308 Norma Mag project

[DM Shooting]

Saw that and load some last week as a starting point for this however up until now I've use nosler data an their minuimum load for H4381 is 69.5 where as Hornady max load is 68.3!!!

I feel there may be a winner here but some odd data in the manuals.

 

[Pheroze]

Saw that and load some last week as a starting point for this however up until now I've use nosler data an their minuimum load for H4381 is 69.5 where as Hornady max load is 68.3!!!

I feel there may be a winner here but some odd data in the manuals.

As a general observation I have found the Hornady loads to be weak. I have found Woodleigh to be the most accurate when it comes to predicting fps.

 

[Shootist43]

Just a "heads up" I was looking for some Norma Brass on midwayusa.com earlier this morning. They currently have a clearance on 308 Norma Mag Brass for $127.08 /100. Thought you might be interested. Since it is on clearance I'd stock up if I were you.

 

[Pheroze]

Just a "heads up" I was looking for some Norma Brass on midwayusa.com earlier this morning. They currently have a clearance on 308 Norma Mag Brass for $127.08 /100. Thought you might be interested. Since it is on clearance I'd stock up if I were you.

... Meanwhile, up in the great white north, 308 NM brass is as rare as hens teeth....

 

[Shootist43]

Can you purchase brass in the States?

 

[Pheroze]

Can you purchase brass in the States?

I have done it before but I had to use an agent. US law restricts the sale to foreigners so it really ramps up the price. If I have to I will buy a lifetime supply and make it worth the effort. I am waiting on backordered stock here so we shall see.

Btw really appreciate the notice, thanks.

 

[DM Shooting]

They wont send it here either need a friend in the States by the look of it who can box up and post on

 

[Pheroze]

I used these folks before and I found them to be quite helpful:

http://www.reloadinginternational.com

I think they will send to the UK too.

 

[Shootist43]

Do you know "Dobber" he is an AH member that lives in the Windsor area and works in the U.S. Send him a PM, perhaps he can help.

If he can't help, can I purchase the brass and have it sent to my house. Then meet or ship to you? Or is there a law against getting brass from someone other than an "agent"? Where in Ontario do you live?

 

[Shootist43]

I hope you don't mind, I am trying to get in touch with Dobber. I met him in Kansas City 2 weeks ago at Charlie Austin's house. We got to talking and found out that we only live about 20 miles apart as the crow flies.

 

[Pheroze]

I hope you don't mind, I am trying to get in touch with Dobber. I met him in Kansas City 2 weeks ago at Charlie Austin's house. We got to talking and found out that we only live about 20 miles apart as the crow flies.

First of all I greatly appreciate your efforts!! It is very kind of you. However, I would not want to risk your or Dobber's prosecution for attempting to move restricted items over the boarder. I don't know what the penalty would be but it could result in Dobber (for example) being prohibited from crossing the boarder into the USA . When I think that having a rifle inadvertently within NY state while transiting though could land someone in jail I shudder at the exposure.

I don't think it is worth the risk to save me the cost of a good dinner out or a few drinks - which is what I would like to buy you should you find yourself in the Hamilton area some day!

Thanks again!!

 

[Shootist43]

My pleasure. What does it cost to use an "agent" Depending on cost, that might still be worth your while.

 

[Pheroze]

The cost with reloading international is actually not too bad. I sent Mike there an email and he has some in stock.

 

[Shootist43]

FYI, I called Midway after my last post. They only have 1 "box" of a hundred and eight boxes of 20. Norma only makes "batch" runs of this caliber. It is not always available.

Prior to your last post, I started trying to contact Dobber via phone. I finally got his number this AM. I called him, he is going to get in touch with you. Hope you guys can work something out.

 

[Pheroze]

FYI, I called Midway after my last post. They only have 1 "box" of a hundred and eight boxes of 20. Norma only makes "batch" runs of this caliber. It is not always available.

Prior to your last post, I started trying to contact Dobber via phone. I finally got his number this AM. I called him, he is going to get in touch with you. Hope you guys can work something out.

I am going to buy four boxes of 25 pieces through reloading international. Again, I really appreciate the offer.

 

[Matt McKenzie]

The reduced load I settled on is a 150 grain Nosler BT over 52 grains of IMR 4895, Norma brass and a CCI 250 primer. I had the barrel chopped to 22.5 inches and the velocity is right at 2600 now. The 180 grain Accubond load I first developed was over 68 grains of IMR 4350 but I'm experimenting with H4831SC now.

Just for the heck of it, how about sharing your load data for both loads. This is an "obscure" caliber to say the least, your info could put new users in the right "ball-park."

 

[Shootist43]

Pheroze, if all goes well, I too may own a 308 Norma Mag in the next couple of days.

 

[DB404]

Regarding a source of brass for the .308 Norma magnum - if you run out of or can't locate Norma brass, in the old Speer reloading manual number 8, they noted that the Norma case is close dimensionally to the .338 Winchester Mag, and that necked down .338 cases can be safely fired in the .308 Norma chamber due to them both headspacing from the belt. They caution that the resulting case will be "slightly shorter" than the .308 Norma case. Their test rifle was a 24" barreled Springfield custom. High velocities for 150 grain jacketed bullets, using a number of contemporary powders, were over 3,300 fps; the 180 grain loads topped 3,100 fps; 200 grain spitzer Top loads were in the 2,950 range. .300 Winchester Magnum loads in the same manual were fired in a 24" barreled Winchester Model 70; there is a barely noticeable increase over the loads they developed for the .308 Norma. With modern powders and modern pressure measuring equipment, I would expect a bit more of a gap in favor of the Winchester simply because it's boiler is bigger.

 

[Pheroze]

Pheroze, if all goes well, I too may own a 308 Norma Mag in the next couple of days.

Excellent, I hope it comes to fruition and let us know how she shoots!

 

[Pheroze]

The reduced load I settled on is a 150 grain Nosler BT over 52 grains of IMR 4895, Norma brass and a CCI 250 primer. I had the barrel chopped to 22.5 inches and the velocity is right at 2600 now. The 180 grain Accubond load I first developed was over 68 grains of IMR 4350 but I'm experimenting with H4831SC now.

Question about the shorter barrel - did you note a significant increase in muzzle blast?