Help and Advice from 9.3x62 Users

[sgt_zim]

Thanks for all the advice so far. It sounds like the Hornady Interlock is the best choice for this hunt. I thought that was the case, the 9.3x62 has a highly effective round before bonded or monometal bullets were invented.

Art, The highest BC bullet in the 286 class is Partition. But for inside 300 yards, that advantage over even the terrible BC of Oryx's .33 just evaporates. Interlock is about halfway between Partition and Oryx.

The only bad choice for your pending black bear hunt is the bullet that won't group 1 or 1.5 MoA at 100 yards. Even Speer's 270 gr is a good choice in this scenario, assuming it groups well.

• NAB 250
• NP 286
• Oryx 285 and 325
• Hornady 286
• Hammer 258
• Speer 270
• Woodleigh 320, 286, 250

There are no bad choices here, only good and better, depending on what your rifle likes the best.

 

[John Telford]

Swift A frame since you will be shooting relatively close. 2400 is good for the 286 grn.

 

[Nhoro]

Lead core bullets work better at lower velocity and are better suited to the 9.3. I think the Swift bullet works great but Interbond and Interlock are fine too. If you had a 378 weatherly, then I would say aframe all the way and maybe even the ttsx.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I’ve used the Hornady Interlocks on bison at about 2550 fps which is a bit fast for the design. One was a behind the head into the rocker joint, passed through the hide, through the muscle, through the rocker joint and stopped inside the cranial vault. The bullet seperated its jacket and core. On the second bison the bullet went through the left side, took out a rib, through the top of the heart, took out a rib, jacket seperated from the core. Core broke in two pieces jacket lost two petals and came to rest lodged in the hide. The interlocks will work. I just prefer a bullet that holds together a bit better. Which is why I suggest the swift A frame. If I have my choice I’d go with swift.

 

[DrBob]

I’ve used the Hornady Interlocks on bison at about 2550 fps which is a bit fast for the design. One was a behind the head into the rocker joint, passed through the hide, through the muscle, through the rocker joint and stopped inside the cranial vault. The bullet seperated its jacket and core. On the second bison the bullet went through the left side, took out a rib, through the top of the heart, took out a rib, jacket seperated from the core. Core broke in two pieces jacket lost two petals and came to rest lodged in the hide. The interlocks will work. I just prefer a bullet that holds together a bit better. Which is why I suggest the swift A frame. If I have my choice I’d go with swift.

Good information. One compromise for softer game like black bear would be the Nosler Partition. ...but not available right now.

 

[coreydb]

I've had excellent luck with both, as well as the Norma Oryx. Lead is dead. Basic bullet just like the Swift A-frame

 

[AZDAVE]

I would load a 250 accubond at 2600 ish and go shoot a bear.

 

[foxtrot1]

We went June 23. I loaded partitions in my 9.3x62. Excellent expansion and penetration. Shot my bear quartering toward me, broke its shoulder and it excited lungs. Even penetrated the barrel that was behind the bear. Performance should be even better at x62 speeds.

Good luck, it is a fun trip.

 

[One Day...]

In truth, at the 9.3x62 moderate velocity, about anything will work great, but most "African" loads will be too tough for European / American game.

My wife uses TSX in her 9.3x62 on Buffalo in Africa (I go .458 Lott TSX), but I have to say, it is hard to beat the cost/value of the PPU factory load for the 9.3x62 on soft game like boar or bear. Yes, it opens faster, but this is exactly what you want on those animals, and nothing beats cheap ammo for a lot of fun practice.

 

[1dirthawker]

i pretty much agree with @sgt_zim above.

i have used CFE 223, and push swift a frames 2500 fps in my 9.3x62. at 2400 fps, just about any 286 gr bullet is going to work for you.

good luck on your hunt.