9.3 x 62 and the 320 grain Weldcore

[andries 318 wr]

Good Day
I have loaded the 286 gr Hydro in my 9,3x62 CZ at 2400fps, using Norma 203B. I will post the COL little later when I'm back home.

 

[andries 318 wr]

COL with the Green Cap 87.50mm without the cap 84.20mm. Feed perfect from my CZ550

 

[Red Devil]

Circling back on the .366/320 gr. Weldcore SP/9.3x62 load.

Thinkin'bout a woods/thickets/alders round.

Pleased w/ the Speer 270 gr. for N/A 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 is intriguing 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



Red

 

[Rick HOlbert]

Circling back on the .366/320 gr. Weldcore SP/9.3x62 load.

Thinkin'bout a woods/thickets/alders round.

Pleased w/ the Speer 270 gr. for N/A 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 is intriguing as a lower velocity "stopping round".


View attachment 413435

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



Red

Hello Red. Interesting bullet. I've looked at them but have thought if I needed a heavier bullet that was what my 375 was for. but to think about it not much difference between 286 and 300 grains. Matter of fact the 286 has slightly better sectional density and penetrates deeper. If you do some load development and shooting tests I would be interested in the results. As for now I've been trying to locate some Woodleigh Hydro solids for the 9.3. I like them in 375 but the 9.3 is fast beoming my favorite medium bore rifle.

 

[sgt_zim]

Circling back on the .366/320 gr. Weldcore SP/9.3x62 load.

Thinkin'bout a woods/thickets/alders round.

Pleased w/ the Speer 270 gr. for N/A 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 is intriguing as a lower velocity "stopping round".


View attachment 413435

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



Red

I keep going back and forth on this one vs the Norma 325 gr. But as things stand, I have between 300 and 350 9.3 bullets just sitting on the shelf as it is. I need another 100 bullets RN like I need a hole in the head.

 

[Red Devil]

I keep going back and forth on this one vs the Norma 325 gr. But as things stand, I have between 300 and 350 9.3 bullets just sitting on the shelf as it is. I need another 100 bullets RN like I need a hole in the head.

Yeah, stocked up on the Speer bullets during the rebate a while back, and, w/ the HDY bullets for 286 gr. load development... I want for nought.

But that 320 gr. Weldcore looks like it brings somethin' special for a stopping round.

S.D. of .341 is crazy.

The 325 gr. Oryx as well, but, like the 285 gr., maybe a little too much expansion for the job.




Red

 

[sgt_zim]

Yeah, stocked up on the Speer bullets during the rebate a while back, and, w/ the HDY bullets for 286 gr. load development... I want for nought.

But that 320 gr. Weldcore looks like it brings somethin' special for a stopping round.

S.D. of .341 is crazy.

The 325 gr. Oryx as well, but, like the 285 gr., maybe a little too much expansion for the job.




Red

working on a black bear hunt for my son and me for next spring, figure the oryx 285 is plenty, even in the unlikely encounter with a mountain griz.

 

[sgt_zim]

Yeah, stocked up on the Speer bullets during the rebate a while back, and, w/ the HDY bullets for 286 gr. load development... I want for nought.

But that 320 gr. Weldcore looks like it brings somethin' special for a stopping round.

S.D. of .341 is crazy.

The 325 gr. Oryx as well, but, like the 285 gr., maybe a little too much expansion for the job.




Red

My Woodleigh book shows N550 producing the hottest loads with that 320 gr - 2320 fps. That's scooting right along, with N540 and N150 right behind it.

 

[Red Devil]

My Woodleigh book shows N550 producing the hottest loads with that 320 gr - 2320 fps. That's scooting right along, with N540 and N150 right behind it.

Mule Deer over at the Campfire has loaded the 320 gr. Weldcore PP variety to ~ 2340 fps ahead of 61.5 gn. of Big Game/CCI 200 primers/23.6" Bbl.

Said they pressure tested < 60k PSI (.30-06).

For the RNSP, that would be 3890 ft-lbs at the muzzle, and 1900 fps/2566 ft-lbs at 200 yards, w/ a 3.5" high mid-range trajectory when scope sighted in at that range.

You can beat that by a little w/ the 286 gr. A-Frame... but you have to push it > 2480 fps.

