9.3x62, 286 Partition, RL-15

Moose Masher

Moose Masher

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Oak Hammok Manitoba
I recently picked up a Stiga 96, 9.3x62 and after sorting out some issues with the rifle, have started some load developement. All groups were shot at 100yds with open sights; brass bead front, Marbles rear with white diamond.

I figured I'd start simple with one powder, RL-15, and two bullets, Nosler 250gr Accubonds and 286gr Partitions. Brass is new Graf, primers are CCI 250.

I loaded up 56, 57, and 58 grains with the Accubonds, seated to the bottom edge of the cannelure. That gave me a C.O.L. of 3.265".
The 58gr load averaged 2414 fps and groups ran around 3-4". I'll probably go up to 59gr and see if the groups tighten up a bit. 59gr should be no problem even for the 96. There were no pressure signs at 58gr.

Next I loaded 55, 56, and 57 grains with the Partitions, seated again to the bottom edge of the cannelure for 3.260". The 57gr load averaged 2300 on the nose with an extreme spread of just 4 fps over 12 shots ( 4 groups of 3 ). Groups were 2.5 to 2.75". It was fairly windy too, but it's always windy here and I couldn't wait any more. A pop can would come pretty close to covering all 12 shots at 100yds. No pressure signs.

This rifle will be used for moose and bear out to about 200yds. I've got a set of XS ghost ring sights on order from Ellwood Epps for it. 286 Partitions @ 2300 fps suits me just fine for that purpose, and that's the load I'll probably stick with.

Later, Moose Masher.
 
Good work, Ive got the exact same rifle but im still using the original sights. Will be using it for Black Bear hunting in fairly short range situations. Im testing 270 gr. Speer Bullets and Blc-(2) powder. Packs a pretty good wollup.....
 
Given that you're running a bead front sight I think 2.75" at 100 isn't too bad. If it were a blade sight I'd recommend tinkering with the load but beads are, in my experience, not as accurate as post and notch sights. I think you've got it nailed. Maybe a bit more speed would be nice, but it wouldn't be necessary.

My load is 59.5gr of RL15 with 286 Norma RNs. My brass is new Lapua and I too am using CCI250s. That combination gives me about 2350 and 2" groups (with a post and notch). I may try a bit more powder, but it's hard to argue with the results I've gotten so far.
 
I would have liked to use the original post and notch sights but unfortunately the front post was replaced with a bead before I got the rifle. I do have the original rear sight, but it's too low to use with the bead and it's kinda butchered anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to find a suitable front post and I'll have to file the rear sight to clean it up a bit. I agree that the bead is more difficult to align, especially in bright sunlight, but it does show up a little better in low light. Eventually I'll mount a ghost ring on this gun, but it won't be here until about the time I'm going moose hunting. Most gunsmiths are completely swamped from Sept. to Dec. so I'll probably wait until Jan. or Feb. to take it in.
 
Tried a couple more loads out today.

286gr Partition with 58.0gr RL-15 averaged 2337fps. Primers still have a nice round edge, no sticky bolt or any of that. Grouped a little over 3".

250gr Accubond with 59.0gr RL-15 averaged 2445fps. Primers starting to flatten out, but still not flat. Grouped 3-4".

The gun strings shots a bit vertically, not a lot but enough to see the trend. I suspect a good bedding job would help my groups.
 
My gun weighs 7.25 lbs with a sling and 4 rounds. With 286 gr bullets, recoil is stiff, from the bench anyway. A friend's Ruger 77 .338 win that weighs over 9 lbs seems to kick about the same shooting 225's, but it's been a while since I shot it.
 
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