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Hi everyone,

A few months ago I asked for load advise for a upcoming cape buffalo hunt. (Postponed due to Covid)

Here is the link to that thread:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...x62-load-needed-for-namibia#Post14854958

Please check this tread out to understand why 2505fps is needed with a 286gr bullet.

IAnyway, I was finally able to get my hands on RL-17. My initial idea was to load 320gr Woodleigh softs but after some research and advise from my PH I decided to load a bullet of stronger construction like Barnes TSX/Peregrine VRG3 or similar monolithic.

I first had a look at the Barnes TSX, but because they are so long I was sceptical because the bullet would take up so much space in the case, space that is needed if I was going to reach 2505fps. My second choice was Peregrine VRG3 bullets, a local monolithic bullet made here in South Africa. Unfortunately they would not cycle in my CZ550. The third bullet I tried was the 286gr woodleigh hydros, still a long bullet but not as long as the TSX, or so I thought... hydros with the cap on are basically the same lenght of the TSX. My rifle would not cycle them without the cap on.

Nevertheless I started to do load development with the Hydros. Surprisingly I was able to reach 2515fps without any pressure signs. Obviously I was very pleased and reported my results to my PH. He was also very surprised to hear that 2500fps+ is doable with a 9.3x62. He however suggested that I only use the Hydros for follow up shots and suggested a good expanding bullet for the first shot.

Because the Hydros with the cap on are the same lenght as the TSX I I thought I might try loading some up. Theoretically should also be able to reach 2500fps+- as they are both 286gr, same lenght, and both have a driving band type design. Any thoughts on this?

Does anyone have decent load data for 286gr TSX's with RL-17?

Regards,

Oelof

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I think you're on the right track, but also think you are pushing your 9.3x62 pretty hard. "able to reach 2515fps without any pressure signs" You likely meant to say you didn't observe signs of unsafe pressure. Just because primers are not flat or cratered, or the bolt isn't difficult to lift doesn't mean its actually a safe load. If it was me, for confidence that I was in fact not stressing the action and cases too much with such stout loads, I'd load up a magazine full of those maximum loads, shoot them, reload the same cases, repeat 5 times. If your four or five cases survive that without expanded primer pockets and no excess stretching you likely do have a safe load. Good luck on your buffalo hunt.
I don’t think you’ll find a chronograph at the airport to check your loads.

Just make a “factory label” sticker that lists whatever numbers are needed to make the Namibia government happy and paste it on your hand load’s ammo box. Have fun with the name, “Ol’ Off-to-Hunt Ammo Company.”

Make the loads, keep them safe in your rifle, and go enjoy your hunt. The buffalo isn’t going to know if you have 5400 joules or 5300. Having the same point of impact with the TSX and Hydros would concern me more.
That does appear to be a rather stiff load. The new Speer data lists 2486 with a 270grn and RL-17.
How long is your barrel?
What is your OAL your CZ will like?
I use 286 partitions at 3.44 oal in my CZ 550, 20.5” barrel


If you can afford a buff hunt you should be able to afford quickload

What is the max pressure you want to run at?
56k is the spec’d pressure
Some guys are running at 60k (+p) some 64k (+p+)
A 270 max pressure is 65k for comparison


Based on a 24” barrel length I think you can get there right at 56k

I have had Very good luck w R17 in the 9.3, loaded between 52-64k psi depending on application in a CZ550

There is some concern with temp stability, one study on a different caliber shows 1fps per 1d F so you want to optimize your load to the anticipated temp. Hence test loads on an 80d day if you predict 80d temps. Don’t leave the cartridges laying in the sun at the range, then load and shoot.

With 286g partitions, 3.44” OAL, 20.5” barrel, 52k psi (calculated)r17, I am getting 2500fps for comparison, Much less than 1” groups on a factory stock CZ550, that is my go to load, I have loaded hotter but groups open up
Just remember what has been said about RL-17 and pressure signs. When you do see them, you’re probably way over SAAMI max.

Then look at the temp when you worked up the load and the probable temp where you’re gonna be hunting.

