Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mule Deer's 9.3x62 data

Proof's in the pudd'n...

Did you find the bullet, or did it blow on through?

DF

First two went all the way through. Last one went through the spine in front of shoulders and through the vitals, the brisket and lodged under the skin back of the front legs.

Did the petals break off, or was it a photo finish like in the ads?

DF

Photo finish-recovered bullet weighed 285 grains. Petals well formed and curled perfectly.

What velocity is that load running? I tried the 286 TSX in my x62 but couldn't get much over 2000 FPS. I can't remember if I tried RL15 or if I only used IMR4350 (pretty sure I tried RL15). Never did try Varget though I should have since I had quite a bit on hand. I've picked up a pound of N550 that I might try as well. Right now I'm running a Norma 286gr RN at 2350 which works well enough but I'm not really thrilled with the performance they gave on my bison. Maybe I was too close for a conventional bullet (37 meters) but I didn't get the penetration that I had hoped for.

You should be able to get more than 2K fps with a 286 gr. bullet.

How far did the Norma RN penetrate? I would guess it mushroomed fully, which caused less penetration.

DF

That 286 TSX is WAAAY too long in my view for anything less than a true magnum cartridge. At 1.5" it eats far too much powder room. Even the 250 TSX is about 1.375", which exceeds the length of the 286 Nosler Partition. I will never use them for that reason alone. Then, they are not necessary and over priced, again in my view. The 286 Nosler Partition will do anything they will do and leaves ample room for expected powder charges.

I don't know what pressure Barnes used in their testing, but from a 26" tube they record less than 2300 fps, which will limit the useful range to about 200 - 250 yds if any expansion is wanted.

The 286 Nos. Part. from my rifle is useful to 500 yards on larger game like eland or moose where velocity is still over 1800 fps.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

I always get light for caliber Barnes bullets. For example, in .308, a 130 gr. TSX is about the same length as a 180 gr. cup and core. And length is the deal, not weight, regarding stabilizing a bullet. And of course, how much powder room it takes up.

My best 9.3x62 groups were with 250 gr. NAB's using JB's load. My AHR CZ loves that combo and will print a cloverleaf. It'll do about an inch with 286's and Speer 270.

DF

The Norma penetrated about 10" (through the shoulder and through one lobe of the lung but not to the heart) and did indeed mushroom fully so I completely admit that the close range, full value impact velocity and density of the animal contributed to the performance seen. I only recovered one of three bullets fired into the bison so it's another classic example of one. Still, none of the bullets reached the heart, which I would have considered to be good performance. All in all, the bull died in short order and when something that big only goes 15 yards it's hard to find fault with the result. I look forward to trying it out on a few more animals to see how it does on lighter fare at a bit greater distance.

My 9.3's, both built on FN Mauser actions, throw 250 gr X's at 2630 fps from their 24" barrels. No issue with bullet length. A fair load of African plain game were impressed with the combo.

Hi folks!
I am hunter from Bulgaria - country in eastern part of EUnion and a big fan of CZ550/9.3X62. Here this caliber is very popular.
So I start reload from soon and see in www Mule Deer`s data.
I prepare some for testing:
1
bullet-Sako hammerhead - 286gr
brass-RWS
powder - Ramshot BigGame-64.5grain
Primer: CCI 250
COL-3.305

2
bullet-Hornady interlock - 286gr
brass-RWS
powder - Ramshot BigGame-64.5grain
Primer: CCI 250
COL-3.291

3
bullet-Barness TSX FB- 286gr
brass-RWS
powder - Ramshot BigGame-64.5grain
Primer: CCI 250
COL-3.336

My question is about TSX - I have a problem to seat bullet more deep with 64.5grain Ramshot BigGame. I read that Mule Deer wrote that try around 65 gr Ramshot BigGame even with Barness TSX 286 gr, but not see right numbers - COL and grain of charges.


If some one of you use Barness TSX FB- 286gr with Ramshot BigGame or Hodgon Varget - plese send some data!
Sorry for my bad english language!

Welcome CZfan,

I have no data for you, and your English serves just fine. I just wanted to welcome you to our campfire.

Thanks for your input and please keep us informed of your results,

Geno

I think H4895 is closer to Varget than H4350. It's one of my favorite powders too.

After trying both Nosler and Barnes 286s with 66 grains of Big Game I settled on the Nosler because it was more accurate and the TSX got significantly less velocity than the Partition with the same powder charge. My 20.5 barrel was only getting 2300 with the barnes and slightly over 2400 with the nosler.

I see you're using CCI 250 magnum primers. I'd recommend trying the 200 large rifle. I tried both and found better acccuracy and consistency with the CCI 200.

I'll have to go dig through my notes regarding the COL of the barnes load, but I can tell you the partitions are seated so the groove on the bullet is right at the case mouth.

You seem to have excellent english so I'd recommend getting some John Barsness (Mule Deer here on the fire) books. There's some good 9.3x62 info to be had.

Добре дошли в лагерния огън.

It is always wise to reduce loads a bit and work up to the powder charge you expect to use. So if your goal is to shoot around 64 grains of powder, build a couple of loads of 61, 62, and 63 grains to make sure that there is nothing that is going to cause excessive pressure. There are variables in terms how the chamber is cut, and the loading components, and working up is therefore always advisable. Even if you have experience with a particular rifle, changing something as minor as the manufacturing lot of powder can make it wise to work up again.

Just found and read this entire thread. I have a Steyr Prohunter in 9.3x62. What bullets are proven to expand and work well on deer sized critters?

Thanks for all replays folks!
Here we do not have Nosler part. in stock.
Have Barnes TSX, Hornady Interlock, Sako Hammerhead, PPU, Norma all around 286gr. And RWS EVO -290gr.
Do you have some data for RWS EVO -290gr. with Ramshot BigGame or Varget?

I use CCI 250 and today bought CCI 200, so will try them with this charges too.

I plane to use 65-66 gr Ramshot BigGame, so will make some 63 gr and 61 gr loads for tests too.

CZfan,

I seat the 286 TSX so the cartridges just fit in the CZ 550 magazine. Big Game will be compressed, but still works reliably. I hope that helps!

ruraldoc,

I've seen a bunch of 9.3 bullets used from the 9.3x62 on deer-sized game, and all have expanded well: 232 Norma Oryx, 250 Barnes X (pre-TSX), 250 Hornady GMX, 250 Nosler AccuBond, 270 Speer Hot-Cor, 286 Hornady Interlock, 286 Norma Oryx and 286 Nosler Partition. The monolithics haven't killed as quickly with typical lung shots as the lead-cored bullets, but no animal went over 75 yards.

If I was going to pick just one of them for deer-sized game, it might be the 286 Hornady, just because it does the typical 9.3x62 job of killing well, while penetrating deeply without shooting up a bunch of meat, but doesn't cost much!

Thanks a lot!