Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 9.3x62 mauser

Hi,i need some reloading data for the 9.3 and figured Africa would be the place to look. Any help appreciated.

Hunt up the thread from ask the gunwriters on the 9.3, it has what you seek.

www.hodgdonreloading.com is typically a good place to start.

True. Alternatively, you could simply put 61.0 gr. of RL-15 under a 250 gr. TSX and call it good.

RS

Do you have a good supply of Sonchem powder?

I wonder what the availability and shipping time would be on that.

RS

I use RL-17 powder to get 2400 fps with 320gr Woodleigh PP Weldcores in my 25 inch barreled Heym Mauser, the same powder charge powers the 280gr BBW #13 solids to a bit over 2500 fps, they're filed dead on a 50 yards with the quarter rib express, and small gold bead front sight.

Before I start I want to say I'm no expert on loads for the 9.3. I have one and the only load I've shot in it is a Speer 270 grain Hot Core over some IMR 4895. I never went any farther than that. It grouped so well and I didn't see any need for improvement. All I can say is that load in MY RIFLE is very accurate and is deadly on white tail deer and wild hogs. It sounds like you plan on shooting game where you are. If you are in the lower 48 of the U.S. that load will kill anything there is out there. Hell, even in Canada or Alaska. It's not a 300 yard rifle but it's definitely a dangerous game rifle at reasonable ranges. What you deem as reasonable ranges is your call. For me with my 9.3 and this load I'll call that inside 200 yards. But then I'm on the conservative side.

RipSnort,

I asked whether he has Somchem powders because they''re what are generally used in Africa for handloading--in countries that allow handloading. Which means that posing his assumption that "Africa would be the place to look" is not a good one.

Which is what a few other people have essentially been posting here as well, though in different ways.

I took it as “Africa” as in the Africa Forum

Maybe he did, but that still assumes that hunters living in or going to Africa are far more likely to handload the 9.3x62 than North American (or European) hunters--which in my experience is far from true.

"Africa" I took to be shorthand for The 24 Hour Campfire Africa forum. Though other countries handload I'm fairly certain that the USA has more handloaders and availability of components than anywhere else. But I liked your joke and went with it.

Cheers, RS

Gunwriters' or reloading forums might be good. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Most American loading manuals today have 9.3X62 and 9.3X74R data in them.
I have been loading a lot of 9.3X62 in the last few years for the rifles I made (or re-barreled to that caliber) for various customers and I made one for myself a while back. My experience in the field with that cartridge is nearly all from watching it used, in the hands of those I made the gun for. However I have been using a 9.3X74R for several years and I fire the same bullets at the same speeds, so I know from personal experience mostly what to expect as far as performance goes with the bullets I have used and seen used. The following are what I have personally killed game with.
:
225 grain RWS. Very rapid expander. Dramatic kills with a lot of bloodshot, but gives better penetration that I expect for something that opens up as violently as it did.

250 Grain Nosler Accu-Bond. Kills were close, but expansion was good for a bullet with a heavy jacket. Expensive, but excellent.

270 grain Speer. Most accurate bullet I have fired in this bore size in 4 different guns, one 9.3X74R Ruger. One M46 Husky 9.3X57 with open sights. One 9,3X57 in a 98 Mauser with a 5X scope. One M98 in 9.3X62 also with a 5X scope BUT it also is the worst big game bullet I have used in any caliber larger then .308" in my life. One whitetail was shot from above in the spine. and the actual measured penetration (using a leatherman tool) was 5 inches. Yes FIVE. Bullets often come totally apart at impacts of 2100 FPS and faster on deer and antelope both. I have well over a dozen kills with this bullet and so it's not a few isolated incidents. The only shot I have made with the Speer bullet that seemed to be perfectly satisfactory was at about 275 yards from a 9.3X57 with an average Muzzle velocity of 2206FPS so the impact velocity was only about 1650 FPS as near as I can figure. When it's going in the mid teens on impact it may be OK.

286 Grain Hornady. I have had good results with this bullet and seen it used a lot too, but I have read some complaints about it also breaking up badly. But for my own use so far (and all those I have personally seen) it's been good.

