What is a good powder to try with 250gr and 286gr bullets?

Varget and R-15 have proven to be excellent. Ramshot Big game is known to be very good and recently Atkinson has mentioned R-17 as being very good.

Get ready. Naki and quite a few others here have experimented with the x62 quite a bit and I'd guess you'll get quite a few responses. The x62 is an AR favorite.

I like Varget and R-15 with TSX and Partition bullets. The Woodleigh 320g is also very accurate for me but I'm not sure I'd choose it over the TSX.

Ian,

Happy New Year!

Take your pick; for those who would like to optimize their 9.3x62's; the powders mentioned above by Scott are the best of the lot ....

but

like one poster here mentioned - his 9.3x62 "is trying to be a benchrest rifle" and is a real truism, accuracy is normally superb with loads assembled with some attention to detail and those who deal with the recoil well.

I've tried H-4895, IMR-4064, H-4350, IMR-4350, AA-4350, VVN-140, IMR-4320 and Varget, plus a few others I've forgotten to mention because I'm too lazy to look through my notes. Some w/less velocity than others but the accuracy in every case (pun?) was great.

I started loading for my just from the smith 9.3 x 62 this summer.
It is sub moa accurate @ 100 yds w/ privi & Horn factory.
I also handloaded some 286 Normas that I picked up here. They also shot well.
I did my research and loaded RL 15.As noted, it shot great, but neither my handloads nor the factory speeds came close to those listed.
I am going to try RL 17. I just hope it groups as well as RL 15.

You won't be disappointed with 9.3x62

Gerry is spot on

Idiots like me takes it to the range and have fun next to the " accurate boys "

Here I shot it at 600 yards with a can !



Holding just under MOA !

Here I changed bullet and loads and still preserve point of aim at 100

3 shots 232 oryx
3 shots 250 accubond




Here I tried it on a concrete block to check zero at the end of a drive hunt

Whatever powder you use critters just drop

I use VARGET BTW

Tried R-17 got loads of speed but I lost consistency so I went back to varget
I still shoot tight at 600 yards

Quite a few experienced reloaders here with deep 9.2x62 experience - lots of great suggestions so far. My CZ550 likes Reloader 15 for both 250 and 286 grain bullets. Have also tried Varget and Big Game with the 286 and they did well also.

Have fun experimenting!

I recently joined the 9.3x62 crowd on the advice of a good friend who has deep experience with it. Over the last year I managed to complete a dream African hunt with it. I used R-15 and Barnes 286 TSX and Hornady Solids. I was very impressed with the results and performance on everything from Steenbok to Cape Buffalo. I'm sold on it.

Wow, thanks so much for the information guys. Looks like I picked a popular round!

What OAL are you guys loading to?

Varget is my go to powder for 250 to 320 gr bullets. In my 100+ year old Simson M98, Varget shoots more consistently than any other powder.

My point of impact for same scope setting goes like this.

Zero for 286 gr Lapua
2" high for 250 gr TSX or Nosler
6" low for 320 gr Woodleigh.

No deviation to vertical line.

I have some old articles and test info. PM me with your email & I'll send you the lot - about 20 MB of PDF.

I got my first 9.3x62 when I was about a sophmore in high school and that is many moons gone by..I had to load 30-06 cases and 4831 powder..Using 06 cases for the 9.3x62 has been suggested on these forums..It is a damn poor practice and its simply not safe as you get a bulge in the rear and splits will occur and gas can spew everywhere..Since those early days t I have never been without a 9.3x62 for more than a month or so, just long enough to build another one...Ive taken it to African many times, probably more than any other calibers except my 404 and possibly my 30-06??? ..

I have always used H414,H380, H4350 and a lot of RL-15, but in the two rifles in that caliber that I have now and several others I have been using RL-17, getting less pressure and more velocity, like the 320 gr. Woodliegh at 2400 plus FPS..ONe accuracy load for the 270 gr. Speer got me 2709 FPS, but I backed off a grain or two as it was real warm in one of my rifles..I shoot that bullet at 2644 FPS, its mild and accurate.

I like RL-17 and it does not crowd the case like many of the other powders tend to do and I do not like too much compaction. I doubt that I will ever use another powder but RL-17. I am getting great accuracy. My barrels are Lothar Walther and one Douglas..

