Parker-Hale Model 81 "Classic" - 308 Norma Magnum.

Eagleye

Eagleye

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So I just managed to find another one of these on the EE here. [I have another one I found 4years ago]
This model is relatively scarce.

Once it arrived, I swapped out the buttpad for a Decelerator, cleaned the rifle up, adjusted the trigger,
loc-tited the guard screws, and mounted a Leupold 6x42 in Luepy rings,
Loaded up several rounds of ammo, and headed to the range.

My Hornady 180 Interlock/IMR 4350 loads were OK, but failed to impress. [c.1½" at 100 M]

Then came the 180 Partitions/Norma MRP.

First 3 shots with 73.0 grains came in at 1¼" at 100. Promising.
Cooldown, then 3 shots with 74 grains of MRP.......... :) :) 5/8" at 100 M!! :)
Now with only two shots left of that load, I let the rifle cool again, adjusted the scope, and fired them at another target.
You can imagine how gratifying it was to see those two shots touching one another!

I believe I have a hunting load. Look out Elk!

My other M81 likes the 200 AB the best, using Reloder 25, so all's well.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
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Sounds like you have a keeper Eagleye , how about a picture or better still an up to date picture of your 308 Norma collection... 3 now ?
I'm currently playing with an old 721 Remington re-chambered to 308 Norma from 30-06 and its quite accurate, better than I anticipated.
Hopefully with a little more load work it will go hunting this Fall...
 
Ahhh, 308 Norma Magnum, the round Winchester should have used instead of the 300 Winchester Magnum. Out of the 308 NM, 300 WM, 300 WBY, 300 RUM and the 300 WSM, I prefer the Norma Magnum myself..... Although I have always wanted a Newton as well.

Nice acquisition Eagleye!!!
 
Cleftwynd said:
Ahhh, 308 Norma Magnum, the round Winchester should have used instead of the 300 Winchester Magnum. Out of the 308 NM, 300 WM, 300 WBY, 300 RUM and the 300 WSM, I prefer the Norma Magnum myself..... Although I have always wanted a Newton as well.

Nice acquisition Eagleye!!!
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Why limit oneself, I have one of each !!!
 
Good score Eagleye and a great calibre!! My favorite 30 cal magnum and the first one I had was a Parker-hale and as close as I can recall, I 'believe' it was a Safari Classic. 1200 series? Again, a great calibre but I had my heart set on what I replaced it with, a Schultz & Larsen model 65DL.
 
kamlooky said:
I was watching that gal too.
Figured it was a decent enough deal.
But what would one do with two?
Glad she worked out for you.
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Looky....Two?, I have 3 - 308 Norma Mags, but the 3rd is a custom rifle built on a 700 Action with an aftermarket barrel.
I also have a 300 Win Mag and a 300 WSM.
Can one have too many firearms??....I don`t think so.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
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So I downloaded a picture of the two targets with the 180 partition and Norma MRP. (RP-5)
The right target was shot first. [3 shots, 5/8" C to C]
The left was shot with the remaining two shots of that load after cooldown and scope adjustment.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
I have two of them, one a very pretty Husqvarna Model 7000, and one a workhorse Voere Safari. Comparing it to the 300 Win Mag, of which I have owned several, it is my impression that the Norma is a bit more accurate cartridge. Would be interested in your experiences in this regard.

Also, when I was at the range yesterday doing the Matrix 9.3 Round Nose test, I did a ladder test with the old Voere that gave some very interesting results. Here's the record for eight shots. The barrel is 24 inches, load is the 180 gr Sierra Boat Tail, magnum primers, and powder to be revealed after you fellows give me your thoughts on the velocities. Charges were all weighed to one-tenth grain.

70 gr ........ 2993 fps
71 ............ 2952
72 ............ 3022
73 ............ 3068
74 ............ 3078
75 ............ 3115
76 ............ 3125
77 ............ 3150 fps

Bolt lift normal, primers still have rounded edges, and all eight shots went into less than two inches at 100 yd. Forgot to take a picture of the target, but there appear to be two accuracy nodes in the overall group.

Ted
 
Why not? said:
I have two of them, one a very pretty Husqvarna Model 7000, and one a workhorse Voere Safari. Comparing it to the 300 Win Mag, of which I have owned several, it is my impression that the Norma is a bit more accurate cartridge. Would be interested in your experiences in this regard.

Also, when I was at the range yesterday doing the Matrix 9.3 Round Nose test, I did a ladder test with the old Voere that gave some very interesting results. Here's the record for eight shots. The barrel is 24 inches, load is the 180 gr Sierra Boat Tail, magnum primers, and powder to be revealed after you fellows give me your thoughts on the velocities.

70 gr ......... 2993 fps
71 ............ 2952
72 ............ 3022
73 ............ 3068
74 ............ 3078
75 ............ 3115
76 ............ 3125
77 ............ 3150 fps

Bolt lift normal, primers still have rounded edges, and all eight shots went into less than two inches at 100 yd.

Ted
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Those are velocities commensurate with what I have come to expect from the 308NM, using the 180 Sierra BT and H4831, Norma MRP, Reloder 22 or IMR7828.
My 180 Partition load in my custom 700 308 NM, makes 3105 avg with 73.5 grains of IMR 7828. [tight chamber and bore]
The Sierra BT has a bit shorter bearing surface than some of the other 180's, so shows lower pressure than some of them.
Regards, Dave.
 
Ted,

In the '70s the .308 NM won a lot of 1000 yds matches and it was for sure one of the dominating caliber on the range. Hard to understand what happened because when not ahead of the 300 WM, it was on par of just following it.
One reason why it was prefered over the .300 WM, was that bullet seating depth permitted long OAL (in standard actions) without playing much on case capacity.
 
Ted, would you have a pic of that Voere? My STW is a Voere Titan II and you don't see many of them here in Canada.

Sorry to hijack Eagleye!
 
Cleftwynd said:
Ted, would you have a pic of that Voere? My STW is a Voere Titan II and you don't see many of them here in Canada.

Sorry to hijack Eagleye!
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The Titan II is a different rifle than Ted's. I have a Titan II as well. Yours must be wearing a custom barrel, or perhaps is rechambered, as I don't believe they made them in 7mm STW.



And Ted - H1000?
 
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