The Mighty 358 Norma has arrived :-) ** 1st range trip & Nikon review**
- Thread starter DIGGER2
- Start date
Well the scope has been ordered. I decided to try out a Monach 3 2.5-10x40 NP as some of our members here are really liking the Nikons. Thanks for the reload info Slamfire, As for bullet speed now that I have bought my Magnetospeed V3 I can tell how fast I'm running. The Norma will be its maiden voyage.As for brasss, yaaa I know it can be made outta 300 win mag lol, but I'm kinda picky like that, and you pay for too. I'll maybe do some up for range sessions, and save the Norma stuff for hunting. Oh come on C-FBMI what's one more in the rack. You seem not to be the guy who worries about ballistic holes in the rack. Impressive collection you have to BTW.
since it's an EE parts gun, maybe top it with a glossy purple Leupold Vari X II 3-9x40 in some tip off Weaversand being a 35 cal, make sure you load up some plinkers with 38 special bullets.
Nah those purple scopes and tip off weavers belong on a 375 Ruger. LOL. And yes I've owned a couple of the "new kings" as Gate put it.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
In preparation for eventually getting a 358NM, I purchased a quantity of brass from Henry at Budget Shooter Supply. Then, at a local gun show from the guy that sets up that show, I lucked into seven boxes of Norma factory. Seeing the availability of the 310gr Woodleigh bullets, I picked up two boxes to supplement a supply of components to 'try'. I did find a limited amount of reload info at www.reloadersnest.com for the 310gr Woodleigh, but only using N202 and N204.
D2.............here's is some load data written before the lawyers started editing loading manuals.
Directly from Speer #8 manual 358 Norma Magnum 250 gn spritzer flat base HC
H4831.........min 80 gns.....2679 fps.....Max 84 gns.....2818 fps
IMR 4350.....min 75 gns.....2781 fps.....Max 79 gns.....2880 fps
IMR 4064.....min 63 gns.....2691 fps.....Max 67 gns.....2833 fps
Shot from a Husqvarna with 25 1/2" barrel 1-12 twist and Norma cases.
Directly from Speer #8 manual 358 Norma Magnum 250 gn spritzer flat base HC
H4831.........min 80 gns.....2679 fps.....Max 84 gns.....2818 fps
IMR 4350.....min 75 gns.....2781 fps.....Max 79 gns.....2880 fps
IMR 4064.....min 63 gns.....2691 fps.....Max 67 gns.....2833 fps
Shot from a Husqvarna with 25 1/2" barrel 1-12 twist and Norma cases.
Sure looks to be worth the wait - very nice rifle as I expected it would be. Will look forward to maybe getting a look in person at that one the next time I stop by. Also as promised I will try to dig up and get you a copy of that Jon Sundra article ("The Big Swede") for you too. It's interesting reading with some good loads I think.
When you get it scoped post another pic here.
WB
When you get it scoped post another pic here.
WB
I found that 338win mag brass was the easiest to convert to 358norma. Run it through the 358 dies and your pretty much done. The brass turns out a wee bit short, but not much, and the shoulder will move a bit forward on first firing, but because it headspaces on the belt, that isn't an issue. If you seat the bullet so it's touching the lands it will help to keep things straight when fireforming.
The expander button on the RCBS 358norma dies is the usual oval button, but they make a tapered 30-35 expander that comes standard with their 35whelen dies that can be bought separately for a few bucks and used in the 358 norma dies to make case neck expansion easier the first time around.
You can even get quite good results using Lee 350 rem mag dies if you adjust them so they don't touch the shoulder.
The expander button on the RCBS 358norma dies is the usual oval button, but they make a tapered 30-35 expander that comes standard with their 35whelen dies that can be bought separately for a few bucks and used in the 358 norma dies to make case neck expansion easier the first time around.
You can even get quite good results using Lee 350 rem mag dies if you adjust them so they don't touch the shoulder.
Yes, and those are the loads I have always used. The 79 gr of 4350 with the 250 is a very powerful load.
The most accurate load I have found, and this in several different rifles, has always been 67.5 gr of IMR4895, which creeps just past 2800 fps. Be sure to give it a try.
You are certainly heading down a very fine road with your Nine Norma, Digger. Keep us posted!
Ted
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Ted, what 250gr bullet were you using and, do you recall or have record of what your C.O.A.L. was?
Hey guys thanks a lot for the kind words on the rifle and the awesome reloading info given. Very much appreciated! Slamfire, yes I have no issues running a heavy weight bullet in the Norma. I currently have lots of 250gr Hornady bullets, but have been eyeing up some of those woodleigh bullets to try out. I also have a 375 H&H Sako Kodiak that I run the 250- 300gr class bullets in. So I don't "really" need to run to heavy of a bullet in the Norma. I was thinking 250-275gr woodleighs as my hunting loads. The 225gr TSX bullets would be for stuff like squirrels and rabbit hunting. LOL. Even though I live in Ontario, I need these big guns as I'm close to a local zoo and well.... you never know when a big mean toothed critter might escape and I have to defend ourselves. Even though she doesn't believe me, that's what I tell my better half anyways. I'll post up some pictures when the scope arrives and I mount it up.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Hi Johnn,
It was always the 250 gr Speer spitzer, seated to allow rounds to just fit nicely into the magazine box, whatever that was. Garry's 358 is built on a 1903 Springfield, and is still going strong after 40+ years and several thousand rounds fired. Mine were all factory Husqvarnas or customs on 98 Mausers. The Rem 700 builds allowed bullets to be seated out farther, of course.
Ted
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Thanks Ted. I still have the Husqvarna and the Schultz & Larsen but reloading for either hasn't been a high priority, yet. A gentlemen that sets up the local gun shows and that has been at some of our coffee/lunch sessions when you've visited, has 'supplied' me with seven boxes of Norma factory. However, in preparation, I have acquired some additional new brass and a 'selection' of bullets to 
'try'.Ment to ask, what have you used 'the' Husqvarna on in the field?
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Digger I'm glad to see you found some 358 Norma brass. I have owned a couple 358 Norma rifles. The one I have now is a Husqvarna 1600. A couple comments. First the throats in 358 Norma rifles vary a considerable amount. I had a 358N built on a P-14 action with a very long throat. It would handle some of those loads listed in the early Speer manuals. The Husqvarna that I presently own has a max charge about 4 grs less. but the velocity is within 50 fps. I use the 225 TSX bullet in my present rifle. It is flat shooting and will out penetrate most 250 gr bullets. If you feel you need more weight/penetration I would suggest you try the 280 gr Swift A frame bullet. You have a very nice rifle there.
Hey fellas, well the scope showed up today. Nikon Monach 3 2.5-10, I mounted it up and took some pics. Not much lighter than my Sako Kodiak 375 H&H with Leupold VXR 2-7 Not sure when I'm heading out to the range next but I'll post up some group pictures and speeds.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Hey fellas, well the scope showed up today. Nikon Monach 3 2.5-10, I mounted it up and took some pics. Not much lighter than my Sako Kodiak 375 H&H with Leupold VXR 2-7 Not sure when I'm heading out to the range next but I'll post up some group pictures and speeds.
I admit to being a fan of nicely figured wood and blued steel, but, that does look good
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