Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Ramshot Big Game/Hunter in the 9.3x62

Has anyone tried either of these in the 9.3x62? If so what were the results?

I hope someone replies. I haven't bought powder for mine yet. Although I do have a couple recommended Big Game loads from reliable a source,right now I'm leaning towards RL15 because there is so much more data and seems it may be hard to beat.

A while back I emailed Ramshot�s ballistician asking about using his powders in the 9.3x62 and he sent me a slew of data. He was extremely responsive.

Try emailing him. I doubt he would mind if I posted the info he sent me, complete with the disclaimers, but somehow feel that would be taking liberties with his info. After all, I didn't tell him the it was to be posted on a public website. But if you have trouble finding info let me know.

Unfortunately for me no one in this area carries Ramshot powders.

Hey W,THANK YA! I'll e-mail them. Availability seems to be an issue in alot of places. So what are you shooting in what kinda rifle?

I shoot a CZ 550 American. I haven't settled on a particular load yet, but, like many will tell you, Varget and RL15 work well. Big Game apparently works well too, from what I've read on these boards, but I haven't been able to try it.

I've shot a lot of different bullets using a lot of different power. This includes, variously, H-414, BL2C, H4350, IMR4046, IMR4350. I've even experimented with H4831, which, it should be no surprise, was too slow for this use.

Let me quickly add that some of the experimentation was done only after talking with the manufactures� technicians and by firing the rifle with a string from behind a wall as it was secured to a Lead Sled.

But most the manufactures have published loads for this round if you dig for it.

I like BG in my CZ 550 American. I found this load on this site.

NICE,Steve! Your load seems to be right in line with the one load I've found(maybe here)using that exact bullet and BG. It's got 66gr as max at 2495fps in a 23.6" bbl.

W,I've been searching and collecting load data for over a year while waiting for my bbl'd action. What I've got covers pretty much the powders you have listed except of course H4831. Just haven't found much for Big Game. My Speer #12 has IMR4350 as one of the top 3 powders but when I inquired on-line about it I got all negative input saying it was to slow of a powder. And,like you,most replys I got suggested RL15,Varget,and a only two for Big Game maybe because it's hard to find.

Steve,
If mine shoots half as good as yours I'll be thrilled! I'm looking for something that I can use for the 9.3 and 30-06 that will drop easily from a measure. If I can find one then 8lb kegs will be purchased. Have you tried RL-15 and/or Varget in your 9.3, and if so how did it/they compare to the Big Game? Note: With the results that you showed I wouldn't have gone any farther. Thanks for the input.

Among ball powder that can be used in both the 9.3x62 and 30-06 there is manufacturer-tested published data for:

BLC2
H-414
AA2700

and perhaps some others, particularly, some of the other Accurate ball powders.

The Ramshot ballistician will provide you data for Big Game and Hunter, if you ask for it. Per him, though Hunter might be slower than ideal for the 9.3x62, it will work. I think the Ramshot data was based off of theoretical calculations and not necessarily from direct tests, but I could be wrong on that.

I�ve tested BLC2 and H-414 in the 9.3x62 and from my experience BLC2 will make it rock and roll, though it might be better for the bullets on the lighter end of the spectrum. Conversely, H-414 might be better for bullets on the heavier end of the spectrum.

From experience I can attest that Varget and RL15 work very well. From reading about from the likes of Steve4102 and others it sounds like Ramshot Big Game might be the best of the best, but I�ve never tried it. (I know I've already posted that info but it bears repeating, I think.)

One last thing to note: if you don�t mind compressing the load H4350 does work fairly well in the 9.3x62 and is ideal for the 30-06 and Hodgdon offers published data for that powder for both rounds.

I have been shooting the 9.3x62 for many years now, chronographed a ton of loads..RL-15 is the only powder that I use.

My 9.3x62s have a long box and throat so that I can seat bullets out...also I have a 26 inch barrel on my present 9.3x62.

With 58 grs. of Rl-15, 215 Fed. primer I can get 2520 FPS with a 286 gr. Nosler.

With 57 grs. I can get 2400 FPS with a 320 gr. Woodleigh and thats my buffalo load..

I also shoot the 230 gr. GS Customs monolithic H.P. and it scoots along at 2700 FPS, shoots as flat as a 30-06 with a 180 gr. bullet..I use 66 grs. of H414..I think RL-15 would be even better but have not got around to playing with this bullet much as it works great as is...

Thanks Ray. Sure seems like RL15 is the most popular for this cartridge. It was also the late Finn Aagaard's favorite as I'm sure your aware of. I'm waiting for reload data on Big Game but haven't even seen any of the powder locally. I've got plenty of time til next season to work something up and powder is all I need. I did pick up a box of 285gr Privi Partizan ammo to see how this rifle will handle though.

Yup, R-15 is an excellent and very popular powder for the 9.3. I tried it and it worked very well indeed. Very accurate and fast, just not as fast or as accurate as BigGame.

BigGame or R-15, you should do well with either one.

As far as I know, I was the first person to try Ramshot powders in the 9.3x62, about 6 years ago when I purchased my CZ 550 in that chambering. I worked up to 65 grains of Big Game with 286's and got superb accuracy (as in 3 shots touching or nearly so) in the 23.6 barrel, at right around 2500 fps. This is with the Nosler Partiion or Barnes TSX. I had it pressure-tested and it got around 60,000 psi. Charlie Sisk and I have since used this basic load in a number of rifles with uniformly excellent results.

Hunter would indeeed be a little slow, and I suspect Big Game would also be a little slow with lighter bullets, as it would require around 70 grains to get up to speed with 250's. It is a dense powder, but that much still might not fit in the case.

For 250's I use either Rl-15 or Varget. Nosler got their best accuracy with 250's with Varget, and I have found it to be slightly less temp-sensitive than RL-15, though both are good powders in that respect. I suspect Ramshot TAC would do very well with 250's but haven't tried it.

THANKS for all the info guys. I've got 270gr Speers and will go with RL15. There aren't but a few places local to buy powder and none have Big Game but do have RL15. My rifle has a 20" bbl, which I wanted. I'm not really looking for top velocity just a good accuracy load.

In my CZ 9.3X62 RL 15 gave the best accuracy and most consistent velocities. Ramshot Big Game was good, but RL 15 was a little better. Try both and go with the one that's best in your rifle.

EZEARL,

Holler if you don't hear back from Ramshot. If not, I will post the data they sent me but I wanted to first give them a chance to speak to any direct questions you may have had.

THANK YA,Wismon! Had puter problems but got it sent yesterday afternoon. Just basically asked about reload data for Big Game or any of their powders they thought would work in the 9.3x62mm. Also told them that I'd be using a 270gr bullet in a 20"bbl w/a 1-12" twist. I'll post their reply.

Sounds good...

Here we go Wismon:

9.3x62mm Mauser w/24"bbl

Ramshot- Big Game (#1 choice) Bullet wt: 270gr
start load: 56gr (2250-2350FPS)
maximum load: 62gr (2450-2550FPS)


Ramshot- Hunter Bullet wt: 270gr
start load: 62gr (2150-2250FPS)
maximum load: 67gr (2450-2550FPS)

Notes:
1- Begin loading at the recommeded minimum "start" load.
2- If at all possible,measure the velocity and correlate
with our data.

OooRah! Love it! I love how response Ramshot/Accurate is to requests for information. Now if they could just solve their distribution issues, or whatever it is that's keeping their products from being available anywhere near me...