Fast 9.3x62 Load

[Scrumbag]

Hello folks,

I'm looking for a load for my 24" barrelled 9.3x62.

I need something that will expand in deer and be doing at least 2450fps at the muzzle (Hunting laws, strange things).

Was wondering about Barnes Tipped Shock or Nosler Accubonds, both 250gr.

(Usually use 285gr soft points but for this jurisdiction they are a bit slow)

KR,

Scrummy

 

[JimKirk]

I don't shoot that Cartridge .... but here is Barnes data for it ....

http://www.barnesbullets.com/files/2014/11/9-3x62mmWeb.pdf

They use a 26" barrel for data...

 

[rcmodel]

How do you prove your handloads are going 2,450+???

rc

 

[jmr40]

Looking at Hodgdons site and Nosler, they show several loads, especially with lighter 250 gr bullets that will do so, or come close enough.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
http://www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/93x62-mauser/

I agree with RC the law is unenforceable. We used to have a similar law about handgun hunting, but was never enforced and finally dropped.

I'd pick a good load with 250's and not worry too much if it were a little slow.

 

[Dudedog]

Thats nuts, but the law is the law.
(almost sounds like a California Law, but I have to remember there are crazier places than CA)
I have a hard time believing a 250+ bullet at over 2000 feet per second would not be enough for any deer. Must be some tough deer over there on the other side of the pond.

On a quick glance at my loading manuals getting to 2450 is going to close to the MAX if not over by a bit.

Of course you could always claim you tested when it was really hot and the loads are now below that vel since it's cooler. Darn temp sensitive powder.

(ok everybody what powder is temp sensitive and works in 9.3X62 )

Barnes makes a 250gr that might be your best bet. Midway USA actually has them on sale now but I don't know if they can ship to the UK or what the cost would be.

Good luck, I hope you can find something that suits your needs.

Note : Nosler #s are for a 26" barrel so you will lose a bit going down to 24".

 

[Scrumbag]

Hi folks,

thanks for the info. The law is a bit of the a funny one in Scotland.

The requirements are for at least a 100gr bullet, doing a minimum MV 2450fps for an ME 1750 ftlbs with a minimum bore of .240". (Which is basically a .243Win with a 100gr bullet).

The rub is, all those requirements need to be met or exceeded. So, my 9.3x62 has to be doing at least 2450fps at the muzzle. (Even though it has rather more than 1750fps in doing so)

In England and Wales, the requirement is a lot simpler being just a minimum ME of 1700 ftlbs. So in Scotland, some "old, effective but slow" rounds aren't deer legal.

 

[JimKirk]

.... I bet the Game Wardens carry pocket chronographs !!

 

[Scrumbag]

Game warden? Ha! That would be nice to see!

TBH I doubt there would be a problem unless someone decided to be awkward and I do like obeying the law even if dumb.

Scrummy

 

[Dudedog]

Maybe just use the 7X64?
You should be able to get 2450fps with it easy.

I understand the min caliber, and the min muzzle energy but the min velocity is a bit silly IMO but that's their law.

After some more checking I did find some listed loads that meet the 2450fps min.

Looks like Norma may make a 232gr bullet that will get you there..
With other bullets Vectan shows loads that will make 2450 and so does VihtaVuori.

One would think these loads would be good for hoofed game up the the size of moose so unless they are really BIG deer..
Having said that I do not own and have never loaded 9.3X62 so I am just showing data I have found.
Hope this helps.

(data from powder manufactures web sites)

Pics are Vectan, VV and Norma left to right

 

[Scrumbag]

The 7x64 is indeed the obvious choice for this. Just I like flexibility in my rifles so having a "scottish load" might not be the worst thing in the world.

(Actually thinking of getting a 650mm Lothar Walther Barrel for the 7x64, that would be capable of reaching out and touching stuff )

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[Gtscotty]

When I had my Ruger African in 9.3x62 I was able to get 286 gr PPU up to the low 2400's using Ramshot Big Game, you could get a 250 gr pill above 2450 fps pretty easily. Call me a wimp, but that load got old out of a 7.5 lb rifle pretty quick. Realguns.com has some 9.3 loads posted, I don't know what powders you can get over there, but his data would give you something to work up to.

 

[steve4102]

When I had my Ruger African in 9.3x62 I was able to get 286 gr PPU up to the low 2400's using Ramshot Big Game, you could get a 250 gr pill above 2450 fps pretty easily.

 

[Gtscotty]

That load looks like a keeper... you'd think that over 3700 ft-lbf would be enough to cleanly take deer, but it turns out you're 26 fps short of being able to make humane kills.

You got me curious, so I delved into my records, and out of the 23.5 in barrel of my rifle, 64.5 gr of Ramshot produced an average MV of 2,453 fps.

To the OP, I looked up a picture I found back in the day of an older issue of Handloader magazine from January 2008 that shows some loads you might be interested in. Out of a 23.6 in CZ 550 barrel, they show the following:

232 gr Norma Oryx over 64 gr RL-15 : 2,716 fps
250 gr Barnes X-Bullet over 62 gr RL-15: 2,636 fps
250 gr Nosler Accubond over 60.5 gr Varget: 2,651 fps
270 gr Speer Hot-Cor over 64 gr Big Game: 2,501 fps
286 gr Nosler Partition over 66 gr Big Game 2,495 fps

All pressure tested at under 60k psi.

Also, my Lee manual shows 61.4 gr of Vit N540 under a generic 250 gr jacketed bullet at 2,605 fps.

Hope that helps.