286Gr Nosler Partition. The Gold Standard. Opens well on antelope does at 250 to 400 yards and yet doesn't break up and fail to exit on bull elk shoulders at 45 yards, and it shoots as accurately as any other 9.3 bullet I have used except the Speer. (As I said the Speer is the most accurate bullet I have used in any 9.3 rifle.) Costly enough that it makes practice too expensive, but shoots nearly to the same point of aim as the Hornady above(about 1/2" to 3/4" away on paper) so you can buy Horandy's to have fun with and if you want to, shoot the Nosler partition with the same load and in 3 guns I have tried, they shoot to the same point of impact.

285 grain PPU. Round nosed and looks "ho-hum" but works very well. Not a lot of experience with this bullet yet, but I have seen it used on 3 elk and 2 deer from 9.3X62s, and I personally killed 2 deer and 2 antelope with it fired from my two 9.3X57s. It is accurate and does expand at the lower velocity of my 9.3X57s. (2185 FPS to 2210 FPS at the muzzle) All game, from antelope does to a 5X5 bull had exits, so I assume it's holding weight well. I'd expect as good or better results when you run it 200-300 FPS faster from the 9.3X62


Powders I have used have been 4064, 4895 and RL15 in the 6.3X62s.

I have used 4895, 4064 and BallC2 in my two 9.3X57s.

I use 4064 in my Ruger #1 9,3X74R.

All 4 of these powders and all the bullet listed above shot well, some very well, and the Speer SUPER well, even impressing me with the open sighted Husky. All my 9.3MMs seem to shoot well with most anything I try. All seem forgiving to load for. The worse groups from the 3 scoped rifles I have shot so far were still under 2MOA and most go about 1-1/4" at 100. Some under MOA and in the Ruger with the Speer 270 grain bullet, penny size is not uncommon.

In the 98 Mauser Carbine in 9.3X57 Ball C2 is the most accurate. ER Shaw barrel
In my Mauser in 9.3X62 the best so far is RL15. Also an ER Shaw barrel
My Ruger shoot under MOA with 4064 so I just stopped right there and never tried anything else.
My Husky has it's original barrel and the bore is shiny. Because it's just got an original open sight (and I am an old man,) I don't know how accurate it is, but what I can say is that at 100 to 200 yards any target large enough for me to see I can hit, from a solid shooting position. So how good is it? Good enough.

What not 250 grain TSX ?

Good write up though thanks... I never tried RWS bullets in mine.

szihn,

Excellent write-up.

Thanks, RS

Why not the TSX?

Well..................no reason. I just have not bought any of those yet.

I really wish someone would come out with a .366 in the 235 grain range here in the USA, but I have a selfish reason. I own two 9.3X57s.
Still the 232 grain Norma gets a LOT of good reviews in the 9.3X62, so if Horandy Speer or Nosler would bring one out with a shank thickness of .062 and a tapered jacket in the ogive going to a thickness of about .008" at thge tip. I think it would cover a lot of the bases in in the US market for all the 9.3s., from 9.3X57 to 9.3X64 and all those in-between. We have excellent bullets now for game of 500 pounds up to 3000 pounds now, but what is lacking is a bullet made for 100 to 400 pound game. Sure the big ones kill smaller game ok, but the lower end of the spectrum is not covered my US makers. The Europeans do that, but importing them causes the taxes (duties) to jack up the price and for that additional money we are not getting much except enriching the government.

My idea of a 235 grain 9.3MM made with the 1/16" strip to draw into a jacket, with it thinning to only.008 which would make a bullet that could be driven fast enough to flatten out the trajectory a bit, have a shank strong enough to take hits to bone, and a nose thin enough to expand well out to about 450-500 yards. The truth is that the largest numbers of game kills with any bullets or diameters, from the hunters of American game are counted in the white-tail deer and mule deer categories, and having a bullet that is made for deer that will cover the elk and bears too would be excellent.
Such bullets do exist now, but cost more then they need to for deer hunting and off-season practice. because of them having to be imported instead of being made in the USA. My dream is for Horandy to come out with one very much like the 286 they have now, but lighter, and with a jacket that is 2X thicker in the shank. Speer and Sierra should look at it too. Any one of them could do it, but sales may not be in numbers large enough to get them to jump, so I don't think it will happen.

