9.3x62 Ramshot big game

bat119

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Anybody use big game in the 9.3? It's my goto for 30-06 and I have a surplus on hand, sent an email to Ramshot came back with no available data although I have read others using it.
 
I used to use that with 285/286 grain bullets - PPU and Nosler Partition. I had found it as published by John Barsness - can find his load in his first "Big Book of Gun Gack" (or his various articles over the years in Handloader Magazine) or the loads also show up on 24hourcampfire website - he is "mule deer" over there. Barsness's thought was to load to same pressure as 30-06, so his loads tested higher pressure than SAAMI standard for 9.3x62 - he had his loads tested at the Western Powders Lab in Myles City, Montana. I currently load another of his published loads - 250 grain Accubond bullet and Varget powder. I happened to use Fed 210 primers and PPU 9.3x62 brass, if that matters. For me, here in Western Manitoba, not seeing much Big Game powder (or most any powders by Ramshot or Alliant) for sale.
 
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I was gonna say John Barsness have a lot of loads with 286gn bullets and big game achieving over 2470fps out of a 23.6” barrel
 
The Barsness load uses 65 to 66 grains of Big Game behind a 286-grain bullet ignited by a magnum primer for about 2,500 fps out of a 22 to 24-inch barrel.

This load is considered a modern classic.
 
Due to the lack of IMR 4350 I tried some big game in 30-06 it was almost half the cost and worked well.
I found this on another forum the writer said it came from Ramshot, much more cautious than the loads listed above I suspect because of the different action strengths available. I have some Speers on hand I'll start here and work up some loads in my 98 action.

9.3x62mm Mauser w/24"bbl

Ramshot- Big Game (#1 choice) Bullet wt: 270gr
start load: 56gr (2250-2350FPS)
maximum load: 62gr (2450-2550FPS)


Ramshot- Hunter Bullet wt: 270gr
start load: 62gr (2150-2250FPS)
maximum load: 67gr (2450-2550FPS)

Notes:
1- Begin loading at the recommended minimum "start" load.
2- If at all possible ,measure the velocity and correlate
with our data.
 
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I’ve used, it preforms well on paper.
Meters beautifully

285 PPU soft points
59 grains Ramshot Big game.
Fed 210
PPU brass
With slight crimp
2390fps out of a 1920s Forster with a Klett barrel
 
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EDIT

I ran it through GRT with 286gr Interlocks, Gave a velocity of 2333fps at 62gr of Big game. This was out of a 20" barrel. (One thing to note is only 93.9% of the powder gets burnt. (22" barrel is 95.9%) (Max load was 62gr of powder.)

I also did speer SP (2459) 270gr. Velocity was 2402 with 64gr of powder. (Basically max load.) out of a 20" barrel. however same thing burnt powder was only 92% (fairly close to the loading data you saw online elsewhere.)

This is just quick computer calcs so just remember to not start at the charges listed as they are max charge. I would back off a couple grains and work my way up.

Cheers,
B



B
 
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I think you will find that 9.3x62 has a pressure standard slightly less than 30-06 - go here to see the Saami standards: https://saami.org/technical-information/ansi-saami-standards/

I read in one of Barness's articles that he had or had access to two otherwise identical rifles - one in 30-06 and one in 9.3x62 and wondered why he could not load both to the same pressure.

I have never used GRT - I do not know if it uses default 9.3x62 pressure as "Max", or if the user inputs that level. Note that Saami gives three pressure ratings - Maximum Average Pressure, Maximum Probable Lot Mean and Maximum Probable Sample Mean. They explain the differences - I think on page 5 or so.

9.3x62 pressure numbers are found by scrolling to page 13 - the 30-06 numbers are on page 20.
 
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I tried 57-63 grs in my Husky 98 23.6” barrel no serious signs of pressure tapped out at 2387 fps accuracy was average 5 shots in 1 1/2” the GRT was spot on.

My load was 63grs. BG win primer, OAL 3.280 PPU brass 270gr Speer
 
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I found the loading notes when I tried Big Game powder in 9.3x62. The rifle was a used Model 649 Husqvarna that I still have - although modified significantly.

Note in the test results, that I got an "error" on my Shooting Chrony - it did not pick up the first round at 65.0 grains of that powder. Also, I was in error above - I used Federal 215 (Magnum Large Rifle) primers for that testing. I do not remember, but I probably shot four rounds at one powder level and then moved to the next powder level - versus "round robin", which I do now.

The John Barsness load that I was working up to is reported in his book "The Big Book of Gun Gack" as 66.0 grains Big Game powder, 286 grain Nosler Partition bullets, Norma cases and CCI 200 primers. He reported 2475 fps from that, with 0.67" accuracy. His loads were developed by him and shot in a CZ 550 rifle. It is my intention, one day, to try to duplicate his Big Game powder loads with some 9.3 mm 320 grain Woodleigh PP SN that are here, which he lists at 61.5 grains for 2343 fps at 0.97" accuracy. Most of his articles refer to 5 shot 100 yard "accuracy", unless he specifies differently - as he does for 200 grain cast bullets using Red Dot powder in that article.

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I loaded up five test rounds using 286gn partitions starting at 62gn up to 66gn of ramshot big game, I will try and go to the range today and see how it does in my husky 649 20” barrel full stock!
I’ll repost back
 
Well I just tried the 66gn of big game and the velocity is somewhat low compare to what Barsness is getting! I will load five rounds at 66gn now that I know pressure is ok and see if the accuracy is good!
 
Went back to the range today with 6 rounds loaded with 66gn of big game roped with 286gn partitions, 3 with a coal of 3.290 that is compressed load and 3 at 3.372” that is barely compressed, a bit faster but more velocity spread and a little less accurate vs the compressed load that was a bit slower but more accurate( keep in mind that this is a really really small sample)! I will load some more tonight at the shorter coal and go hunt bears tomorrow with it!
 
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