I'm relatively new to both reloading and double rifles. Have a 9.3x74R Chapuis and can't seem to get a load that is consistent, that doesn't cross and groups tighter that 10 inches at 75 yards.

So far the best I've tried is 66gr H4831SC, CII LR primer with a Prvi bullet 285 gr.

I tried this AM shooting without the scope but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Other loads seem to cross a lot.

Having read a lot of posts I believe crossing indicates too fast a bullet. Is that correct?

Oxon, There are folks on here that have Chapuis 9.3x74R DRs that shoot scary-accurate. I'm sure you'll get plenty of help.

Do you know what ammo the rifle was regulated with. If so I would first try to shoot that ammo and see what the rile is capable of. Once you know that, you can then play with some bullet/powder combinations and try to duplicate things. My Chaupis 9.3 is very accurate with Norma Oryx ammo that it was regulated with. I also have hand loads that shoot very well.

Yes,

spend the $70 for a box of Norma ammunition.
Chrono it, and try and match that velocity. It's what I did with my Chapuis.

Rich
DRSS

Mine is regulated with 286 gr Norma Oryx ammo. My favorite load is 68 gr of H4831SC, 286 gr Privi bullets, Norma brass and have had good luck with a CCI LRP. You might want to try a magnum primer, though.

I am not an expert, just a hard head that has done a lot of things wrong before I followed the good advice available here.
As noted above, find what your rifle was regulated for. Buy some and shoot them as a starting point. Run a few through a chonograph. Use a chronograph to help find your reloaded standard load.
Follow the advice of the experts. Don't bench the rifle in sandbags. Use your hand between the rifle and any support. they shoot better free hand or off sticks than off a bench, even though they bob around over the target. Shoot at a range you are comfortable with the open sights. Watch to be sure your scope mount is tight.
Take an evening and just read all the great posts that have been made on this forum.
I wore a flat spot on my forehead beating my head against a wall, before I learned that good avice should be followed. Doubles are different.
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Yes,

spend the $70 for a box of Norma ammunition.
Chrono it, and try and match that velocity. It's what I did with my Chapuis.

Rich
DRSS

Rich is right. A chronograph will save you lots of time and money. You have to know how fast your loads are going so you can adjust them to make it shoot to regulation. I do suggest you by a box of Norma see what the velocity is then load to match it. You may have to fine-tune your load. Burn rates and barrel time are more critical in a double than in a bolt gun. I would do a search and see if you can find some of the loads that have been posted hear in the past.
You are getting good info on how to shoot your rifle from a rest. You should only touch the rest with the back of your hand. The rifle must be able to recoil freely just as if firing from your shoulder offhand.
Keep us posted.
Bill

I had asked the same question about loaads as did you when I got my new Chapuis a month ago. I have tried Seller and Bellot and it shot about 2" at 50 yds. I purchased Norma 285 as this is what the gun was regulated with and it shot about the same as the factory target. Next I tried 285 Privi,Norma Brass,cci primers and IMR4831. Loads were started at 62 grns and I began to work up and as I did the groups got closer. At 65 grns of powder the gun shot as did the factory target. I am going to try some IMR 4350 poder with a start load of 61 grns to 62.5 grns and see how that shoots. My gun shoots perfect for level but is about 2-3" apart at 50 yds. I would like to see that a little better with the handloads. I do shoot as it has been suggested here but I do find at times the large front bead is hard to centre.

I have a Merkel 141E 9.3X74R that was regulated with Norma factory 232 Grain Vulcans. I asked Norma what the factory duplication load is and they replied as follows:


"We use Norma 203_b powder in this load, 61,0 gr to maximum 61,5 gr, cartr.over all lenght is 3,64” (-0,02”).
Magnum primer is also used.

Good luck and best greetings,

Åke Nilsson R&D-dep,"

My rifle shoots this load (61.5 gr) to the same POI as the factory ammo. That inquiry saved me a lot of headache!
I suggest that you find out what your rifle was regulated with and send an inquiry to Norma.

My 9,3x74R Ghapuis was regulated with the RWS 293 TUG.

My standard load with 285/286gr bullets is 65 gr of IMR 4831.

I have killed a bunch of game with it from coyote and turkeys, deer and pigs, black bear, zebra, wildebest, warthog, baboon, g fowl, giraffe, cape buff and elephant.

I have taken coyote at 281 yards and kudu at a little over 300 yards.

