Ultra-light .358 Norma Magnum

gabrielguitars

gabrielguitars

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Hey guys, I just made up a new toy. I happened upon a Parker Hale action with a light sporter barrel in .35 Whelen. I decided the .300 RUM wasn't painful enough, so I reamed it out to .358 Norma, switched bolts for a magnum boltface, and put it into a really light sporter stock. Voila! A 6.74 lb. .358 Norma Mag! Many of my friends shook my hand and asked who was going to take care of my kids after I killed myself with it. I shot it this past weekend, and found it to be not that painful. I had 225 grainers doing 2865, and the 250's doing 2700. I imagine I could do more, but I was just loading to begin with. She's just a sweety, but then again, I'm married with kids, I guess I'm used to pain.
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My Norma weighs 8 1/4 pounds all-up. With 225 grainers at 2950, it's not bad at all to shoot. But pump up the 250 grainers to 2800 and it's a handful, especially from the bench or prone.

By the way, nice rifle!
 
Used to pain, I'm on my 3rd wife and I'm still not used to pain! She looks good though. Although if you are really into pain, there's a converted Ruger #3 in EE, from 375 win to 375 H&H, complete with origional curved buttplate. Now that would get your attention.
 
Once you add the scope it should finish around 8 pounds and will be much more comfortable to shoot.

Nice elk/moose rifle....I'm envious!:D

FYI my 416Rem started out at the same weight as your rifle.....Now there was some vicious recoil!
 
I added a scope to it to try out, and it weighed just under 7.75 lbs., so I was bummed and took the scope off again. I think I will use a scope to develop loads, then install open sights. BTW, X-fan, I WANT it to hurt . . .I can get comforable elsewhere . . .
 
I thought my Rem Classic 8mm Mag kicked hard. Fairly light gun and with stout loads its about all I can handlle. Can't imagine your Norma Mag being much fun. Although when the boys come over, it would be fun for sh*ts and giggles!
 
You know, the funny thing is that there really isn't that much muzzle flip. I will put glass on it soon, but it won't kiss me. I might have to re-chamber again to .358 STA. . .
 
Go on You-tube and watch some yo-yo's firing a .577 T-Rex in an indoor range.That's pain..........................Harold
 
gabrielguitars said:
I added a scope to it to try out, and it weighed just under 7.75 lbs., so I was bummed and took the scope off again. I think I will use a scope to develop loads, then install open sights. BTW, X-fan, I WANT it to hurt . . .I can get comforable elsewhere . . .
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All joking aside, you never want a rifle to hurt you.

If you shoot the rifle too many times (at one seating) and you upset your nervous system it will remember that rifle....That's a promise.

When my 416 was 8 pounds I would only shoot 5-6 rounds at a time and would limit my total round count to 20 to 30 or so for an afternoon.
At the first sign of discomfort (or reluctant trigger finger) I would rack the rifle if not put the rifle away for the day.
Doing this has not only allowed allowed my to master some real monsters following this process has help a few friends master rifles they never thought possible.

The 358 Norma should be easy to master....Just practice with it in a progressive and reasonable fashion....Or your shooting will suffer.
 
gabrielguitars said:
You know, the funny thing is that there really isn't that much muzzle flip. I will put glass on it soon, but it won't kiss me. I might have to re-chamber again to .358 STA. . .
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I have a .358 sta, and I think it will be a great hunting rifle. The .358 magnums deserve to be more popular than they are in my opinion. I probably will try it on a muley buck next season. But i'm cheating, it has a brake on it :redface:.
 
I know 35 Calibre stuff has never been really popular in North America. However I love my 35 Rem, 358 Win and 350 Rem. Mag, each for their intended purpose. (Blowing large holes in animals at reasonable distances)
 
X-fan said:
All joking aside, you never want a rifle to hurt you.

If you shoot the rifle too many times (at one seating) and you upset your nervous system it will remember that rifle....That's a promise.

When my 416 was 8 pounds I would only shoot 5-6 rounds at a time and would limit my total round count to 20 to 30 or so for an afternoon.
At the first sign of discomfort (or reluctant trigger finger) I would rack the rifle if not put the rifle away for the day.
Doing this has not only allowed allowed my to master some real monsters following this process has help a few friends master rifles they never thought possible.

The 358 Norma should be easy to master....Just practice with it in a progressive and reasonable fashion....Or your shooting will suffer.
Click to expand...


Best piece of advise on this thread.

DO NOT SHOOT TILL IT HURTS!

As time goes by, your tolerance to recoil will increase, and the number of rounds you can fire at one sitting will increase. Off hand is the position that is the easiest to absorb recoil from, prone the most difficult. When you begin to have difficulty getting a clean break on the trigger it's time to call it a day.
 
Off hand is the position that is the easiest to absorb recoil from, prone the most difficult.
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Actually, I've found prone the easiest to handle big boomers. I've been shooting an 8 lb. .300 RUM and a .458 Win Mag from prone position, and had no problems at all.

As time goes by, your tolerance to recoil will increase, and the number of rounds you can fire at one sitting will increase.
Click to expand...

Very true, I am actually enjoying being much further down the road in terms of recoil management. I used to wonder why I would want to punish myself with a .300 Win, but now I find even the .300 RUM and this light .358 to be very mild, and I'm not sure why. At first, I thought that it was stock design, but then 3 other stocks later, I still don't have a problem, so I guess I must have changed somehow. Anyway, my comment on wanting the gun to hurt was indeed a joke, though I am now enjoying hotrods for the sheer 'kick' of it.
 
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