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I've been working up loads for a my 9.3x62mm Ruger African and found one that shot acceptably, but the powder I used (Ramshot Big Game) is hard to find locally right now and the primers (WLRM) are experiencing an unacceptable level of light strikes (about 10%, give or take, out of 98 used thus far). I've gotten a decent quantity of RL15 to replace the Big Game, and am curious as to whether I need magnum or standard large rifle primers. I want to go with Federal, as I've had the best luck with their primers in my handgun loads, and was able to snag a box of their standard 210 Large Rifle primers. Hornady's loading data uses WLRM primers, while Barnes' uses Federal 210M primers. I'm going to use Prvi 286gr softpoints for practice and 286gr Barnes TSX and Banded Solids for hunting loads, in Graf/Prvi brass. Do I need to go up to magnum primers, or will standard Federal 210s work well enough with near-max loads? Thanks in advance! | ||
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Standard primers are all that is needed. You're only igniting an amount of powder that's roughly equivalent to a .30 06. I've been using WLR'S very happily. Regarding the "light strikes".... be very careful not to push the shoulder back when sizing cases. Even go as far as to back the fl sizer off a half turn or more. There's very little shoulder on the 9.3 and it is very simple to induce a condition of excess headspace without realizing it. I had this happen and now size so that I close the bolt with some "feel" to insure the case is being fully supported . And the light strikes stopped. A good job is sometimes just a series of expertly fixed fark-ups. Let's see.... is it 20 years experience or is it 1 years experience 20 times? And I will have you know that I am not an old fart. I am a curmudgeon. A curmudgeon is an old fart with an extensive vocabulary and a really bad attitude. | |||
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Yes, you are sizing your brass too much; back off on your sizing die. Make it so there is a slight "feel" when you close the bolt. | |||
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And check that you're not seating the primers too deep as well. Two-two and a half thousandth is what I,m usually going for. Seat the primers too deep, firing pin can be near the end of its reach, light primer strike.. | |||
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Re15 is a good powder. The best I used on my 9.3X62 is Varget. I go up to 60 gr with 286 gr bullets and get very good accuracy and about 2450 fps. Standard Fed 210 primers is all I use. I also use the 250gr TSX. We do not get Ramshot powders here in NZ but John Barsness got great result on his 9.3X62 with Big Game. PM me if you want some old articles and load data - lots of people here on AR have got them from me over the years & others should now have developed their own bunch of data & info. You can also try the 250 gr TSX. It should be better for US use up to Moose & African PG to 250 meters. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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Nakihunter has good stuff. You helped me with my loads. RE15 is a great powder from the .233 to the .375 HH and luckily in good supply! Dave | |||
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Redding makes a set of shellholders in graduated thickness that allows you to control how much you set the shoulder back. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..." Hosea 8:7 | |||
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I shoot 250 barnes ttsx with 62 grains of rel 15 and fed 215M primers out of my tikka 9.3x62. Well within MOA. MTSmith | |||
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Anyone here use RL17??? | |||
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PM Ray Atkinson for info on Rel 17. I remember him posting about how well it worked in his 9.3x62. Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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Ray got his info from me. I've been using RL-17 for 4 years and RL-15, Big Game, Varget, etc. can't come close. Bob www.bigbores.ca "Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being" - King David, Psalm 148 (NLT) | |||
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Thanks for the info! I'm fairly new at reloading rifle cartridges. Since I only have the one rifle in this caliber, I'm just neck sizing (RCBS neck sizing dies) to avoid unnecessarily working the brass. The 'light strikes' have also had deep primer indents, and some have gone off on the second strike, but most have just failed to go off after three strikes. I don't know if Winchester just had a bad batch or what, but I'll just swap over to the Federal stuff and see how those do. I've been looking around the forum at some of the RL17 discussion, but I really don't want to throttle these loads up too hot. My favorite aspect of the 9.3 is that it's fairly pleasant to shoot but still does the job. Also, until I get a bit more experience with handloading, I want to keep things fairly simple and within specs. I don't know enough about pressure signs to go too far off the reservation  I figure I'll play around with RL15 for a bit, and once I burn through the two pounds I bought (which, based on 50+ grains per round, won't take all that long), I'll look at RL17 and see if I like what it can do for me. Thanks all! | |||