My loads chrono @2225fps...

They do not cross, verified on paper to 300 yards...

I do not have a Chapuis but my Tikka 512SD shoots the following well:
286 NP 66 grs. H414 (also PRVI 285 grs)
270 Speer 55 grs. IMR 4064
250 Swift(?) 68 grs. H4350
286 Woodleigh SP 57 grs. RL15
Just some grist for the mill!
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Oxon:
I'm relatively new to both reloading and double rifles. Have a 9.3x74R Chapuis and can't seem to get a load that is consistent, that doesn't cross and groups tighter that 10 inches at 75 yards.

So far the best I've tried is 66gr H4831SC, CII LR primer with a Prvi bullet 285 gr.

I tried this AM shooting without the scope but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Other loads seem to cross a lot.

Having read a lot of posts I believe crossing indicates too fast a bullet. Is that correct?

quote:

By NE 450 No2

I have killed a bunch of game with it from coyote and turkeys, deer and pigs, black bear, zebra, wildebest, warthog, baboon, g fowl, giraffe, cape buff and elephant.

I have taken coyote at 281 yards and kudu at a little over 300 yards.

My loads chrono @2225fps...

I was witness to the 281 yard shots on the coyote. It is on film as well, and was a measured distance. It was actually two shots the first one on a moving target, the first one hitting a little far back, causing the coyote to spin in place, the second shot put him down for the count. That is a one two punch with a double rifle at 281 yards measured! The above shots are the result of proper loading for a double rifle. Both shots were taken from a kneeling position.

On your work in trying to find a load for your Chapuis, the first thing we need to know is how are you holding the rifle for the shots? Secondly are you shooting from a bench with sand bags?

The reason I ask these question is, a double rifle has to be fired as it would be if fired off hand, even if rested with sand bags. You can’t rest the rifle directly on the bags, the rifle must be held in your hands. No part of the rifle should touch anything other than your face hands and shoulder. You may rest your hand on the bags, but you must hold the fore end in you hand. The bullets are not supposed to hit the same hole, they are supposed to hit side by side, each barrel on it’s own side of the aiming point . if the cross (and usually low)the load is too fast, and if they shoot wide, (and usually high) then the load is too slow. Your group should be a slightly egg shaped composite group of both barrels with the aiming point of the sights half way between the centers of each barrel’s individual group.

The poster’s advice to try some factory ammo in your rifle but if you rest that rifle directly on the sand bags or anything else other than your hands the rifle will not regulate properly.

Check the PRVI bullets. I had a box for my 9.3 Merk. They sucked the big one. Not a very good bullet IMO. Buy a better bullet and try Varget.

In Germany, we have a lot of load-developments for the very popular 9,3x74R! A lot of these loads are developped and tested at the DEVA and it is usual, to use powders with a fast to medium burning rate, the slowest is R 907 (similuar IMR 4320), but the slow powders are not used!
I use in my Heym 88B in 9,3x74R the fine Speer 270grs bullets and 58grs N 140 or the finnish Lapua Mega 285grs and 57 grs of N 140.
An other very good load is the 250grs Swift A-Frame and 61 grs of R 907!
Now I´m working with the 250grs Accubond, but I have not tried it!

Thanks, guys. All this is very helpful. I think I've been holding the rifle wrong and will try freehand.

This project is on "hold" for a few weeks since I'm getting ready for a caribou hunt and getting in some quality time with my Heym SR30 300 win-mag. Had a lot of fun working up loads for that. As I said, I'm new to loading so was very pleased to get some very accurate loads with 180 gr bullets.

I'll get a box of factory stuff for my Chapuis when I get back and start from there.

The comments were very helpful -thank you all again for the time and info!

Tony,
can I please enquire,if your load does not cross upto 300 yrds,what are the groups @50 yrds,100yrds & 200 yrds,do they open up at the longer ranges?

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
My 9,3x74R Ghapuis was regulated with the RWS 293 TUG.

My standard load with 285/286gr bullets is 65 gr of IMR 4831.

I have killed a bunch of game with it from coyote and turkeys, deer and pigs, black bear, zebra, wildebest, warthog, baboon, g fowl, giraffe, cape buff and elephant.

I have taken coyote at 281 yards and kudu at a little over 300 yards.

My loads chrono @2225fps...

They do not cross, verified on paper to 300 yards...