Picked it up for $200, already have a 30-06 Savage, looking for a something to launch heavier bullets for shorter range hunting. I have 308NM dies already. Anyone went this way, and who did the work for you? Suggestions?
Parker hale 30-06 Safari Mauser action rechamber to 308NM?
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
308 Norma Mags do frequent the EE in different shapes and forms.
Probably cheaper to do as medvedqc suggests.
WTB in the EE could be the best end result without gitting it the end...............$$$$
The Savage is a detachable mag stainless 116 with a VX II mounted. The Parker Hale doesn't do the same thing for me, although spinning a prefit 338-06 barrel on the Savage might be cheaper. Might be cheaper to sell them both and buy a 375. Decisions....
Will call tomorrow about cost to ream and open up bolt head. Anyone had feeding issues that needed to be ironed out? I'm looking to shoot 220s with this, would a longer throat make things easier? Will post in reloading too.
If your goal is heavier bullets for shorter range, 35 whelen sounds like the perfect upgrade. 338-06 might be worth considering too, but the 35 gives you heavier bullets without taking up all your case capacity with a super-long bullet. If 220/225 grain is your goal, either should suffice.
Is there anything you can turn it into without changing the barrel? Ream out the chamber for a bigger 30cal of some sort? I guess that is what you were hoping to do with the Norma? Does anything bigger share the same boltface as the '06?
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You must be a sucker for punishment. Talk about excess recoil and overbore capacity all rolled into one. You will also have to change the bolt face and grind the extractor. If you're lucky, it will fit into your magazine but likely you will have to alter the feed lips. Not nearly as easy as just reaming out the chamber. If you can do the work yourself it might be a go financially. Then of course finding the brass will be a bit of a problem but not impossible by any means, just expensive.
Follow the above advice and just pick up a rifle already chambered for the case.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I just received a bunch of parts from a Parker Hale 7mm Mag. The magazine is significantly wider at the front than for their 30-06 / 270, which makes sense since the magnum case is significantly wider at the shoulder. Makes the 35 - 06 and 338 - 06 (of whatever flavour) a much better selection, rather than the belted magnums. However, unless making these changes is something you plan /are able to do yourself, I would really suggest selling what you do not want and buying what you do want. If you want a 308 magnum, buy one - not too cost effective to pay someone else to make one for you out of your parts...
A trade would certainly be simpler, regardless of how much the smithing would cost. The mag width would be the challenge to overcome I think, thanks for the info. Brass can be made without too much trouble out of 338 or 300 brass as far as I can tell. I guess it's almost always simpler to buy a better mouse trap than build one. Thanks for the posts.
You can load 220's in a regular .30-06 with no fuss. Even though a 220 will not do anything a 165 or 180 won't. But if you're married to the Norma, find brass before you do anything. Only made by Norma and runs $33.49 per 20 Stateside.
heavier bullets for shorter range......?
sunray has it figured out.
But, buying another rifle or rebarrelling one is always good practice in my book.......I try and do one or the other as often as I can...
You can load 220 in a 308 too, not at the same velocity though. 308NM sends 220s easily as fast as 300WM, often quoted as faster because the bullet leaves more room for powder in the 308NM. Brass is easy, yes, easy.....
Not concerned about long range hunting. Rather anchoring a bear at 200yd.
220gr bullets in a light PH will kick like a mule. Stick with something lighter that won't make you pick up a flinch. Bears go down very easy if you hit them properly.
It is more up to you than the rifle if the rifle shoots true.
I know a fellow that has used nothing heavier than a Mod 94 Win loaded with 150 grain flat nose bullets in his 50 year hunting exploits. He has other more powerful rifles but that 75 year old lever action without a patch of blue showing anywhere other than under the fore arm is his go to rifle. I have personally seen him shoot Moose, Elk, Deer, Bears, Coyotes, Gophers and a Cougar with that rifle. He very seldom needs more than one shot. An accurate rifle and knowing how to use it is the key to successfully shooting any game animal.
Of course, I know a guy who used horses instead of trucks, got the job done for him, but apparently not for everyone. Like muzzle loaders and bowhunters. The 300WM isn't some horrible silly big cannon, the 308NM is very similar. Your "overbore" and "excessive recoil" digs would apply to a Tikka Lite etc. in anything above 30-06 also. I get the underhanded implied criticism of my ability and knowledge with a side of patronizing, but this line often seems to come from you to whomever you are commenting on so I think it probably has more to do with you than me.
