Wild thought... (9.3x72 PP)

[Old Ironsights]

I've got a 9.3x72R drilling. Throws a nice soft 200gr lead boolit at about 1800fps.

Thing is, I'd like to stretch the range a little and down-weight the boolit for 'yotes.

So... I'm thinking, how about a spire point with no grooves CAST IN ZINC and paper patched.

It's not like I don't have enough Zinc WWs to use... sould also give me a nice long boolit for the weight too...

Weird idea?

[docone31]

With proper sizeing, and with the patch fitting the casting well, I do not see why it wouldn't work well.
Give it a try.
Find the size in lead, then cast in zinc. You will have a shiney bore when you are done.

[Old Ironsights]

Shouldn't have "zincing" problems if paper patched... at least that's the hope.

Already have a good 200gr pb mold, but so I know my bore.

Have to see about getting a mold cut. SPBT if possible... I figure that the Zboolit would run in the 125gr range and hopefully up my velocity and range a useful chunk.

[pdawg_shooter]

No reason it wont work. Cast bore diameter +.001/.0015, patch to groove diameter +.001/.003 and go for it. I know a guy that turned some steel bolts to bore diameter, patched them up and they shot fine.

[Nobade]

Run the stability numbers before you make a mould. Zinc is much less dense than lead and will require considerably more spin for an equal length bullet. Pistol shooters get away with this because pistol bullets are typically extremely over stabilized. Rifle bullets not always so.

[bart55]

Wow brings back some memories ,I had a 16 x16 x 9.3x72R drilling that i sold in a moment of insanity . I sure wish I still had it as it was a piece of art and a fine hunting rifle

[cr17]

Hi - I have a drilling in 9.3x72R and have been trying to work up some cast loads wtihout too much success. I have tried 358315, 358430 and 366408. Could you share your favourite loads? I'm thinking a paper patched 358 at 200 grains may be the ticket.
Thanks

[Old Ironsights]

I will have to check my notes which are deeply buried in moving boxes, but mine is bang-on accurate at 100yds using a 200gr commercially cast, sized & lubed .365 boolit and (IIRC) 18gr of 2400. I had my own mould made at .367/200 with a bigger meplat, but I haven't had a good chance to work with it before/since moving.

I really started my reloading data using .38-55 BP eq data since they are roughly similar in working pressure (though not case volume. (IIRC my 72R cases hold 66gr BP under the 200gr boolit.)

Lyman 47 puts the .38-55 with a 255gr jacketed @ 1221 w/17gr of 2400 and 1360 w/19gr.

Again, IIRC, 18gr of 2400 pushed the 200gr boolit to roughly 1500fps. A nice light load that shot well with the rather unfortunate sights on the gun.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/Roux%20Underlever%20Drilling/IMG_5178.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/Roux%20Underlever%20Drilling/IMG_5177.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/Roux%20Underlever%20Drilling/IMG_0840.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/Roux%20Underlever%20Drilling/IMG_5173.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/Roux%20Underlever%20Drilling/IMG_0848.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/Roux%20Underlever%20Drilling/IMG_0849.jpg

[cr17]

Very nice under lever ! Is it a guild gun? Mine measuers at .359, do the 366408 has precious little lube grove capacity left once sized down, and of course the 38 moulds are a little under - which is why I am considering paper patching. I have found old Norma bullets for the 9.3 that mic .358 but at a $1 each not many will be going down range from my drilling.

[Old Ironsights]

I believe it is a Guild Gun, yes.

[docone31]

It is beautiful! A great piece of workmanship.
I loved the view.