I've tried 60gr of R15 which gets me about 2475 from my 20.5 barrel. QL says it should be good for closer to 2600 with that charge out of a 20.5" barrel AND it's pushing the pressure level although I have no pressure signs. I guess I could just work up in .5 increments. Just wondering if there is a better powder or if I should just be happy with the 2475 and call it a day. Just seems like 2550-2600 should be doable.

Scott,
I have a Sako 75 hunter, 22.5" barrel. I'm loading 250 gr accubond, 60 gr. Varget, 210m primer, 3.290 oal. +/- 2600 fps, with excellent accuracy.
GWB

Like you I've found RL15 in QL to calculate a touch fast. I reduce the burn rate to more closely match my chrono results. That said 2600 in a 20.5" barrel is going to be difficult. Going to faster powders only calculates 50-75fps more potential velocity.

60gr varget will calcualte about 60fps slower than your 22.5" results.

Don't take what QL or Load from a Disk as gospel, they are just predictive programs using mathematical constructs to calculate a range of velocities...NOR what a chronograph comes up with.

My LD routinely comes up with "stuff" that is WAY off the mark and I get two different readings from my Beta Chrony and Oehler 33, one behind the other...sometimes 100fs difference...from one shot. That also happens when the screens are switched around. The Beta is always HIGHER than the Oehler no matter WHERE the screens are situated.

Weather, temp, sun position, time of day etc, will all affect the chrono readings.

I would try another powder...I haven't tried Accubonds yet but my 9.3x62 likes RL-15, Varget and AA2520 for both 270 and 286 gr Hornadys and I think RL-17 might also be a good choice but I haven't had time to try it out yet.

LUCK

LUCK

Perhaps I should invest in QL.
Till then this is how I do it.
My method is to load several different powders in 3 load densities each. I go to the range make sure the barrel is fouled, shoot groups at 100 yds., making note of velocity (based on my chrono readings), accuracy and how the load feels to me as to recoil and feel from the rifle. I'll narrow it down to one or two loads I like. Next, depending on what distance I plan to hunt, I will either zero at 100 or two hundred. If I zero at two hundred I shoot a couple groups at 200 at the bull. I then shoot at 100 and measure. That way I know POI at 200 and 100.
As I almost never shoot over 200, I can use a ballistic calculator using BC and velocity to calculate out to 300. I won't be shooting over 300 w/ my 9.3 x 62.
GWB

quote:

Perhaps I should invest in QL.
Till then this is how I do it.
My method is to load several different powders in 3 load densities each. I go to the range make sure the barrel is fouled, shoot groups at 100 yds., making note of velocity (based on my chrono readings), accuracy and how the load feels to me as to recoil and feel from the rifle. I'll narrow it down to one or two loads I like. Next, depending on what distance I plan to hunt, I will either zero at 100 or two hundred. If I zero at two hundred I shoot a couple groups at 200 at the bull. I then shoot at 100 and measure. That way I know POI at 200 and 100.

Pretty much the way I do it before and after the purchase of QL. I decided on 2-3 powders and play with them. Long range rifles I often use a ladder. Short range simple groups at 100 then actual shoot to what I feel is that combos max range so get true bullet placement.

As FooBar said QL is simply another piece of information. Just like a loading manual. Results from any rifle, powder lott etc will all be different. I really like it because I shoot more wildcats (my own design) than std so load data doesn't exist.

I have found that if I very the burn rate to match a rifles actual velocity for a given load. The results are then pretty repeatable for other bullets and usually other rifles.

I've used 65.0 of RL 15 under the 250 ballistic tips for just over 2700 with no pressure signs and one finger bolt lift in my cz 550 lux.

That being said , I'm currently using 63.0 grains of the same with the same bullets and the accubond for just over 2600fps in the same rifle, privi brass is on its 6th loading with tight primer pockets.
Standard disclaimer applies

quote:

Originally posted by dopeydave:
I've used 65.0 of RL 15 under the 250 ballistic tips for just over 2700 with no pressure signs and one finger bolt lift in my cz 550 lux.

That being said , I'm currently using 63.0 grains of the same with the same bullets and the accubond for just over 2600fps in the same rifle, privi brass is on its 6th loading with tight primer pockets.
Standard disclaimer applies

Interesting. Maybe I'll try to work up from 60 a little.

