I recently got a 9.3x62, but I have not hunted with it yet. The local game is almost entirely white tails. I am aware that the 9.3x62 is way overkill for white tails. I still intend to take it out at least once this season, since the Husqvarna I got handles like a dream and shoots pretty well even with a truly terrible batch of Hornady factory ammo (seriously, no two bullets in any given box are even seated to the same depth, but I am still getting 1.5 inch 5-shot groups at 100 yards). But, down the road, I would love to try for elk and moose. I am curious what bullets are most effective for these animals out to say 400 yards. I am particularly intrigued by the 250-grain and lighter bullets.
What are some good suggestions? Assume that for the past 35 years I have been killing white tails with the same old rifles (.257 Roberts, .25-06, .270, 30-06) and haven't followed "the latest hotness" when it comes to anything. My "go-to" bullet for the past 30 years has been the Sierra Gameking, which has always been more than adequate for deer. Someone gave me a box of Nosler ballistic tips for my .25-06 about 20 years ago, but I never bothered to load them up since the other bullets were doing just fine. But, when I get the opportunity to go elk or moose hunting, I think I would want a "better" bullet to ensure the best possible outcome to what would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I've never had a need to consider a "premium" bullet before. But, since I picked up this 9.3x62, I would like to use it and get the "practical most" out of it. By that, I mean I am not looking to push the outside of the envelope. I want to work up a load that shoots well and whose limits I understand.
I have a large supply of the 270-grain Speer semi-spitzers (which we have used on white tails for years in my dad's 9.3x74R drilling - but which is unlikely to ever again leave the safe since someone finally bothered to tell my dad what his Luftwaffe drilling is worth). I currently have plenty of 285/286 grain factory loads, since I bought a couple of hundred rounds of factory ammo because the price was cheaper than empty brass - but, as mentioned, the quality control is really bad. I am currently considering pulling them and then reloading them to uniform depths. Or I may just use them on white tails in my woods, where most shots will be within 100 yards and a long shot would be about 200 yards.
I wanted to get some 250-grain Nosler Accubonds, since some of the old posts here praised them, but I cannot find any available. What about the Nosler E-Tip?
How well do the Barnes TSX and TTSX perform? What's the "real" difference between them? All I can see is that one is a boat tail. Is one a better choice than the other for my desired game?
I am also intrigued by the 200-grain Cutting Edge bullets. Anyone have experience with them?
Any other options I should consider?
Edit - if someone has current loads and "probably the best powder" for their recommended bullets, I'm interested in that as well. Understanding of course, basic precepts of "safe" reloading and etc.
