Guys,

With Noslers getting more expensive, and Woodleighs having gotten "outta sight" at $66/50 am looking for a cheaper bullet in the 9,3. What has been your experience with the terminal performance of the 286 gr PRVI bullet (which is still sort of reasonable)?

Mike, don't forget the Speer 250 (?).
Peter.

The 270 gr Speer is too soft. Have hit a piggie and a whitetail with them. Both bullets broke up leaving chunks in the wound canal (which was not straight). Damn shame too because my 9,3x74R likes them a lot.

I have a cast bullet for practice but would like a cheaper hunting bullet too.

Some say that they are ok,

I beg to differ, buy them and have one opened to check cup thickness, you are better of with a cast bullit.

/C

You may want to give the new Hornady 286-gr. InterLock a look. They run around $24 for 50 - not exactly cheap but still a decent bullet.

My experience with the 286 PRVI bullets is that they are a decent cup and core bullet and hold together fine at 9.3x62 velocities.
For deer, elk, moose or black bear I have no qualms using them.

quote:

Originally posted by mstarling:
The 270 gr Speer is too soft. Have hit a piggie and a whitetail with them. Both bullets broke up leaving chunks in the wound canal (which was not straight). Damn shame too because my 9,3x74R likes them a lot.

I have a cast bullet for practice but would like a cheaper hunting bullet too.

Mike:

I was really surprised by your post! I shoot plain old 250 grain Speers in my .35 Whelen and trust me on this, the will go right through any elk. I think it is because of the modest velocity of the Whelen. I find it really hard to believe that a 270 grain bullet, ANY 270 grain bullet, at the modest velocity of a 9.3X62 would come apart in an animal as small as a deer or a pig. Are you sure about this?

Dave

Not makin' this up ... I personally picked the pieces out of the wound canals. Piggie was not huge; only a hundred pounds or so. May be hard to believe, but they did what they did ... fired from a 9,3x74R which drives them abt 100 fps SLOWER than the 9,3x62. I have rifles in both chamberings and have chrono'd them.

Wish to heck I was in error because the Speer bullet is cheap, accurate and I have another 300 of them! But I saw what I saw

There's a very good thread at NE showing sectioned 9.3's of most brands. The Privi is also shown.

Great thread on NE:

Section bullet thread

I can't say how the PRVI bullets perform on game, but they shoot great out of both my 9.3x62 Blaser barrels. I have tried several loads, and all have shot "one hole" groups at 100 yards.

I am actively trying to kill a hog with them to see how they do perform though.

I took a 120lb doe last year with a 286gr Privi and it worked very well. Hit was in the lung, penetrated fully, and exit hole was about the size of nickel. Plenty of blood, but not blood shot.

I have been using this bullet as a substitute for the Partition in load development having determine that they both shoot to the same point in my 9.3x74R.

Graf has them for $31/100, which is about the cheapest heavy I've found. I shoot both 9.3x62 and 9.3x62, so I laid in a supply having gone through over 100 in load development. Kudude

The PRVI are accurate in my rifle and shoot to the same POI as 286gr.NP. I might try them out a bit more this year on spring bear and deer. Re: Speer 250gr. in a 35 Whelen, crap. Sorry if that is counter to your experience, my one and only experience with these resulted in dismal preformance on a bull elk at short range. The poor bull finally went dowm after several hits any one of which would have been DRT with a NP. I have no intention of using Speer 270gr in my 9.3x62 except as paper punchers, even then the PRVI bullets are much cheaper. This is not a condemnation of Speer products, my 223 loves the 52gr hpfb with the big hollow point, almost never penitrates coyotes and vaporizes PD's.

Does anybody have the relative lengths for some of the 9.3 bullets? So far I've only tried the 250 grain Accubonds, and they seem quite long. I have to seat to the cannelure, and the throat on my husky is long. I was considering the 232 Oryx, but that seems a little light.

quote:

Originally posted by Tristan J. F.:
Does anybody have the relative lengths for some of the 9.3 bullets? So far I've only tried the 250 grain Accubonds, and they seem quite long. I have to seat to the cannelure, and the throat on my husky is long. I was considering the 232 Oryx, but that seems a little light.

I have been shooting the 232 Oryx and the accuracy is superb but they are to tough on deer size game with little or no expansion I have purchased several boxes of Norma 232 Vulcans they are supposed to expand a little better but have not had a chance to try them

Originally posted by mstarling:
Guys,

With Noslers getting more expensive, and Woodleighs having gotten "outta sight" at $66/50 am looking for a cheaper bullet in the 9,3. What has been your experience with the terminal performance of the 286 gr PRVI bullet (which is still sort of reasonable)?[/QUOTE]

Buy few boxes of Norma brand 'Oryx' loads (around $45/box with shipping to you door) and use it on big North American game. It should perform similar to Swift A frame on game.
Might consider using 7.62x39 or 5.56x45 as a pinkler instead.
You boyZ aRe gOin' to weAr tHem 9.3x62 baRRels oUt.

Bad news boyz, I bought out the remaining inventory, so there is no more at <$45/box at the front door.

quote:

Originally posted by Paolo9,5x73:

You boyZ aRe gOin' to weAr tHem 9.3x62 baRRels oUt.

I can't speak for the rest of the guys on here, but I bought my 9.3x62 to shoot and shoot ALOT (I even bought a second 9.3x62 barrel for my Blaser just in case one does wear out). I don't get near as much enjoyment out of just looking at my guns.

quote:

Originally posted by Tristan J. F.:
Does anybody have the relative lengths for some of the 9.3 bullets? So far I've only tried the 250 grain Accubonds, and they seem quite long. I have to seat to the cannelure, and the throat on my husky is long. I was considering the 232 Oryx, but that seems a little light.

My husky 9,3x57 is throated so long that even with the bullet sitting on the case mouth I can't get near the lands. Still, it shoots those Prvi's into just under an inch with the iron sights.

http://www.performancebullet.no/filer/jv_okt2004.pdf

Here are some results from a test of 9.3mm bullets. PRVI (Partizan) and Sellier & Bellot were the two worst bullets in this test.

Bullets were tested in both 9.3x66 and 9.3x62.and shot into wet telephonebooks, book nr 2 was dry, and the distance was 15m.

Inntr. = Penetration in centimeters
Diam = expanded diameter in mm
Restvekt= retained weight

quote:

Originally posted by Paolo9,5x73:
You boyZ aRe gOin' to weAr tHem 9.3x62 baRRels oUt.

My 9.3x62 is my "go to" rifle, it never fails to satisfy.

I haven't used any of the Privi bullets but the new Hornady Interlock bullet passes my test for accuracy and holding up when shot into water jugs (and the shot into a 10 point deer test ).

Some of the Speer Hotcore and Magtip bullets do leave a trail of metal chunklets along the path. They're a bit smaller than a mangled #8 birdshot and taste terrible.

I'll be using RWS 256 grain H-Mantles in my 9.3x62mm Mauser until my supply runs out, then to Nosler Accubonds and Normas. I do wish I could find another box or two of those H-Mantles!! They do perform well!

I tried a test loading today using the Privi Partisan over 57gr och VV N140. The powder fills the case nicely and I got some decent groups but not the kind I´m used to seeing in Husky. I didn´t chrony the load, I´ll be doing that next week, but I have a feeling that it´s a bit slow...maybe a bit more speed can tighten the groups a bit.

I'm very surprised to see someone say that the 232gr Norma Oryx was too tough to expand well on deer sized game, my experience is just the opposite. Pronghorn at 177yds, (lasered) broadside, exit wound was silver dollar size, kudu cow, broadside, at about 100yds, exit wound about same, large mulie buck 220yds. (lasered) quartering away, broke offside shoulder, recovered bullet .70 inch dia.(I take that as evidence of expansion.) Impala ram, about 60yds. broadside, exit about the same size as others, indicating expansion to perhaps 2x original dia. If anything I think the bullet is a bit soft and overly expanding, but hey it kills like lightening.

Load: 232gr. Norma Oryx, Graf case, Fed 210, 65gr. Ramshot Big Game. 2550 fps. POI +2 over my standard 286gr. Nosler Partition load with same components and powder weight. Can be pushed to over 2700fps with Varget but then its 4+ higher than the 286 load and I dont like to fiddle with scope adjustments.

My experiance last year on a large whitetail doe right through the ribs was a 9.3 hole in a 9.3 hole out and a 9.3 hole through a 3.5 inch white oak tree at about 40 yds penitration was excellent meat damage same as none the deer she ran about 65 yds and collapsed.

Perhaps I have an especially tough lot of 232 Oryx bullets but I have nearly 500 of them maybe I can get the deer to stand behind the tree next time to initiate some expansion

quote:

Originally posted by Glep:
http://www.performancebullet.no/filer/jv_okt2004.pdf

Here are some results from a test of 9.3mm bullets. PRVI (Partizan) and Sellier & Bellot were the two worst bullets in this test.

Bullets were tested in both 9.3x66 and 9.3x62.and shot into wet telephonebooks, book nr 2 was dry, and the distance was 15m.

Inntr. = Penetration in centimeters
Diam = expanded diameter in mm
Restvekt= retained weight

Thanks Glep!

I had lost the link to this story and am very glad you posted it. Looks like the Lapua Mega and Speer SP both penetrated about the same and had the same retained weight(aprox). Not bad but nothing to write home about either.

I've been waiting to buy more Nosler 250 grain Accubond 2nds and have about given up(perpetually out of stock). They had been my bullet of choice for my 9.3x62. For my money the Hornady 286 grain bullet looks like the best bang for the buck now. It's not reviewed in the mag article though as it's a new bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by HunterMontana:
The PRVI are accurate in my rifle and shoot to the same POI as 286gr.NP. I might try them out a bit more this year on spring bear and deer. Re: Speer 250gr. in a 35 Whelen, crap. Sorry if that is counter to your experience, my one and only experience with these resulted in dismal preformance on a bull elk at short range. The poor bull finally went dowm after several hits any one of which would have been DRT with a NP. I have no intention of using Speer 270gr in my 9.3x62 except as paper punchers, even then the PRVI bullets are much cheaper. This is not a condemnation of Speer products, my 223 loves the 52gr hpfb with the big hollow point, almost never penitrates coyotes and vaporizes PD's.

HunterMontana:

Your experience is just exactly the opposite of mine!

I have taken two elk with my .35 Whelen using the 250 grain Spear Spitzers. One cow was facing me, agled slightly to my right. The bullet entered the center of her chest, traversed about a yard elk and exited out the rib cage on the off side. She literally went over backwards and never moved a step.

The second elk was a really big cow standing broadside on a hill at about 75 yards. The first shot went through both lungs. She stumbled forward a bit and the second shot went through both shoulders and she dropped to the shot. I just haven't had any trouble with them but I am only running them at about 2460 fps.

Dave

Dave,

I tortured tested the 250 grain Speer in a 35 Whelen and it is a dandy of a bullet. Most people who have used it like it. It retained as much weight as a Partition when I shot it into dry newspaper and penetrated as deeply.

The same cannot be said of the 9.3 270g Speer. I have not tested it but many others report disappointing results on game. I have heard that it holds together much better when started at slower speeds, like 2200 fps. Perhaps the jacket is just too thin??

The Privi bullet comes into its own for me with the 9.3 x 57. That doesn't help you guys with the bigger cases but loaded to 2000-2100 it performs flawlessly just like the 170 gr .308 bullets designed for the 30-30.

The test was done at 15 meters. That why the 9.3x57 had more penatration. The 57 was most likely going about 2000fps. The 63 would be going the same speed at 100 to 175yrds. The test was not real world.

quote:

Originally posted by Fat_Albert:
The test was done at 15 meters. That why the 9.3x57 had more penatration. The 57 was most likely going about 2000fps. The 63 would be going the same speed at 100 to 175yrds. The test was not real world.

What would have been interesting is if they would have shown samples of bullets fired from each carridge. Those bullets deemed too explosive at 9,3x66 velocities would likely have performed perfectly at the 9.3x57 speeds.

