9.3x57 load found in "Cartridges of the world 8th Edition"
- Thread starter tletang
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
IMR 3031 is a very good powder for applications that require a propellant with a relatively quick burning rate. However, the load data in Cartridges of the World is full of mistakes and should not be taken at face value. Compare that data to data from other sources before accepting it as truthful.
You might find the following informative . . .
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?645-Handloading-the-9-3x57
You might find the following informative . . .
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?645-Handloading-the-9-3x57
Yes I have personally loaded for my 9.3 x 57 with IMR 3031. My load was 43.0 grains with a PRVI 285 grain bullet with an OAL of 3.123". I found the load to be fairly hot, but The Handloader Journal #283 (April 2013) lists the same bullet with a max load of 43.5 grains of IMR 3031.
Doug
Doug
I might look at loads in "Cartridges of the World" for reference, but the book is not a load book, and is notorious for publishing poor loads.
In the absence of load data, there's still lots you can do. The 9.3X57 has a case capacity of approx 64 grs of H2O, but little load data. Other rounds are similar in some ways, e.g. in case capacity and/or bore size, and have lots of load data. For example:
8X57 - case capacity is approx 62 grs of H2O
358 Win - case capacity is approx 58 grs of H2O
9.3X62 - case capacity is approx 75 grs of H2O
We know that larger bore and larger case capacities lower pressure and vice-versa, so, as a sanity check, we can deduce that in the 9.3X57:
8X57 (same case capacity, much smaller bore) - max loads will be lower in the 9.3X57;
358 Win (smaller case capacity, slightly smaller bore size) - max loads will be lower in the 9.3X57; and
9.3X62 (larger case capacity, same bore size) - max loads will be higher in the 9.3X57.
For IMR-3031, we have the following published load data:
1. 8X57, 175 gr, 45.0 grs - 49K CUP;
2. 358 Win, 250 gr, 42.0 grs - 51K CUP; and
3. 9.3X62 - 250 gr, 54.5 grs - 48K CUP.
What I stated above about pressure is illustrated in these loads. #1 and #2 would produce lower pressures in the 9.3X57 and #3 (even though 54.5 grs would not fit) would be higher. As few people load 175 gr bullets in the 9.3 bore, load #2 with the 250 gr bullet is most useful in the 9.3X57 IMO. With a 250 gr bullet, you could safely use 42.0 grs of IMR-3031 in the 9.3X57, and not exceed 51K CUP. With an action that can handle that kind of pressure, I'd work confidently up to about 45.0 grs of IMR-3031 with the 250 gr bullet. Pressure estimating tools like Quickload can provide an additional sanity check.
"Doug's" load of 43.0 grs with the 286 gr bullet seems reasonable based on the above as well.
In the absence of load data, there's still lots you can do. The 9.3X57 has a case capacity of approx 64 grs of H2O, but little load data. Other rounds are similar in some ways, e.g. in case capacity and/or bore size, and have lots of load data. For example:
8X57 - case capacity is approx 62 grs of H2O
358 Win - case capacity is approx 58 grs of H2O
9.3X62 - case capacity is approx 75 grs of H2O
We know that larger bore and larger case capacities lower pressure and vice-versa, so, as a sanity check, we can deduce that in the 9.3X57:
8X57 (same case capacity, much smaller bore) - max loads will be lower in the 9.3X57;
358 Win (smaller case capacity, slightly smaller bore size) - max loads will be lower in the 9.3X57; and
9.3X62 (larger case capacity, same bore size) - max loads will be higher in the 9.3X57.
For IMR-3031, we have the following published load data:
1. 8X57, 175 gr, 45.0 grs - 49K CUP;
2. 358 Win, 250 gr, 42.0 grs - 51K CUP; and
3. 9.3X62 - 250 gr, 54.5 grs - 48K CUP.
What I stated above about pressure is illustrated in these loads. #1 and #2 would produce lower pressures in the 9.3X57 and #3 (even though 54.5 grs would not fit) would be higher. As few people load 175 gr bullets in the 9.3 bore, load #2 with the 250 gr bullet is most useful in the 9.3X57 IMO. With a 250 gr bullet, you could safely use 42.0 grs of IMR-3031 in the 9.3X57, and not exceed 51K CUP. With an action that can handle that kind of pressure, I'd work confidently up to about 45.0 grs of IMR-3031 with the 250 gr bullet. Pressure estimating tools like Quickload can provide an additional sanity check.
"Doug's" load of 43.0 grs with the 286 gr bullet seems reasonable based on the above as well.
Last edited:
If you want published loads on the 9.3X57, you can look for "Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges" and Handloader #283 page 56, but the major source (and only ammo manufacturer today) is Norma.
IMR 3031 is a good powder for the 9.3X57, but so are the H-IMR 4895, W748, BL-C(2), H-380, Varget, IMR 4064 and H335 and on....
With the bullet you specify, the IMR 3031 load usually runs between 40 to 44 grains, 42 being pretty common.
As a sidenote, all the 9.3X57 cases I use (Metallverken, Norma and various reformed from 8X57) are more within 61/62 grains of water.
OP, send me a PM with a valid e-mail and I'll send you the two references above in .pdf
IMR 3031 is a good powder for the 9.3X57, but so are the H-IMR 4895, W748, BL-C(2), H-380, Varget, IMR 4064 and H335 and on....
With the bullet you specify, the IMR 3031 load usually runs between 40 to 44 grains, 42 being pretty common.
As a sidenote, all the 9.3X57 cases I use (Metallverken, Norma and various reformed from 8X57) are more within 61/62 grains of water.
OP, send me a PM with a valid e-mail and I'll send you the two references above in .pdf
Last edited:
