Just bought one and would like to know who here has one, what you think of it and what loads work. I love the heft and feel of this rifle and have heard mostly good things. Of course it's french, but they knocked off 2 grand because of that.-Rob

Rob,

I have just started to do so this last year.

For popping paper this load regulates very well ... not good for game as the Speer 270 seems to break up:

Speer 270 gr Bullets
202 gr or 220 gr Norma or 220 gr RWS cases
Win WLR primers
62.0 gr IMR 4831

For the real deal:

286 gr Nosler Partition
220 gr RWS cases
Win WLR primers
57.0 gr RL-15

Temp 75F
SD 17
MAD 15.3
ES 36.7
AVE 2,287.4

Same load works with 286 Woodleigh RNs as well. Groups have never been larger than 1 1/2" at 50 yards. My left bbl seems to shoot a one hole group ;> Probably means I don't shoot as well as the rifle.

This load has taken a couple of deer and I must say, it is VERY effective even if a little slow.

My rifle has a factory EAW QR mounted 1.6-5x42 S&B rail mount scope ... so I don't know if these loads are coincident with the iron sights.

I suspect the OAL is critical and I don't have that worked out yet.

Rob, I have been hunting with one for about 7 years. Research my previous posts to see some of my exploits with the 9,3.

With 285 Hawks, 286 Nosler Partitions, and 286 Woodleigh softs I use 65 grains of IMR 4831 with the Federal 215 Primer in Norma cases.
I have killed game as far as 300+ yards with those loads, from Texas to Idaho, to Canada, to Zimbabwe.
My Chapuis 9,3x74R Double Rifle is my favorite hunting rifle under 40 cal.
I have 2 scopes in the Chapuis QD pivot mount, a 2.5x8 Leupold with heavy duplex, the other a Swarovski 1.5x6 with the illuminated circle dot reticle.
I highly recommend you scope the Chapuis.
The only down side is that it will render several of your other rifles unnecessary.
With the 270 Speer 59 gr of RL 15 shoots good.

The Norma cases are only good for 2 firings, they will head seperate on the third.

NE 450 No 2,

Have you seen any difference in the performance of the heavier Normal cases or the RWS cases from the older and lighter Norma cases?

Thanks!

The last batch of Norma cases I ordered were the heavier cases. I have not loaded any of them yet.

I've used 63 gr of 4350, 65 gr of H4831 and 54 gr of RL15. all with 300 gr Aframes. The 65 gr of H4831 regulated best. The RWS cases make the norma ones look like SH--. Right at the moment I'm playing around with some nosler 250 gr BT's, which should be a good deer/bear load, but haven't decided which load I like best yet.

Yhanks guys- I should have dies, bullets and cases by friday, then I'll try out those 4831 loads and see how i like this frenchie. Hope she respects me.-Rob