DF
Thx for everyone's feedback. I think I might just back down half a grain to be safe. I am planning to load either TSX or A-Frames for the initial first shot followed by these hydros.
You will want to test those loads in summer heat as well.
I read your post

Your from SA, probably not easy to get QL

Not always easy to get supplies, I get it
Been there, a few times

Ok, straight for the horses piel
Die antword:

3.44 oal
286g Barnes
23.6 barrel length
Per quick load, use at your own risk

Saami. Max: 63.0g 56.4k 2521fps/4037ft-lb

+p 64.0g 59.5k 2560fps

+p+ 65.0g 62.7k 2600fps/4287 ft-lb

I would start at 61 or 62 and work up in 0.5g increments until 63g then go up at 0.3g intervals until you get to your goal

If you leave your shells in the sun (or in the boot on a hot day) then use them you may add 2k psi, I think the bigger concern is long range accuracy

I run 250g accubonds at 64k, 2700fps from a 20.5” barrel a Bob Mitchel load, and never had a pressure problem


You can go thru a lot of R17 load testing, hopefully you have 2-3lb

Someday PM me and tell me how much you spent on the buff hunt, and who was the outfitter

Sorry for my poor use of Africaans lol
Well I just modified your case size to 75.3g H2O and makes my data off

61g gets you 55.8psi, 2488fps

62g gets you 59k. 2528fps

63g gets you 62.3k 2568fps


78g h2o was the default

Again use at your own risk, just trying to help
Originally Posted by 5shot
You will want to test those loads in summer heat as well.


Its summer time in SA now. Shot the loads at noon, it was probably 28°c, it will be cooler when I go for the hunt.
Originally Posted by MtnT
Well I just modified your case size to 75.3g H2O and makes my data off

61g gets you 55.8psi, 2488fps

62g gets you 59k. 2528fps

63g gets you 62.3k 2568fps


78g h2o was the default

Again use at your own risk, just trying to help


Thanks MtnT,

Your afrikaans is not bad at all. Quickload is available in SA but expensive so I just use Gordons. I dont think Gordons is as accurate at quickload though.

Do you think Swift A frames will be a better choice, perhaps easier to get to 2500fps with less pressure.

Would you mind checking?
286 AFrame

61g 54.4k 2453fps
62g 56.8k 2488fps
63g 59.3k 2523fps
64g 62k 2558fps
64.7g 64k 2583fps

which is better? I don't know, I was a bit surprised that the a-frame doesn't produce more velocity at a given pressure, for fun I just ran Nosler Partition at 64.7g and QL generated 56.3k psi pressure and 2543fps, using your parameters, 5570 joules, 4100ft-lbs. SAAMI spec load. my go to 286g is the Partition running at 2500 fps out of a 20.5" (520mm) barrel. 3/4" groups with that load
Originally Posted by MtnT
286 AFrame

61g 54.4k 2453fps
62g 56.8k 2488fps
63g 59.3k 2523fps
64g 62k 2558fps
64.7g 64k 2583fps

which is better? I don't know, I was a bit surprised that the a-frame doesn't produce more velocity at a given pressure, for fun I just ran Nosler Partition at 64.7g and QL generated 56.3k psi pressure and 2543fps, using your parameters, 5570 joules, 4100ft-lbs. SAAMI spec load. my go to 286g is the Partition running at 2500 fps out of a 20.5" (520mm) barrel. 3/4" groups with that load




Thanks for the info MtnT,

That is surprising. A Frames and Nosler partitions are are very similar in consruction and lenght so I am quite curious as to why A Frames would produce so much more pressure than Partitions?
I have toggled between the two and no it doesn't really make sense

the Aframe is slightly shorter, that usually would result in a pressure reduction at the same OAL
have you considered GS bullets?
being in SA they be available
Originally Posted by metricman
have you considered GS bullets?
being in SA they be available


They would have been a great choice. GS Customs have great bullets, I believe however they have moved their opperation to the US. Another source told me that they have issues with their machines. Its very difficult to get hold their bullets.
Oelof:

just some thoughts:

My opinion is the Barnes TSX is too long for this application, secondly my experience and other's experience has been that the performance is not as billed if you cannot get top velocities with the Barnes.

A couple guys that go by Mule Deer and CZ550 really know their stuff, if you do a search, there is a fair amount written about the 9.3, one guy loads to 60k the other to 64k, one likes R17, one ahs concerns about temp stability, my interpretation is it is an accuracy concern

If I was in your shoes, I would stick with the R17 powder and go with the Swift A-Frame if that is the bullet that is readily available. I would ladder load up to your required velocity and a then a bit more, maybe up to 2530fps, see what shoots the best accuracy, and go with it.
Originally Posted by MtnT
Oelof:

just some thoughts:

My opinion is the Barnes TSX is too long for this application, secondly my experience and other's experience has been that the performance is not as billed if you cannot get top velocities with the Barnes.

