I would like to know what others have been getting for velocity from their 9.3x62 with 285-286 gr bullets. I haven't been unhappy with mine, and the only load I've had the chance to pass over a cronograph, that I can remember, was a little over 2300 fps.

The reason I say that I can remember is because my log book of all the testing I've done in recent years is in storage, several hundred miles from here.

I'm just curious, mostly because I just got back from the range where I had the opportunity to use a friend's cronograph for my 9.3x338. I was pleased to see the speed was 2505 fps. From all indications, this seems to be a mild load in this rifle/cartridge. For comparison, I got an average of 2810 fps with 250 gr Nosler BTs using RL15 powder, but I'm not comfortable with those bullet being tough enough for the uses I plan to put them through. However, the 250 gr accubonds which shoot to the same POA, may be just the ticket to a flat shooting & hard hitting combo.

I know 2500 fps may not seem like anything special, but I'm happy with it, since I'm not necessarily looking for top velocity. I'm just looking for good velocity and great accuracy, and that's what I've got. I'll tell you the load specifically, since this is a wildcat, (9.3x338 or I call it the 366 Alaskan), and not likely to mess anyone up. Winchester brass, CCI magnum rifle primers, 60grs H4895 powder, Hornady 286gr 9.3mm bullets. My barrel is 23". The accuracy is especially pleasing since it's easily less than an inch group at 100 yds. I've been able to obtain that accuracy three different range sessions, and what's amazing is there have been no flyers. It's consistant. It's taken a while, and it finally settled in after I changed stocks.

As I said, that may not be a big deal to some of you, because you may be getting close to similar results with your 9.3x62. However, with this cartridge, I'm relatively sure that I can get 2600fps with a 286 gr bullet, but at this time I don't feel the need. Frankly, the recoil is about as much as I want to put up with. At this level, it's still in the comfortable zone to shoot, but just barely. I have to be careful with it because it clearly has the potential to whack me in the eyebrow with the scope. It really travels on recoil. Also, with the H4895, I'm sure I can slow it down a bit if I want to, and not sacrifice any accuracy. That's a lot of versility IMO.

Anyway, I would like to read about your 9.3x62's and 9.3x64's as well.

KB

Kabluewy,

My standard load for the 9,3x62 is Graf cases, 286 gr Nosler Partitions, 57.0 gr RL-15 and WRL primers. It delivers 2425 fps in a 24" Douglas tube on a VZ-24 action. Does abt the same in a CZ 550 American.

The load has killed Whitetails, piggies, Warthog, Bushpig, Impala, Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeast, and Kudu ... with no issues and little drama. Most were DRT. (I have never had an "uneventful" Kudu hunt ... they seem to be my great challenge.)

I use a 3-9x42 MC Zeiss Conquest scope on one 9,3 and a Leupold 2.5-8 on the other. I like the Conquest better especially at dusk and dawn. The 4" eye relief as always been comforting.

I gotta admit I'm not sure I see any need to "sport up" a 9,3 cartridge ... they just work as it is. (And ammo is usually available in Africa at a reasonable price if the airlines hangs yours up along the line.)

quote:

Originally posted by mstarling:
Kabluewy,

My standard load for the 9,3x62, 286 gr Nosler Partitions, 57.0 gr RL-15 and WRL primers -- delivers 2425 fps in a 24" Douglas tube.

4" eye relief as always been comforting.

I gotta admit I'm not sure I see any need to "sport up" a 9,3 cartridge ... they just work as it is.

Good info, and I agree about the "sport up" comment. I thought it was a good idea at the time, and it ain't so bad now either, but nevertheless it's done. So I might as well do with it as can be done, and enjoy it. If I could get 2500 fps out of my 9.3x62 I probably would, and with this cartridge it's easy. So I do it 'cause I can.

The 9.3x64 could be considered sporting up the 9.3 cartridge, and it was a good idea at the time, as it is now. The 9.3x338 basically duplicates the x64, without the brass problem.

