Can any one offer their opinions or experiences concerning best powder for 9.3x74R reloading.

I have Merkel 140E but have not really worked up any loads yet - just shot some Norma factory loads for practice and deer hunting here in MI.

Thanks
JMV375

I do not have my 9.3x74R any longer,but one of the loads that I remember is 286 gr bullets with 65 grs of IMR4831,where abouts in MI are you located?

Good results with H4350 and the 285gr PRVI bullet in my Ruger No.1.

Located in Macomb. Have used WW 748 ball powder with very good results in my Ruger # 1 but not done any load work for the Merkel double yet.

That 4831 is my gold standard load.

w760; lowest pressure and highest velocity. I have also used 4350 with good results. 4831 is too slow to regulate in my Krieghoff.

Mine is very accurate with IMR4350. Shots out to 200 yards are no problem with my load in my rifle.

I like and use Varget.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
R8 Blaser (9.3 x 62)
Sabatti "trash" Double Shooter (9.3 x 74R)

quote:

Originally posted by JMV375:
I have Merkel 140E but have not really worked up any loads yet - just shot some Norma factory loads for practice and deer hunting here in MI.

If you want to duplicate Norma factory loads, a safe bet would be to try Norma powder. Do you have access to Norma powder in the US?

I have been doing quite some reloading to 9.3x74R, regulated for Norma factory loads. Norma 202 and Norma 203-B should work fine for most bullets.

Typically I use 54-55 grain Norma 202 for 285 grain bullets, or 57-58 grain Norma 203-B. Reloading data from Norma here:

http://www.norma.cc/us/Ammunit...Loading-Data/93x74R/

Another vote for IMR4350. Very accurate with my primary load of 286 grain Woodleigh PP SPs. I get similar accuracy and shooting to the same point with North Fork flat nose and cup point solids - powder load for those is about 1.5 grains less than for the Woodleighs...

Good hunting,

like jmv375 i am interested in reloading the 9.3x74r. i have a chapuis double rifle purchased in 2007.i noticed over time many of you have settled on the 286 grain bullet with 65.0 grains of imr 4831 powder. i just happened to have 2 lb of that powder.my question is with 286 grain hornadys norma and hornady brass how much powder to start with is a good idea. i am thinking mabey 62 or 63 grains.also i notice ne450no2 used federal 215 primers which i also have along with winchester large rifle primers.i did work up one load using those bullets but with h4831 at 69 grains and the winchester primer with only fair results.any help thank you. john

To me, 4831 is a slow powder in the 9.3, that kicks more than it should, and does not regulate in any of my 9.3x74rs. I like a slightly faster powder, like 4350, or better, W760.
Norma Powder? I would love to have some N202 for my 8x57JRS, but here at least, it is not available and I have not tried for a year.

I always used IMR 4831.

61g of RL 15 under Nosler 250g Accubond bullet ignited with WWLRM primers it clocked @2475 f/s and did the trick for my Scoped Chapuis. it regulated so very well out to 280 yards my first try with a R and L at that distant were touching I could not believe my eyes when I looed through the spotting scope. The friend that was with me at the range could not believe it either that a double is capable of such an accuracy.

Best regards

Malek
Good Hunting/Shooting and God's best.

I shoot primarily 250 gr Barnes X triple shock and Barnes solid bullets in my Searcy stalking rifle with IMR 4064.

As info, this is my load;
Hornady brass
286 grain Nosler Partition
68.0 grains of IMR4350
WLR primer.
Velocity is 2235 fps which is all that I need out of this rifle to kill anything that I will hunt with it. Very accurate load, easy on the rifle, and a pleasure to shoot.

Hello Ron:

What is the rifle that you shoot that load through; is it some thing that you have built?


Best regards

Malek
Good Hunting/Shooting and God's best.

Malek,
Yes, I built this double on a BRNO ZP-47 16 gauge action. It turned out very nice. I was fortunate enough to take a beautiful Scimitar-Horned Oryx with it in Texas about 2 months ago. The range was 154 yards which was no problem at all with this rifle and this load.

Hello Ron;

Very nice, any pix? I tried 63g of IMR4350 with the 286 prvi and it did not shoot well, I will try a bigger dosage next time and see how it will shoot.

Best regards

Malek
Good Hunting/Shooting and God's best.

Ask and ye shall receive!

hello Ron;

Thanks for sharing, the Oryx and the rifle are both beautiful, do you have any close ups for the rifle? It is certainly a nice looking one.

I never saw an Oryx this color is it an albino or is it the color of the bread?


Best regards

Malek
Good Hunting/Shooting and God's best.

IMR 4064 with CEB Safari Raptors and BBW#13 Solids in mine.

Malek,
It's called Scimitar-Horned Oryx...native to sub-Saharan Africa...virtually extinct there...that is their natural colour.

RL 15, Federal Magnum primer and 286 grain North Fork solid, cup and Nosler Partitions. All shoot to virtually the same point with very good accuracy.

quote:

Malek, It's called Scimitar-Horned Oryx...native to sub-Saharan Africa...virtually extinct there...that is their natural colour.

Thanks Ron, makes a very beautiful unusual mount.


66.7g of H4831sc Gave me very good results under the 286g Prvi. velocity in the neighborhood of 2300f/s


Best regards

Malek
Good Hunting/Shooting and God's best.

In my two doubles chambered for the 9.3X74R 4064 with .286gr Nosler partitions, and North Fork cps, seems to work best!

.....................................................................

I have been using IMR 4064 powder most often. Varget and Reloader No.15 also work well.

Reloader 15, Federal mag primer, with all 286 grain bullets shoots with excellent accuracy. Almost too good for a double.

Hi Joe. Here are a couple that work for me. Both with 286 gr. Nosler Partitions.

Heym 37B 53.5 gr. VN 140
Heym 88B 57.4 gr. RL 15

Good luck!