.308 Norma Magnum?

[Nevada Mike]

Contemplating building a .308 Norma Mag on my Ruger M77 mrk II. I know, the 300 WM is faster, easier to get brass, etc. Perhaps I am perverse.

Does anyone shoot thi cartridge? Seems like terrific elk/bear/PG cartridge.

 

[Phil Giordano]

Never shot, but for what I know the 300NM has truly awesome accuracy, better than the 300 Win due to the longer neck...

 

[TroyF]

It's a nice round and would definitely get before a 300wm. I have more time behind a 358 nm and that was great to, one of my favorite big 35s. But I think I'd go 375 next time over the 35.

the 300nm may not be to far off from the win mag in the real world, your limited on col so the nm may have more broiler room if loaded to the same col.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

Love my 308 Norma Mag! I have only taken two whitetails with it but it is very accurate.
Mine started life as a 30-06, it is a Husqvarna Mauser action. I have been able to find factory ammunition made by Norma with 180 grain oryx projectiles. But I have used 338 win mag brass to make paper punching loads.
I also shoot a 358 Norma Mag that I really like for moose and black bear.

 

[Pheroze]

Contemplating building a .308 Norma Mag on my Ruger M77 mrk II. I know, the 300 WM is faster, easier to get brass, etc. Perhaps I am perverse.

Does anyone shoot thi cartridge? Seems like terrific elk/bear/PG cartridge.

It's a very balanced 30cal Magnum. It does everything the 300WM does but looks handsome to boot! I took everything from Vaal Rhebok to Eland all only needed a single 180 gr. CEB Maximus bullet. The Eland was a pass through at the shoulder and died with 20 or so yards. The longest was the Vaalie at just under 300 yards but the flat shooting round made it easy. Also, it didn't blow anything up, be it impala, rhebok or springbok.

Ammo is available but if you don't reload but harder to get than the 300WM.

If you reload, then you will find it a great cartridge to work with.

Enjoy! We look forward to welcoming you to this exclusive club! PM me for the secret handshake and discount coupons when you do

 

[Shootist43]

My 308 Norma Mag. started out life as an Interarms Mark X caliber unknown. Somebodies' grandpa sent it off for a facelift. It wound up with a Fancy Wood stock and a new barrel. It functions like a good rifle should and puts three 200 Gr. rounds into .8" at a hundred yards. With heavier bullets it will shade a 300 Win Mag's velocity just a little. I suspect it will work just fine for your intended purposes.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

The 308NM does the 300WM speed with less powder charge. So no, the 300WM is not faster. I run my 308NM with 180gn heads at a low 2950fps, but had them up to 3275fps. Standard Norma ammo from 1960's cronied at 3065fps.(advetised at 3100fps). So no, nobody can say 300wm is faster than a 308NM .

 

[Jörg Krüger]

My 308NM at 100 m. And it can do better than me shooting it sighting it in. Bottom left shot is before last scope adjustments

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Original amma from 1965

 

[Nevada Mike]

I am sorely tempted to build a 308 NM. Ammo/brass availability is my main stumbling block. I would need 100 fresh Norma brass. How much trouble am I asking for?

Mike

 

[Mekaniks]

308 Norma is a cool old caliber. Build it. They were popular in the 60’s and lots of them on Springfield 03 actions converted from 30-06.

 

[Pheroze]

I am sorely tempted to build a 308 NM. Ammo/brass availability is my main stumbling block. I would need 100 fresh Norma brass. How much trouble am I asking for?

Mike

I can usually find loaded ammo online. The brass comes up annually it seems and I buy several boxes at a time. So not terrible. But obviously not as plentiful as some other more common calibers.

I believe you can modify 7mm Rem Mag cases fairly easily. However, I have never had to resort to this. I also use the Larry Willis collet and get many reloadings out of a piece of brass.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

My brother got me cases from Midway

 

[Nevada Mike]

well, I am convinced. Just committed to buy a LH Win M70 Classic Sporter in 7mm RM, which I will rebarrel to 308 Norma. This is my third LH win M70 Classic - also have a 7X57 and a .375 H&H.

Now I'll go looking for some brass...

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

well, I am convinced. Just committed to buy a LH Win M70 Classic Sporter in 7mm RM, which I will rebarrel to 308 Norma. This is my third LH win M70 Classic - also have a 7X57 and a .375 H&H.

Now I'll go looking for some brass...

Go for it!

 

[gbflyer]

You are probably committed to reloading with it. With that in mind, consider the 30-338 Win Mag wildcat. Virtually identical chamber and uses 338 WM brass which is easy to come up with. I have 2 of them, easy to load for and not a dimes worth of difference from a 300 WM. It’s what Winchester should have done.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am sorely tempted to build a 308 NM. Ammo/brass availability is my main stumbling block. I would need 100 fresh Norma brass. How much trouble am I asking for?

Mike

@Navada Mike
Mike you are only asking for a small amount of trouble in exchange for a heap of fun and a 100% cool factor.
Go for it and have more fun with your clothes on than you need.
Bob

 

[shootist~]

Rebarreling a 338 WM to 308 Norma should also work, should it not?
I have often considered rebarreling my Sako 338 WM.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Rebarreling a 338 WM to 308 Norma should also work, should it not?
I have often considered rebarreling my Sako 338 WM.

I would think it would be a simple re-barrel job. They are very similar cartridges.

 

[cash_tx]

I adore the .308 Norma Magnum, and think the Ruger M77 would make a great platform for that caliber. I am fortunate enough to have inherited a 1968 Browning Safari Grade in 308 Norma Magnum from my late father, and it is one of may favorite rifles in the safe; not just due to the fine quality construction of the rifle itself, but the caliber has a neat history and ballistics as well. My dad hunted thin-skinned North American whitetail with it, so the only ammo we had on hand for it was 150gr. Sierra BTSP's backed by 73.5 grains of IMR-4350; but I am currently working up a handload using Sierra 165gr. BTSP's using that same powder.

I hope your build goes well; and if you ever need any loading data for this caliber, I have several old reloading manuals for this caliber from the likes of Sierra, Hornady, Speer, etc. and feel free to drop me a message if you need me to look something up.