Think the 230 gr. Weldcore RNSP, sighted in at 100 yds and ~ 3.5" low at 200 yards, would be an ideal stopping round for big hogs and bear.

Just don't know if the 286 gr. Oryx or A-frame would perform the same.

Woodleigh - also puts a recommended impact velocity on this bullet at 2,000-2,200 fps... which is outside the envelope for this high a loading.

So, maybe slow it down to 2300 fps and shorten to range to ~ 100 yds or so.

From the Ruger African, the reduction in recoil would be appreciated.




Red

 

[sgt_zim]

Yeah, stocked up on the Speer bullets during the rebate a while back, and, w/ the HDY bullets for 286 gr. load development... I want for nought.

But that 320 gr. Weldcore looks like it brings somethin' special for a stopping round.

S.D. of .341 is crazy.

The 325 gr. Oryx as well, but, like the 285 gr., maybe a little too much expansion for the job.




Red

One thing to keep in mind - Woodleigh recommends impact velocity of 2200-1800 fps for this bullet. I figure ~2250 fps at the muzzle is about perfect, sight it in 1.5" high at 100 yards for a 150 yard zero, and you're ready to rock all the way out to 200 yards, with only a 4" drop there.

 

[Red Devil]

One thing to keep in mind - Woodleigh recommends impact velocity of 2200-1800 fps for this bullet. I figure ~2250 fps at the muzzle is about perfect, sight it in 1.5" high at 100 yards for a 150 yard zero, and you're ready to rock all the way out to 200 yards, with only a 4" drop there.

Woodleigh, as per their most recent (2020) Catalog, has the recommended impact velocity for this bullet at 2,000-2,200.

I was just runnin' the numbers on 2260 fps/150 yd zero, and it looks about right w/ the +1.5"/100 yard sighting.

Puts the 2,000 fps mark at ~ 25 yds, and the 2,000 fps mark a little past 100.

This load is based on ~ 56 gn. of Varget.




Red

 

[WAB]

Where the heck does the powder go with some of these longer bullets? Are you shooting heavily compressed loads?

 

[sgt_zim]

Woodleigh, as per their most recent (2020) Catalog, has the recommended impact velocity for this bullet at 2,000-2,200.

I was just runnin' the numbers on 2260 fps/150 yd zero, and it looks about right w/ the +1.5"/100 yard sighting.

Puts the 2,000 fps mark at ~ 25 yds, and the 2,000 fps mark a little past 100.

This load is based on ~ 56 gn. of Varget.




Red

You will probably find that at 56 gr, Varget is a compressed load for that bullet. You might even find it before 56 gr, but also depends on mag length and jump, and if you're using a drop tube, etc. I ran into that issue with Hornady 286. Their COAL for that bullet is 3.125", but 3.165" is as close as I could get without a compressed load on top of varget.

I've got some IMR4895 coming (since I can't find Varget anywhere) for the 250 gr NABs.

For 286, I like small spherical powder like Alliant PowerPro 2000MR or Ramshot Big Game better.

FWIW, Western Powders shows 53-58gr of Big Game for Woodleigh 320, and a top end of about 2375. I would expect similar loads and performance for 2000MR, Win748, and CFE223

Lots and lots of guys at 24 hr cam p f ire, and more than a few here, swear by Big Game for their heavy bullet needs in this caliber.

http://blog.westernpowders.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/9.3x62-Data.pdf

********************
late edit.

I see you're already familiar with Mule Deer.

 

[sestoppelman]

"I've got some IMR4895 coming (since I can't find Varget anywhere) for the 250 gr NABs"

My favorite load for both the 250 NAB and the TSX was 61 grs of IMR4064, both very accurate and performed well. Velocity was not earth shattering but it worked. Dont recall the OAL but it was in a CZ 550 and I know they were over 3.4".
Load to the box and chamber length. I pay little attention of book OAL numbers.

 

[Scrumbag]

working on a black bear hunt for my son and me for next spring, figure the oryx 285 is plenty, even in the unlikely encounter with a mountain griz.

I asked Norma which bullet they recommended for bear in 9.3x62 and they said the 285gr Oryx.

Mind you, if I was going to be told I was going hunting "somewhere" and didn't know where I think that would be the bullet I'd take...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Mule Deer over at the Campfire has loaded the 320 gr. Weldcore PP variety to ~ 2340 fps ahead of 61.5 gn. of Big Game/CCI 200 primers/23.6" Bbl.

Said they pressure tested < 60k PSI (.30-06).

For the RNSP, that would be 3890 ft-lbs at the muzzle, and 1900 fps/2566 ft-lbs at 200 yards, w/ a 3.5" high mid-range trajectory when scope sighted in at that range.

You can beat that by a little w/ the 286 gr. A-Frame... but you have to push it > 2480 fps.

Think the 230 gr. Weldcore RNSP, sighted in at 100 yds and ~ 3.5" low at 200 yards, would be an ideal stopping round for big hogs and bear.

Just don't know if the 286 gr. Oryx or A-frame would perform the same.

Woodleigh - also puts a recommended impact velocity on this bullet at 2,000-2,200 fps... which is outside the envelope for this high a loading.

So, maybe slow it down to 2300 fps and shorten to range to ~ 100 yds or so.

From the Ruger African, the reduction in recoil would be appreciated.




Red

@Red Devil
Using Woodleighs outside their velocity parameters is not an issue at all.
The muzzle velocity of the 225gn Woodleigh PP SP in my Whelen is 2,950fps which is 200fps over the Woodleigh recommendation.
I discussed this with Geoff and explained it as they still worked well at that velocity.
My reason is the velocity reccomends impact velocity not muzzle velocity and how much game do we shoot at the muzzle.
My reason is as long as impact velocity is within parameters where is the problem.
The 310 Woodleigh RNSP has an sd of .346 slightly higher than the 9.3, both excellent bullets.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You will probably find that at 56 gr, Varget is a compressed load for that bullet. You might even find it before 56 gr, but also depends on mag length and jump, and if you're using a drop tube, etc. I ran into that issue with Hornady 286. Their COAL for that bullet is 3.125", but 3.165" is as close as I could get without a compressed load on top of varget.

I've got some IMR4895 coming (since I can't find Varget anywhere) for the 250 gr NABs.

For 286, I like small spherical powder like Alliant PowerPro 2000MR or Ramshot Big Game better.

FWIW, Western Powders shows 53-58gr of Big Game for Woodleigh 320, and a top end of about 2375. I would expect similar loads and performance for 2000MR, Win748, and CFE223

Lots and lots of guys at 24 hr cam p f ire, and more than a few here, swear by Big Game for their heavy bullet needs in this caliber.

http://blog.westernpowders.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/9.3x62-Data.pdf

********************
late edit.

I see you're already familiar with Mule Deer.

@sgt zim
Using a drop tube I can get 62 grains of H4350 in the Whelen case with the 310gn but it is compressed. When I can get to the range I will give it a try. Hoping for 2,300fps at low pressure. 59 grains of 4350 give 2240fps @48,000cup.
Bob

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I asked Norma which bullet they recommended for bear in 9.3x62 and they said the 285gr Oryx.

Mind you, if I was going to be told I was going hunting "somewhere" and didn't know where I think that would be the bullet I'd take...

I shot my last black bear with a 250 Oryx from my 358 Norma Mag. The only time I have seen the blood spray out of the animal through the scope. Heart and lung shot.
I would not hesitate to use Oryx bullets on anything that walks in North America.

 

[Red Devil]

@Red Devil
Using Woodleighs outside their velocity parameters is not an issue at all.
The muzzle velocity of the 225gn Woodleigh PP SP in my Whelen is 2,950fps which is 200fps over the Woodleigh recommendation.
I discussed this with Geoff and explained it as they still worked well at that velocity.
My reason is the velocity reccomends impact velocity not muzzle velocity and how much game do we shoot at the muzzle.
My reason is as long as impact velocity is within parameters where is the problem.
The 310 Woodleigh RNSP has an sd of .346 slightly higher than the 9.3, both excellent bullets.
Bob

For this, as a woods/thickets/alders stopping load, would hope 25 yds would be ~ the minimum range.

But have had really big (+300 lb) hogs closer than that, and a Big bear encounter can get to contact range as well.

So, for this load, optimum bullet performance at close range is better than out past 200 yds.

Have other bullets/loads for that.




Red

 

[IvW]

I have used a 300gr Rhino with great success in my 9.3x74R...