Loading 9.3 mm Norma 232 grain in 9.3x74R

[JMV375]

Looking for load data using 3031, 4064 and
W-W 748 for Norma 9.3 mm 232 gr Vulcan/Oryx in 9.3x74R ( for Ruger # 1 )
Any help is appreciated.
JMV375

 

[tarbe]

I loaded the 232 Oryx with 56.5gr IMR4064 in Norma brass with CCI 250 primers.

In a Sabatti DR the load chronographed 2437fps ave at 78F.

OAL was 3.605"

I also loaded the Oryx with IMR 4350 and Varget.

 

[sgt_zim]

GRT shows a max load of 61.5 gr of IMR 3031 and MV of 2658. I find their max loads to be universally conservative and MV to be rather overstated.

Win748 max load 65 gr, reported MV of 2650

IMR 4064 max load 63.5 gr, reported MV of 2604

The Norma book shows all of their loads using Winchester LRM primers, for similar velocities.

 

[BC Tal]

QL gives MAP for 9.3x74R at 49313. All Max loads are just at MAP. I do not recommend these loads and only present the data.
For the 232gr Norma Orynx (69307) from a 24" barrel:
IMR 3031 Max load of 60.70gr (91.6%) gives 49261psi for 2677fps;
IMR 4064 Max load of 63.45gr (94.8%) gives 49304psi for 2632fps; and
WW 748 Max load of 64.59gr (84.7%) gives 49302psi for 2682fps.

We use what we like and what we have, but there are more efficient powers. For example I use VV powders:
VV 550 Max load of 71.83gr (99.2%) gives 49301psi for 2717fps. So for the same pressure it has the highest velocity of the four powders here.

Cheers

 

[Boone66]

I know this is a old thread, but does anyone know of a load of this bullet or what PSI is safe for a pre war drilling?

 

[BC Tal]

@Just a dude in BC should be along shortly, he has done a lot of load dev for 9.3x74R and should be able to help you.

 

[Boone66]

@Just a dude in BC should be along shortly, he has done a lot of load dev for 9.3x74R and should be able to help you.

Thanks

 

[Just a dude in BC]

I know this is a old thread, but does anyone know of a load of this bullet or what PSI is safe for a pre war drilling?

Good day @Boone66,
I run a current drilling as my primary hunter these day, and have spent quite a bit of time getting it to regulate. It is a double rifle in 9.3x74r with an underslung 20ga. Of the loads I have tried, I have had the best luck with the following powders: N540, Varget, and 3031. I will make the following observations:

1. 3031 is a bit snappy for the 9.3x74, even with a 232gr projectile. But if you were to use it, I would start around 54gr, and work up from there, carful not to exceed about 56-57gr. The load in my rifle, which is of new manufacture, is 58gr 3031 with the 232 oryx @ 3.690" COL. I also run the North Fork copper expanding 232 using this power, at 54gr... I highly recommend this bullet, but in an older drilling I would start at 50gr and work up. The nice thing about 3031 is that it is bulky and light, so it lowers recoil and makes it downright pleasant to shoot.

2. Varget is an ideal powder for the 9.3x74r for either 232 or 250gr bullets. For the 232 oryx I would use the COL around 3.69 inches, and start at 56gr, going up from from there. I used varget and a 250gr northfork bonded to take a nice kudu this summer.

3. N540. Here again I would start around 56gr and go up from there.

I hope this info helps.

What sort of drilling is it? Any pictures?

 

[Boone66]

Good day @Boone66,
I run a current drilling as my primary hunter these day, and have spent quite a bit of time getting it to regulate. It is a double rifle in 9.3x74r with an underslung 20ga. Of the loads I have tried, I have had the best luck with the following powders: N540, Varget, and 3031. I will make the following observations:

1. 3031 is a bit snappy for the 9.3x74, even with a 232gr projectile. But if you were to use it, I would start around 54gr, and work up from there, carful not to exceed about 56-57gr. The load in my rifle, which is of new manufacture, is 58gr 3031 with the 232 oryx @ 3.690" COL. I also run the North Fork copper expanding 232 using this power, at 54gr... I highly recommend this bullet, but in an older drilling I would start at 50gr and work up. The nice thing about 3031 is that it is bulky and light, so it lowers recoil and makes it downright pleasant to shoot.

