I have a 9.3x62 sauer 202 for the past three years. As regards reloading I have used the data in the Speer reloading manual up to a max load of 60 grains of H414 with 270 gr Speer bullet, for a velocity yield of 2175 fps whilst the manual advises a velocity of 2583 fps from a 26 inch barrel, the barrel on the Sauer is 23.5 inches but I would not have throught there would have been such a wide disparity in the velocity.

I notice this site appears to have a huge number of very knowledgeable 9.3x62 fans so any one amongst you that might be able to give me some advice on this matter would be much appreciated.

Joe

Get a Nosler manual.

Go to www.sako.fi

They publish their exact (and realistic) loads.
Your cartridge does very well with RL-15 and VV N-140.

H414 is about my last choice for the 9,3x62.

Joe,

I wouldn't get too awfully upset about the numbers you're getting from your Chrony since like barrels & bullets; individual Chrony set-up & usage varies, too. I set my Chrony up at maximum cable length because the range I shoot at has a baffle influencing light so I've learned adjust my numbers accordingly. Although a tad on the casual side for this cartridge/bullet combination; never had a 9.3Xanything bullet bounce off of a critter yet but there are better options than H414.

Like our buddy "Gartenpfeil" notes; RL-15 appears to get the Stateside nod for this cartridge and here in Europe VVN-140 (which I use) is very popular for the 9.3x62. If you don't like those two powders, prefer, or have something else on hand like IMR-4320, IMR-4064, H-4895 or even H-4350 (although like H414; somewhat on the slow side, but accuracy was superb) you may want to give them a try, too.

Have fun with your 9.3x62.

Lawndart & Gerry,

Thanks for both your responses and the information provided I will follow through on what you have advised. I have used the calibre successfully for the past three years and even at the low velocities I am getting the .366 bullet is very effective.

Thanks again for the advice.

Joe

Mackey,

Like you I started relaoding for my 9.3x62 with H414 and though I recieved some very accurate loads, my velocities were all in the 2100's fps range. Once I got onto the Reloader 15, Velocities improved to where you would expect them. I still use the H414 though for deer hunting and general plicking because it is so accurate.

Hello BigBullet,

Thanks for your reply, I have used the 9.3 270 Speer and H414 for deer a lot as well and found it to be very good, the last one I got was at 350 yards but I had a perfect rest from prone and I wound up the scope elevation 39 clicks!
I will try the R15 and the powders mentioned by others.

Thanks and good hunting.

Joe

I think my Chrony Beta is a bit ambitious by about 100fs seems like as compared to my Oehler 33..that's shooting through the 33 first and the Beta snugged up tight right behind.

There are so many variables when it comes to manuals and reloads that getting within 100 fs one way or the other isn't all that much of a big deal, but you should expect, rough guesstimate, 20-30 fs difference per inch of barrel length.

I built my '62 on a Mauser 98 action and used a Lothar W prefit 23.7" barrel. Haven't taken anything except sage rats and potguts with it.

I'v used Rl-15, Varget, AA2460 and 2520, all the 4895's, 4320 and 4064 with 270 and 286 gr bullets of various brands, testing which one was more accurate and gave the best pressure/velo.

Load from a Disk matched, for the most part, what I was seeing on the Chrono's as far as the barrel length was concerned.

I don't like H414...I've had a few pressure excursions I couldn't explain in a 250 Sav AI, 7mm-08 and 308 up near the top pressure range so I quit using it.

H414 isn't listed in my Nosler manual or in Load from a disk...it is on the slow end of the spectrum for this case for some reason.

I won't argue with anyone who likes H414, tho', I just don't use it anymore, there are too many newer powders that are better I think. It used to be cheap, but not any more.

Finn Aagaard did a very good article in Handloader mag #199 on the 9.3x62 and listed H414 for the 270 and 286 gr bullets. It required about 8 more grains of powder to equal RL-15. Very good read.

Accuracy for 3 rounds hovered around 1" OD with a few one holer groups that didn't repeat. The 286 Horn and RL-15 kept most of the rounds touching or almost.

Varget gave the best accuracy with more groups around 1/2" CC but it was also hotter and the velocity was lower where I loaded them.

Rl-15 gave about the best pressure/velo along with AA2520 with both weight bullets so I settled for AA2520 for 270 gr and RL-15 for 286 gr bullets.

Funny thing about powders...AA2460 and 2520 both produce the best pressure/velo in my 458 WM also...go figure. But all the other powders were within 100fs or so and pressures about 1500 CUP.

Some day I might try the 320 Woodleighs...I think I read where those that tried them, liked them.

FWIW...Load from a disk gave 58gr Rl-15 for a 286 Horn, 3.28" COAL, 23.7" bbl, ~2275 fs, ~47KCUP. 90% load density.

My rifle, 286 Horn, 58 RL-15 gave ~2275 fs for one 3 round group, ~2235 for one 3 round group with Nosler 286 Parts...Horn 286 gr, 58 gr Varget gave ~2340 fs for one 3 round group.

