300 Norma Improved. Load testing, info, and builds
- Thread starter rpierce
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rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
The sizing dies are made by Bullet Central. I had them make a huge run of dies that size the dies perfectly/optimally. No bolt clicks after a bunch of firings. The only time you will encounter a bolt click is if its a hot load. Generally after a pretty decent ejector mark is present. I finally got a slight click with 93 gr of N570 with a 245 berger at 3125 fps in a 26" barrel. Im able to get several grains more powder in the case before a bolt click using this die vs using the old ones. Another thing myself and a few customers have noticed so far with these dies compared to the old ones is that the accuracy and powder nodes are wider. One customer did a 6 gr ladder test at 500 yds. 300 FPS spread between em. They all landed .5 moa vertically of each other. The results Ive seen so far have been similar.
Seating die options are Hornady and Bullet Central.
The hydro forming die I have is from Whidden.
I think it would be worth my time to give you call. I'm in the process of having a one built.
rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
Heres my new 300 Norma Improved/338 Norma Improved switch barrel I built myself. Finished it a couple months ago but haven't had time to post. It has the following:
Borden Bigfoot Action that came timed to the Triggertech Diamond
Manners EH1 with their 3 oz cheek piece
Proof Research 30 cal 1.250 shank 9.0 tw 26" finish
Proof Research 338 cal 1.250 shank 9.4 tw 26" finish
Titanium Self Timing 5 Port "Muscle" Brake in 3/4x24 threads
Hawkins DBM bottom metal
0.7 oz arca rail
Tangent Theta 3-15m bedded into a set of NF Rings
Cadex Falcon Lite Bipod
This rifle pounded tiny little groups right off the bat. Shots 2,3,4 down the rifle measured .263"@100 yds.
I have the 230 & 245 bergers shooting tiny groups with RETUMBO. With very little load development I shot a 1.172" group at 580 yds with the 245s and a 1.834" group with the 230s at 580 yds.
That Tangent Theta 3-15M is the best hunting scope Ive seen. The parallax is the most forgiving by far. Set it at 500 yds and your good from 300-1000+ yds. Id still have no problem shooting game at 100 without adjusting the parallax. However if your wanting to shoot 1/4 moa or smaller groups youd want to adjust it a hair. The glass is absolutely phenomenal as is the turrets. Weighs 28 oz.
I built this rifle with the thoughts of having everything absolutely top of the line. Its far exceeded my expectations so far. It won't be for sale down the road LOL.
As a side note this Borden bigfoot is the best lapua bolt face action Ive seen. Theyre consistently the straightest actions Ive seen. It has a 1.400 OD so theres more meat between the OD and the 1.125x18 threads, taller lugs on the bolt to eliminate lug setback, integral recoil lug, comes timed to Triggertech triggers, and is nitride coated. $1550 for one. Timing the ignition is a $250 value. They come already done. I have a bunch on the shelf along with Manners EH1 stocks for them. Get ahold of me if you want some. I can build it in 3 months or you can take the parts to your local rifle builder.
Borden Bigfoot Action that came timed to the Triggertech Diamond
Manners EH1 with their 3 oz cheek piece
Proof Research 30 cal 1.250 shank 9.0 tw 26" finish
Proof Research 338 cal 1.250 shank 9.4 tw 26" finish
Titanium Self Timing 5 Port "Muscle" Brake in 3/4x24 threads
Hawkins DBM bottom metal
0.7 oz arca rail
Tangent Theta 3-15m bedded into a set of NF Rings
Cadex Falcon Lite Bipod
This rifle pounded tiny little groups right off the bat. Shots 2,3,4 down the rifle measured .263"@100 yds.
I have the 230 & 245 bergers shooting tiny groups with RETUMBO. With very little load development I shot a 1.172" group at 580 yds with the 245s and a 1.834" group with the 230s at 580 yds.
That Tangent Theta 3-15M is the best hunting scope Ive seen. The parallax is the most forgiving by far. Set it at 500 yds and your good from 300-1000+ yds. Id still have no problem shooting game at 100 without adjusting the parallax. However if your wanting to shoot 1/4 moa or smaller groups youd want to adjust it a hair. The glass is absolutely phenomenal as is the turrets. Weighs 28 oz.
