.308 Norma Magnum

[Johnn Peterson]

I'm sure that the "re" stamping was discontinued within about 4-5 years of the introduction of the chambering in 1960.
As for being on components only...I don't agree. The Ammo I bought was brand new Norma ammo from AB Norma Projectilfabrik in Amotfors, Sweden.
It came with the headstamping that included that little "re"
It was loaded with the dual-core bullet, but not the plastic tip...a conventional soft point in a mild steel jacket..
This stuff was loaded plenty warm from the factory. Speer checked some of this early ammo and reported in their reloading manual #8 that it churned up over 3100 fps in a 24" barrel.
The Norma spec was 76.7 grains of Norma 205 [Essentially identical to MRP]
Later they dropped down to 75 grains of MRP, and it has remained there to date.
Regards, Eagleye.

As I mentioned, some of the 308NM brass with the Re marking may well have been from what I acquired at shows. At that time, I didn't pay much attention to anything except to make sure it was Norma and had the correct calibre stamp.

The 7x61 S&H was a slightly different story. About 10 years after bringing about the 7x61 S&H, Norma apparently made a few changes to then compete with a new comer, the emerging 7mm Rem Mag. There was apparently some change made to the internal case dimensions and the metallurgy in an effort to increase case capacity. The original case was headstamped 7x61 S&H and the improved 'Super' 7x61. As luck would have it, I ended up with a fair quantity of both variations. For uniforimity and consistency, I kept the 'Super' and sold the rest.

I've been very lucky obtaining some of this harder to obtain brass, especially the last few years. In the plastic storage bins for brass in my reloading room, top on the stack on the left is my 'adequate' supply of Super 7x61 brass, the majority of which is new unprimed. 2nd stack in on the left, my supply of 308NM, about 2/3's of which is new unprimed.

On the left of my reloading bench, 2nd bin down, much the same of 358NM, about 90% of which is new unprimed. All the brass supplies are such that I have enough to keep me going and to put in my will.

 

[Baribal]

Sorry for the poor quality of the pics, had to take it in the basement, but anyways, it shows the headstamp difference.

The Re stamped ones came from the original box pictured above. Some sources say "Reloadeable" others say "Re"loading components. My experience is "Re"loading components, to segregate those from the regular production (for legal reasons?).
The loaded rounds are the "white" bullets.

 

[Camp Cook]

I've never seen the RE stamp before now I have to go check out my new 308 Norma Mag brass.

 

[Kevan]

I've only seen the ' re' on 7X61 S&H and 300 H&H Norma factory loads.
Have yet to see it on any 308 Norma brass in my stash..

 

[Blowback]

Parker Hale Safari Deluxe .308 NM

Here is a very early Parker Hale Safari De Luxe lightweight built on a Santa Barbara commercial Mauser action.
I would call this the first lightweight "short magnum" rifle.
Magnum performance in 30-06 length action.
Advertized at 7 lbs. Ready to hunt weight is approx. 8 1/2 lbs.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

That brings back memories Blowback. Similar to the 1st 308NM I had except my Parker Hale wasn't a light weight. It appears the finish has been taken off of that one, or at least the gloss removed.

 

[Baribal]

You won't see that Re on current production brass. The Re stamping is obsolete since a (long) while. The Re stamp was definitely expressely intended for the (North) American market.

Blowback,
The oldest P-H rifles I've seen chambered for the .308 NM are the pre-Santa-Barbara, early models, with the thumb cut-out. The first Mauser 98 hunting rifles from PH showed around 1962-63. From the top of my head, P-H introduced the S-B Mauser in 1965. Then, about 69-70 they introduced the longer barreled rifles with a stock cross-bolt.
You have a nice example of the Deluxe, less the gloss finish, as noted above.

 

[Eagleye]

I may be wrong on this, but it seems I remember some of the earliest Norma Mags built on Mauser actions had some bolt lug set-back issues.
These were limited to 3 and 4 digit serial numbers, IIRC.
I bought my first Parker Hale Safari deluxe 308 Norma Magnum in 1966. I paid $159.95 for it, and that included one box of ammo!!
It was a great rifle. Accurate and potent, but it had a 22" barrel, so was quite noisy.
I remember getting "scoped" slightly by that rifle once when I was shooting prone.
Didn't take me long to find optics with more eye relief, lol.
I shot a lot of game with that rifle, and eventually replaced it with a newer PH with a 24" tube.
The two 308 Normas I now own are numbers 9 & 10. Probably not the last, either!
I have components that will last me as long as I will live, plus some.
Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Baribal]

Eagleye,
It seems impossible to date P-H rifles from S/N, the best way to do so is by using the Birmingham Proofhouse markings which are the letters / numbers in the X.

 

[Pescado]

Seems like a great cartridge. I have a 7mm Interarms Mark X collecting dust in the safe that may have to get rebarreled to a .308 Norma. That will be my next rifle after I finish this years project. A classic.