338 Norma Reloading Data

[moses42ak]

Ran some RL33 this weekend:

300 grain SMK, CCI 250 primers, Peterson brass on 3rd firing, 26" barrel
96.0 - 2801 FPS
97.0 - 2827 FPS
98.0 - 2885 FPS
I started seeing pressure signs with the 98 grain load so I'll back it down, most likely 95.5 - 96.5
Use at your own risk, start lower and work up.

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Ran a ladder with some LRT today.

I had been working with 300 grain Berger's but decided to try it with the 275 grain BDII.

Started at 96.8 grains of LRT and only went up to 98.6, working up in .3 grain increments.

Funny how things work out, because I started to get heavy bolt lift at 98.3 and 98.6. Speeds weren't terrible, but definitely not what I've been recently getting with H1000 and the same 275 grain BDII.

Case: Peterson (not virgin)
Primer: Fed 215
Bullet: Badlands Precision Bulldozer II 275gn
Powder: LRT

Charge/ Speed
96.8/ 2715
97.1/ 2705
97.4/ 2707
97.7/ 2724
98.0/ 2733
98.3/ 2713* Heavy Bolt Lift
98.6/ 2728* Heavy Bolt Lift

 

[codyadams]

Strange, I would expect to see more velocity with LRT, very interesting!

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Strange, I would expect to see more velocity with LRT, very interesting!

I'll revisit it again with the same loads besides the two that gave me heavy bolt lift. The signal strength on the Labradar said it was poor. Not sure if that would make a difference.

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Forgot to post my H1000 data.

Out of my 26" tube.

Case: Peterson non virgin
Primer: FED 215
Powder: H1000
Bullet: 275 Grain Super Bulldozer II

Charge 87.24 grains of H1000 (Ten Shots)
32.45 extreme spread
10.27 standard deviation

2828 fps
2809 fps
2820 fps
2797 fps
2795 fps
2819 fps
2802 fps
2808 fps
2812 fps
2814 fps



Charge 87.36 grains of H1000 (Ten shots. Only 9 registered)
43.77 extreme spread
13.50 standard deviation

2828 fps
2850 fps
2809 fps
2806 fps
2830 fps
2823 fps
2820 fps
2830 fps
2812 fps

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Anyone tried N568 for their Norma? Found some in town, but not too keen on paying $48 per pound if no one has given it a whirl.

 

[codyadams]

I think @Swamplord has used it in his .338 PRO, so an improved Norma, I thought I saw a thread somewhere......

 

[vedauvoo]

Anyone tried N568 for their Norma? Found some in town, but not too keen on paying $48 per pound if no one has given it a whirl.

Interesting that you should ask.

I hopped on this thread because I am a new owner of a 338 Norma and was looking for and found a wealth of load data.

LPA Fuzion 338 action
Bartlein 5R heavy Palma SS 27" barrel, 1:9.3"
Accuracy International AX Long Action Chassis (.338)
Silencerco Harvester Big Bore suppressed

After fireforming new Lapua brass, my first trial loads were 300 gr Berger Elite Hunter, Fed 215M, and N568 (I found 4 lbs "reasonably priced" on a local gun exchange site). Temp 55 degrees.
COAL 3.680 (max mag length)

88.0 gr 2584 ft/sec
89.0 2666
90.0 2694
91.0 2733
I tried to load 92.0 gr, but was volume limited to 91.0.

No pressure signs at all.

I'm still looking for H1000. But meanwhile, I am happy with the velocity, so I'm going to work from 91.0 gr. and see what kind of accuracy I can get. Hope that is helpful.

And thanks everyone for contributing to this thread. It is a huge leg up on load development when resources are limited.

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Here is the data from my IMR 7977 ladder. I'll get another batch loaded up and work up until I start to see pressure.

Bartlein 26" Tube / 1:9.3
Case: Peterson virgin
Primer: FED215
Powder: IMR 7977
Bullet: 275 grain Badlands SBDII

Charge gn/ Speed fps
79 / 2534
79.3 / 2551
79.6 / 2539
79.9 / 2547
80.2 / 2560
80.5 / 2570
80.8 / 2563
81.1 / 2594
81.4 / 2596
81.7 / 2629

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Regarding the trim length. I got these specs from Norma about 5 years ago. 2.492 min. 2.502 max.

Just measured a brand new Peterson case and it was 2.482".

 

[CodyMac746]

Has anybody ran the 250 Berger with 26? I have a ton of 26 that I'm no longer using, was wondering if it's worth a try.

 

[sable tireur]

I have a ton of 26 that I'm no longer using,

I can help you with that problem! It might take me a couple of days to get up there but I can certainly try!

Yes, Re-26 will work in the 338 Norma Mag and the one of the 250 gr. Bergers. You can get close to a nearly full case but start low and work up slowly watching for signs of pressure.

 

[Reemty J]

I do not have a 338 Norma but you guys all make this thread interesting, thanks For sharing !
This is what makes this site great

 

[Reemty J]

back in this thread you talked about the 265 Ablr, around 2800 fps? The 33 Nosler in their Manuel does 2800 fps with that bullet, with less powder. I have one but have not loaded for it yet as I cannot find 265 Ablr except factory loads. I was just surprised it was very similar