you can stretch it higher or not.

I'll usually cross reference data from at least 2 or 3 sources then pick a safe load and work up. The difference in max load data could be the result of use of different brands of brass, primers, or even sometimes different lots of the same powder type.
If you ever get a chance to pick up Ken Waters' "Pet Loads" it has alot of useful info on his favorite loads for a tremendous amount of calibers along with how he developed the loads and calculates chamber pressure by measuring case expansion. Very good read and Ken's loads are all sane. By the way I agree with BK on RL-15 for the 9.3. Good luck. Paul..

I have three 9.3x62 rifles which I feed 286gr bullets, normally the Hornady Interlock or Nosler Partition. I found all the rifles are safe with 58.0gr Varget and those bullets but when I tried to work up to the same with the Prvi bullet I got some pressure signs I didn't like with two rifles and ended up loading those bullets down a grain.

ymmv

With the 286 Partition, I was able to work upto 59.5 gr of Varget in my CZ 550, though my OAL is longer than the suggested Hodgdon OAL. ES was 63, SD was 24 and av vel was 2436 for a 8 shot string, first shot from a cold clean barrel. Groups ran just under MOA to about 1.75 MOA.

I settled on 65.9 gr of Ramshot Big Game for 2500 fps since I was taking the rifle to Alaska for Grizzly.

Your Prvi bullets may have a longer bearing surface which would equate to more pressure thus the lower listed max charge.

Work up to your max!

Alan

I've also been trying to pick up some Ramshot, but haven't been able to find any from local vendors. I supposed that I'll have to bite the bullet on a large online powder order ...

Analog, A&K shooters' Supply in Canyon, Texas has Ramshot powders in stock if you happen to be coming this way. I bought a pound of Big Game there just this weekend. You might call before you go by to be sure of the specific powder you want is in stock (806-656-0304).

Thanks for the head's up, R720.

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I ended up going with RL15 until I can order some Big Game.