338 Norma Magnum
- Thread starter sask378
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I've seen .308 NormaMag and .358 NormaMag, and bassed on those cartridges I can't see it offering anything that the .338 WinMag wouldn't give you in a factory chambering with ammo you could by at any gun shop and some Wally-Worlds and CanTires.
>>Edit<< Woops, ok, a shortened .338 Lapua.
Does Norma make factory cases?
>>Edit<< Woops, ok, a shortened .338 Lapua.
Does Norma make factory cases?
Last edited:
I thought about the .338 version but don't need to deliver that much energy down range. I don't do much hunting anymore. The 30 cal version shooting some Berger 230gr Hybrids looks pretty interesting on paper. Also thought about the 7mm version as well but again no real need for one. For me it would mean buying and paying for another action with the .338 Lapua bolt face which is really not that appealing at this point.
Build one and let us know
Build one and let us know
Go ask the question on LongRangeHunting, I know that some of the innovators being the design posted there and there is some interest in the cartridge.
Its future hang mostly on whether 338 Norma Mag or 338 Lapua Mag will be selected as US Army's next medium range sniping cartridge (They're using 300 Win Mag as an interim cartridge).
Alex
Its future hang mostly on whether 338 Norma Mag or 338 Lapua Mag will be selected as US Army's next medium range sniping cartridge (They're using 300 Win Mag as an interim cartridge).
Alex
Ask on the LongRangeHunting forum if any CGN members have a 338 Norma Mag? Or planning on building one? I don't think that would yield many responses.
Build one and let us know
Well, I myself won't be building it, but one is in the works.
What a missed opportunity by Norma. I think it'd be a much more popular cartridge if Norma had made it with a rebated rim so that a normal "magnum" bolt face would take it.
then it would be an easy rechamber for rifles in .338 WinMag.
then it would be an easy rechamber for rifles in .338 WinMag.
No do a search on LongRangeHunting!
There are a couple of articles about the cartridge and a couple of thread.
The cartridge is popular enough that Surgeon or G.A. Precision is building rifles chambered for the cartridge.
You could start a thread and ask if someone built a rifle in 338 Norma. You'll get all the answers there.
Alex
It seems to me that a wildcat .338 Norma Magnum would be almost identical to the .,338 Winchester Magnum, if you were to make it based on the .308Norma Magnum case. In which case you could form cases from the .338 WM (possibly even use the same sizing die). Why would you? If you want special, then go for the larger .338 Lapua Magnum, or .340 Weatherby. In the end, your choice, your money.
Mystic Precision
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It is a mag specific cartridge and I am unsure how far it will get. The 338LM is already inservice with a bunch of countries and it works. hard to imagine they will switch for a new chambering.
There is still no component brass that I have seen so be careful if you build a rifle on this.
The case volume is smaller then the LM. New powder are going to hot rod the LM and the Norma will never be able to keep up.
I think this was a great idea 3 decades too late.
But it is very interesting that such novel concepts would be proposed by the same corporation that is also pushing the 338LM.
The 300 RUM is still the better rebated rim option and with all the new powders coming in the next year or so, that is plenty case volume for any 30cal monster slug.
Jerry
There is still no component brass that I have seen so be careful if you build a rifle on this.
The case volume is smaller then the LM. New powder are going to hot rod the LM and the Norma will never be able to keep up.
I think this was a great idea 3 decades too late.
But it is very interesting that such novel concepts would be proposed by the same corporation that is also pushing the 338LM.
The 300 RUM is still the better rebated rim option and with all the new powders coming in the next year or so, that is plenty case volume for any 30cal monster slug.
Jerry
Might as well have went with the .338 Edge instead.
Except it's too long for my action. And shortening it means getting into that whole making-a-shoulder-into-a-neck with turning and reaming and waiting for the "donut" to raise its ugly head.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
would the 338RUM fit?
Unfortunately, fl magnums need a fl action/mag box
the 338LM would need the same thing.
Unsure what action you are refering to but if the Savage LA, I have been looking at the CDI Savage LA bottom metal and it put a big smile on my face.
Set up for the single stack AI mags, this DBM will let you use belted standard magnums and the LM with ease. I tried reg 300RUM cases and these do not fit - shoulder too far forward.
I do not have 338 RUM cases which are shorter but that might just fit. If it does and these are necked down the 30cal - voila, you have a super sized awesome case volume for the 30cal heavies.
By the way, I used the AI 338LM mags as the std magnum will not fit no matter what.
the Savage LA will need to be modified a bit to fit the longer mag but it is not that tough a job given that Savage is already doing it with their 338LM rifles.
Jerry
Unfortunately, fl magnums need a fl action/mag box
the 338LM would need the same thing.
Unsure what action you are refering to but if the Savage LA, I have been looking at the CDI Savage LA bottom metal and it put a big smile on my face.
Set up for the single stack AI mags, this DBM will let you use belted standard magnums and the LM with ease. I tried reg 300RUM cases and these do not fit - shoulder too far forward.
I do not have 338 RUM cases which are shorter but that might just fit. If it does and these are necked down the 30cal - voila, you have a super sized awesome case volume for the 30cal heavies.
By the way, I used the AI 338LM mags as the std magnum will not fit no matter what.
the Savage LA will need to be modified a bit to fit the longer mag but it is not that tough a job given that Savage is already doing it with their 338LM rifles.
Jerry
Nope
Howa 1500 "long" action. It's a standard ('06) length action, so limited to a max of about 3.4" when fed from the mag. The 3.6"+ of a true "magnum length" action seems not practical (because anything is possible, given enough time and money)
That's why with the 2.5" case length the .338 Norma could be loaded to run through a standard length action.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
the HOWA is used by Wby as the Vanguard. This is set up to house the 300wby so it can be used for a FL magnum action.
If you have a -06 action, the changes to a magnum or larger bolt face would be more problematic anyways. for all that cost and fuss, you would just get a donor action already to fit the larger/longer rd.
If you have a Savage, bolt heads can be had (very limited number left) but you still need to mod mag parts and maybe the action. when you can buy a HS stocked heavy barreled braked rig for just over $1000 w/ det mag, why bother to build a 338 Norma?
that is why the Norma is not gaining traction. The actions set up for the Rigby bolt face can house a FL magnum. Everything else needs mods and that just ups the cost and hassle.
Then there is a complete lack of support in the reloading world which makes this chambering more difficult then the 577-450 Martini Henry.
Jerry
If you have a -06 action, the changes to a magnum or larger bolt face would be more problematic anyways. for all that cost and fuss, you would just get a donor action already to fit the larger/longer rd.
If you have a Savage, bolt heads can be had (very limited number left) but you still need to mod mag parts and maybe the action. when you can buy a HS stocked heavy barreled braked rig for just over $1000 w/ det mag, why bother to build a 338 Norma?
that is why the Norma is not gaining traction. The actions set up for the Rigby bolt face can house a FL magnum. Everything else needs mods and that just ups the cost and hassle.
Then there is a complete lack of support in the reloading world which makes this chambering more difficult then the 577-450 Martini Henry.
Jerry