If you stop and consider that most poeple use teh 9.3x57 at short ranges and tend to reach further out as the cartridge grows, I think the test is real world. At least in that sense.

Here is a translation from this test http://www.performancebullet.no/filer/jv_okt2004.pdf
written by ErikD. I think someone have misunderstood, because there were no results about penetration in 9.3x57, only for the two other 9.3mm calibers



A rough translation of the 9,3mm bullet test written by Alf Martin Bråten published in Jeger Hund & Våpen" October 2004.

---------------------------------------------



"IN 99 OUT OF 100 CASES, YOU WILL KILL A MOOSE WITH ALL THE BULLETS AVAILABLE ON THE

MARKET. BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THAT 1 EXCEPTION, SO I CHOOSE MY BULLETS CAREFULLY.



Although an old timer, the 9,3mm has not expired from age yet. We have even recently

witnessed new creations in this caliber, such as the 9,3x66, which for all practical

purposes can be compared to the older 9,3x64.

Still, the most popular variant of this caliber is the 9,3x62, and also yet another older

variant that won't give up; the 9,3x57.

With the variations in velocities attained with these different rounds, it is obviously

difficult to make bullets that work optimally in all 3. We are after all talking about a

span in velocity difference of roughly 150m/s.



The test. I gathered together 25 different types 9,3 bullets. The test dealt with

checking the expantion and depth of penetration at 15 meters with the 9,3x66 (which was

also used to represent the 9,3x64). This was to to stress the bullets to their maximum

capabilities. I borrowed a new Sako 75 from Ing. Rolf Aaberg for this. The test medium

was a stack of wet telephone catalogues with a dry catalogue put in as #2. This is a

tough challenge, as a some lead is often lost in the dry catalogue.

Next, the bullets were tested in 9,3x62 (which also was used to represent the 9,3x74R).

The test was exactly as described above, but with about 50m/s lower velocity.

Finally, all bullets were tested to find their lowest expansion distance/velocity. Study

the results. Choosing a bullet that is known to be the toughest isn't necessarily always

the best choice. Especially if using a caliber with moderate velocity.

Do not read the expansion data as absolute, but more as a guideline. If you find a bullet

that you think would be potentially interesting for your use, then try it out yourself.

Most likely you will obtain a different velocity than I did, and thus the data will not

be identical.



My choice. And I mean MY choice. I can't pick the ideal bullet for you, as you have to do

this yourself depending on which 9,3 cartridge you use, your personal wishes, and

particular needs. It's more than enough to pick my own favorites amongst the ones I

tested. My own criteria is that it will be use for general hunting, and I demand that the

bullet doesn't fragment/seperate. I prefer more penetration over expansion diameter (the

9,3 has a relatively large diameter to begin with), and I sometimes experience occasional

long shots, so trajectory is also a factor for me. Since my barrel is 18.5 inches, the

chances of finding something suitable narrowed itself down? We'll see.

To begin with I mentioned that all of these bullets will kill a moose. At least 99 times

out of 100. So when I put aside many of these bullets, it is not because they are bad.

However, since the options are so many, and I only really need one bullet, I have sorted

them quite harshly.

The first thing I did was cut out all bullets that easily loose their core. Basically,

this is all of those that aren't reinforced in some way that makes them hold together.

This leaves quite a few still, so I continue to look. To achieve a good combination of

penetration and large expanded diameter requires a high retained wight. A glance at the

tables for retained weight (and thus penetration and diameter) in 9,3x62 shows that the

number of suitable light bullets of modern construction are quite large. I find variants

here that have just as much penetration when expanded as the traditionally heavy bullets.

And since I also appreciate a decent bullet trajectory for all around use, my choices

naturally fall on the lighter bullets.

I can for example say that my trajectory criteria is that when shooting 5 cm high at 100

meters, I don't want the bullet to shoot lower than 5 cm below my point of aim at 200

meters.