2. Varget is an ideal powder for the 9.3x74r for either 232 or 250gr bullets. For the 232 oryx I would use the COL around 3.69 inches, and start at 56gr, going up from from there. I used varget and a 250gr northfork bonded to take a nice kudu this summer.

3. N540. Here again I would start around 56gr and go up from there.

I hope this info helps.

What sort of drilling is it? Any pictures?

Thank you, I have varget and 3031, I have never tried N540, I'll see if I can find some. I would love to make this my primary hunting arm, we have a lot of grouse and rabbit here. From what I can tell from the proof marks, it was probably made in the 30's on what I belive 8s a Merkel action.

 

[Just a dude in BC]

Thank you, I have varget and 3031, I have never tried N540, I'll see if I can find some. I would love to make this my primary hunting arm, we have a lot of grouse and rabbit here. From what I can tell from the proof marks, it was probably made in the 30's on what I belive 8s a Merkel action.

Oh if it is 30's, then it is probably fairly strong. After all the 9.3x74r came out around 1900. And if you have 3031 and varget. I would not look for N540 unless those first two dont work. I would start with varget, and then go on to 3031.
Just follow the start weights I listed above, and don't let velocity get above 2500 fps. At 2500 fps with that bullet you will have a low pressure load that flattens almost everything (Not DG) and is a pleasure to shoot.
I agree on using it for birds, I just came back from the kootaney mountains on a hunt with my Dad and not only got our deer, but a mess of turkey's!

 

[Boone66]

I'm looking for a 22 hornet insert for it also. Really nice looking gun you got their. I had to do a double take on your mountain name. I live by the Kootenai river

 

[Boone66]

We probably arnt that far from each other, as I'm by the border

 

[Just a dude in BC]

We probably arnt that far from each other, as I'm by the border

I live in Victoria BC, but hunt near Cranbrook BC. I love the mountains and can't get enough of them.

 

[steve white]

Just a thought about bullet weights for 9.3x74: the first drilling I had in that caliber was fairly accurate considering that all the shots with 286 gr bullets KEYHOLED no matter what load was tried! Drove me nuts. Came to find out that the twist rate was for light bullets!!?? The heavier ones were not sufficiently stabilized--only time I have had that happen. And lighter bullets for me, at the time were almost impossible to find. Maybe a lighter bullet, overstabilized by a probably normal twist rate for heavier bullets will be just fine, dunno.

If your drilling says on the proofmarks "stahlmetallgeshoss, then it is safe for steel jacketed solids and almost certainly for modern bullets and pressures. There are other descriptions of which steel was used and by what process it was even heated--"electro" steel having come from an electric furnace. Follow the advice of the proofmarks, even for the weight in grams of the bullet. Good luck!

 

[Boone66]

Just a thought about bullet weights for 9.3x74: the first drilling I had in that caliber was fairly accurate considering that all the shots with 286 gr bullets KEYHOLED no matter what load was tried! Drove me nuts. Came to find out that the twist rate was for light bullets!!?? The heavier ones were not sufficiently stabilized--only time I have had that happen. And lighter bullets for me, at the time were almost impossible to find. Maybe a lighter bullet, overstabilized by a probably normal twist rate for heavier bullets will be just fine, dunno.

If your drilling says on the proofmarks "stahlmetallgeshoss, then it is safe for steel jacketed solids and almost certainly for modern bullets and pressures. There are other descriptions of which steel was used and by what process it was even heated--"electro" steel having come from an electric furnace. Follow the advice of the proofmarks, even for the weight in grams of the bullet. Good

Just a thought about bullet weights for 9.3x74: the first drilling I had in that caliber was fairly accurate considering that all the shots with 286 gr bullets KEYHOLED no matter what load was tried! Drove me nuts. Came to find out that the twist rate was for light bullets!!?? The heavier ones were not sufficiently stabilized--only time I have had that happen. And lighter bullets for me, at the time were almost impossible to find. Maybe a lighter bullet, overstabilized by a probably normal twist rate for heavier bullets will be just fine, dunno.

If your drilling says on the proofmarks "stahlmetallgeshoss, then it is safe for steel jacketed solids and almost certainly for modern bullets and pressures. There are other descriptions of which steel was used and by what process it was even heated--"electro" steel having come from an electric furnace. Follow the advice of the proofmarks, even for the weight in grams of the bullet. Good luck!