.308 Norma Magnum
- Thread starter jackrabbit000
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
My favorite 30 cal magnum,
and in a Schultz & Larsen, a model 65DL.
Brought out about 1960, it was 'killed' by a copy from the 'land of milk & honey', the 300 WM about 1963.
The 300 Winchester Magnum killed it off years ago. To my knowledge it was never a SAAMI cartridge and that didn't help either. If memory serves me correctly Norma used to lend or rent the chamber reamers out to gunsmiths so they could convert 30-06 actioned rifles into the magnum chambering. That is also why most 308 Norma Magnums (rifles built with the Norma supplied reamers) have very uniform chambers, with little variance between rifles. I don't think the 308NM ever was commercially available from any of the big american manufacturers either. Any Winchester, Remington, etc. in this chambering would most likely be a customized rifle. I could be wrong about that and if I am I'm sure someone will correct me.
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
I chamber them occasionally, some two in the last 3 years IIRC. Still have the rougher an finisher reamer. I think the design of 308NM with longer neck than 300WM and very strong & uniform Norma brass makes this cartridge more accurate IMHO especially for long range hunting and 1000yds target shooting. Rem700 long action and Savage 110 action have no problem to accomodate heavy bullets in 300WM in their magazines (with extended throats of course) but Ruger 77, Mauser98, and pre 64' Win mod 70 are having to short magazines for that so if somebody desires 30cal magnum in those actions then 308NM is the only sensible option....
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I have a 308 Norma built on a Pre'64 Model 70 by a gunsmith in BC that likes the cartridge and knows it well. He also knows the Pre'64 Model 70 very well, the two go together very well as the 300 Win Mag is too long for a Pre'64 M70 although Winchester did chamber it in the 300 Win, I had one a while back.
I also had a Browning Safari in 308 Norma built on the FN Mauser action and S&L M65DL in 308 Norma.
I also had a Browning Safari in 308 Norma built on the FN Mauser action and S&L M65DL in 308 Norma.
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A friend of mine used to have a Parker-Hale 1200 Super Safari in .308NM and that was the only one I have seen. He sold it quite awhile ago. I was just thinking about it last night and was wondering what ever happened to the cartridge.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Long story but I'll try
and keep it short. That was my 1st 308NM. A w-a-y back, before we went metric, Dad ordered a pair of plain jane Husqvarnas to replace the Simpon-Sears sporterized 303Br. 'specials' we were using at the time. As luck would have it, only one came in and it was a very nice light weight. 
Dad asked if I wanted it but after seeing the 'gleam' in his eye, I told him to take it and I'd find something else. There was a logger, and gunsmith of some renown in town that Dad knew and Dad asked if he had anything appropriate in a Moose rifle for me. He said he had a PH in 308NM and if I could handle it, he'd sell it to me. After a couple of shots at the range through a small Pacific Milk can, I was the proud owner of a PH in 308NM
. The obvious question for me, as pretty as the rifle looked to me, is why would you sell it?? He told me, "Because I just got this" and showed me a Schultz & Larsen, in 308NM. End of the long story, after looking at and admiring it, I promised myself, "One day I'll have one of those".
I have a PH Safari in this chambering, one of my favorite 30's. Very accurate, powerful, and easy to reload. Good choice for a handloader. - dan
I love the 308 Norma Mag [Don't think that is any secret to those who know me!]
I have 2 at present.
One is a Parker Hale Model 81 "Classic"
The other is a custom rifle built on a 700 Remington action.
These are both very accurate rifles, with the custom gun far exceeding my expectations.
I have shot several groups at 200 meters that are well under 1" with the 180TTSX.
The PH loves the 200 Partition or Accubond and Reloder 25.
This load is a potent package at right on 3000 fps.
I believe this is the cartridge Winchester should have adopted instead of the 300 Winny.
Here are pics...the Remington now has a new scope, a 3.5-10x40 B&C
These groups were 3-shots at 100 meters.
Regards, Eagleye.
I have 2 at present.
One is a Parker Hale Model 81 "Classic"
The other is a custom rifle built on a 700 Remington action.
These are both very accurate rifles, with the custom gun far exceeding my expectations.
I have shot several groups at 200 meters that are well under 1" with the 180TTSX.
The PH loves the 200 Partition or Accubond and Reloder 25.
This load is a potent package at right on 3000 fps.
I believe this is the cartridge Winchester should have adopted instead of the 300 Winny.
Here are pics...the Remington now has a new scope, a 3.5-10x40 B&C
These groups were 3-shots at 100 meters.
Regards, Eagleye.
My 308 Norma Mag just went to a new home a few weeks ago. It is a Voere Cougar, and is being fitted with a switch barrel in 358 Norma Mag by a very reputable 'smith for the new owner. That will be quite an outfit!
I have also had a couple of Parker Hales and a custom rifle on a VZ24. It is a great cartridge!
Ted
I have also had a couple of Parker Hales and a custom rifle on a VZ24. It is a great cartridge!
Ted
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
The Mauser-actioned Voere's came in .308 NM. My grandfather has toted this one and only since the 80's (maybe 70's?) and has killed more moose than I care to count. I've been trying to BUY it off the cheap old bugger but he won't budge
EDIT- Voere M3000, is the rifle.
EDIT- Voere M3000, is the rifle.
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
I've got 2 .308 Normas.
The first is a custom rifle made off a Brazilian Mauser action, and originally chambered in .30-06. I had Ron Smith rechamber it to .308 Norma.
The next is an H. Dumoulin factory chambered in .308 Norma
I bought it at a gunshow, but it had a Remington 798 Laminated stock, which I switched out to a Bell & Carlson.
The first is a custom rifle made off a Brazilian Mauser action, and originally chambered in .30-06. I had Ron Smith rechamber it to .308 Norma.
The next is an H. Dumoulin factory chambered in .308 Norma
I bought it at a gunshow, but it had a Remington 798 Laminated stock, which I switched out to a Bell & Carlson.
30 years or so ago my grandfather gave me two identical rifles both had made in Germany Voere actions one was chambered in 243 Win the other in 308NM they were made in Yakima, Washington & called Black Forest.
I hunted with the rifle for appr 25 years until I purchased a 26" barreled stainless steel Rem 700 LSS in 300RUM I then gave the 308NM to my son.
Never used the 243 much due to grabbing the 308NM every time...
75grs Norma MRP with any 180gr bullet consistantly gave me 3/4" 100 yard 3 shot groups
I hunted with the rifle for appr 25 years until I purchased a 26" barreled stainless steel Rem 700 LSS in 300RUM I then gave the 308NM to my son.
Never used the 243 much due to grabbing the 308NM every time...
75grs Norma MRP with any 180gr bullet consistantly gave me 3/4" 100 yard 3 shot groups
CC; That is a classic load in the 308 Norma Mag.
The original factory Norma load was 76.7 grains of N205, and was a warm load, delivering more than 3100 fps in a 24" barrel.
My pet load in the new rifle is 74.0 grains of IMR 7828.
With the tight chamber and 26" McGowan, it graphs 3125 avg for 5 shots.
Eagleye.
