308 norma magnum
- Thread starter lemon hart
- Start date
I have loaded 308 Norma Mag for the last 35+ years. Some loads work better with the Magnum primers, some are fine with the regular large rifle type. I might be more inclined to use the Magnum primers for very slow burning powders or any sphericals, but even there, results can be fine with a standard primer. Some shooters say cold weather might determine the need for a magnum primer, but in my personal experience, even at -40ºC, regular primers light the fire OK. You might load a few loads with each, and see if the chosen load works best with one or other. Regards, Eagleye.
"...Do I need to use Magnum primers..." Hi. Nope. The term 'magnum' when applied to primers is just a marketing term.
Magnum primers have nothing to do with the cartridge name. They're about the powder used. They burn a bit hotter for a bit longer than standard primers. They're made to light hard to ignite hard to light powders and cold weather shooting. If your manual doesn't say to use 'em, you don't need 'em.
Magnum primers have nothing to do with the cartridge name. They're about the powder used. They burn a bit hotter for a bit longer than standard primers. They're made to light hard to ignite hard to light powders and cold weather shooting. If your manual doesn't say to use 'em, you don't need 'em.
Dear Mr Ben,
My first association with 308 Norma Magnum was in 1964, just before magnum primers came on the market.
I have the original Norma GunBug's Guide from that time period and in the loading charts in it, the primer is not mentioned, other than, "Insert a primer," type of thing.
In other words, the 308 Norma Magnum, like the Wetherby magnums, were designed to work with the standard primers. Including sevre winter weather.
I couldn't dispute that because I haven't had enough experience with the 308 Norma. I do remember taking a Shultz and Larson 308N to an outdoor turkey shoot at a farm once and did quite well with it. But, as I remember I had Norma factory ammunition.
What kind of powder do you use in them, Ted?
It was all Norma 205 at the time I was referring to.
I'm sure you're right Bruce, just most of the manuals for this same case, .257 Weatherby up thru the .264, 7mms, .338 win. mag...seem to call for magnum primers...Weatherby still calls for use of the Fed. 215 for these cals.....none of this is my cup of tea...just what I've read over the years in the manuals. In fact the new Nozzzler manual is in front of me and it shows use of magnum primers in that whole family of cases. I'll defer to you however, I'm sure you have more experience with these types of calibers..... Ben
The original 50 cents/pound H4831 for years, until I used that all up, then H450 'til it was all gone, now Re 22.
Ted
Am reloading some 308 Norma Mag bullets. My guestion is: Do I need to use Magnum primers in the load or will regular large rifle primers do the job?
What can it hurt? The first magnum primer was the Federal 215, designed when the .378 Weatherby was going click instead of bang. Can't really be haveing that, on very expensive factory ammo can we? The 215M is a hotter yet, but Federal had those .300 Win gold medal match cartridges to make, with demanding astute customers includeing military contracts.Seems those boys get downright pissy when a cartridge doesn't go off. They count too. Winchester developed theirs to light big cases full of ball powder, and even their regular large rifle are quite warm to light smaller cases of ball powder.
Federal grabbed the bull by the horns, taking on some of the Nitro Express calibers when nobody else would. Did you know they have a 216 primer for loading the .470 NE? We can't buy it.
Reloading manuals are often put together by the manufacturers. They have the best pressure testing equipment and monitor variations in pressure and velocity. With few exceptions they preach magnum primers on charges over 60 grains.
Can you use standard primers? Sure. Will it matter? Maybe. Will magnums hurt? No. Will they help? Maybe.
This sums it up best. It's not like bad things will happen in a large cased round from using a magnum primer, and being as they typically cost the same, why not use a magnum primer? It'll either be beneficial or neutral, so I figure, might as well.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I have to agree. I'm just getting into Barnes TTSX but so far, some of my best results have been with a combination of IMR 4350, CCI 250 primers and the Sierra 200gr SBT.
Before I picked up my 308NM in a Schultz & Larsen I had a Parker Hale and used N 205 exclusively back when it was available and just recently a buddy in Ladysmith gave me an unopened can of it. I'll save it for my 7x61 S&H
.
Mmmm, 205 and MRP goodness. I have 5 pounds or so I've been hoarding because it makes my 300 wby sing. - dan
I have about 25 lbs left of MRP, and 3 or 4 of N205. Same basic powder, just with MRP, Norma got rid of some of the lot-to-lot variations that plagued N205. MRP is still available [at a price!] from Dave Friesen [BC redneck.com] Regards, Eagleye.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
In the two 308NM's I've had, a PH and the Schultz & Larsen I presently have, with the limited testing I did, N204 'seemed' to perform better in both. At one time, Norma manufactured four 180gr 30 cal bullet. The best results I ever got with the 308NM was using one they put out that I believe was one of their dual cores but instead of a spire point, this one had a dimple like HP. That bullet with N204 was magic for me.
I contacted Norma but that specific bullet, and of course the powder, is no longer available.
Don't quote me on this but I heard that MRP & RL22 are the identical powder...
I loaded 75gr MRP/Fed 215 primer/180gr Norma bullets for appr 20 years consistently gave me 3/4" - 1" 3 shot 100 yard groups.
JP thanks for that load data after 20 years my rifle stopped grouping as well as it used to and I purchased a 300RUM I gave the 308NM to my son to use think I'll have him bring it back so I can try out your load I have some 200r Sierra BT's that I am not using and a load of new brass.
I loaded 75gr MRP/Fed 215 primer/180gr Norma bullets for appr 20 years consistently gave me 3/4" - 1" 3 shot 100 yard groups.
JP thanks for that load data after 20 years my rifle stopped grouping as well as it used to and I purchased a 300RUM I gave the 308NM to my son to use think I'll have him bring it back so I can try out your load I have some 200r Sierra BT's that I am not using and a load of new brass.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Do so but as a word of caution, work your way up on the load.
1/ From the data that accompanied my target note, my C.O.A.L. exceeds that suggested in the Sierra manual. I have the room in the magazine of my Schultz & Larsen and did this to minimize the freebore.
2/ The powder charge of IMR 4350 I used also exceeds the suggested maximum they presently list. The original maximum I used was in a previous manual and was higher than it is now. Also, I would guess increasing the C.O.A.L. has given me a touch more room in the case.
That load has worked well for me and I'm hoping I can have similar success using 180gr Barnes TTSX.