But I like to dream.

I have heard of people swaging down the 235 .375 caliber bullet but I think you would get jacket separation from spring back which could affect accuracy and performance. Like a broken record if just starting out on load work up I would use R16 over R17 for the temperature stability and anti copper agency.

Norma makes the excellent Oryx bullet in 232 grain but it might be hard to find as a component bullet.

I've had goog luck with Hawk bullets. They have a 232 grain that is a good deer bullet. Not cheap, but American made and work well.
For cheap paper punching the Speer 270, 286 PP and cast bullets are my choice. My day to day practicing is 50 and 100, so I don't need full power. 5744 and Trail boss make light shooting.
Bfly

OK, I'll play, since evidently this thread is going on and on and on....

Have been handloading and hunting with the 9.3x62 for just about 20 years, and a little later with the 9.3x74R in a German double rifle, and shortly afterward with the wildcat 9.3 Barsness-Sisk developed by me and then-Texas gunsmith Charlie Sisk, the .350 Remington Magnum necked up, which duplicates the case capacity of the 9,3x62 in a short action, and hence the balliistics. Have generally loaded 250s to around 2600-2650, and 286s to 2450-2500.

Have used them on North American game from Texas to Alaska, ranging in size from mule deer does to a 7-1/2 foot Alaskan interior grizzly to a big bull moose from northern British Columbia. The powders used have ranged from such similar medium burn-rate powders as Ramshot TAC, Reloder 15 and Varget to medium-slow powders including Ramshot Big Game and H4350. Mostly have used Nosler bullets--the 250-grain AccuBond, and 286 Partition--but also the 235-grain Norma Oryx, 250 Barnes TSX and 286-grain Hornady Interlock. (Have shot the 270-grain Speer some as well, but only into targets. It's a fine practice bullet, but after my dry-newspaper penetration tests have never used it on game.) Was not impressed with the TSX's killing compared to the other bullets, but in general have been unimpressed with monolithics at modest velocities--except for penetration.

Have used the 9.3x62 more extensively in Africa, on game from under 100 pounds (springbok and young warthogs, on a month-long cull hunt in South Africa) to a wide variety of "large plains game." Over there the only bullets used have been the 250 AccuBond, and 286 Nosler Partition and Solid.

Have recovered three bullets: one 250-grain AccuBond from an angling-away shot on the grizzly, which at around 50 yards entered the rear of the right ribs and was found under the hide of the left size neck, retaining 81% of its weight. Recovered two 286 Partitions, one from the BC bull moose at around 175 yards, which went through the meat just behind the big joint of both shoulders, ending up under the hide on the other side. The second recovered 286 broke the big shoulder joint of a blue wildebeest in Tanzania, as the bull quartered toward me at around 200 yards. Found it under the hide at the rear of the ribs on the other side. They averaged 82% weight retention. (Apparently a lot of people don't know that heavier AccuBonds and Partitions are designed to retain more weight. The 400-grain .416 Partition has retained an average of around 90% on the few I've recovered.)

In general, I don't think it matters much which powders are used in 9.3mm rounds of about that size. If somewhere in a burn-rate range that will give decent velocities, all powders and bullets have shot well in both the 9.3 B-S and 9.3x63. (I use H4350 in the 9,3x74R double because that's what regulates best.) They all knock the snot out of big game, but I would limit the 232 Oryx to "deer-sized" animals because it opens very widely, so doesn't penetrate nearly as deeply as the others.

My favorite all-around bullet is the 250 AccuBond at 2600-2650, which because of its high BC shoots as flat as the typical 180-grain .30-06 load, so is quite capable out to 400+ yards. Started out with RL-15, but then there was a shortage and I started using Varget, which is less temp-sensitive, and while 3-shot groups are slightly larger than with RL-15, they're still well under an inch. The temp-resistance counts more for my hunting (which has taken place from under zero to +100 degrees) than a fraction of an inch in group size.

Mule deer. Tell Nosler to make 286 accubonds?

MD: Nosler load data shows a maximum load of 56.5 grains of Varget with a 250 AB and a velocity of 2525 with a 26" barrel. You state 2600 - 2650 fps. Is your 9.3x62 especially "fast"? Thanks.

