I have accuracy and other data, but wanted to quickly share detailed results of the Norma 325g load since I've seen some questions about it, and to also share my other velocity data as it was all shot on the same day in the same rifle.
NOTES:
- Shooting took place at 6200 ft elevation, Air temp about 45f.
- Chronograph was about 10' from the muzzle. All velocities are at chronograph and are not adjusted for muzzle velocity.
I shot several kinds of factory ammo today in my CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 caliber with 23.6 in barrel -- CZ-USA tells me that the twist is 1:14. Pillar bedded in B&C factory stock by CZ; front and read action screws torqued to 55 in lbs. Optics: Nightforce 2.5-10x32 scope in Warne/CZ QD rings; QD levers tightened as tight as possible by hand; ring screws torqued to 15 in lbs.
One of the loads I tested for velocity and accuracy was the Norma 325g Oryx No 19316.
5 shot group as follows (in order fired) - velocity in FPS:
2031 (Low)
2048 (High)
2043
2044
2014
SD: 5.0
ES: 17.0
Average: 2041
I was a bit surprised at the actual velocity of 2041 fps (23.6" bbl) vs. Norma's claim of 2300 fps (24" bbl) especially given that I was firing at 6500 feet of elevation. As with some other ammunition manufactures, Norma's other claimed velocities were higher than my results as well (see below).
Why manufacturers continue to make these claims when so many shooters own chronographs is interesting.
However, this was one of the most accurate loads in this rifle (YMMV).
Group characteristics: Shots 1, 2, and 3 in 50% overlapping cloverleaf; shots 4, 5 about 1 inch to the right of shots 1-3, one above the other, about 7/16" of vertical separation. Group size for first 3 shots about 1/4 inch; entire 5 shot group size about 1-1/8" wide by 7/16" high.
This rifle tends to group three shots well, then disperse additional shots, but not with all ammo.
By comparison, note the following average velocities in fps for 5-shot groups:
Federal 286g Barnes TSX P9362C: 2201 fps
Lapua 285 Mega E433: 2198
Lapua Naturalis 220g N522: 2551
Midway/Nosler: 286 Partition: 2168
Norma 232g Vulkan 19317: 2487
Norma 250g Swift: 2200
Norma 285g Plastic tip 19314: 2185
Norma 285g Oryx 19313: 2226
Norma 285g Alaska 19315: 2203
Prvi 285g @ 2206 fps
Overall, this rifle shot its best groups with the 285/286g and heavier bullets, but not universally so. For example, the Federal 286g TSX bullet did not shoot particularly well.
NOTES:
- Shooting took place at 6200 ft elevation, Air temp about 45f.
- Chronograph was about 10' from the muzzle. All velocities are at chronograph and are not adjusted for muzzle velocity.
I shot several kinds of factory ammo today in my CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 caliber with 23.6 in barrel -- CZ-USA tells me that the twist is 1:14. Pillar bedded in B&C factory stock by CZ; front and read action screws torqued to 55 in lbs. Optics: Nightforce 2.5-10x32 scope in Warne/CZ QD rings; QD levers tightened as tight as possible by hand; ring screws torqued to 15 in lbs.
One of the loads I tested for velocity and accuracy was the Norma 325g Oryx No 19316.
5 shot group as follows (in order fired) - velocity in FPS:
2031 (Low)
2048 (High)
2043
2044
2014
SD: 5.0
ES: 17.0
Average: 2041
I was a bit surprised at the actual velocity of 2041 fps (23.6" bbl) vs. Norma's claim of 2300 fps (24" bbl) especially given that I was firing at 6500 feet of elevation. As with some other ammunition manufactures, Norma's other claimed velocities were higher than my results as well (see below).
Why manufacturers continue to make these claims when so many shooters own chronographs is interesting.
However, this was one of the most accurate loads in this rifle (YMMV).
Group characteristics: Shots 1, 2, and 3 in 50% overlapping cloverleaf; shots 4, 5 about 1 inch to the right of shots 1-3, one above the other, about 7/16" of vertical separation. Group size for first 3 shots about 1/4 inch; entire 5 shot group size about 1-1/8" wide by 7/16" high.
This rifle tends to group three shots well, then disperse additional shots, but not with all ammo.
By comparison, note the following average velocities in fps for 5-shot groups:
Federal 286g Barnes TSX P9362C: 2201 fps
Lapua 285 Mega E433: 2198
Lapua Naturalis 220g N522: 2551
Midway/Nosler: 286 Partition: 2168
Norma 232g Vulkan 19317: 2487
Norma 250g Swift: 2200
Norma 285g Plastic tip 19314: 2185
Norma 285g Oryx 19313: 2226
Norma 285g Alaska 19315: 2203
Prvi 285g @ 2206 fps
Overall, this rifle shot its best groups with the 285/286g and heavier bullets, but not universally so. For example, the Federal 286g TSX bullet did not shoot particularly well.