Q: Reloading for 9.3x62

308BAR

308BAR

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Hi Guys,

I was reloading some rounds for the 9.3x62 I'm using the 250gr FB TSX and IMR4064. I was told the recommended COL of 3.30", however it cannot fit in the magazine so I have to reduce it to 3.230"-2.240" in order for it to just fit. I'm working up from 5% below book max (57gr) but notice that when I put 56.5 grs of 4064 that it is compressing and making it difficult to seat the bullet.

I've never worked with compress loads before, are compress loads common for this caliber. I'm I going into the red zone for my Husky? :runaway:

Any recommendation for powders that have worked well and/or do not create a compressed load? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Try using a long drop tube to minimize the amount of compression. You might try a ball powder, perhaps W-760 or H-380 would work well, but I don't have a loading manual in front of me.

I doubt if you would notice any difference in pressure or velocity by reducing your OAL by 0.1", however, if your cartridge were heavily compressed, over time, the bullet could push out of the case unless crimped. Sometimes a heavily compressed cartridge deforms to the extent that it is difficult to chamber.
 
308, while I don't use the Barnes bullets we need to take a step back first.

You say you have a Husqvarna which is a very well made rifle. Is it a 96 or a 98 action?

Many here will dispute but from what I have found in my manuals you need to stay a ways back from max for the 96 actions. Your 5% reduction from max may be the top load for a 96.

The Barnes bullets are quite long to make up for being all copper and therefore take up more powder capacity. Perhaps a shorter cut powder (H4895) would work for you. It sure works well for mine. Even RL19 would pour in a little more compact than the IMR line.

Compressed powder being a problem depends on the amount of compression as well as the type of powder.

My 375 H&H for example had a compressed load of IMR4350 and never had any trouble.

Be sure you are usinf data for the Barnes bullet too, not for a jacketed lead bullet as they create different pressures per given weight.
 
Noel said:
308, while I don't use the Barnes bullets we need to take a step back first.

You say you have a Husqvarna which is a very well made rifle. Is it a 96 or a 98 action?

Many here will dispute but from what I have found in my manuals you need to stay a ways back from max for the 96 actions. Your 5% reduction from max may be the top load for a 96.

The Barnes bullets are quite long to make up for being all copper and therefore take up more powder capacity. Perhaps a shorter cut powder (H4895) would work for you. It sure works well for mine. Even RL19 would pour in a little more compact than the IMR line.

Compressed powder being a problem depends on the amount of compression as well as the type of powder.

My 375 H&H for example had a compressed load of IMR4350 and never had any trouble.

Be sure you are usinf data for the Barnes bullet too, not for a jacketed lead bullet as they create different pressures per given weight.
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It is a 96 action, and I am using the Barnes manual for load data. I'm following TSX loading information as per their website. It does indicate that the TSX bullet will reduce pressure so working up 2 grains from book loads would be ok, but still checking for signs of preassure. However I don't think I want to venture past max at this time with the 4064 due to the compression concerns.

So is compressed IMR4064 going to be a concern?

PS. FYI the rifle is still in a excellent condition and seems to have not many rounds through it.
 
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I haven't used the IMR powder in this cartridge so I cannot say for sure.
I have in the past had a healthy does in my 308Win which was slightly compressed under 180's and it was fine.

If I were you I'd be starting off low and working up if even only one round at each powder incriment just to get a basic idea of where to work from. It isn't the best way to do it but it saves you throwing those pricey chunks of copper into dirt.

What is the recommended starting charge in the manual for 4064?

Noel
 
In my modern 9.3 x 62 wit 22 inch bbl, i use RL 15 for the 250 gr tsx / nosler accubonds, H-BLC2 for the Speer 270 gr and Varget for the 286 gr TSX

The RL shoots moa at very good velocities, BLC2 sub moa at good velocities and Varget submoa at 2350 ft/s (my preferred round in this rifle and the only velocity I can remember)

I feel that H-BLC2 (or is it BCL2?) is probably the most effective/ efficient powder of the 3 and I tried it to good effect for all 3 weights of bullets, but the Varget is temp stable and my main choioce of load.
 
I use RL 15 with 250,270 and 286 gr bullets with outstanding results in mine. I dont however shoot the tsx in it. Unless your loading for cape buffalo maybe a shorter bullet such as the 250 gr accubond and a dose of RL 15 might alleviate your compression problems and still get the job done . Otherwise its drop tube and different powder time
 
farshot said:
In my modern 9.3 x 62 wit 22 inch bbl, i use RL 15 for the 250 gr tsx / nosler accubonds, H-BLC2 for the Speer 270 gr and Varget for the 286 gr TSX

The RL shoots moa at very good velocities, BLC2 sub moa at good velocities and Varget submoa at 2350 ft/s (my preferred round in this rifle and the only velocity I can remember)

I feel that H-BLC2 (or is it BCL2?) is probably the most effective/ efficient powder of the 3 and I tried it to good effect for all 3 weights of bullets, but the Varget is temp stable and my main choioce of load.
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I have the BLC2 and would like to us this powder but don't have a starting point for it in my Barnes book and can't find it on the Hogdon reloading site. What was your start and max with the 250gr TSX bullet?
 
If your manual says it's a compressed load, don't worry about it. Compressed loads aren't dangerous. However, IMR4064 isn't a powder Hodgdon recommends for the 9.3 for any bullet weight.
 
