I was wondering, has anyone ever had their 9.3X74 regulated with the heavier 320 grain Woodlieghs. I would seem to me that while you would lose some long range versatility, the heavier bullet would make the 9.3X74 much more effective up close.

Check the barerels rate of twist. Most ae ok...especially for shooting soft points but out of my mauser 9,3x62 the solids are too unstable for reliable penetration on elephant, they tumble and bend....With softs the mushrooming bullet stops them tumbling

I have seen converted .360 NE that have been regulated with the 320grn bullets and they work just fine...but he originals used 314grn...and they have a tighter twist (1:12 I THINK!!!!)

Not regulated for but I know of 4 9.3's (Three SxS's and 1 O/U) that can shoot the 286 and 320's
to the same POI.

A little bit of load development should get any 286 regulated gun shooting 320's. (and 232 or 250's for that matter !!!)

One of the guns is mine - a Zoli.


The 9.3 seems a bit like the 375 in being able to get a gun shooting diff bullets weights to the same POI.


The 320's are deadly - penetrate really well, hit hard, kill well.

.

Hm I can only see 2 reasons why go with 320gr.

1. Reduce speed due to poor constructed bullet.
2. Achieve deeper penetration.

IMO no need for both.

A lot well constructed bullets available. In fact many EU hunters requested their rifles (intended for EU use only) to be regulated for 230gr - more than enough penetration for biggest game here with little recoil that makes fast double shots on driven hunts even easier. Looking for penetration - it was never an issue with 9,3 - 62 or 74R - 286gr going 2350-2400fps will get you anywhere.

P.S. I have tried some 300gr FN solids on Buff from 9,3x62 and they proved to be too long for a 1:14" twist - see Ganyana's point - fishy penetration (tumbling, bending...). This year I've used 265gr FN solids going less than 2400 fps (my Merkel is regulated with factory 293gr TUG's going 2280) and they’ve worked great.

Remember, the 320gn bullet is a 360 No 2 bullet,
it wasn't designed for the 9.3 x 74R, just people
like us like to use them occasionally.

I'd use them on elephant for penetration if that is what
I had in my hand at the time.

What is the recommened fps for the 320 what starting loads for the 9.3x74

Thanks
JD