Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 9.3 data John

John
I have used your 60.5 gr of Varget with 250gr AccuBond in the 9.3x62 for some time with great results, but not able to leave things alone, I have decided to try some 250gr barnes bullets. It is my understanding that Barnes build more pressure, and not having any reloader 15, have you got a Varget load that will give me the same velocity as the AccuBond. Thanks Joe

I've used JB's Varget load with 250 TSX for moose and bears and even knocked down a wounded 60" bull at 380 yards. I just used JB's formula and I had a great load without all the trial and error of developing a load.

If anything, it seems the Barnes develops less pressure. I say this because the Barnes always gives less velocity with equal charges. We've also discovered the 250gr accubond consistently out penetrates the 250 TTSX, likely because it opens wider.

That would depend on which ones. The ones with relief grooves generally don't.

VernAK
Did you use the 60.5 gr varget with the 250gr TSX?

John, I'm sure you're going to respond to this OP question so when you do, please let me know if I am remembering correctly that due to lot-to-lot variations in Varget, you have sometimes needed up to 2 grains above the well known 60.5/250 AB load to hit the 2650 FPS the original lot produced?
My couple lots of Varget appear to be more representative of the slower ones you used that needed a bit more to hit "the number."

Merry Christmas to you and Eileen. Hope you're having a wonderful Eve.

Rex

As somebody else already noted, if you're using the TSX Barnes bullets they tend to result in less pressure than most big game bullets, due to the grooved shank resulting in less bullet/bore contact.

If you happen to have some ungrooved Barnes 250s (which haven't been made in a very long time) then they will result in more pressure.

Yeah, variations in powder lots can result in "adjusting" loads slightly.

Merry Christmas!

Yes with bullet seated and crimped at top ring.

So John were my smoky memories correct that in your handloads it did take up to 2 grains more Varget with some subsequently slower burning lots after you had first worked up your 60.5 charge for 2650 FPS with the 250 AB? I could have sworn I saw this in one of your posts but can't find it now.
I'm at 62 grains of my Varget lot with the 250 AB and still sitting at 2600 FPS (23.5" inch barrel).
Just need my hand held (LOL!!) a little to push it up. Of course there are no pressure signs but as you have taught us the classic pressure signs may not manifest until approaching 70K PSI.

Thanks, and a Happy New Year to you and Eileen.
Rex