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Good evening

I have a Mannlicher-Schoenauer M1910 rifle chambered in .375 Nitro Express/9.5 x57mm. So far I've mainly used cast gas-checked bullets (generally from Andrew Allwood (TFSA)); I've also tried some 270gr jacketed bullets, but with little success. So, a couple of questions...

The original loading for this cartridge was a 270gr SP or RN bullet. Hornady make (or made) these, product numbers #3715 and #3710. Does anyone know if these can still be obtained?

I've been reading about paper-patching soft lead bullets and wondered if this might be an option for this cartridge. Does anyone have any thoughts on/experience of this?

Thanks.

Mannlicher-Schoenauer M1910 rifle chambered in .375 Nitro Express/9.5 x57mm.

now that sounds interesting pics would be nice,

greenshoots

've been reading about paper-patching soft lead bullets and wondered if this might be an option for this cartridge. Does anyone have any thoughts on/experience of this?

my first thought would be feeding issues thru mag, my 6.5ms was very finicky on cartridge length,

greenshoots

going back in the mists of time when i had a .375 H and H i was using trailboss powder and .308 heads might be worth looking at 308s

greenshoots

greenshoots wrote:'ve been reading about paper-patching soft lead bullets and wondered if this might be an option for this cartridge. Does anyone have any thoughts on/experience of this?

my first thought would be feeding issues thru mag, my 6.5ms was very finicky on cartridge length,

greenshoots

You're right, they are a bit fussy with loading. That's why I'd like to get hold of some correct bullets.

The cast (round nose) bullets fed fine, but I'd also like to replicate the original ballistics - I think I could drive a paper-patched bullet to that speed.

I'll see what I can sort out in the way of pictures.

Andrew

The 9.5 x 57 shoots at around 2000 fps if I remember correctly, it should be relatively easy to use cast in this calibre. So no need for paper patching.

However you will need to cast your own as there are no commercial cast bullet suppliers that provide bullets that are big enough and soft enough. They are all too small and too hard.

I've been shooting the .375 H&H for over two decades, mostly with cast. First of all paper patching will work very well. You will have to get a suitable mould of course, I think North East Industrial (NEI) used to list several. I made a mould to give a spitzer boat-tail pp bullet and it worked well at 2600 fps, when it wanted to! I either got tight round groups or random scatterings. I gave up paper patching when I realised that life is just too short.

Best bet is just a plain gc design. I drive a 300 gr. round nose gc at 2100+ fps and groups under 1 1/2" at 100 yds without problem, so you should easily be able to match factory ballistics in your 9.3.

dromia, andrew375

Thanks for your replies, very helpful. Casting and paper-patching is something I've not actually dabbled in yet - time for a new challenge!

Andrew

If you are going down the jacketed bullet route, I use woodleigh for all mine. If your after small quantities, I know they can usually be obtauned from kynoch if you ring them.

ATS, i see your home range is Kynamco, if you're ever up in the week. Ask to speak to Ben. I will chat to you about bullet choices and paper-patching etc if there is anything you want to know. :)