9.3x62 and Unique powder....what say you?

saskgunowner101

saskgunowner101

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A while back I tried some Unique for loading some lower powered loads for the .223. However, not knowing when to stop I wondered about using it in the 9.3x62mm. I have some bullets from a buddy(158 SWC) that are slugging .359-.360. I've got teflon tape. I've read about it on the internet, so it must be true.:D

The case capacity is near the same as the 30/06 and reduced loads have been used in that, so I think I'm good to go. I don't think I'll find a magical 1/2 moa load, just minute of tin can is what I'm looking for.

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
All the .30-06 cast bullet data I have uses gas checked bullets.
"...I've got teflon tape..." Bits of tape won't help. Likely melt in the barrel.
 
If it was me I would try to find an appropriate cast rifle bullet with a gas check, sized to properly match your bore diameter, probably about .368" rather than using a loose fitting handgun bullet. The accuracy will be dismal, and lead fouling will be significant due to flame cutting the sides of the bullet. Send Ben Hunchak a PM, he'll probably be able to help. I've used Unique in the 7X57, .308, .30/06, the .375s (H&H, Ruger, & Ultra), and the .458 for small game and plinking loads with both jacketed and cast bullets with good results. Unique is useful regarless of case volume, from .38 S&W to .460 Weatherby, so there is no reason why the combination of a good cast bullet backed by Unique wouldn't work in your 9.3.
 
Opcx6 said:
Go for it and have fun.:cheers:
Click to expand...

I was bored so I took this advice.:D I'm not sure how well they'll shoot, but nothing ventured nothing gained. At least I tried....will give them a test run after I break a trail to the the woodpile. I put a dummy cartridge in the mix for a size comparison. 13.1 grains Unique for the powder charge.

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Depending on the diameter and condition of you bore your grouping may or may not be acceptable, like Boomer says.

Try three rounds and go from there.

A cast bullet should ideally be one or two thou larger than groove diameter for best results.

Keep us posted.

:cheers:
 
Better yet shoot 9mm Makarov .365" bullets. Lee makes a cheap mold or use Hornady jacketed..........If you roll teflon tape on a cast bullet so the tape tightens with the direction of the rifling twist it can be driven faster without leading and shreds in flight 20 ft from the muzzle...............Harold [chicken load]
 
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Saskgunowner,

Have a read through the articles in this thread, they talk about using light loads with lead bullets in milsurps. I don't think they talk about Unique specifically, but there are other pistol powders used that will give you a basis for comparison. The author also said that he never had leading problems with bullets over .30 caliber if velocities were kept reasonable, with or without gas checks used.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=423660&highlight=red+dot+8mm

Mark
 
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Was an interesting shoot to say the least......shot better than I thought, and also worse.

Here's my model 46a Husky back in her original stock for the day. I also had to poach the front action screw off my m-96 Swedish mauser seeing the one for the Husky snapped.

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Here's my little slice of heaven at 50, 75 (woodpile), 100, 200+ and the 300 meter is out of view . I zoomed the camera so it doesn't look quite right.

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First group of five shots........where's the fifth?? Only about 20" away down to the bottom. We'll call that a flier.:D

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A closer look at the group.

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A pic of the fired casings showing almost completely sooted necks.

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A pic of the primer backing out slightly.....

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The second five shot group. Wheres the fifth?? About 14" inches away. We'll call that one a flier too.:D

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Keeping me honest here.

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Another one.

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Same same

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All in all it was fun to try out, and I'm going to try teflon tape next. A few of the bullets seated easier than the others, I'm almost thinking they were the fliers. Recoil was very pleasant, higher than a 223 but less than a 30/30 factory load.

The recoil was different as well. I'm used to a ku-pook with a bigger push, but these recoiled much quicker.....very nice to shoot though. Took out my earplugs for the last two, and would be very nice for plinking/hunting in the bush without ringing my ears.

Interesting thing about both groups was the fact they measured pretty much the same if the flier is taken out of the equation. There was a bit of leading, but nothing to be concerned about suprisingly.

I'm still curious how fast they would be going....any old timers want to hazard a guess?? 13.1 grains of Unique, 148 grain swc. I'll post more:) on the next batch I try. I'm deluded enough to think I might get to 2" 50 meter groups with these same bullets.......stay tuned.
 
Tried out a few more of the same load with the scope on...poor results.....5+ inches at 50 meters for 4 shots and the crazy flier more than a foot away. The teflon tape wrapped bullets behaved quite bizarre. All 5 shots in the group were about a 1/2 inch horizontal, but strung 7 inches vertical.:eek:

I popped away at a old pot at the 200 meter and hit it 2 out of 5 for the teflon. Target sheet was 14" across and was about 1 3/4 mil in the scope....and it took a 2 mil hold on the top of it. At least an 18 " drop by my figuring.

And that's why you need the correct size bullets.;)
 
Good on you for trying. Teflon tape works fine, but is a fair bit more costly than good old paper. You've probably got a 1/2" jump to the rifling and are undersized, so even if you wrap the bullet up to groove size, I wouldn't expect MOA accuracy.
 
Truth is even though it didn't get awe inspiring groups it was fun to give it a try. I did notice the teflon wrapped bullets did bump the pressure (I'm assuming) for the lack of soot on the neck and the primer not backing out somewhat.

I suppose I should have gave the barrel a scrub before using this batch of 20 rounds. If I knew what caused the 7" vertical spread, I'd probably try a few more.......
 
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