That leaves me with the PBP 220 grain, Rhino Solid Shank 235 grain, Brenneke TOG 247

grain and Barnes X 250 grains (Nosler BT is already weeded out since it is prone to

seperation). If I accept a few more cm of drop at 200 meters, I can also use the Swift A

-Frame and Woodleigh Weldcore RN SN in 250 grain.

All of these are superb bullets, and are generally suitable for my demands. But from past

experience, I know that the Barnes X leaves an unwanted amount of copper fouling in my

barrel. The Brenneke TOG looses 20% of it's lead, and is also hard to get a hold of. The

Rhino has doesn't expand at lower velocities, although the importer claims that a new

slightly softer type will soon be available. And the Woodleigh could penetrate better in

My opinion.

So I am left with the PBP and the Swift. One is as good as the other. The PBP could

ideally expand at lower velocities than it does in my barrel, but it has a better

trajectory than the Swift. So that makes it a tie.

I don't care much about price, but if you are than my tip would be the Lapua Mega, which

is the tests best resulting conventional bullet. The Nosler Partion, Normas Oryx, and the

Sako Hammerhead are the tests least expensive "Super bullets".


-----------------------------------


Some additional information about the picture texts:

Trajectory: The figures are for a range of 200 and 250 meters for each of the 3 tested

cartridge, with a standard muzzle velocity and sighted in to impact 5 cm high at 100

meters.


----------------------------------


The comment text in each bullet evaluation:

"Inntr." = Penetration
"Diam." = Expanded diameter
"Restvekt" = Remaining bullet weight
"Eksp.Grense" = Distance when velocity becomes so slow that it will not expand reliably.


------------------------------------


PBP 220grain: The tests only Norwegian produced bullet. Simply a top notch hunting bullet

for the 9,3x64/66 and 9,3x62. Monometal copper.
+Strength
+Penetration
+Diameter
-Reluctant to expand when the velocity is very low.

-------

Norma Vulcan 232 grain: Conventional lead filled bullet. Holds together surprisingly

well, but can't take too much before coming apart.
+Price
-Seperation risk
-Little penetration

--------

Rhino Solid Shank 235 grain: "Semihomogeneous(semi-monometal)" South African produced

bullet with a small portion of bonded lead in the front. High remaining bullet weight and

large diameter. A little stiff at low speeds, but the producer promises a "extra soft"

variant soon.
+Strength
+Diameter
-Reluctant to expand when the velocity is very low.

-----------

Brenneke TOG: Brenneke's new generation of bonded bullets. Expands willingly in all 9,3mm

cartridges, but looses a bit of weight.
+Balanced penetration and diameter.
-Looses some weight/some shrapnel.

-----------

Barnes X 250 grain: Homogeneous/monometal bullet that gives maximum penetration combined

with a large expanded diameter. Willingly expands at the velocities of all 3 tested

calibers.
+Strength
+Penetration
+Diameter
-Often leaves a lot of fouling in the barrel.

------

Nosler Ballistic Tip 250 grains: A conventional bullet with a solid rear part of the

jacket. It has good flight characteristics, but is a little reluctant to expand at 9,3x57

velocities.
+Ballistics
+Price
-Very varying results regarding loosing lead/shrapnel.

--------

Swift A-Frame 285 grain: The bullet has a solid partion between the top and bottom in

addition to being bonded. Looses very little lead and willingly expands. A bullet that

never fails.
+Strength
+Penetration
-None that are obvious.

---------

Woodleigh Weldcore RN SN 250 grain: This Australian is bonded and is a good choice for

those who prefer expanded diameter rather then maximum penetration.
+Strength
+Diameter
-None that are obvious.

--------

Rhino Solid Shank 250 grain: The 250 grain bullet from Rhino is simply too solid and does

not give acceptable expansion. The producer promises a "extra soft" variant will be

available soon.
+Strength
-Very unwilling to expand.

(Note from ErikD: I read a similar test in a Swedish magazine published this months, and

the Rhino 250 grain got the same results as before. Which leads me to believe that they

have not released a "softer" version yet.)

