Q: I just got hold of a Winchester double rifle chambered for the 9.3x74mm calibre together a Simplex die set. Now I need a good load for it.
Can you recommend one using components that are not hard to get?
Helmut Steiner
A: I reviewed a similar rifle to your’n when they were introduced. I also tested one for accuracy on Les Bowman’s range in Ocate, New Mexico and it consistently placed two bullets within 1½” of each other at 100yd (42mm at 100m).
To get a double to shoot that well, you’d need a bullet and load close to the one it was regulated with.
The 9.3x74R fires a .366” bullet from a rimmed case.
Current European factory loads from Norma and RWS feature bullets weighing from 232gn (802m/s or 2630fps) up to 286gn (719m/s or 2360fps).
The 286gn load is most popular for German boar hunting. A 56gn charge of AR2208 drives the 286gn Woodleigh bullet at 716m/s (2350fps) from a 66cm (26”) barrel to duplicate the factory load.
Chamber pressure is approximately 45,000psi which should be safe in your double. But just in case, work up from 54gn.
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