Note the Accubond takes up about 2-3 grs more case capacity than the BT Also these were 20.5" Dopey I'm sure had a longer barrel so his 65 grs making 2700 the pressure would be below what is shown. I simply feel QL has to fast a rate on RL15. If I assume his was a 24" and slow RL15 down to give 2700 from a 24" the pressure drops to around 63500.

Cartridge : 9.3 x 62
Bullet : .366, 250, Nosler BalTip 36250
Useable Case Capaci: 65.427 grain H2O = 4.248 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.291 inch = 83.59 mm
Barrel Length : 20.5 inch = 520.7 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-15

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 97 58.50 2466 3375 51150 8953 97.3 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
-09.0 98 59.15 2493 3449 52898 9040 97.6 1.115 ! Near Maximum !
-08.0 99 59.80 2519 3523 54706 9124 97.9 1.098 ! Near Maximum !
-07.0 100 60.45 2546 3597 56579 9204 98.2 1.081 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-06.0 101 61.10 2572 3672 58518 9281 98.5 1.065 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-05.0 102 61.75 2599 3748 60526 9354 98.7 1.049 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-04.0 103 62.40 2625 3825 62607 9424 99.0 1.034 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-03.0 105 63.05 2651 3902 64763 9490 99.2 1.018 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-02.0 106 63.70 2678 3980 66998 9552 99.3 1.003 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-01.0 107 64.35 2704 4058 69315 9610 99.5 0.988 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+00.0 108 65.00 2730 4137 71719 9664 99.6 0.974 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0 109 65.65 2756 4217 74213 9714 99.8 0.960 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 110 66.30 2782 4297 76802 9760 99.8 0.946 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 111 66.95 2808 4378 79490 9802 99.9 0.932 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 112 67.60 2834 4459 82282 9839 100.0 0.919 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 113 68.25 2860 4541 85184 9872 100.0 0.905 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 108 65.00 2832 4452 85407 9273 100.0 0.909 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 108 65.00 2582 3702 58379 9666 95.7 1.061 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Cartridge : 9.3 x 62
Bullet : .366, 250, Nosler AccuBond 59756
Useable Case Capaci: 63.960 grain H2O = 4.153 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.291 inch = 83.59 mm
Barrel Length : 20.5 inch = 520.7 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-15

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 99 58.50 2492 3446 53529 8894 97.6 1.110 ! Near Maximum !
-09.0 100 59.15 2519 3521 55403 8976 97.9 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
-08.0 101 59.80 2546 3597 57346 9055 98.2 1.076 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-07.0 103 60.45 2572 3673 59359 9131 98.5 1.060 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-06.0 104 61.10 2599 3751 61448 9204 98.7 1.044 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-05.0 105 61.75 2626 3828 63614 9272 98.9 1.028 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-04.0 106 62.40 2653 3907 65861 9337 99.1 1.012 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-03.0 107 63.05 2680 3986 68193 9397 99.3 0.997 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-02.0 108 63.70 2706 4066 70615 9454 99.5 0.982 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-01.0 109 64.35 2733 4146 73130 9507 99.6 0.968 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+00.0 110 65.00 2760 4227 75744 9555 99.7 0.953 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0 111 65.65 2786 4309 78460 9599 99.8 0.939 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 112 66.30 2813 4391 81285 9638 99.9 0.925 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 114 66.95 2839 4474 84224 9674 100.0 0.911 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 115 67.60 2865 4557 87284 9704 100.0 0.898 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 116 68.25 2892 4641 90469 9730 100.0 0.885 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 110 65.00 2860 4539 90282 9150 100.0 0.890 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 110 65.00 2613 3790 61577 9601 96.1 1.038 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

I shoot a lot of 250 grain Accubonds, using Varget. I only load them to around 2500FPS, and have found that an extra 100FPS in the 9.3X62, really does not gain you much.

Scott,
QL data notwithstanding,a 250 gr accubond at 2,450, or 2,500 or 2,550, or 2600 fps, will kill all the deer and hogs at any range you're likely to be shooting at (especially in east Texas) as long as you place 'em in the vitals. Take it from a guy who hunted "Security" Texas for 46 years. If you can't find Security, its just "east" of Cut N Shoot, but west of Rye and Moss Hill (where all the meth heads steal everything including what's nailed down.)
Best
GWB

quote:

a 250 gr accubond at 2,450, or 2,500

+1 The last QL data was really for one major reason to indicate that the accubond and BT have differnet net capacities and you can't simply use BT load data. Second and less important was trying to indicate that QL treats RL15 as a faster burning powder than results indicate.