KB

Hi

I've got 2400 f/s with my -62 using Norma brass, 60 grains N140 behind the Woodleigh 286 RN. 23" barrel

My -64 makes 2650 with the same bullet, using 68 grains N150. Medium pressure(85 mm length) 24" brl

M

I have about the same performance in my CZ550 as Mike but use a bit more RL15 (59.0gr) to get 2,425 using Norma or Laupua brass and WLR primers. There's been discussion here of RamShot Big Game doing this or a little bit better but I have not tried it yet.

Can't go wrong with the Partition in this speed range - it just works. Mine's done very well from small whitetail here in the southeast US up thru eland in Zimbabwe.

Phil

I'm getting 2480 fps using Ramshot and a 25.6" tube. It's about the same with either the 285 gr Prvi or 286 gr Hornady.

Lapua Brass
Woodleigh 286 RNSP
Fed 210 primer
25" Lothar Walther Barrel
58 grains 2208/Varget
2,393fps
I don't know what the max load is in this rifle. Once I got three shots inside 1" I stopped load development.

FYI

258 RWS Factory 2,560
250 PPSN Woodleigh 62.5 2208/Varget 2,642
59 RE-15 2,510
320 Woodleigh RNSP 55 2208/Varget 2,190

My CZ 550FS with a 20" barrel gives me 2300 fps with a less than maximun load of RL 15 and Hornady 286's. I don't worry much about velocity. The 9.3X62 earned its reputation in Africa at about 2150 fps.

Mine is a 98 Mauser with a 20" ultra light barrel, shoots 285 PRVI's and 286 Norma Alaskans at 2350 fps under an inch, the way this rifle jumps around I don't want anymore feet per second out of it. By the way it shoots the 270 grain Speers to nearly the same point of impact but a bit more speed and pretty small groups. All of my load info is on the target, the rifle shoots these groups regularly.

With 286grn bullets from my two 9.3x62s, I get a MV of 230 to 2380fps and quite frankly I don't want more velocity as I use these for the likes of Buffalo and prefer reliable expansion.

The ballistics you seek are available easily with the 9.3x66 Sako-30.06 case head! aka 370 Sako magnum

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
With 286grn bullets from my two 9.3x62s, I get a MV of 230 to 2380fps and quite frankly I don't want more velocity as I use these for the likes of Buffalo and prefer reliable expansion.

Although I've been happy with the 2300 to 2350 fps out of my 9.3x62, I appreciate the extra speed and will use it, but probably don't need it. Mostly I had the wildcat 9.3x338 made just because of a sort of argument with a friend relating to the 9.3x64. I started accumulating parts to have one made, and noticed the scaricity of brass, and other discoveries, so changed horses and went with the wildcat instead. The costs are about the same either way, (dies, reamer, etc.) and the 338 brass is readily available. The 9.3x338 case almost duplicates the capacity of the x64 brass. So, basically I have used the Nosler x64 load data for starters, and it works out really close.

I'm thinking this cartridge is a good excuse to use the Barnes 286 gr TSX, or 300gr Swifts, or 320gr Woodleighs, and see what it will really do. I'm pretty sure either of those bullets would resolve the reliable expansion issues mentioned by ozhunter.

Also, I committed to this cartridge before the announcment of the 370 Sako, and before the 375 Ruger. However, now that I'm there, I'm a believer in the 9.3x338. It's really easy to work with. Frankly, I like it better than a 338WM. Whatever the 338WM will do with a 225gr bullet, this wildcat will do with a 250gr bullet. I just don't see how either the 370S or 375R could be better, except for the headstamp.

Last night I was messing around with a Ruger MKII in 30-06, contemplating what I could do with it, or sell it. I had tried feeding some 376 Steyr ammo through the action, and it didn't work well off the left feed rail. Then I had the bright idea of swapping the magazine box and follower with those off a magnum Ruger MKII action. It worked like a charm - feeds good, except of course for opening the bolt face and extractor, which should be relatively easy for a gunsmith. One other thing influencing my notions is that I have this good looking PacNor SS #4 barrel in .375, 12" twist, 3 groove. Looks like a perfect combo to me - the Ruger with the PacNor barrel in 376 Steyr. But who needs duplication?

