Anybody have any experience with either factory loads or handloads with the Woodleigh 320 grain in the 9.3 X 62mm? I'm going to start playing with my new rifle soon and it looks like an interesting option.

Wink:

You might want to do a search. We have had this conversation before and I think the answer depends on the twist rate of your rifle. I can't recall what the traditional twist rate is in a 9,2X62 but there seems to be some question as to whether or not your 9,3 with the traditional twist rate will stabilize the 320 grain bullets. They are great bullets but I have just chosen to stick with the 286 grain Woodleighs or 250 grain TSX bullets.

There are 3 320gr bullets. The longest (PP) takes 1/14" @2100 and the shortest (SP) is 1/16" @ 2100fps.

What game are you hunting?
In most cases the 286 PP or RN will do the trick

M

I have used the fmj's on a Buffalo and found they zip on right through.
I have stopped using them as practical shooting distance is reduced considerably with the lower velocity.
286grn comfortable out to 250m with great results on game.

I dunno the make or twist rate on the barrel I have but the 320's in mine are tack drivers with Varget. I'm guessing I'll never hunt with them since occasionally I get longer shots and like the others said, the 250's and 286's in Barnes and Nolser work really well on game.

Our AR terminal ballistics expert Doc M tested them. Look at his results.

Isn’t the neck of the 9.3x62 to short for that heavy bullet? I think the long bullet would only raise pressures by protruding into the case. I think the 9.3 is best with 286 gr bullet considering the useful velocity.

quote:

Originally posted by CZ:
Isn’t the neck of the 9.3x62 to short for that heavy bullet? I think the long bullet would only raise pressures by protruding into the case. I think the 9.3 is best with 286 gr bullet considering the useful velocity.

I don't think I've touched the lands yet on my 9.3 with any 286 grain bullets, I'm sure I could stuff 320's in it but to be honest with you I don't see the point of that heavy a bullet going that slow, maybe I'm missing something.
I personnaly think that a bullet between 250 and 270 of tough construction really would be great in the 9.3 but what do I know.

My Simson Mauser 98 shoots 250 gr TSX & Nosler BT to same POI. It shoots Lapua 285s 1" lower and the 320 gr Woodleighs are 6" lower at 100 meters.

The accuracy is fine at 2200 fps with Varget (AR 2208). I have not use these on game. Ganyana has shot a lot of African DG with the 9.3X62. He strongly advises against the 320 softs as they do not seem to penetrate well.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
I'm going to start playing with my new rifle soon and it looks like an interesting option.

Please post your results on the 320's if you try them.

You might also consider "playing with" North Fork 286 grain bullets. THEY ARE EXCELLENT - GET A SAMPLE PACK (A LITTLE LESS EXPENSIVE).

Two very knowledgeable gentlemen "swear by" the 286 Nosler Partition. I'm more than inclined to trust them. In fact, I have: They are known to most of us as John Barsness and Phil Shoemaker.

I load it in my TIKKA at 2550 fps, and I think it would do for "most things". If I ever needed a "solid" it would be the 300gr Hornady. It has a good reputation and being shorter than the "others", 2400 fps should work on anything other than "most things". Where legal, of course... and, oh yes, in the hands of Ganyana!

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

I think going the other way would be more exciting. A 200 TTSX or a 225 Accubond would really open up the versatility for longer shots.

Ah, what advantage for the 320? Or just for fun, to see how they shoot? 232gr, 250gr, 286gr, 293(?)gr, and isn't there a 300gr out there? It's nice to fiddle around with different bullets, powders, whatever, just fun stuff. Go for it, you'll be happy, the 9.3x62 is easy to load for and accurate.

Now, actually shooting something, well I've killed several dozen deer to eland sized animals with my 9.3 and 286gr NP's. No bullet "failures" (Whatever the hell that means...) In fact I have to be careful with shoot throughs on broadside shots, yes even with eland and even taking out both shouders. I've had fist sized exit holes, smashed major bones, I've had length wise, Texas heart shots, on elk. One cow elk shot at about 60 yds or so, the bullet exited lengthwise. I've had excellent bullet performance out to 250yds with exits or great penitration and massive internal damage. Most everything was DRT or soon enough that tracking was easy, quarts of blood, and short time on track. What more do you want?

A friend and I both killed Cape Buff in Zim in June of 09' with 9.3x74s with 320 Woodleigh soft and solids. Fantastic performance with mine at 2100fps and his at 2280fps. We found my soft just under the hide of the off shoulder and it retained 314 grains. My second shot using a solid hit my buff in the left rear hind quarter as he was turning away and exited ahead of the right shoulder. Can't ask for more than that. I also have a 9.3x62 and will use the same bullet for Moose and big bears in Alaska.

The 320gn Woodleighs kills well out of a 9.3.

Big heavy bullet at slowish velocity, penetrates like hell and hits hard.

The only reason people load the 320gn for the 9.3 is because it is there and people found it worked well.

The 286gn or there about's is the optimum
and lower bullets weights for lighter game
are fun as well.


Just remember the 320gn bullet was originally designed to be fired out of a 450 Nitro case size in a double rifle. And that kills really well !!!