He’s loading the round to modern pressures akin to an ‘06 or .270. Load manuals keep pressures low in deference to old rifles. JB has pressure tested his data, and many of us have used it with spectacular results.

FWIW, I was doing some chrony work with My son’s rifle and the AB/Varget combo recently. His 20.5” barrel gets 2495 fps. My 20.5” barrel gets 2525.

This is what I get with my FN based 9.3x62 . So I don't think its especially "fast" . Hammer bullets has 258 and 240 grain mono's I'd like to try, ordered a 15 pkg but have not had an chance to load them up as of yet.

I referred to JB's Handloader article and this chart when I had my 9.3x62's.

DF

I just ordered some 250 ABs but am not sure what they will offer over the 286 NP.

Maybe a tad slicker flying to the target.

Doubt you or critters will be able to tell any difference.

DF

For fun I'm going to find some area where we can shoot a long ways and see what they will do.

Hi,

I have and use as my main rifle now a BRNO ZKK 600, made in 1967, in 9,3x62. It is, to me, the best fitting of all my big game rifles!
I use the loads published by M.D. with almost identical results. I use R15 with 220 and 250 grs bullets and W760 for 286 grs bullets.
I think would be difficult to find better, for one bullet weight/type for all, the 250 grs TTSX and GMX I have, plus the Accubond 250 grs I don't have, and R15 as the powder.
Best!

PH

Could you tell me how much R17 please sir? Thats kinda the data im seeking for the CEB.

bluefish,

The 250 Accubonds don't offer any on-game performance advantage over the 286 Partitions. But when started at 2650 or so they have about the same trajectory (and retained velocity) beyond 300 yards as various other cartridges using heavier spitzer started at around 2700 fps, whether the 6.5x55 with 140s, 7x57/7mm-08 with 160s, or .30-06 with 180s.

In fact the 250 AccuBond has pretty high G7 BC, for a bullet of its diameter and weight, of .494--which checks out on the range. This is slightly higher than the 286 Partition's .482--AND the 250-grain .338 Partitions .473.

You may not care about such things, but I have used the 9.3x62 as my primary medium-bore cartridge for almost 20 years, during which my .338 Winchester and .375 H&H haven't been used at all. I hunted with both a LOT before getting my 9.3x62, but came to like the 9.3x62 more, because it could do basically the same things with less recoil (due to using less powder). In fact I found that in general it killed somewhat better than the .338, probably due to the larger bullet diameter.

All of which is why I like the 250 Accubond as a general-use bullet in the 9.3x62 (or 9.3 Barsness-Sisk): It has penetrated more than sufficiently on big (not just deer-sized) big game, and makes shots at 400+ yards not just possible but pretty easy.

I looked in Africa because it is traditionallyanAfrican caliber and yes i do have a way to get somchem the powderscheap theshippings not but i can get it if i want it bad enough. I understand your position but i didnt know writd the gunwriters would help. This forum helped a great deal,and "africa" has been fruitful to me but can youtell me where to go better id appreciate it.

At least one poster suggested the "Big Game" forum in the Reloading subsection of the Campfire, which is toward the bottom of the list of forums. "Ask The Gunwriters" is also good, and it's near the top of the list, below "Hunter's Campfire" and "Hunting Optics."

I have only minimal experience with Somchem powders, but from their loading data I would guess many far more readily available powders will do as well or better.

I got them already!!! Thanks!!!

Im primarily concerned with 2 bullets just right now. The 280 grain solid Cutting Edge Bullet and the 200 grain raptor pointed Cutting Edge Bullet at max speed andthe280 at around 2400.
I want info on all bullets yall have.

I only load my one load so I'm no authority but I know you can't go in a store and see rows of 9.3x62. Even on line I don't see several factory loads jumping out at me. To me for use in the U.S. the 9.3x62 is mainly a reloading proposition.

Have not used the 210 Raptor but have loaded the 200-grain flat-base Raptor to 2850 fps with 66.0 grains of Reloder 15.