I have posted most loads in another thread on AR..

quote:

Originally posted by IanD:
Wow, thanks so much for the information guys. Looks like I picked a popular round!

What OAL are you guys loading to?

I generally just press to the cannelure on the bullets that have one and with the TSX's I find the next shortest groove in the bullet off the lands. In the two rifles I've owned, accuracy has been very good so although my procedure may be a little simplistic, it seems to work.

The 9.3 is definitely the miracle cartridge of AR. In the time I've been allowed here I think there's been more discussion regarding this cart' than any other, excepting maybe the negative discussions regarding .22's and big game.

Around my place, I've used it twice on moose with good effect and usually grab it when I feel the need to pack something along for bear defense. My rifle holds a total of five rounds I think and with a max load of Varget and the 320g Woodleigh, I can't see how a bear would disagree if I did my part. Light recoil in a potent package.

9.3 is one of the best for sure.

Has anybody shot the 62 on paper past 600 yards ?

Just curious how does it do at 1k since it is still supersonic at 1000 ......



A 10 kilo open class BOCK will surely piss off the F class boys and use the same barrel the following week to hunt a hippo on land .....

quote:

Originally posted by IanD:
What is a good powder to try with 250gr and 286gr bullets?

I've had best results with Norma 202, 203B, Vitha N140 and N150.

M

I have to echo...Varget

quote:

I think there's been more discussion regarding this cart' than any other,

Scott, you must be new! there was a VERY lengthy discussion about Sierra Matchkings and hunting!!!!
Back on topic. I have a CZ in 9.3x62 and it will be the last rifle I sell.
Peter.

I have two and shoot R-15 and 286NPs in both. Accurate and effective.

I like RL15 and Varget for my 9.3x62, but looking forward to trying RL17.

Ok guys how about this

WHO DOESN't SHOOT 9.3 x 62 ?

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
Ok guys how about this

WHO DOESN't SHOOT 9.3 x 62 ?

Well, up until now..me

BTW, what is that app called you used for ballistics?

Ballistix for ipad

Got to hunt Ontario this fall

Working my way towards Victoria island

So might stop by for a bison steak

A couple more options not mentioned thus far:
Vihtavouri powders; good loads with both N-135 and N140
IMR 6007ssc
We are facing real shortages with most of our powder supplies around home, but the vihtavouri has kept me going. Steady supply, and meters well.
Currently on my third rifle in 9.3x62, this last one is a Blaser and I dont think I would be parting with this one anytime soon. Great caliber.

Next question...what bullet weight would a 1-14" twist stabilize?

And what is the shortest barrel length someone has good experiences with?

quote:

Originally posted by jaegerfrank:
And what is the shortest barrel length someone has good experiences with?

20" works very well. Velocity loss is minimal; certainly worth the added convenience if required.

I've had 9,3x62's with barrels ranging from 20" to 26". I kind of prefer both the 20" and 24" lengths. I suppose 22" would be the perfect compromise but that would make things too simple for me.

Both my 9,3x62 carry a 20" bbl., which I find the handiest for fast running shots during drive hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Andre Mertens:
Both my 9,3x62 carry a 20" bbl., which I find the handiest for fast running shots during drive hunting.

Outstanding.

I had a wonderful 9.3x62 in a tracking barrel for my R93 it was 18.5 inches and accurate as all get-out..wish Istill had it.

Ed

Ian,

Happy New Year.

Mine's a T3 Lite, 22.4" barrel. Weight = 7.4 lb s with scope and sling; 7.6 lbs all-up ready to go.

It was new when I bought it nearly three years ago.

I started with RL-15, Hornady brass and 286gr Hornady. No trouble to get MOA or better at 2400 to 2460 fps (max with RL-15). I also tried H414 which has promise.

I've written a series of blogs about it and it's one of my all-time favorites as a medium. I've owned .338 Win Mags, .35 Whelens and a couple of .350 Rem Mags, plus a couple of .375 H&Hs.

About 1 and 1/2 years ago I tried RL-17 with the 286 Nos. Part., and have never looked back. It (RL-17) works best with compressed loads, and as such will give excellent accuracy and velocity.

Did you believe Atkinson when he mentioned 2700+ fps from 286s? Then he settled at 2644 fps? That's believable!