Hodgdon doesn't recommend IMR 4350 either, but there is a listing in an older Speer manual for this caliber. The load that I use is 64gr of IMR 4350 ignited by the CCI250 pushing the Speer 270gr. No pressure signs.
 
rgv said:
i'm shooting that listed load of 61.0 4064 with a 250 AB loaded to 3.330" with a FC210 and a Lapua case

2540 from a 20" barrel

I use a Forster drop tube and have no trouble getting it into the case
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Wow 61 grs? It doesn't even seem like there that much case capacity. I assume that it's compressed.

Sorry, I've never use a drop tube before how is this any different from a powder funnel?

I'm using Graf cases purchased from Ellwoods. I FL sized and trimmed all the cases to proper length. Champhered and cleaned all lube from the bass. From just my recent loads I would assume 61grns would be spill out of the case.

"sunray" If your manual says it's a compressed load, don't worry about it. Compressed loads aren't dangerous. However, IMR4064 isn't a powder Hodgdon recommends for the 9.3 for any bullet weight.
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That's the thing the Barnes manual didn't indicate that it is compressed. However I'm pretty sure the bullet seated on the charge.
 
A drop tube can be made from any plastic tube, I used the barrel of a Bic pen at one time, although a length of 12" works better. The idea is that the longer the powder drops, the more uniformly it lies within the cartridge resulting in higher loading densitiies, useful when loading with extruded powder.
 
In a quest to figure out why my 9.3x62 would only sling 286 Barnes at 2000 FPS with book max I loaded three with the max load of IMR4350 from the Barnes #3 manual which is a load for the old X Bullet. When I tried to seat the bullet the charge was so compressed that the bullet stuck in the seating stem and wouldn't stay in the case! I eventually switched to my 416 Rigby seating die and used the RN stem in it to get the bullets seated. That said, the bullet wouldn't seat as deep as it initially would with my RL15 charge (no deeper than 2 grooves showing). I was actually worried going to the range to test these loads. As luck would have it they too were around 2000 FPS with the same smoky cases that my max and max + 1gr loads of RL15. This has lead me to two conclusions. First is that the 286 TSX is too long for use in the 9.3x62. Second is that my particular 9.3 has a large neck (based on measuring fired brass) and that with the bullet not seated out either in or very near the lands (something that is near impossible with TSX bullets in my experience) I'm not getting enough pressure to seal the chamber. So, now to get a hold of a suitably bluff-shouldered bullet and partially neck-size to see if that helps things.
 
BigUglyMan said:
....So, now to get a hold of a suitably bluff-shouldered bullet and partially neck-size to see if that helps things.
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Ted
 
BigUglyMan said:
In a quest to figure out why my 9.3x62 would only sling 286 Barnes at 2000 FPS with book max I loaded three with the max load of IMR4350 from the Barnes #3 manual which is a load for the old X Bullet. When I tried to seat the bullet the charge was so compressed that the bullet stuck in the seating stem and wouldn't stay in the case! I eventually switched to my 416 Rigby seating die and used the RN stem in it to get the bullets seated. That said, the bullet wouldn't seat as deep as it initially would with my RL15 charge (no deeper than 2 grooves showing). I was actually worried going to the range to test these loads. As luck would have it they too were around 2000 FPS with the same smoky cases that my max and max + 1gr loads of RL15. This has lead me to two conclusions. First is that the 286 TSX is too long for use in the 9.3x62. Second is that my particular 9.3 has a large neck (based on measuring fired brass) and that with the bullet not seated out either in or very near the lands (something that is near impossible with TSX bullets in my experience) I'm not getting enough pressure to seal the chamber. So, now to get a hold of a suitably bluff-shouldered bullet and partially neck-size to see if that helps things.
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that is really weird, how much RL15 are you using with the 286?

most guns will take 57-59 grains and drive a 286 at 2300-2450

that 285 tsx is like an HB pencil, but you should still be able to get 57-58 grains in using a drop tube and still seat a bullet
 
Why not? said:
93X57.jpg
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Not nice to tease Ted!

The Barnes manual listed 51 grains of RL15 as max. There's a ton of space left in the case and I wonder if this isn't one of Barnes patented manual goofs. I decided to try 58.8 gr as that is Nosler's listed max with a 286 Partition. My logic to this being safe being that in my exerience the Nosler bullet will spike pressure due to the "tough part" in the middle where the belt is. Thus, if that data is safe with a Nosler bullet it should pose no problems with the Barnes. Undertake this sort of experiment at your own peril understanding that it is not a practice endorsed by any company.:runaway:

I also learned today that my rifle has a rather generous chamber as well. Time to locate a neck sizing die as even by backing the die off to neck size only still squeezes the body some.

I've got some test loads to try tomorrow - 3 @ 52 gr RL15 with partially sized necks, 3 @ 52 gr with full sized necks but not touching the shoulder, 3 @ 52 gr with the bullets set out just short of the lands (3.520" - trying to build pressure) and 3 @ 58.5 gr in FL sized cases (trying to get them all fireformed) seated at 3.282" same as the first two loads. This is the max length that will feed through the magazine - another reason I'm sour on teh Barnes bullet.

I would have bought some Hornadys today but todbartell wouldn't answer the phone at Omineca. I think they have call display!

Oh well...off to the range I go.
 
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