I got this rifle from my grandfather before he passed away. The cost of ammunition is about $100 for a box of 20 in Williams Lake and Quesnel but I still like shooting it. Does anyone make a synthetic stock or a difference stock for it than the one on it? I would like to protect the original stock.
Parker & Hale .308 Norma Magnum Safari Edition
- Thread starter drache
- Start date
I used a $10 Parker Hale stock under a FN mauser.I found the bottom metal of the standard mauser shorter than the PH mauser so if you use a mauser syn. you may have dremel out a bit. For the cost of two boxs of shells, you could buy the complete reloading kit. I have 308Norma,but it's on a P-17 sporter.
A great inhertence you have there. Any chance of photos?
Hi,
Parker Hale bolt action rifles were made from Spanish commercial Mauser actions and, as such, many aftermarket '98 Mauser stocks inlet for a long action will fit.
Some fettling may have to be performed but it is a good basis for a fine rifle.
As for your ammunition problem, the answer is to reload. The .308 Norma is a fine cartridge and the rifle deserves a long and useful life.
Tack
Parker Hale bolt action rifles were made from Spanish commercial Mauser actions and, as such, many aftermarket '98 Mauser stocks inlet for a long action will fit.
Some fettling may have to be performed but it is a good basis for a fine rifle.
As for your ammunition problem, the answer is to reload. The .308 Norma is a fine cartridge and the rifle deserves a long and useful life.
Tack
Yeah I plan on reloading myself! When I got the gun from my grandfather it came with 10 rounds, 5 were factory loads, 5 were HOT reloads, and you couldn't tell the difference at first glance!
The hot loads kicked even WORSE that the factory loads and also included a 3 FOOT JET OF FLAME coming out the end of the barrel. (Had a video of this but lost it do to a computer virus)!
Once we figured out how to tell the rounds apart the hot loads were set aside incase of T-rex attack on the cows!
It's currently being stored at my father's ranch but I'll call him tonight and see if he can try and take a photo of it with my step mom's digital camera. No promises though lol!
The hot loads kicked even WORSE that the factory loads and also included a 3 FOOT JET OF FLAME coming out the end of the barrel. (Had a video of this but lost it do to a computer virus)!
Once we figured out how to tell the rounds apart the hot loads were set aside incase of T-rex attack on the cows!
It's currently being stored at my father's ranch but I'll call him tonight and see if he can try and take a photo of it with my step mom's digital camera. No promises though lol!
Well, depends when it was made. Early PH rifles were made from captured WW2 rifles. They made a good rifle, I have one of the 308 Norma Mags, as well as couple others in 308 and 30-06. Later they went to the Spanish made actions. Easy to tell the difference, no thumb cut in the LH receiver rail of the commercial actions. A Mauser stock can be modified to fit. - dan
Yep, I'd reload at that price. I believe you can use necked down .338 Win. mag brass. I hope you saved your .308 Norma Magnum brass.
My grandfather bought it "used" back in the late 60's or early 70's I believe and it cost him I believe a couple months pay at the time (he was working at a logger). He bought it in a place called Wells, BC, near Barkerville for those that don't know the area. I'll call my grandma tomorrow and confirm these facts.
I should also mention that the rifle/scope has NOT been sighted in since my grandfather first did it 4 days after he purchased it. About 2 years ago I took it out with my dad shortly after my grandfather's passing and shot it. Still dead accurate at 600 yards. After that came a couple shots of the last bottle of 'shine my grandfather made. A fitting tribute.....
Sadly I only have about 4 brass left for the gun. My grandfather was one of the best shots I know (stories about him will come later) and the reason being was the ammunition for this rifle was always on the expensive side. At $5 a shot I learned what to and not to do with this rifle.
At one point after .308NM ammunition was stopped being made (only for awhile until it was started being made again by a company in the US) a box of .308NM hit the $200 mark because it was so rare. I had my name on the top of a list for 2 years (at the $200 mark) to try and get a box but at the time no company was producing it and thus supplies ran dry. Finally when the company in the US started making it then the price dropped down to $100.
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Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Ironic, I lived in Wells from '57 - '63, had the same rifle, got mine from a guy that had been a gunsmith in Europe but was logging there, bucking in a landing. Steve Aradie (?spelling?). When he sold it to me it was because he was replacing it with a Schultz & Larsen in 308NM. A number of years back, when I got the chance to pick up a S&L I sold the PH.
Great caliber, my favorite 30 cal Magnum but you pretty well have to reload. You may come across the odd box of Norma stuff at a gunshow but for the most part, it's pretty scarce. I reload for mine and used it this year in AB on a Mule Deer hunt on draw.
