I like barrels of 25 to 26" - Yes, they are long but my .375/.06IMp likes it's 26" tube. The 9.3x57 does OK with it's roughly 24" barrel.

For a short gun, I have a 22" in 9.3x62. That one feels like and handles like a carbine. I really don't need a shorter barrel than that for any of my hunting. The short barrel delivers very good speeds as well.

Note the 9.3x62 has a CIP mean average pressure of 57,000PSI (49,000Copper crusher units). It also has a capacity of 78.0gr. (factory Styer Rifle, factory SAKO ammo) Compared to the .35 whelen's ballistics (virtually same pressure listed) which many people are want to compare it, the .35 Whelen has a capacity of about 65-67gr. There is a difference of over 10% and there can be a respectable difference in terminal ballitics if the shooter so desires. BLC2 delivers performance in this round, that seemingly is not posible with any other powder - at lower pressures than CIP specs. Hodgdon's manual lists loads for BLC2.

Suffice to say, with a 250gr. bullet, you could safely start at 65.0gr. and go from there - carefully. Another long range hunting bullet would be the 225gr. Hornady, sized down to .366". It has a .062" jacket and penetrates very well on deer-type game. I would not worry about going after moose or elk with it, either.

H4895 should be a good powder for either the 250gr.Nosler or the 225gr. sized down.

I would expect just about 2,700fps from the 250gr. BLC2 is probably too slow in this round for the 225gr. - might hve to go to H4895 - start at 54.0gr. The 9.3x62 case will surprise you. It is almost identical to an improved '06 case in shape, with the shoulder shoved forward a bit for greater capacity.