2011 NWT Wood Bison***Update***Mount is on the wall in Post 67

I decided to go with the shoulder mount. If it had been a smaller one or in the winter with a really thick coat I might have gone with the rug.

The stock was a semi inlet from Brownell's. It only needed a little fitting to get it right.

Between Eugene and I we still have enough freezer space for a moose later on. :D
 
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I couldn't bear to risk the double on the quad after i beat up another rifle the week before.

It's hard to estimate the live weight on something that big but based on a guess after lifting the quarters, backstraps, misc pieces and head/cape into the truck plus judging by the size of the gut pile and the weight of the remnants of the carcass, I would say that 1600 or 1700 would be a fair guess. They say that they can be up to 2000 lbs and mine was as big as I have ever seen so maybe he was even bigger than 1700. The old half-ton was looking pretty loaded with the buff in the back and the quads and trailer on behind!
 
BigUglyMan;

Congrats on your trophy! Very nice animal, and a well written story.

May I ask a couple questions?

I've been around the block a couple of times at nearly 76 and 60 yrs hunting, but, though I've owned and used most of the familiar cartridges in rifle hunting from .22 LR to .458WM, only recently did I purchase a T3 in 9.3 X 62. Right now it's being used (just began last Friday) in bear hunting (actually, I'm guiding a young hunter over bait and we have a big one coming), and the load is 58grs RL-15 behind a 286 Hornady in Hornady brass (really S&B) and ignited by WLRM primers. MV is 2400 + fps. It shoots into .75" at 100yds for 3 shots (consistently) It's zeroed at 100. The one bait is 70yds from my ladder stand.

Q. #1 -- how do you explain only 2350 fps from a 286gr Norma from 61.5grs RL-15? All that I've read and researched to date indicates 58 to 59.5grs as max.

Q. #2 -- is your barrel a shorty, and is your action and freebore extra long?

I've loaded 6 more with 59.5grs but haven't tried them yet because the current load is plenty, very accurate, and I'm thinking that even 59.5 may be too much. I'm also thinking that my next can of powder might be RL-17 after reading the results of a full test of that cartridge in a Ruger Hawkeye (23") on Real Guns.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

And, BTW, the Hornady bullet is a good one, not the best, but very good. It's the same basic bullet as the 270gr in .375" loaded by Hornady for both the .375 H&H and the .375 Ruger (@ 2800+ from the Ruger) which has been used to flatten Cape buff with a single shot.

Here are the specs for each of those bullets:

.366/286gr:
Jacket: gilding metal
.030" -- tip to cannelure
.035" -- cannelure to base
.050" -- base
Core: lead + 3% antimony

.375/270gr:
Jacket: gilding metal
.030" -- tip to cannelure
.036" -- cannelure to base
.060" -- base
Core: lead + 3% antimony

Regards,
Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
Huh? You gonna keep that tiny little specimen?


Just kidding! Congrats on a successful hunt. Even though it's way more fun in February when it's -40C, ya wuss. I'm sure you've eaten bison before, if not, you are in for one heck of a treat!

Thanks for the story and pics!
 
Bob

The best way to explain my numbers is that my chamber is slightly oversized. I worked the load up with a chrony and paid close attention to the cases. Initially they were smoking the outside of the case when I was using 59 grains. Once I got the pressures up the cases were coming out clean and without any undue bolt lift (and yes, I'm aware that traditional pressure signs are somewhat unreliable). Believe me, I'm not taking any chances. I think the fact that my rifle is older and and possibly the reamer dimensions were somewhat bigger back then contributed to that. It has a 24" barrel.

I've not measured the freebore but that might be something to do for fun. The action is a standard M98 Mauser complete with flag safety, clip guide and thumb cut. Apparently Varget is a great powder in the 9.3x62 as well. I should have tried it as well as I use it in my 308 and it would eliminate one can on the shelf. I've got a box of 286 Hornadys as well and will try them eventually.

I'd say that if you're at 2400 with your load then stop there and consider yourself lucky that you've got a rifle that saves you a few grains per load.
 
Thank you very much, BigUglyMan! I sincerely appreciate your input.

That's a great trophy you have, and lots of good eating!

BTW, Nosler manual shows 58.5grs RL-15 as max in their setup at just a bit over 2400.
OTOH, RealGuns show OVER 2500 fps from several bullets, including the Nosler Part. and Hornady, plus several euros, from RL-17! And that from a 23" Ruger.

Nonetheless, I respect your caution, especially from an older rifle.

Thanks again.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
Hey there, BUM. Congratulations! Not surprised at all that you were successful. Thread could be called Big Ugly Guy meets Big Ugly Guy! :D

You have seen Marg's bison mount. We put just under 1100 pounds of boneless meat in the freezer from that dude, and the estimated live weight was 2300-2400. Yours doesn't look much smaller.

Did you get a picture of the expanded bullet?

Ted
 
Nice bull! With 9.3x62 it just makes it all the better!

I keep thinking if I am so lucky to get the chance - I would want a front end loader nearby LOL
 
bigborefan said:
Thank you very much, BigUglyMan! I sincerely appreciate your input.

That's a great trophy you have, and lots of good eating!

BTW, Nosler manual shows 58.5grs RL-15 as max in their setup at just a bit over 2400.
OTOH, RealGuns show OVER 2500 fps from several bullets, including the Nosler Part. and Hornady, plus several euros, from RL-17! And that from a 23" Ruger.

Nonetheless, I respect your caution, especially from an older rifle.

Thanks again.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
Click to expand...

I've always found that Partitions give higher pressures than the traditional cup and core bullets. I've found that Partition data is (usually) safe with a cup and core bullet, but not vice versa.

Here's an image from somewhere on the interweb showing RL15 load data from various sources. That's where I got the bulk of my info.

93x62-RL15-loads.jpg
 
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