--------

Speer 270 grain: A traditional lead filled bullet that is cheap and generally usable at

lower velocities. However, it is not a safe bet when bone is hit.
+Price
+Penetration
-Seperation risk


-------

Lapua Naturalis 270 grain: Earlier reluctency to expend appears to have been dealt with,

because now this bullet is impressive. It gives moderate penetration, but delivers an

unusually large expanded diameter, and 100% retained weight. The length of the bullet

does steal a little case capacity though.
+Strength
+Diameter
-Long length of bullet.


-------

Swiss Jagt CDP 286 grain: Has a constuction very similar to the Nosler Partion, but is

undoubtedly more solid. This bullet has also been made to expand more easily as the years

have passed, and does well both when it comes to penetration and diameter.
+Penetration
+Diameter
-None that are obvious.


--------

Woodleigh Weldcore PP 286 grain: Bonded bullet with "Protected Point". Gives a lot of

penetration due to not so much expansion at high velocity, but gets opposite results at

lower speeds (?!?!?). Is not very willing to expand, and is thus not very suitable for

the 9,3x57 and is even a bit too stiff for the 9,3x62 also.
+Strength
+Diameter
-Reluctant to expand
-Looses a little weight/shrapnel


--------

Nosler Partion 286 grain: An old classic that has gotten a lot of competition. The

partion between the front and rear guarantees weight retention, but generally the front

part looses all it's lead. The published retained weights include lead that is often

found together with the rest of the bullet.
+Penetration
+Price
-Shrapnel



----------

Rhino Solid Shank 286 grain: This Rhino is also way too stiff, which results in no

expansion in 9,3x62. But be patient, as a "Extra soft" variant is also promised.
+None
-No expansion


-----------

Norma Alaska 286 grain: A conventional bullet with a good reputation, but can't stand up

to the more modern bullet constructions. Does not hold together well at higher speeds or

under stress.
+Price
-Risk of seperation.


--------

Norma Oryx 286 grain: A bonded bullet that stays together very well. It is soft, which

results in a large diameter at higher speeds. Works well in 9,3x57 too.
+Diameter
+Penetration
-Some shrapnel.



--------

Lapua Mega 286 grain: Conventional lead/copper bullet with a good reputation. The jacket

has a thicker portion in the middle, which locks the core to the jacket. The test showed

good results. A lot of bullet for the money.
+Price
+Well balanced diameter/penetration
-Seperation potential


----------

Sako Hammerhead 286 grain: A bonded bullet that can handle most situations. Shows

impressive penetration and diameter. It also expands willingly at all relevant

velocities.
+Price
+Penetration
-Some shrapnel.



--------

Barnes X 286 grain: Barnes X shows once again a high level of technical qualities. The

diameter and penetration is second to none. But I have too much varied experience when it

comes to copper fouling to make it my first choice.
+Penetration
+Diameter
-Copper fouling.



--------

Sellier & Bellot 286 grain: A cheap bullet of conventional construction. Can probably

kill both moose and red deer, but the core seperates from the jacket too easily. This is

probably a great bullet to use for practice. The importer can not promise any more this

year.
+Price
-Seperation risk



---------

Partizan 286 grain: It can probably kill most things, but with a very great risk of the

core seperating from the jacket. No matter what, it's the tests cheapest bullet. You can

buy 15 of these for the price of 1 of the more expensive bullets.
+Price
-Rik of seperation



---------

Swift A-Frame 300 grain: This bullet weight is best suited for the 9,3x64/66, but I have

added the data from the 9,3x62 also. It is a bullet that works under all conditions, but

low speed and moderate BC doesn't exactly help the trajectory.
+Strength
+Penetration
-Short range bullet.


--------


Rhino Solid Shank 300 grain: This bullet is in the same catagory as the previous (Swift

A-Frame 300 grain), but this one delievers a large diameter at the cost of lower

penetration. It's need for velocity to expand reliably, and to get decent trajectory,

diqualifies it from being useful in the 9,3x62.
+Strength
+Diameter
-Penetration
Short range bullet.


---------

Woodleigh Weldcore RN SN 320 grain: Actually a bullet for the old .360NE Nr2, but works

in 9,3x64/66 as an alternative in dence bush.
+Strength
+Penetration
Diameter
-Short range bullet.