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Yep - All good powders for 9.3x62. I'd add IMR-4320 to that list - I've had very good results with it. ________ Ray | |||
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was wondering where i got my 60 grains for the Varget .... | |||
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Take a look at .458s page ref: his post on here. I did get most of my RL-17 info from him. On one gun I used a bit more powder and on another his suggestions...All good information. I still use RL-15 in my hunting loads, as I have so much loaded up, but will go to RL-17 at some point..I like a 26 inch barrel in the 9.3x62, but most folks like a 24... My pet load in that gun is 60 grs. of RL-15 and the 286 gr. Nosler partition at 2520 FPS in that long tube, with a long throat and magazine for elk and deer..the other gun likes 58 grs for 2400 plus some in its 23 inch barrel and it has a standard magazine and throat. If you have a 26 inch barrel, the 320 gr. Woodleigh or the 300 gr. Swift really cook, at a bit over 2400 FPS, both are excellent Cape Buffalo loads, as is the heavier GS Customs bullets, I think they are 286 gr., but they penetrate like the dickens. I use only 210 Federal primers..I did load up some of the above with 215s and right of the bat I got some pressure signs, so with 210 Im right up there. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Alliant PP 2000-MR is a perfect powder for the 9.3x62, as it is a little slower than RL-15 but being a ball powder has a much better loading density. | |||
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Whelenite: Could you please supply some load data for Alliant 2000-MR, or list a source. I can not find any on the Alliant website. Thanks. Dale | |||
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H414 is another great powder in the 9.3x62, right up there with RL-15, but RL-17 is probably going to beat them all..Contac .458, Bob has done extensive work with it..He has his web sight posted in his above post..Its filled with good stuff. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I use Ball C2 with 286 grain Nosler Partition. Works for me, I like how it smells when burned. Mark | |||
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I ended up going with RL15 and Federal 210 primers. I had consistent ignition and velocity was in the 2450fps range in the Arizona heat, and dropped down to 2350 or so when I got back to WV and milder temps. It doesn't shoot as accurately as my Big Game/Prvi combo, but I had consistent 2MOA and for a 200-yard gun, that'll do. I took the RL15/Barnes loads to South Africa this past summer and the combo did everything it was supposed to do when I did my part. Blesbok, greater Kudu, warthog and impala went down with one shot each. I shot the wildebeest poorly, and can't blame the bullets for my own mistakes there. It also worked wonders on a baboon. I think I'll experiment with some different powders and see which one the Barnes bullets like best. Next up is Varget. | |||
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57.5 gr RL 15. Don't try to make a 9.3 ultra mag.enjoy the pleasant push of the 9.3 x62. For the 50 to 100 fps the only thing your really gain is more recoil not more performance. | |||
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Slim, That would depend on the conditions where and how you hunt..sometimes a bit more can make a little difference, based on your post one could recommend a 9.3x57, IMO one should get all he can out of any caliber within reason. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I am not sure if I sent you my load info and scanned articles on the 9.3X62. Your velocity level of 2350 to 2450 fps is spot on for the 286gr bullets. I get that with Re15 and Varget. We cannot get Re17 here now for what ever reason.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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A hunting pal bought a s/h Ruger 9.3x62 and it failed to fire the first three cartridges, showing shallow indentations on the primers. Someone at the range suggested oiling the spring, which he did, successfully. But that's not good enough. A rifle for African hunting should not depend on utmost lubrication at all times. I've read here or elsewhere in AR that the Ruger springs seem a bit soft and sometimes collapse at the ends. My mate wrote to Ruger, seeking a new spring but they said the rifle would need to be returned to the US factory to have it fitted. That's not good enough either IMHO, and would be nightmare to organise from Australia. I think it might be time Ruger did a recall on these rifles and provided decent springs - to be installed in owners' own countries. | |||
