9.3x62 Factory Ammo Loads for Elk / Bear?
- Thread starter bcshadow
- Start date
I don't have experience recovering 9.3x62 bullets from grizzly and elk. I do have some experience with the 9.3x62.
Any factory ammo launching the traditional 286gr bullet at 2,200 fps or faster will kill grizzly and elk just fine if you do your part, so choose the one you shoot best. Prvi Partizan's 285gr load is at the low end with soft point bullets at 2,263 fps. Remington's 286gr Corelokt load is 100 fps faster at 2,360 fps. Federal Premium Safari loaded with a Swift A-Frame is also at 2,360 fps. The extra 100fps gains you an extra 300 ft/lbs at the muzzle.
I would avoid the solids. If you are hunting big Alaskan Grizzly or Brown bear I'd spring for the Federal Premium Safari with A-Frame, not because the velocities produced by the 9.3x62 demand it, just that it gives an extra dose of confidence if you hit bone. If just hunting elk in grizzly country I'd go with the Remington load, unless you expect long shots then Hornady's superformance spire point load might be a better choice.
Good hunting,
Jimro
Any factory ammo launching the traditional 286gr bullet at 2,200 fps or faster will kill grizzly and elk just fine if you do your part, so choose the one you shoot best. Prvi Partizan's 285gr load is at the low end with soft point bullets at 2,263 fps. Remington's 286gr Corelokt load is 100 fps faster at 2,360 fps. Federal Premium Safari loaded with a Swift A-Frame is also at 2,360 fps. The extra 100fps gains you an extra 300 ft/lbs at the muzzle.
I would avoid the solids. If you are hunting big Alaskan Grizzly or Brown bear I'd spring for the Federal Premium Safari with A-Frame, not because the velocities produced by the 9.3x62 demand it, just that it gives an extra dose of confidence if you hit bone. If just hunting elk in grizzly country I'd go with the Remington load, unless you expect long shots then Hornady's superformance spire point load might be a better choice.
Good hunting,
Jimro
pilothunter
Moderator
I have owned a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 and now own the 9.3x74R, which is a ballistic twin and in a double rifle. I have used the Prvi Partizan 285gr in 9.3x62 to take a good sized Ky buck and recovered that bullet after it traveled thru about 3' of deer on a quartering away shot. I would use that bullet for typical black bear hunting, but would not use it for grizzly after my experience with it and seeing the recovered bullet.
I would actually suggest two different loads for elk & grizzly. The two I now have for my 9.3x74R are a 250gr Accubond (flies fairly flat for longer ranges) and a 286gr Hornady Interlock (or similar) for grizzly. There are a number of good 285/286gr loads out there with good quality bullets and I'd think they would all work well. If you take a quick look at Midway's site, they are having a sale right now on some very good quality Norma ammo (along with some others). FWIW, the 285/286gr loads have the same SD (actually a slight bit better) as a 300gr .375 H&H.
If you wanted to use just one load for both, I'd choose to use the heavier 285/286gr loads with a quality bullet, myself. Good luck!
I would actually suggest two different loads for elk & grizzly. The two I now have for my 9.3x74R are a 250gr Accubond (flies fairly flat for longer ranges) and a 286gr Hornady Interlock (or similar) for grizzly. There are a number of good 285/286gr loads out there with good quality bullets and I'd think they would all work well. If you take a quick look at Midway's site, they are having a sale right now on some very good quality Norma ammo (along with some others). FWIW, the 285/286gr loads have the same SD (actually a slight bit better) as a 300gr .375 H&H.
If you wanted to use just one load for both, I'd choose to use the heavier 285/286gr loads with a quality bullet, myself. Good luck!
buzz meeks
New member
When I still owned and shot a CZ550 in 9.3x62 (2004 - 2008) I relied exclusively on a 286 grain Nosler Partition at about 2550. I used it on deer (mulie and white tail), antelope, and one elk. In all cases, it exemplified the sort of reliable performance you expect when you drive a heavy-for-caliber bullet at moderate velocity. The only shot that remotely challenged the 9.3's legendary penetration was the elk, a large cow. She was facing me, quartering away just a bit. I hit her in the shoulder and the bullet exited the offside just ahead of the rear quarter.
I found the cartridge boringly reliable, easy to load for, and surprisingly versatile. Naturally, I got rid of it..
I found the cartridge boringly reliable, easy to load for, and surprisingly versatile. Naturally, I got rid of it..
buzz meeks
New member
Whoops. Just realized you asked about factory ammo... Sorry about that.
I do think Nosler offers a factory load close to my handload. When I owned my 9.3, handloading was virtually the only way to go.
I do think Nosler offers a factory load close to my handload. When I owned my 9.3, handloading was virtually the only way to go.
pilothunter
Moderator
QUOTE:
"I believe there is little difference between it and the 35 Whelen."
This may be so, but having owned 4 Whelens, a 9.3x62 and 9.3x74R, I'd prefer to have the "niner" on my shoulder if something broke from cover towards me, rather then away from me.
Just my opinion, of course.
"I believe there is little difference between it and the 35 Whelen."
This may be so, but having owned 4 Whelens, a 9.3x62 and 9.3x74R, I'd prefer to have the "niner" on my shoulder if something broke from cover towards me, rather then away from me.
Just my opinion, of course.
buzz meeks
New member
While I suspect few animals on earth could ever tell the difference between a Whelen and the 9.3x62, the metric offering might have the slightest edge on dangerous game and is, in fact, approved for that use in a number of African countries while the Whelen is not. This is certainly not a factor for most of us and chiefr's point basically stands.