I posted this information on a big bore thread but I wanted to post it over here as well. I sent an e-mail to Ramshot this morning to see if they had any load data for the 9.3X62 using their Big Game powder. Their ballistician, Johan Loubser, sent me the following information:

Caliber: 9.3x62 Mauser

Barrel length: 24â€

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).

NOTES:
It’ important to note that SAFETY is our prime concern therefore we strongly recommend.
1. TO ALWAYS BEGIN LOADING AT THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM “START†LOAD.
2. If at all possible, measure the velocity and correlate with our data.

Who makes the 320's, Woodleigh? Those things should penetrate deeeeeeeeply.

quote:

Bullet weight: 290/300grains.

Start load: 54.0grains (2200 - 2300 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 59.0 grains (2400-2500ft/p/sec).

This is one serious load.....it's very close to the heels of the .375 H&H.....It's no wonder so many folks like it for cape buffalo and that type game.

quote:

Originally posted by ACRecurve:
Who makes the 320's, Woodleigh? Those things should penetrate deeeeeeeeply.

They sure do.

quote:

Originally posted by ACRecurve:
Who makes the 320's, Woodleigh? Those things should penetrate deeeeeeeeply.

and norma makes 325gr bullets

John Barsness suggested 65grs. as a load a few years ago with 286gr. Nosler Partitions, I believe this was pressure tested, I have to find the article, in I think Rifle. This is the load I've used with great success in my Ruger with a 22" barrel.(Produces 2450fps) The 62gr load could be a reflection of "lawyers" involvement since there is always the chance that someone will want to reload for a older rifle of unknown quality.


The 232gr Norma Oryx bullets can be pushed to 2700fps with Big Game but tend to expand to near flat and "squirrel" around inside target animals. I found that 65gr of Big Game with the Norma bullet produces a more sedate 2550fps and better accuracy and penitration. The low BC of the Norma bullet make the 250gr Nosler bullet a better choice for those that can't live without a load going over 2500fps. since it retains its velocity better than the 232gr.

HunterMontana:

I also found the 65 grain/286 grain bullet load that John Barsness set out. It was in the October 2004 issue of Handloader Magazine (No. 231).

I am not sure the lesser loads are a function of the lawyers. I think it is more in keeping with the CIP spec for this cartridge which is only 49,000 CUP. If you go to the Hodgdon web site, they have pressure test data using a 286 Nosler. You will note that they have trouble getting a 286 grain Nosler much over 2400 and staying within the CIP spec. Fifty-nine grains of Varget runs at about 2350 fps at 47,500 CUP. Actually, it hard to get much more extruded powder in the case with that bullet. That's why I wanted to take a look at a spherical powder.

Dave

I run my 9.3s around 65-66 grs. of Big Game, except for the gorgeous Wm. Oschatz custom sporter from 1927 I had. I used a lighter load of RE-15 in this as it was made in 1927 and I didn't want to stress it; I sent it down the road as I prefer "user" guns.

I now have the Oberndorf Type B-1937 vintage, a Brno-ZG-47 and an FN with Heym sts. tube, these alst are being worked on now. I use the higher loads in these, get about 2500 fps and am completely satisfied with this load.

I WOULD simply choose this now as my "do it all" medium cartride, but, I am not going to part with the choice rifles I have in .375H&H, .338WM and .458WM as it took me so long to find, buy and pay for them.

Still, a 286NP in the 9.3 rounds at 2400-2600 fps. will do ANYTHING I will ever do and I just happen to prefer Mauser-type rifles with Mod. 70 safeties and tend to carry these a lot. All I need now is a double rifle in 9.3x74R and I can "get by" .

I was going to give the Big Game a try but I ran into a bit of a snag. My local gun shop does not carry it! Apparently it wasn't a good seller for them. Will have to wait until I get to Cabelas.

Dave

65grs. of Big Game with a 286gr. NP is still a compressed load in the Graf 9.3x62 cases I use. As far as pressure I think 47K will make the brass last longer, but then again I don't shoot gophers with this rifle, so getting a few more reloads per case isn't in the back of my mind here.

My idea here is along the lines of what kind of PSI will a new, modern action work well at? 50K maybe 55K? Some of my 270 loads are in this range and I shoot it quite a bit more and brass life isn't a problem. This load doesn't flatten any primers and I haven't had but a few cracked necks, these on practice round cases that have been reloaded X+? number of times. Pushing the load to 60K or better, well, I doubt you could get enough Big Game in the case to actually get over 55K so that's not a factor. Faster powders? Yeah, I think you could get yourself into some problem areas pushing here.

I am fortunate that my rifle, an old tang safety M77, rebored from 30-06, has proven itself accuate with almost everything in terms of bullet and powder that I've tried in it. At 2400fps+ I get a bit more useful trajectory than at 2300fps+ and terminal preformance I can depend on. This load has proven itself to me in Africa and here at home.

This is a useful thread for me. I've just started playing with 9.3x62 in a Husqvarna 649 and RL-15. Since it is based on a commercial small ring action, COAL can be an issue. Right now I am working with those looonnggg, "condor friendly" Barnes TSX bullets to be able to take this rifle pig hunting in Central California. Keeping the case length within my mag well's tolerences has been difficult with the extruded powder but I wasn't aware of any suitable spherical powders. I may have to give this a shot. My goal is 2400 fps with a 286 gr TSX withing the CIP max of 49,000 psi. This may give me a shot. Does anyone know for sure if the pressures for the loads originally listed stay within this? Also, how much volume difference is there between a equivilant charge of extruded vs spherical powders?