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Ive been shooting Rugers for years and never had such a problem, and don't know of anyone who has...Maybe you guys got a bad shipment that got past inspection...A good local gunsmith should be able to just replace that spring, with available spring stock. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I agree with Ray ; also, there is a good chance the ammo was non spec with possible a max spec headspace. . I've never had a problem with Ruger springs. And Ruger can hardly be blamed for a foreign countries Firearms laws foolishness. I isn't that hard to change a Ruger fireing pin spring. Just saying , Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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56.0 grs. IMR - 4064 CCI 200 primers 250 gr. TSX 5 shots stay on a golf ball at 100 yds. | |||
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Tom O; atp my load for my 375 Whelan Ackley Improved is 56 gr IMR 4895 with a 250gr TTSX BT. Yields 2550 fps from the 19.5" barrel . Other than 9thousandth difference in diameter. Our loads are probably interchangeable. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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Loaded to max, all things equal, the 9.3x62 compares more favorably to a 375 than any other caliber off a 30-06 case..Its no trick to get 2700 to 2750 FPS with a 250 gr. bullet in a 9.3x62 and the 35 Brown Whelen will get you about 50 to 75 FPS less than a 9.3x62..The 9.3x62 sure will give the 9.3x64 a run for its money at about 100 FPS less velocity in some cases, all things equal, and no game playing. To clarify, my barrel is a Lothar Walthar, they are sometimes faster, in fact most of the time. Also the barrel length quoted is 26"s..My testing lead me to believe that the only time one needs a 26 inch barrel in a 9.3x62 is with the 320 Woodleigh and the 300 gr. swift is borderline needy!!  Otherwise the 26 inch is nostalgia, and important part of my karma, I like that stuff, it adds to my enjoyment. | |||
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Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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CTF, Good point, I went back and added that to my post in that I referenced a 26 inch barrel.. | |||
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Sambarman, I would suggest that you strip that bolt and wash it out..I have seen similar in several different makes of rifles and in most cases it was hardened grease causing the problem..Give it a try, won't hurt, and especially since oil fixed the problem, it almost had to be the problem?? Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Not to hijack, well, sort of... I've heard that the 286 Partition's "wall" is farther forward than that of other calibers/weights helping it retain weight. Have never seen one cut open. Anyone? | |||
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Here's a shot of a number of 9.3 bullets, including the Nosler partition, that have been cut. I can't say how they compare to other NP's as to partition location.  If It Doesn't Feed, It's Junk. | |||
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Man! Thanks for that pic! The mantle looks about where I expected it to be. Maybe others are farther back due to weight/length? Interesting. And thanks again. | |||
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The only bullet that has had the partition moved forward by Nosler that I know of is the 400 gr. 416 Nosler partition, unless that has been changed very recently and I don't think it has... That .416 change was a positive move and thereby made it as good a DG bullet as Ive ever used, it has the needed penetration for buffalo and Hippo, and enough expansion to satisfy the most ardent believer of killing power due to expansion IMO...Doing that in smaller calibers would seem counter productive as the expanded cross section in the partition is smaller than most of todays recovered bullets. the primary reason the partition has the most penetration of other soft points with acceptable expansion to lay low most any animal on the continent with a heart/lung shot. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Varget and Woodleigh 286 gr RNSN gave me the best accuracy and velocity. 5 shots in a ragged 1/2" hole. The forward weight of the RNSN allows more powder in the case. I wanted to get the Partitions to shoot, but velocity was low. And I load to original factory lengths - around 3.23" and have a 24.5" barrel. CCI #200 primers, magnums not needed. Problem was my rifle was jumping out of my hands - very light, very thin stock, so Mag-na-ported the barrel - problem solved. "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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