I built this rifle with the thoughts of having everything absolutely top of the line. Its far exceeded my expectations so far. It won't be for sale down the road LOL.
As a side note this Borden bigfoot is the best lapua bolt face action Ive seen. Theyre consistently the straightest actions Ive seen. It has a 1.400 OD so theres more meat between the OD and the 1.125x18 threads, taller lugs on the bolt to eliminate lug setback, integral recoil lug, comes timed to Triggertech triggers, and is nitride coated. $1550 for one. Timing the ignition is a $250 value. They come already done. I have a bunch on the shelf along with Manners EH1 stocks for them. Get ahold of me if you want some. I can build it in 3 months or you can take the parts to your local rifle builder.
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Epirate43
Well-Known Member
What bullets/ powder combo are you shooting out of the 338 version? And what are you seeing for velocity?
rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
I haven't broken in that barrel yet. However in my 32" barrel I didn't hit pressure with n570 until 3100 fps and 3000 fps with h1000 with the 300 gr elite hunters. I figured subtract 125-150 fps for a 26" barrel. So roughly 2950 with n570 and 2800 with h1000. Ill be testing the 26" in a couple weeks though.
rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
Thank you. My 32" .338 barrel is an absolute hammer as well. SD of 6 for 60 shots. Is consistently well under 1/2 moa at 1000.
I've been contemplating a similar setup for some time now. Glad to see your success with it!
Will be in contact soon hopefully.
rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
I love it. Once a guy gets past the price its definitely the best lightweight bipod Ive used. Ive used the atlas, modular evolution and several others. Great for hunting due to the pan and tilt. Locks down solid. Very easy to shoot tiny groups with in lighter weight big magnums. I have no problem watching the vapor trail and spotting hits with 245 bergers at 3075 fps.
rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
Sounds great. Just give me a shout if you have questions in the meantime. Ill have one instock ready to ship in 4-6 weeks.
Falcon Lite is on its way it ships today!
Question. I 3 300 norma improved. I have shot 230 berger hybrid (3050fps avg) mainly and without issues. Tried 212 eldx 3154 fps killed animals just did not feel like they matched the 230 berger in killing speed. I know dead is dead.
I bought 100 loaded 245 bergers with lapua brass and n570 from unknown munitions to have 100 virgin brass to fireform to this exact gun chamber.
So I see you have shot the 245 berger would you recommend that over the 230?
Thank you for your input, you definitely have your 300 Norma Improved dialed in!
Robert
Question. I 3 300 norma improved. I have shot 230 berger hybrid (3050fps avg) mainly and without issues. Tried 212 eldx 3154 fps killed animals just did not feel like they matched the 230 berger in killing speed. I know dead is dead.
I bought 100 loaded 245 bergers with lapua brass and n570 from unknown munitions to have 100 virgin brass to fireform to this exact gun chamber.
So I see you have shot the 245 berger would you recommend that over the 230?
Thank you for your input, you definitely have your 300 Norma Improved dialed in!
Robert
rpierce
Official LRH Sponsor
The 245 isn't optimal in a detachable mag setup due to being close to the end of the magazine. The tip for rounds 3-5 in a magazine get smushed a bit during recoil by hitting the front of the magazine. Impacts about 8" low at 1000. Im getting a fix for this in the detachable mag systems. I already have a fix for it in the wyatts box that offers .060 longer internal length. The 245s are straight up hammering in my setup and all the customers that have tried them so far. Everybody is telling me 1/4 moa and better. 91.5 gr of N570 and 245 bergers has been a stupid accurate load in several customers rifles so far. Awesome case fill, Low ES, 1/4 moa accuracy and 245 @ 3050-3075 fps. Its a grain under pressure signs. The 230s are extremely accurate as well and have flat out stomped the game Ive shot with them. Just make sure you clean the tips out on the bergers with a .035-.040 wire drill bit. Ensures theres no gunk in the tip and ensures the meplate is big enough to ensure proper expansion.