Thanks in advance.

Cornfield:

If you plan on shooting the TSX bullets in your 9.3X62, I would urge you to try the 250 grain TSXs instead of the 286 grain. I shoot the 250 grain TSX and banded solids in my 9.3X62 and trust me, they penetrate like crazy. There is another thread either here or in the African hunting forum where the poster just got back from Africa where he shot a cape buffalo with his 9.3X74R using a 250 grain TSX bullets. I think he shot it four times and at least two went completely through. They are about the same length as my 286 grain Woodleigh protected points. The 286 grain TXS bullets are really too long for the 9.3X62

If you can seat the 250 grain TSX bullets out to the max length of 3.291, you can easily get 59.5 grains of Varget in the case. That will give you somewhere around 2450 to 2500 fps. That's the load that I use. If you want to try a spherical powder, my Barnes manual No.4 suggests a max load of 66 grains of AA 2700 with the 250 grain TSX for a velocity of 2546 fps.

Standard caveat. Start low and work up.

Dave

HI,

I have a browning 1895,use to be 3006 I had Z-hat custom change it to a 9.3x62.I load R-15 58 grains for a 286NP out of a 20.5 inch.I have not chrony it yet,but I've shot two blacktail dear here and it has been great,the exit hole has been large, so even on small game the NP has open,Kev

Guys, as I indicated above, my local dealer did not have any Ramshot Big Game. It was not a good seller for him so when he sold the last can, he did not order it again. However, I wanted to try a spherical powder so I picked up a can of AA 2700. My manual suggests a max load of 66 grains with a 250 grain TSX for a velocity of 2546 fps. I tried that load yesterday in my CZ. I found the velocity listed in the Barnes Manual was very optimistic (aren't they always). It was only running at 2428 fps but it was very consistent (2430, 2415, 2431, 2425, 2439).

The Barnes manual suggests that the bullets be crimped in the front cannelure groove. If you are inclined to do that, it can be done with this load.

Dave

Mr. Bush, being new to reloading when I read your post re 9.3x62 loads you indicated various bullet weights but I didn't see a particular mfg named. Can you use any bullet that corresponds to the weight of the bullet in the data

Thanks for the info, extremely helpful
Robert

Muleskinner:

TSX stands for Triple Shock X bullet. It is made by Barnes bullets. That data in my last post comes from the Barnes Manual. The data that I listed at the beginning of this thread comes from Ramshot powder. It can be used with any bullet of corresponding weight. However, they caution:

1. TO ALWAYS BEGIN LOADING AT THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM “START†LOAD.
2. If at all possible, measure the velocity and correlate with our data.

Big Game has been the powder for the 9.3x62 and works just as well in my .338-06's. 65 grains gives mine almost 2500 fps with 286's and is not a high pressure load.

I like 286 norma bullets so much I have not used anything else!

Ed

I finally managed to round up some Ramshot Big Game and I put together a load with a Graf brass, Winchester large rifle primer, 65 grains of Big Game and a 286 grain Hornaday bullet. Test firing was done in my CZ 550. I have not been able to chronograph this load yet but not withstanding what John Barsness says, these loads are definitely max pressure loads in my rifle. Primers are pretty flat and you can just see just the beginning of cratering. I wouldn't be concerned about shooting them in Montana in December but on a really hot day in Africa, maybe a little to much of a good thing.

I'll run them across the chrony and load some up at 63.5 grains and let you know the results.

Dave

I have a 22" Pac-Nor Barrell LH Win 70. I have not tried Big Game use 58.5 Gr RL 15 Laupua brass Std primers with 286 Gr Nosler Part for 2355 FPS. With 250 Nosler BT and 62.5 gr RL 15
same brass & primers 2650 FPS. Any one use the new Hornady 9.3 on Game? They are very accurate.

I've used 65 grains of Ramshot Big Game with 286 Partitions and Graf brass in my CZ 550 with good results. 65 grains of Ramshot Big Game with 286 Hornadys and Graf brass gave me excessive pressure with sticky bolt lift though accuracy was 1" groups at 200 yds
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
I finally managed to round up some Ramshot Big Game and I put together a load with a Graf brass, Winchester large rifle primer, 65 grains of Big Game and a 286 grain Hornaday bullet. Test firing was done in my CZ 550. I have not been able to chronograph this load yet but not withstanding what John Barsness says, these loads are definitely max pressure loads in my rifle. Primers are pretty flat and you can just see just the beginning of cratering. I wouldn't be concerned about shooting them in Montana in December but on a really hot day in Africa, maybe a little to much of a good thing.

I'll run them across the chrony and load some up at 63.5 grains and let you know the results.

Dave

Guys, I have now had a chance to shoot the 65 grain of Big Game/286 grain Hornaday load across the chronograph. It was about 50-55 degrees here today. Out of the 23.6 inch barrel of my CZ, this load was running 2429 fps and it was very consistent. However, as I indicated, I think pressures are too high, especially with a spherical powder, if the gun is to be used in hot weather. For a hunting load, I would not shoot over 63.5 grains of Big Game with a 286 grain bullet. It is not possible for me to achieve 2500 fps in either of my guns with a 286 grain bullet.

I did want to add one other practice note here. This is the first time I have used the Graf 9.3X62 brass. I normally use a No.2 Lee shellholder for my 30-06, .35 Whelen, 9.3, etc. but I found that the Graf 9.3 brass would not fit in that shellholder. It did work fine however in the Lee No.3 shellholder that I use for my 30-30.

Dave