-----------------------------------------------------------

"Bråten Exclusive"

As you can see, one of the tests bullets is designed and produced in Norway. This peaked

my curiousity and interest, and resulted in me using these PBP (Performance Bullet

Production) bullets quite a lot these last few years. Both for hunting and for testing.

Thus it is my pleasure to tell you that although I quite easily picked out a couple of

favorites amongst the tested bullets, my real favorite is a slightly different variant.

Since my 9,3x62 has a 18.5 inch barrel (I sacrificed length when I put on a moderator to

keep the overall length down), I have to accept a slightly reduced muzzle velocity

compared to a more conventional barrel length. Therefore the PBP 220 grain is a little

reluctant to expand at my preferred distances. In my opinion.

This resulted in me wanting to modify these bullets so they would expand reliably at a

lower velocity. I discussed this with Kjell Tonheim at the company Arms & Ammo (who

produce the PBP), and he shortly made up a handful of bullets designed to my wishes and

specifications.

The modification was to expand the existing hollowpoint to a slightly larger diameter in

addition to making it slightly deeper. The result was a bullet that was more willing to

expand at lower velocities (longer distance), while at the same time more material at the

end of each expanded petal lessened the likelyhood that they would break off at shorter

ranges. This variation was naturally named "Bråten Exclusive" and functions perfectly in

my rifle.

So it is fully possible to have your bullets custom made if you wish. The price however

is something you'll have to discuss with Tonheim.


----------------------------------------------------------

Test Method:

I am sometimes asked if I get the correct bullet expansion by shooting at short range

with a reduced load. This in comparison to shooting at genuine distances. With reduced

velocity, there will always be a reduction in the rate of the bullet rotation, taking

into consideration that the barrel twist is the same.

I am aware of, and find this topic worth discussing, and thus I have tried out both

methods. Up till now, I have found only negligible differences.

This time I brought the Rhino 250 grain bullet with me out in the field, after having

tested it's expansion with reduced loads at short range. The short range test showed me

that expansion stopped at around 650 m/s. The BC of this bullet is .307, and if we put

this info into the computer, with a muzzle velocity of 760 m/s we will find that the

velocity will be reduced to 650 m/s at a distance of about 150 meters.

After checking that muzzle velocity was 760 m/s, I shot at a stack of telephone

catalogues at a laser measured 150 meters. The result was 2 bullets that looked exactly

the same.

There are however some variables that can create difficulties and varied results. First

of all, you must be in full control of the velocity. A variation here will give a large

difference in the end result. Secondly, the result is dependent on an accurate BC. Then

there is the fact that different test media will show varied results to one degree or

another.

The hard part though is that some bullets can produce a reasonable amount of expansion

within a rather large specter of velocities. Thus, you end up having to use common sense

when deciding if the expansion has reached an acceptable level, and this can make the

science less exact.

Finally, in regards to expansion tests with hunting bullets, I do not claim that wet

paper is the same as live flesh and blood. But it is the most easily used and practical

that that I have available. This goes for both test methods.

So with that in mind, I would say that this test method gives a good idea of what is

happening. And knowing what is happening is good to know. Remember that Norwegian law

demands that expanding bullets be used for hunting."

(note that the last picture with two Rhino Solid Shank show that these 2 bullets acted

exactly the same using both test methods: fast/long distance + slow/short distance)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Erik

My brother in law and I did a very unscientific test yesterday using 285 gr PRVI bullets and a bullet proof vest. At 50 yards, the PRVI did not punch thru the kevlar shield, but it did mangle it inside the shield inside the vest.

This really has not bearing on hunting performance, but it is some interesting trivia.

Privi bullet performed perfectly over the weekend on a nice Texas hog.

One shot, in the neck and DRT.

I'll use them on hogs and deer again any time I can.

I'll save the premimum bullets for other applications.

I've used the Swift A Frames on several trips to Africa and have a supply of the North Fork 285s for my next trip there all loaded up for my 9.3x64.