Great caliber, my favorite 30 cal Magnum but you pretty well have to reload. You may come across the odd box of Norma stuff at a gunshow but for the most part, it's pretty scarce. I reload for mine and used it this year in AB on a Mule Deer hunt on draw.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Going back into 'yesteryear' again, I recall when I first got my 308NM, the price, in Wells, of Dominion 303Br ammo was $3.50/box and 308NM Norma was $8.10/box. I've accumulated a bit of 308NM Norma brass 'here & there' over the years so for the amount of hunting and shooting I'm going to do with that particular rifle, I've got enough to last me. Still, if I happen to see it at a gunshow................
If you make your brass from 338 Win Mag brass, it ends up slightly short, do it from 300 Win Mag and trim, they are the perfect length. Of course you can still just buy factory brass and ammo. FWIW.- dan
DRACHE, Now that you can distinguish your reloads, I would strongly advise you to get the bullets pulled from them, and dispose of the powder.
The original 308 Norma Magnum cartridges, mid 1960s made by Norma, were plenty hot themselves. It was not uncommon for the bolts of Schultz and Larson rifles to stick with them. The chambers had to be thouroghly cleaned, or the bolts would stick. One fellow bought a new S&L rifle in 308 N and the first shot stuck the bolt so bad that I had to give the bolt handle a hard whack with a piece of 2x4, to break the bolt loose.
I don't know if Norma slacked off the ammo later, or not.
The original 308 Norma Magnum cartridges, mid 1960s made by Norma, were plenty hot themselves. It was not uncommon for the bolts of Schultz and Larson rifles to stick with them. The chambers had to be thouroghly cleaned, or the bolts would stick. One fellow bought a new S&L rifle in 308 N and the first shot stuck the bolt so bad that I had to give the bolt handle a hard whack with a piece of 2x4, to break the bolt loose.
I don't know if Norma slacked off the ammo later, or not.
Some years ago friend asked me to load some .308 Norma for his brother. He had a brand new set of RCBS dies so what the heck. The Parker-Hale was a lot lighter than I expected, the ancient pad non-functional and after 60 rounds one day working up loads I'd had enough. The load that I settled on was 68 grains of WMR and the 180 Hornady Spire-point. This wasn't anywhere near maximum, but I had a hunch that the owner didn't like the sting anymore than I did. This load shot the same zero as the factory load, at least at 100 yards. Last time I checked he was still clobbering moose with that load. The old guy had made it to Ottawa back in the day, shooting SPRA.
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Ok Here's what a few people have been waiting for! I talked to a few family members and got the history of this rifle almost down pat!
In 1964 my grandfather purchased this rifle from a store called Marshal Wells (hardware store) located in Wells, British Columbia. The gun was brand new at the time he purchased it and my grandmother believes that the orginal price was between $250-350. At the time my grandfather working as a logger wasn't even making $5 an hour so he had the gun on lay away finally able to bring it home in 1965. My grandmother believes she still has the original bill of sale for the gun but she can get to barn until the 4 feet of snow disappears.
The pictures of the gun below are exactly how it was placed into my grandfather's hands (besides the wear marks and scope). The scope was purchased at the same time when my grandfather got to pick up the rifle. If I remember correctly is a 3-9x40 Bushnell but it's been a couple years since I've even got to hold the rifle let alone shoot it. That sling is the original sling that the gun "came" with.
Should I also mention my grandmother's name is Norma Jean? Should I also mention that the stock of this rifle right now weighs LESS than the stock on my Cooey .22?
*sorry for the quality of the pictures, they were not taken by me*
In 1964 my grandfather purchased this rifle from a store called Marshal Wells (hardware store) located in Wells, British Columbia. The gun was brand new at the time he purchased it and my grandmother believes that the orginal price was between $250-350. At the time my grandfather working as a logger wasn't even making $5 an hour so he had the gun on lay away finally able to bring it home in 1965. My grandmother believes she still has the original bill of sale for the gun but she can get to barn until the 4 feet of snow disappears.
The pictures of the gun below are exactly how it was placed into my grandfather's hands (besides the wear marks and scope). The scope was purchased at the same time when my grandfather got to pick up the rifle. If I remember correctly is a 3-9x40 Bushnell but it's been a couple years since I've even got to hold the rifle let alone shoot it. That sling is the original sling that the gun "came" with.
Should I also mention my grandmother's name is Norma Jean? Should I also mention that the stock of this rifle right now weighs LESS than the stock on my Cooey .22?
*sorry for the quality of the pictures, they were not taken by me*
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