Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game .366/320 gr./Woodleigh Weldcore SP/9.3x62mm - Anybody Using This?

Thinkin'bout a woods/thickets/alders round.

Pleased w/ the Speer 270 gr. for general use, and have both Norma Oryx and Swift A-Frames in the 285-6 gr. wt. as a heavy load.

But this 320 gr. bonded round nose SP calls to me, as a lower velocity "stopping round".




They are reasonably priced and available, compared to the current prices of Oryx/A-Frame/NP/etc.


So, would appreciate any comments/concerns/suggestions RE: this load.

TIA




GR

I load the 286 NP and have never looked back.

Have you taken any game with the 286 NP? I just acquired some and would like to try them out on a big boar this fall in my 9.3x62

I tried them but my rifle didn't like them nearly as well as the 286 gr bullets. So other than punching paper I have no field experience with the 320s. But those 286 gr pills flat out puts the smackdown on critters.

I have. It acts like any other partition with a bigger hole and impressive destruction. I run mine with 58.5 grains of RL 15 from a 24 inch barrel. I presume I am approaching 2500 fps.

It's a hell of a bullet, i shoot the round nose and Protected Point versions, they've shot ragged hole groups for me, many came from a thick duplex 1.5-5 leupold, the rifle now wears a 1.75-6 with standard duplex.

I run them to 2400 fps with RL-17, you can start at 58 grains and work up if you wish, i use Hornady brass and CCI-250 or FED-215 primers have seen no difference in accuracy or velocity with the two primers, my load is a little better than 5% higher, seat both bullets to 3.340 inch, crimp groove not needed, they've never moved with that much shank in the case.

2400 fps... yikes!

That would put the upper Rec. Impact Velocity (2,200 fps) at near 100 yds.

How is the expansion of the RNSP at that speed at the 25 yd line?

Excessive?

Won't ask about the recoil - as I suspect it is in the .375 H&H class w/ that load.




GR

LOL, all good with the Protected Point version at 2400 fps Garandimal, i would suspect even the round nose version to be in the 2200 fps area at 100 yards, the 58gr starting load should put you in the 2150 fps range at the muzzle, that would work on anything walking imho.I haven't used that rifle on a thing but targets and shipping boxes stiffed with cow bones and Wifes glossy ladies magazines, soaked with water, the 320gr Woodleighs are pure wrecking balls Sir.

Having not used them specifically means nothing to me, having used Woodleigh bullets in the 2150 fps range on a lot of animals from deer/pigs to wildebeest/kudu i would have no concerns.

Oddly enough, my rifle doesn't recoil bad at all considering what's sent downrange, lower powder charge than 375 H&h and a good stock that fits is key here i believe.

Thanks, gunner.

Think a coupla boxes of the 320 gr. RN Weldcores are in my future.

Found a Varget load at ~ 2260 at the muzzle, puts 2200 right at 25 yds.

WesternPowders says Big Game can take it all the way up to 2375, puts the 2200 right at 75 yds.

A "wreckin' ball" is exactly what I'm lookin' for.

Much appreciated.


As for recoil - the Ruger African has a great stock... but a lightweight Bbl.



Great for the field, but may be a little on the "snappy" side w/ heavy loads.

Mostly been disassembling PPU loads at the range, to harvest the brass for reloading.

Also a few hogs as well.

That low velocity 285 gr. is just fine in the recoil dept.




GR

Norma 325.0 grain bullet N550 62.0 2,340 mv 22" barrel

A proven load in both of my 9.3's.

Have the 285 gr. Oryx.

Wanted a round nose for this load.

You happy w/ the 325 gr....?

Know folks lookin' at it as well.




GR

Very happy, with accuracy and the speed.

Given the recommended impact velocity of the 320 gr. RN Weldcore bein' 2200-2000, with a minimum of 1800:

2260 fps/MV: hits those numbers at 25, 100, and 200, respectively.

2340 fps/MV: hits those numbers at 50, 150, and 250, respectively.

Maybe a better GP load, but maybe a little more than is necessary for the woods.


May load some at that velocity anyway, and then impact test'em at 25 yds and see how they do.

For a woods load, would rather have 25 yd optimum performance than extra minimum performance past 200.


Have the 285-6 gr. Oryx/A-frames for that.




GR

Man that'll work, what a beautiful rifle, didn't know Ruger made those, you'll be set from 5 to 200 yards easy with that load, accuracy should be through the roof good, bullet performance goes without saying.

Thanks.

One of the Lipsey's limited run a while back.

Threw on a VX-1 2-7x33mm on low rings, and have just left it on 2.

With the 24" ltwt Bbl, it is balanced right at the back of the receiver ring, and handles like a .30-06.


Mostly still hunt, so it really is a good rifle for me, and a precision "wreckin' ball" out to 200 is exactly what I'm lookin' for.

The 2260 fps load has the recommended impact velocity (2200-2000) bracketed at 25-100 yds, and hits the 1800 minimum velocity at just past 200.

Bought perfect.




GR

I have seen the 286 NP and 286 TSX both work on elk and a 300# hog, respectively, in the 9.3. Myself, I used the 310 Woodleigh in a 35 Whelen AI going 2400 (R15) on a 200# hog, at 30yds no less. 40 cal hole in and 75 cal hole out, no bloodshot meat, no shoulder bones/spine hit, blew chunks of lungs many feet out the exit! Love those old round nose heavy bullet up close! have a ball Pard!

That .358"/310 gr. is near as matters the same bullet.

http://www.35cal.com/bullets.html


Might just look a little harder at the 2340 fps/MV Big Game powder load.

If there is no down side at 25 yds, then the reach to 250 might come in handy.

Not to mention the common powder w/ the 270-286 gr. loads.

Thanks.




GR