19 of 21 9.3x62 factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 750 yd (Norma 230 gr ODIN). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma 230 gr ODIN | 230 | 750 | 2,641 | 1,609 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 255 gr Tipstrike | 255 | 650 | 2,493 | 1,424 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Safari Swift A-Frame 286 gr | 286 | 600 | 2,360 | 1,263 | yes |
| Hornady Custom International 286 gr SP InterLock | 286 | 600 | 2,369 | 1,326 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 286 gr SP-RP InterLock | 286 | 600 | 2,360 | 1,315 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 250 gr Naturalis (N560) | 250 | 600 | 2,428 | 1,293 | yes |
| Norma 325 gr Oryx | 325 | 600 | 2,198 | 1,223 | yes |
| Norma 285 gr Oryx | 285 | 550 | 2,362 | 1,158 | yes |
| Norma 285 gr Plastic Point | 285 | 550 | 2,362 | 1,190 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 285 gr Whitetail SP | 285 | 550 | 2,362 | 1,190 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma Oryx Silencer 285 gr | 285 | 550 | 2,346 | 1,140 | yes |
| Lapua 285 gr Mega (E433) | 285 | 500 | 2,265 | 1,001 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 184 gr Evostrike | 184 | 500 | 2,953 | 1,081 | yes |
| Norma 250 gr Ecostrike | 250 | 500 | 2,510 | 1,058 | yes |
| Norma 232 gr Vulkan | 232 | 450 | 2,625 | 874 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes VOR-TX Euro 250 gr TTSX BT | 250 | 400 | 2,550 | 1,512 | yes |
| Federal Safari Woodleigh Hydro Solid 286 gr | 286 | 400 | 2,360 | 798 | yes |
| Norma 232 gr Oryx | 232 | 400 | 2,625 | 825 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 250 gr E-Tip | 250 | 350 | 2,425 | 1,489 | yes |
| Lapua 185 gr Open Tip (G574) | 185 | wrong bullet | 2,772 | 812 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 232 gr Jaktmatch FMJ | 232 | wrong bullet | 2,510 | 780 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.