I just bought a Merkel 141E. It was regulated with 15 gram (232 grain)Norma Vulcans and it shoots them so well all I had to do was adjust the scope. I tried 286 grainers but the impacts are 16" apart. I think I'll stick to the Vulcans. Now I need a source for the bullets. I have all Norma brass and I'll chronograph my last few factory rounds for a benchmark. Can anyone recommend a source for a few hundred bullets? I'd like to hear powder charge recommendations as well.
Thanks to all.
Allan
I forgot to mention that this is a 9.3X74R. Sorry!
Thanks! I also found the bullets at Grafs. $52/100.
Got here late, sorry.
I found by pulling bullets that factory RWS 9.3x74R is loaded with Norma 201 powder (about 52 grns.). That's the only powder that my rifle likes. Also, for messing about and load develpment Speer bullets are quite inexpensive. For larger game, I think I would keep at it until I found a few more bullets that regulate. The Norma Oryx is a nice bullet and now Hornady mades loaded ammo too, which I have not tried. Good shooting.
C.
After one lost shipment I finally have some 15 gram Vulcans. I see the Norma loading data but I don't want to buy Norma powder if I don't have to. Does anyone have data for these bullets using Hodgdon (including IMR), Winchester or Alliant Powders?
Isn't the Model 141 the new one that you can adjust the tubes to fit the load somewhat?
Yes. The rifle shoots perfectly with factory ammo and I want to duplicate the factory load.
By the way, I contacted Norma and they gave me a factory duplication load of 61 to 61.5 grains of Norma 203-B powder for the 232 grain bullet. I tried 61 grains and it's right on the money. Had a dickens of a time getting Norma powder in Tennessee. I had to buy 10 pounds from Black Hills Shooter's supply.
I am trying to duplicate the RWS 16 gram KS (247grain) load for my Merkel 140 (non-adjustable barrels) . I have been using Nosler 250grain ballistic tips with 55 gr of 4064...but the factory target looks much better than what I get. I see Clair dismembered the lighter RWS load...any one do the same with the heaver load/s?
Dave,
The RWS factory loads I pulled were 286 grainers. I get about 2300 fps with 51.5 grains of Norma 201. Tried all kinds of powder, 4350 etc. and could'nt get regulation. Needless to say, I bought a lifetime supply of N 201. Very strange, but bullet type or weight doent matter as much as the powder type in my rifle.
Best,
C.