I have a 9.3x57 and was considering loading 286 gr bullets at 2,250-2,300 fps.

Question - if I am considering shots at 200 yards or less, would lower muzzle velocity suffice for moose and brown bear at say 2,150 fps?

You will flatten them with good bullets.

A few years ago I was a minor participant on a project testing 9.3 bullets. The Lapua Mega was a surprisingly good performer.

IMHO I'd use the Nosler Accubond 250 gr in that cartridge. You could drive it to 2500 fps. Or a TSX 250 gr.

BTW what action is the rifle on? If it is a Mod 96 Mauser, I would keep the velocity at 2200 fps for the 286 gr bullet.

M98 Action

The 9,3x57 has been taking Moose for over a century with a 286 moving at 2050 fps.

If you have a 98 based rifle you can surely liven up the loads some but in a 96 I load to factory specs and have never had an animal tell me they wish I'd shot them with a faster moving bullet.

Trying to stay with the iron sights - I think they might have been regulated for a 232 grain bullet. Speeding up the 286 might help.

Just to be sure, I handed over the rear sights to my buddy from Taiwan this morning. He's going to make a copy of them (two copies), but double the height of the center fixed blade and of the two flip up blades.

It will work fine, but it has limited application IMO..I had one for some time, used it a little on some large animals, and I liked it OK, but it had a 30-30 trajectory and was a tad slow IMO. On an iron sighted gun its probably as good as anything else and irons are good to 150 yards or so..it'll work.

I, can't leave things alone so I finally ran a 9.3x62 reamer in it and was much more satisfied and thats an easy modification..With a long throat and lengthening the magazine, I got 2541 FPS average for 5 shots with a 286 gr. Nosler and 2405 FPS with a 320 or 300 gr. bullets, and that is an awesome killer, and right up there with a .375 H&H and as far as I can tell it kills about the same as a .375 H&H on big stuff...From that day on I was a 9.3x62 fan. and the 9.3x64 is that much better on the same action, but considerably more recoil..

The 9.3x62 does it all without all the fuss. You might give it some thought as you seem to have doubts about the 9.3x57, as I did.

I think 2,200-2,250 fps will be perfect. The rifle is REALLY light - kicks like a mule with a 286 gr at 2,050 fps. It has a very slim stock and the barrel steps down right away from the receiver. Around a #1 profile. At 24" and 3.66, not sure you could get any thinner at the end of the barrel!