I shot a nice blackie with mine in early Sept with the 286 Nosler at about 2630 fps. The temp was about 59*F/15*C. The last time I checked that load was about a month ago (Temp +21*F/-6*C) and it was dead-center on target at 100... exactly where it was when I shot the bear. The Chrony said 2634 fps at 15' from muzzle. That's 2643 fps/4435 ft-lbs corrected. I've use those cases 4X with the same load and they're not done yet. No pressure signs... period. That's 170 fps more than I could get from RL-15, at less pressure!

Varget may be very accurate, but it won't come near that in velocity/energy, nor will RL-15 or Big Game. That load shoots just over MOA consistently. But the recoil is more than a .375 H&H because it is a very "lite" rifle.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

I only reload using 286 grain NP's and Hornady SP's and have had good results with Ramshot Big Game. I have a pound of RL-17 and may have to give it a try.

458 only,
That was a typo and I corrected it..It was a 270 gr. Speer, not a 270 gr. Nosler. I don't know where you got a 286 Nosler?? so we both made a mistake.. I read the wrong lines in my book....thats why I don't give load data to most folks...sorry.

In my limited 9.3x62 reloading experience, I have used mainly N-201 or RL-15. N-201 worked well with 250 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips and some old 250 gr Speers I found. I bought a good number of boxes of PRVI 286 grain factory loads some years back at a rock bottom price, which has kind of killed my incentive for load development. I have been reading where some folks have been touting the use of BLC-2 (or Win. 748) in their 9.3x62's. My main problem with BLC-2 (Win. 748) is that I have found the burning rate is all over the charts. Let us know your results. Maybe it will incent me to work more diligently in my 9.3x62 reloading efforts.

My first X62 was a Mannlicher stocked CZ carbine. I foolishly sold it to Scott in Dallas, iirc.

I have regretted it ever since. With the purchase of a very fine sporterized Brazilian 1908 action I picked up here in the classifieds this past fall; I intend to correct that error this spring.

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Andre Mertens:
Both my 9,3x62 carry a 20" bbl., which I find the handiest for fast running shots during drive hunting.

Andre, could you tell me more about that scout mount? Is it commercial or custom? I have thought that a 9.3 scout would be fantastic and have given some thought to doing one on an older Husqvarna98. My 9.3 will be shelved for while as I just got into a No.1 .300H&H but it will be my next goal and I might start slowly assembling parts!

http://www.norma.cc/sv/Ammunit...kolan/Laddata/93x62/

http://www.lapua.com/en/produc...g-data/relodata/5/87

M

Kayaker,
The K98 sports a Leupold 2 X EEE in a modified Burris mount. The scout principle works OK but, in all honesty, not better than a conventional scope of the right power and size (in the case of my R93, it's a Swarowski 1,25-4x24 PVI (illuminated reticle).

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
Ok guys how about this

WHO DOESN't SHOOT 9.3 x 62 ?

I don`t!. I use my .333Jeffery instead. That is G`nuff for me.

BTW. Impressive groups. the 9,3 Mauser is an outstanding round. Haven´t meet anyone who had one who didn´t like it.

Ian D. I load my 9.3x62 to the length my magazine will allow. My CZ550 has a long throat so I can load most bullets without protruding into the powder space. Powder space is for powder, not projectile. I use Lapua cases, WLR primers, RL17. The 250gr Accubond is a terrific allrounder, 286gr Partition is very good also.
My favorite bullet is the 250gr North Fork SS.
This bullet always opens & never fails.
The 9.3x62 is very probably right up there with the best cartridges ever designed. The 9.3 makes as much sense as the 30.06 does.
If anyone has not got either, my question is WHY NOT?

I just got some CEB bullets.



I wonder how the Tallon tops are going to fit my Simson's magazine!

IanD,
I have found that a 1x14 twist is the ultimate twist for the 9.3x62 and the 9.3x64. It handles bullets from the 230 gr. GS Customs HP to the 320 gr. Woodleigh in every 9.3x62 that I have owned, built or tested and that is quite a number.

I love the GS Customs 230 gr. HVHP, at about 2700 to a good deal faster, its a monolithic bullet and a real killer of game up to and including elk, Kudu and Eland. I would not hesitate to use it on Cape Buffalo if I had a good PH to back me up just in case, but hey that applies to a 577 N.E. for that matter, a good back up and DG go together like apple pie and Ice Cream.