Guys,

I've recently acquired a 9.3x62. Actaully a gift from Scott king. Thanks Scott! Anyway Scott had great luck with the 250 TSX but my questions is will the case have sufficent capacity for the 286 TSX solids and softs. The magazine box will allow the bullet to be seated quite far out so I have some latitude there.

What powders might work best with these bullets?

Mark

I would like to know this also.

I personally stayed with the 250 grs TSX in the 9.3x62. Not only is the 286 grs a tad long for the "x62" case, with TSX I always try to stay a notch below the bullet weights one might choose for lead core bullets. In the process, I gain a touch of velocity and take the 9.3x62 further towards "all round" status. Those happen to be my personal reasons, I'm sure others may see this differently.

Much to my surprise, I found my 9.3x62 chamber not to have an overly long throat - in contrast to a lot of other European cartridges. So even though my magazine allowed me to load out, my chamber dictated that even the 250 grs bullet be seated a tad deeper than I would have liked. No reason to take up more space with a 286 grs, then.

RL15 works well in the 9.3x62 with 250 grs bullets. I can't remember my exact load, but I found it in here using the search function. The load seems to have come from John Barsness (of Rifle Magazine) and he claims he can take 250 grs bullets safely beyond 2600 fps. I found superb accuracy 1 grs below John's max and got about 2500 fps out of a 250 grs TSX and 2600 fps out of a 250 grs Nosler AccuBond in a 22" barrel - both measured in about 35 degree Fahrenheit weather.

- mike

For 250 gr I use Rotweil R903 or Vihtavuori N135, for 286 gr R907 or N140. Start with 55gr (should work best around 59gr).

Without having consulted my loading notes (which I don't have access to over the holidays), I believe my load was as follows:

62 grs RL 15 in Lapua cases, CCI 200 primers, 250 grs TSX or Accubond.

63 grs of RL15 was listed as the max load (John Barsness), I had no pressure signs working up to that max, and found excellent accuracy at 62 grs with what looks like long case life and a margin for using my (TSX) load in hot weather. Thus far, the groups I have measured have averaged at around .7" for 3 shots @ 100m (110 yds).

I also tried the same load with 250 grs Barnes Banded Solids. Although the accuracy of this bullet is not as good as the TSX or AB, it shoots just over 1" for 3 shots @ 100m. Ample accuracy for thick skinned game. What is more, the solid load prints about 1" below my TSX load (@100m), making it perfectly possible to shoot both loads without resighting the rifle.

It is interesting mouse93 suggests R903 for the 250 grs. Both that powder and RL15 come off the same production line at Bofors in Sweden, and are rumoured to be equivalent (i.e. loads to be worked up separately, but max loads likely the same).

Here is the quote from Handloader Magazine I based my load development on:

quote:

Update: Handloads That Work
by John Barsness
Handloader Magazine, October 2004 - No. 231

9.3x62mm Mauser
At one time almost unknown in North America, this fine, old German "medium"
is gaining respect wherever big game is hunted. With any bullet weight,
RL-15 is a great choice. Try around 65.0 grains with 232-grain Norma bullets
(if you can find them) for about 2,700 fps, 63.0 grains with 250s for 2,600+
and 59.0 grains with 286s for about 2,400 fps.

Ramshot Big Game is outstanding with the classic 286-grain bullets. Try
around 65.0 grains for close to 2,500 fps in most rifles.

- mike

......I was getting 2600 fps with the 250 gr X moly coated from the 20 " barrel on my cz550 Medium FS ........I can,t find my load notes tho so I,m not all that sure but 63 gr sounds about right ....Incidentially with 68 1/2 gr RL15 I get 2750 with the 250 TSX from my Brenneke,s 21 1/2" barrel .....Both rifles have the long throat

68.5 gr or RL-15 sounds VERY hot! That rifle must have an extraordinarily long throat.

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
I would like to know this also.

Rottweil R902 or Norma 202!

In my limited experience shooting 270 and 286 grain bullets I am having excellent results with Ramshot Big Game powder.
My rifle is light and small and 20" barreled and the hotter I load it the more unpleasant it becomes to shoot.
My current load is 62 grains of Ramshot Big game, 286 grain Norma Alaskan bullet, Graf brass and CCI large rifle primer. I have worked this combo all the way up to 64 grains and accuracy tapered of in my rifle and recoil was "unpleasant" so I'll stay with 60 to 62 grains.
You will like this cartridge!

I like the North Fork 286's in my Cz with Ramshot Big Game, 65 gr makes for just under 2500 fps. I think the TSX would be fine, you'd just have to drop back a couple grains on the charge. this makes a heck of a fine load and I doubt any animal will notice the 14 grain lighter bullet than a .375 H&H has at the same velocity.

Mark,

Re-15 or N540 are the powders for the 9.3. Varget and VN 135 are good as well.

Why not try the Lapua Naturalis, while you are in European mode........

Cheers and all the best,

Blair.