I have a real peach of a Chapuis 9.3 x74r. It shoots the Hornady factory ammo beautifully. It shoots a 1.25 inch group at 100 yards and the bullets are only .75 inches apart at 50 yards.

BTW factory loads produce an average of 2350 fps out of each barrel.


I have killed one black bear with it so far.

I have been unable to find out what powder is an exact duplication of the factory load.

I called Hornady and they told me that their factory load uses a powder that was developed for them that at this time is not sold anywhere.

I pulled the bullets on a few factory bullets to find 66.5 grains of a fine powder in the case.

I looked up some relading manuals and found IMR 4831 listed as a powder used. I started at 65 grains (the minimum load I think) The gun shot well but velocity was lower than factory. 65 grains produced on average 2190 fps. I have been going up a half grain trying to get closer to 2300 fps.

I have continued to add .5 grains with each succesiv load. The velocity did not consistantly increase. I went as high as 67 grains of powder and the only thing that I have managed to do is get the bullets to cross much earlier and now shoot 5 inches apart at 100 yards.

I have also tried R15 starting at 59 grains. The load was not that accurate and the velocity was a little higher than factory.

DO ANY OF YOU 9.3 Chapuis shooters have a good factory load duplication??

Let me know what you are shooting. I could use your help. I suppose I could go with the 65 grains of IMR 4831 that gave me 2190fps. (about 150 fps slower than factory)
HOWEVER I would prefer the added fps if I can get it in a load that I can still hit stuff with.

I want to come up with a load that I can shoot the Hornady 286 grain bullet with (for mostly North American stuff and plinking away because they are cheap) and I want to be able to shoot the Nossler Partition in 286 grains and a Woodleigh solid in 286 (for Africa)

Thanks in advance!

Check out H4350 or H414. The powder you are using might be a bit too slow

My 9,3x74R Chapuis double likes 65 grains of IMR 4831 with 286 grain bullets.

edit; I forgot to mention that I'm using the Norma brass and Federal Mag primers. I'm not impressed with the brass either. The next batch will be the new Hornady stuff.

I'll try the H4831sc. I have some of that on hand.

Thanks!!

I know there are a lot of 9.3 Chapuis shooters out there. What are the rest of you guys using??

Honkey,
When I had a Chapuis in 9.3 the IMR 4831 regulated the best by far. I believe the H4831 might be a good one to try out in it's place.

I have had great success with Hornady bullets and anywhere from 65 to 68gr of H4831 (depending on lot). This gives sub 2" groups at 100 yards without crossing. My rifle was regulated with norma 286 gr oryx.

No one has mentioned 4064. I had great results when I had a Beretta 9.3.

I shoot 65gr of IMR 4831, with Fed 215 mag primers. My velocity is @ 2225fps.

It kills game like the Hammer of Thor.

A 286 Woodleigh Solid shot completely through an elephants head, at 5 yards.

My favorite Softs are the 286 Woodleigh RN Soft, and the 286gr Nosler Partition.