~63 gr AA2520, 270 gr Speer, 3.28" COAL, 23.7" bbl, ~2425 fs, ~49.8KCUP. 95% load density.

My rifle with 58 Varget gave ~2530 fs for one 3 round group and 270 gr Speers.

Use these loads at your OWN peril!!! They are for REFERENCE ONLY.

Luck

Hi Foobar,
A very interesting post from you as like the others previously, and your thoughts much appreciated. I am going to try the R15 and some of the other powders mentioned, the reason I selected H414 is that it is quoted in the Speer No.13 manual as the one which gave the best performance with the Speer 270 bullet, but no doubt I will get an improved result by using the powders that you and the other contributors have suggested. The chrono I am using is fairly good and have had very consitent reults with it when testing other calibres.
Just another query have you ever used H380 to work up loads for the 9.3x62.

Thanks and best of luck,

Joe

The Nosler web sight will give you some of their better loads; their manual is well worth the price. RL15 is my main 9.3 powder, but Ramshot Big Game is also good and gives a little higher velocities.

I tryed 414 and got good accuracy at least i thought, then i tryed R-15 and things got a whole lot better. Loading 58.5 behind a 286 nosler or barnes gave me sub MOA groups with both and only 6 inch drop at 200. This past fall i took a bull moose at 300 yards using the nosler. My crony reads this load at 2310 average. I also load 59.0 grains behind a 250 and get 2425 average. So have fun with the 9.3, it is a great cartridge.

I have had really good luck with Ramshot Big Game as well. Here is the data that I got from Ramshot"

Caliber:      9.3x62 Mauser
Barrel length:      24”
Powder:           Ramshot - BIG GAME (1st Choice)
Bullet weight:  232 grains.
Start load: 60.0grains (2400 – 2500 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load:  65.0grains (2650 – 2750 Ft/p/sec).
Bullet weight:  250 grains.
Start load: 58.0grains (2300 – 2400 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load:  63.5grains (2550 – 2650 Ft/p/sec).
Bullet weight:  275/285grains.
Start load: 56.0grains (2250–2350 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load:  62.0grains (2450 – 2550 Ft/p/sec).
Bullet weight:  290/300grains.
Start load: 54.0grains (2200 - 2300 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 59.0 grains (2400-2500ft/p/sec).
Bullet weight:  320 grains.
Start load: 53.0grains (2100 - 2200 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 58.0 grains (2300-2400ft/p/sec).
 

Ramshot Big Game is my powder of choice. Graf Brass, CCI or WW primers, 62.5 grains Ramshot Big Game, 285 grain PRVI = .6" three shot groups and 2325 fps from a 20" barrel.
I also shoot the same load with 270 grain Speers and on up to 64 grains of powder but I have not chronied the Speer's.

Mackey...Haven't used H380 in the 9.3 but it's an old fav for 22-250 and 22-243.

It always seems to give good velocity and pressure relationships for appropriate cartridges and is very close to AA2460/AA2520 in burning rate.

I don't recall having any pressure spikes with it up at the top end in any cartridges I used it in. It seems to fit well in most medium to medium large cases.

I've used H380 in the 243, 7mm-08, 7x57, 308, 356, 358, 25-06, 280, 30-06, 338-06 that I know of and probably many others. It always works well and is consistent. It's like an old standby...it always try it, then jump to something new and fancy and never go back, but it's always there when I want it.

L.D. rates it a 95% load with Hornady 286, 3.28 COAL at 61 gr ~2300 fs, ~49KCUP...23.7" bbl. That's not a bad load and relatively mild pressure wise compared to the newer powders...and you "could" up it 2-3 more grains without much trouble as long as you do it slowly and carefully and stay within the SAAMI specs of your receiver...the brass will handle the pressure.

I always use SAMMI pressure specs for the RIFLE RECEIVER...for safety...doesn't much matter what the SAAMI pressure specs are for the cartridge case...too many people get upside down in that respect.

I've experimented with NEF, Contender and Encore single shot rifles and you need to be fully aware THOSE receivers won't handle the pressures of some listed SAAMI case specs.

I've also built rifles using Military receivers not rated all that high, but as long as they are loaded within their ratings the caliber or case size really doesn't matter all that much as long as you keep in mind HOW to reload to specific pressure levels.

I have a nice 458 American I built on a SMLE 2A receiver...it will also handle a the 458 WM case as long as it is loaded to the lower pressure ranges. It will also shoot 45-70, 45-90 and 45-100 cases single loaded...but the longer cases are moot when I can load the 45-70 to pressures beyond the SAAMI rate of the receiver.

I see I need to try some of that Ramshot powder, but no one in my neck of the woods has any on the shelf and we just lost one of the best gunstores in the area this month when he finally retired and closed up.

Luck

Hi Foobar,
Thanks for your response about the H380, you just provided a 'reloading mine' of information,
much appreciated. I 'dont have access to Ramshot myself either but as regards your local gunshop closure, why not consider opening a small gunshop operation yourself, or perhaps a co-op run between some of your shooting/hunting friends ?

Best of Luck,
Joe