For any bullet (lead-core or monolithic) in the 286-grain class prefer Ramshot Big Game, around 65.0 grains depending on the bullet and the velocity desired. Have gotten 2500 with various bullets from the Barnes 286 TSX to 285 Norma Oryx out of the 23.6 inch barrel of my CZ 550; for 2400 around 60-62 grains should work. Big Game is a very temperature-stable powder, and have used the same basic load from below zero to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit with excellent accuracy and no problems.

I like CEB bullets. Never tried them in my 9.3x62's, but did in the .308 and .375 H&H.

Check out my review on the 135 Raptor out of my Broughton barreled Kimber Classic .308.

https://cuttingedgebullets.com/308-135gr-er-extended-range-raptor

I shot a one hole group out of my M-70 NH Classic .375 H&H with this one. No blood yet. Too many other projects.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/375-235gr-er-extended-range-raptor

They're expensive, but I don't actually shoot that many bullets at game. Practice with something cheaper.

Terminal performance is great, as is accuracy. I understand some PH's in Africa like them. I've read that in brush, they can come apart too quick if they hit something. I'd use them in open country, something else in a thicket.

DF

Hello M D,

Have you tried the W760/H414 with 286 grs bullets in your 9,3x62? Here W760 is the only ball type of relatively slow burning rate powder we have...at least for a while...The same question for H100v. In your opinion, is the H100v good enough for charge densities able to obtain adequate pressure/velocities with these 9,3x62 bullet weights?
Also, have you tried W748 with 232 and 250 grs bullets?
I understand these Winchester powders are rather "old" powders in regards to temperature sensibility and residues they leave in the barrel but, again, including the H100v, they are the only ones available here right now...!
Thank you very much!

PH

Patagonia Hunter,

I have zero experience with W760/H414 in the 9.3x62, for the temperature reason you state. But would not be surprised if they worked pretty well, since their burn-rate is similar to Big Game. H100V has a somewhat slower burn-rate, so it might not be as suitable. Have not tried 748.

When I was working up a load in 2000 for a 2002 trip to Africa I used a number of powders with the original 250 gr X. The H414 load shot well but was #2 for me. I ended up using VV N550 for the trip. My data is in Texas and I am in Idaho so I can't provide specifics.

Hi MD,

Thank you! I will try W748 for the light weight 9.3 bullets I have, including the 250 grs ones. I think IT should work very well.

PH

Thank you EdM!

Yessir, you can start at 60 grains of RL-17 under the 280gr BBW #13 solid, same if you ever want to try the big 320gr Woodleighs, both loads have a COL of 3.340 inch, I use Hornady brass and CCI-250 or FED-215 primers.

Good luck, and happy shooting/hunting.

Well there you go. My current 9.3x62 is a SS LH Ruger with a laminate factory stock reshaped like a Hawkeye and a 24" SS Doug barrel. I am going to have one of the Husky 146 barrels copied for a walnut and blue version next year.

I kinda need amounts of powders but yes heck of a missive full of info.

Thank you very much for that data.ive already got some r17 i think.

I have a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62. It really like the factory Seller&Belloit load with the 286 gr soft point and the best handload I found for it so far is 61.4 gr of H414 in a Norma case pushing a 286 gr Nosler Partition. I haven't handloaded solids so can't help you there.

Use Mule Deer's 250 grain Accubond load, it is spot on in my Ruger African!

Have a wonderful 30-06 1917 that was sporterized by Dad in the 1950's. I learned to shoot centerfire rifles with it.

Still have it 50 years later. Hmmm.... Might make a mighty fine 9.3x62.

Guy

szihn check on the Hawk bullets' 235 grain round nose. .035" jacket at $42 for 50. Maybe they would be like what you are asking about. I just remembered they made a 235 gr. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

I second this motion. I was lucky enough to find an old box of Norma 232 grain Alaska bullets that are lightning on deer and hogs for a very good price$20 for 87 bullets. Would love to buy more but for $72 for 50 that is just too steep. Especially when I bought factory 2nd accubonds for $27 for 50 at Midway. Haven’t noticed a difference on game. Through and through with both and not much bloodshot loss.

Good deal, and you're quiet welcome.

Bucktail: Thanks for the explanation of the higher pressure loading data.

Not a lotta juice left when gunner squeezes a lemon...

DF

tag

When life gives you lemonade, squeeze some lemons.