If headstamp is important, I would rather have the 376 Steyr than the 375R or 370S. And I would much rather have a 375R than a 370 Sako, but I prefer the 375 H&H over either.

KB

KB,

The last Mauser bolt rifle I have in progress is a 1909 Argentine with a 22" Douglas bbl in .376 Steyr. Barreled action is complete. Timney trigger added. Action is bedded into a utilitarian stock. Custom mounts are made and scope has been mounted and sighted in. Pretty much done save for bluing.

Sweet little fella.

Only one kinda interesting "problem." The little rifle is LOUD as can be! With 225 Hornady slugs it just rattles the windows. I think it is WAY louder than a .375 H&H.

I like the chambering ... but I like the case size. I have a .416 Aagaard (.376/.416 Steyr Improved) that has turned out to be a tack driver (with cast bullets even).

quote:

Originally posted by mstarling:
The last Mauser bolt rifle I have in progress is a 1909 Argentine with a 22" Douglas bbl in .376 Steyr.

Sweet little fella.

Only one kinda interesting "problem." The little rifle is LOUD as can be! With 225 Hornady slugs it just rattles the windows. I think it is WAY louder than a .375 H&H.

Sometimes, I think that LOUD is a result of slow powder, that is not burning efficently inside the barrel - wrong combo or something. One time I messed around with several powders in a short barreled 35 Whelen. I really didn't get to compare it for LOUD, because I always wore hearing protection, but I did test all the powders on a dark night for fire ball. There was a lot more variation than I would have suspected, and of course the slower the powder the bigger the fire ball. I am making a big assumption, but I suspect the bigger the fire ball the LOUDER it is. I'm also presuming the fire ball is evidence of powder that didn't burn in the barrel but burned in the fire ball, creating extra blast.

With the 376 Steyr, I'm thinking powder on the medium-fast side of burning rate would be best, and I would like to know if handloads with the faster powder were not so LOUD as you experienced with the factory stuff.

KB

KB,

Load was 65.0 gr of H335 on Hornady brass with WLR primers. Did not chrono ... load should be in the 2700+ fps range.

I wouldn't call that powder slow. Is way faster than the RL-15 I use in 9,3x62 and in .375 H&H.

Could indeed be an unusual bullet weight/powder combination, but the combination doesn't seem to be out of line (light bullet/very slow powder)

Just so happenz that about a week ago, I was out in the evening shooting some handloads, strictly testing to find a near max load. I didn't have time to get to the range before dark, to actually shoot at a target. I just put the ear plugs in and pointed at the mountain. Naturally the muzzel flash was evident.

The rifle was my little 7.62x39, and I used some H4198, and some loads were with H335, and I shot some factory S&B ammo for comparison. The 4198 produced the least flash, the S&B factory ammo next, with the H335 making a large bright red fireball. I can't compare blast because I had ear plugs in. Of course this flash isn't nearly as visable during daylight.

FWIW, so I dunno if that's useful info or not.

Yesterday I went to the range, in daylight, and tested some of the ammo over a cronograph. The 4198 produced the highest vel. What was interesting was that near the top load for 335, two tenths of a grain increase produced no velocity increase. It should have in such a small case. I may have to try that again, but that's what the crono said. That seems to confirm the reason for the big muzzel flash. But that was only one test. Also, there's a big difference in 65 grs and 27 grs of powder, but I suspect the principals are the same. Could just be a bigger muzzel flash.

I would be curious enough about your 376 to load up some with H4895 and use the same bullet, and compare the loads with 335 to the 4895 loads at night, looking specifically at the muzzel flash. I suppose you could compare the LOUD by leaving off the ear protection, but that's up to you. I would just watch the flash, and choose the powder with the least flash.

KB