Identify Norma 7x61 factory loads

[Potashminer]

I am currently working with a M65 Shultz and Larsen rifle in 7x61 Sharpe & Hart. The rifle came with a collection of loaded ammunition - I am trying to determine if this ammunition is factory loads, or someone's handloads. Hoping someone familiar with Norma components and with a long memory might be able to narrow these down.

There are about a dozen rounds with silver primers with a small "NP" stamped on the primer face. The brass itself is the earlier "+NORMA Re 7x61 S&H". I pulled one and the bullet is silver coloured 160 grain Soft Point Boat Tail with 66.1 grains of an extruded "log" powder - inside of case is shiny so likely has never been fired. So this will be the original thicker 7x61 Norma brass. Does anyone know if the "NP" stamped primers were ever sold as loading components? Do they indicate factory loads?

There are a bunch with the same bullet - these are in "Norma Super 7x61" brass - the later, thinner cases with greater capacity. These rounds have both brass coloured primers, and silver coloured primers. I pulled one with the silver coloured primer and found 67.2 grains of similar looking extruded "log" powder - inside of case is shiny - appears unfired. So, can anyone confirm what color primers were used in Norma factory Super 7x61 rounds - this would be Index No. 257, from one of the Norma cartridge boxes that these came in.

Thanks in advance for any relevant information.

 

[Hitzy]

They did sell NP primers as components. If you pulled a bullet and dumped the powder already, pop the primer out...any carbon in the pocket there it's a reload.

 

[H4831]

In the early to mid 1960s I shot, probably about a dozen, of the Schultz & Larsen, 7x61 rifles, mostly for sighting them in, while at my job behind the counter of a gun shop in central BC.
The factory loads you describe, with the Re on them and the silver coloured bullets of 160 grains, with more of a semi boat tail, than a pure BT. I have one of the original factory loaded cartridges with me now, as I write this. The head stamp is exactly as you describe, and the primers are silver coloured.
I forget our loading data, but I loaded them exactly as the Norma loading chart indicated, which was common practice at the time, load them full to what the chart stated.
I don't remember using Norma primers at the time, I know I used RCBS primers, but recently at a gun show I bought some Norma primers and they are silver, without the NP stamped on them.
Make sure the chamber of your rifle is polished clean and dry, before you shoot your cartridges.
Please keep us posted when you shoot them.
Bruce

 

[daddylonglegs]

The "silver" bullets are definitely Norma & with the NP primers, I would say the odds are about 99% that these are factory loads. I have never seen Norma factory ammo however with brass colored primers. I have 8 different S&L rifles including the 7x61, 308 N. Mag, & .358 N. Mag. and am very familiar with Norma factory ammo. All of my S&L rifles will shoot 3 shots in less than 1/2" @ 100 yds. with Norma factory ammo, if I do my part.

 

[Eagleye]

If the primer is nickle plated [silver colored] and has the little NP stamped on it, that is factory ammo.
I have owned 308 Norma Mag rifles since the early 60's, and have never seen a factory round with a
brass colored primer, so those may possibly be reloads.
The silver colored bullet is the Tri-Clad Norma bullet, and will be attracted to a magnet. The Re on the
headstamp is the earlier, heavier brass, as the OP said. This brass tends to be slightly softer than the
later, thinner Super 7x61 brass.
I have bought several flats of Norma primers over the years, they are not stamped with the little NP.
Norma ammo for these rifles tends to be of very high quality. The powder in the early ones is likely N205,
Later replaced by Norma MRP. Regards, Dave.