A couple guys that go by Mule Deer and CZ550 really know their stuff, if you do a search, there is a fair amount written about the 9.3, one guy loads to 60k the other to 64k, one likes R17, one ahs concerns about temp stability, my interpretation is it is an accuracy concern

If I was in your shoes, I would stick with the R17 powder and go with the Swift A-Frame if that is the bullet that is readily available. I would ladder load up to your required velocity and a then a bit more, maybe up to 2530fps, see what shoots the best accuracy, and go with it.





Thanks MtnT.

I have done just that. I have loaded of 286gr Swift A frame's. Going to shoot them this coming Sunday. Will report back on POI vs the Hydros and speed/accuracy obtained.
I was told by a top gunmaker with a lot of actual handloading and regular almost daily shooting experience at the range that RL17 is temperature sensitive and has experienced issues. Don’t know myself, haven’t used it that extensively. Yes or no. Would like your comments please. Just trying to learn.
It's pretty easy to get 2500 fps with 286s in the 9,3x62 at "safe" pressures with several powders. I know this because have had such loads actually pressure-tested, and they were right around .30-06 pressures of 60,000 PSI--which are considerably lower than the 65,000 PSI SAAMI max pressure of a number of other cartridges.

And actual pressure-tested data beats pressure-guessing: anytime, whether with "pressure signs" or QuickLoad.
I bet your friend hasn’t experienced issues with a 9.3 w reloder 17
A 338wm for example will go from 64k to 93k with a small adjustment w R17
It is hard to get to 70k misloading and doing everything wrong in a 9.3 w R17 and 250acubond
Take that with a grain of salt,

If you need or want all out velocity in a 9.3, this is the powder
I have a 20” barrel, and want 2700fps w 250’s so that is why I use it,
When I go to Africa I need 2510fps w 286 from a 20” barrel sends me to R17
I have a couple hundred rounds or more thru my CZ550 w R17 w no problems, It seems to work well w my set up and goals
Some guys say they keep a dope chart for temp, some say they adjust 0.2g for temp, Some don’t like that, some won’t use the powder

I sighted it in for Elk today w 250’s pushed by r17. Off a bipod, w a rolled up sweatshirt at the butt, first group was 3” at 375yards, the ave of the 4 groups was 1moa, I got a little flinchy at the end or it would have been better

There are other powders that are very accurate and temp stable, but the velocity is just a little slower
Originally Posted by Texson2
I was told by a top gunmaker with a lot of actual handloading and regular almost daily shooting experience at the range that RL17 is temperature sensitive and has experienced issues. Don’t know myself, haven’t used it that extensively. Yes or no. Would like your comments please. Just trying to learn.


Not too sure about that. I have shot these loads between 17°c to 28°c and haven't noticed a difference.
Just a quick update.



I shot my A-Frame loads today. Turns out the A-Frame's basically have the same point of impact as the Hydros. The A-Frame's run a bit faster than the Hydros. Speeds where around 2540fps.

I honestly couldn't be happier.


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Originally Posted by Mule Deer
It's pretty easy to get 2500 fps with 286s in the 9,3x62 at "safe" pressures with several powders. I know this because have had such loads actually pressure-tested, and they were right around .30-06 pressures of 60,000 PSI--which are considerably lower than the 65,000 PSI SAAMI max pressure of a number of other cartridges.

And actual pressure-tested data beats pressure-guessing: anytime, whether with "pressure signs" or QuickLoad.


Thanks Mule Deer,

I have read that some of the users on the forum make use of your loads. I have settled on a load that is around 2539fps with a 286gr Swift A-Frame and 286gr Woodleigh Hydros at 2515fps. I did some brief penetration tests with the A-Frame and Hydro with wet newspapers. Interestingly the A-Frame expanded slightly more that a expanded .375 A-Frame.

There is a 9.3x62 shooting day close to Pretoria this weekend. I have prepared desent newspaper wetpacks and we will be putting my 9.3x62 going at 2539fps with 286gr A-Frame's up against a .375H&H shooting 300gr A-Frame's at 2530fps to see which penetrates the most. Should be interesting, I dont expect to see any clear winner though.
Anybody -- what would you expect performance to be like with a 250 TTSX at 2540? Is that enough speed to make this bullet do well?
Talus I see 2625 with RL 15 and 250 gr bullets I use Nosler AB or Nosler B Tip With 286 Gr Bullets Nosler Partition I use Ram Shot Big game. 2520 FPS 22" barrel.
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