A 9.3 from a 20.5" barrel is not what I would call a LONG RANGE combination. A good quality 250gr bullet like the accubond ar 24-2500fps will take care of pretty much anything you would want to use it on.

ramrod340
If Nosler had not discontinued the .366, 250 gr. ballistic tip, that's what I would load. However, such is not the case. I'm a Nosler fan, and load more of their bullets where available in the 50 plus chamberings for which I reload than any other bullet manufacturer.
Best
GWB

I have been involved in some 9.3X62 load / bullet testing & have posted on the subject & sent emails of info to members before.

here is a mild load with Varget (ADI 2208)
ADI 2208 61 gr Nosler Bal Tip 250 gr 2570 fps

I could go up 2 gr easily. Lapua brass.

quote:

I'm a Nosler fan, and load more of their bullets where available in the 50 plus chamberings for which I reload than any other bullet manufacturer

+1 In the heavier bullets I felt the BTs always performed very well. I had some trouble with the 7mms at high velocity blowing up. I don't have a 9.3 but load for my 380PDK it started life using blown out shoulder forward 280 brass now days I use cylinder brass but the .375 260 accubonds are both accurate and quick death for the hogs that got in their way.

scottfromdallas,

You have a good load there and if it is accurate with safe pressure stop there.

As stated previously on this forum, I load 62.5 grains of 2208 (Varget) under the 250 Accubond to get an accurate load. This is max pressure and I only use it in new Lapua brass for shooting over 250 yards. Varget is THE powder for the 9.3x62 with all bullet weights.

Velocity is 2,627 fps from my 25" barrel. You will be lucky to get anywhere near that with a short 20" barrel.

Don't worry or fuss too much with ballistics programs, look at your fired load and how your rifle actually shoots over the ranges you plan to use it.

My first triple on hogs was with my Sako AV in 375 H&H with 260 gr. accubonds.
Here is another one that succumbed.
GWB

Guys,

I appreciate all the responses. I'll probably just get over it and accept my 2475-2490 with my current load. I'll just round up to 2500 and make myself feel better. With the high BC of the Accubond, it will still be going 2000 fps at 300 yards which is plenty to reliably expand it.

This gun is a little overkill for East Texas whitetails and hogs. I was planning on using it eventually for Nilgai in South Texas. I have it's little brother (550FS in 6.5 Swede) for East Texas.

Thanks for all the responses. I did learn a lot. Mostly, I'm thinking 50fps ain't worth the trouble when this load shoots so well.

Sometimes I let my ballistic weenie get the best of me

I just used my 250 Accubond loads in my 9.3x62 to take 3 nice animals in Argentina. 2 stags and a blackbuck.

The performance was great, accuracy is more than really needed for hunting out to 400 yards and recoil is really about the same as my 30-06.

I keep my 9.3x62 loads around 2500 fps on my chrono and like said above works well on game to reasonable distances.

If I feel the need for more speed, I'll use my 9.3x64. That should get me 2750 from the 25.7" barrel from all the published data I've found.

For those of us who have actually shot more than a few deer out of their back woods trailers, 2500fps or better with the 9.3's with a 250gr high BC bullet like the Accubond is just fine performance.

Try Ramshot Big Game. Best accuracy and velocity with 286gr anythings I've found. 65gr should do it. I get 2450fps with the 286gr and everything is DRT. Tried the 232gr Norma, got them up to 2700fps but cut back to 2550 so I didn't have to mess with my scope.

I have a 9.3 X 62 in a CZ550FS and use 57 grains of Varget with either 286gr Barnes TSX, Barnes Solids or Nosler Parts. These produce less than 1" groups at 100 yards and are nice and easy to shoot. I don't own a chrony, don't really care about the speed of my 9.3 just the fact that it "kills stuff", like Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Croc, Warthog, Sable and Leopard on my last trip to Mozambique. I'll leave the details to you guys who enjoy that kinda stuff.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I tried some Alliant 2000 MR. Started with 62 and had to stop at 64.

62- 2460 fps - no pressure signs
63- 2510 fps - no pressure signs
64- 2590 fps - stiff bolt

I didn't shoot for accuracy. I'm going to load up 63 and 63.5 test some more. 63.5 should give me 2550 fps. These are out of my 20.5" barrel.

I'll be happy with 2550 fps and a .494 BC out of a carbine.