Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Load developement for a double rifle (9.3X74R)

Good day everybody,

I am planning to develop loads for my new over-under rifle in 9.3X74R. I know the original load for which the barrels have been regulated so the plan is to approximate that. I will be using Woodleigh 286 grain soft-point bullets and N-540 or N550 powder. The brass will be RWS and primer Federal 210. Now my question: How many rounds should I make for each charge? 2 or 4 or 6? In what order should I fire the barrels?

I am thinking making 4 rounds at each specific charge. Fire two rounds in first barrel and second barrel. Note point of impact. Load again and fire two more shots. Now a group of 4 shots will be formed on the target. The above process will be repeated for 3 different charges each 1 grain apart. The charge that made the tightest group will be selected.

Is there a better way to find the proper load that regulates in the rifle?

Thanks,

-Omid

Let's see the rifle!

Update: I made 12 rounds, 2 per each charge. Each charge has 0.5 grains of N540 more than the previous. Max charge is 58 grains. I hope to get some time to go and shoot this rifle within the next few days..

Update:

I shot three groups (2 rounds each) with this rifle at 50 yards a few days ago. It shoots very well. The first two groups (connected by pen) are shot from the bench. The last group marked "Off Hand", were shot from the standing position. I just wanted to get a feel of how the rifle handles and how much it kicks. The recoil is OK and I can handle it. The shots produced velocities of 2265-2284 (55.5 grain N540), 2265-2273 (56 grain), and 2278-2290 (56.5 grain). Since these near top velocities for caliber 9.3X74R, I did not fire the rest of the loads.

Next, I will try Lapua Naturalis 250 grain bullets.