338 Norma Reloading Data

[codyadams]

Anyone else have any updated data on this cartridge with some newer powders? I FINALLY got the rifle together, and am ready to start load development. Mainly wondering about IMR 8133, it looks like it would be excellent looking at burn rate charts, and having temp stability and copper fouling reducing attributes, that in combination with HBN coating my bullets would hopefully make for VERY little copper fouling.

 

[sp6x6]

The 338 NM been around for almost 10 years now.There are alot of rifles out there,proof has turned out many that I know of off hand.Lots of guys pushing it hard.I have 2 loads in 88-90 retumbo,2725-50,reloaded ten times on case 26''

 

[surgeon260]

Anyone else have any updated data on this cartridge with some newer powders? I FINALLY got the rifle together, and am ready to start load development. Mainly wondering about IMR 8133, it looks like it would be excellent looking at burn rate charts, and having temp stability and copper fouling reducing attributes, that in combination with HBN coating my bullets would hopefully make for VERY little copper fouling.

I'm right at 2900fps with the 300 Bergers and 100 grains of RL33. I'm running a 40 degree improved chamber.

 

[redneckclimbing]

I will look at my loads again and get back to you. I shot the 300's and Retumbo for a while because I liked the idea of less wind drift. But, I have to say I've switched the 285 ELD-M, they shoot about +150 fps faster and at the ranges I'm hunting I believe they actually have less drift, if I remember right. I am really loving them. I'll let you know data, have to get out my book, but the 285's are definitely worth looking at!

 

[redneckclimbing]

Surgeon260, what kind of magazine are you running with that shoulder, and is the feeding sticky at all? Have you ever been able to compare it to the 35 degree for example?

 

[surgeon260]

Surgeon260, what kind of magazine are you running with that shoulder, and is the feeding sticky at all? Have you ever been able to compare it to the 35 degree for example?

I

AICS 338 CIP magazine. Feeding is flawless with the 40 deg shoulder. No I haven't tried a 35 deg in the Norma. I think my 28 Nosler has a 35 deg shoulder, and it feeds flawless too.

Here is a video of my exact setup built by the same gunsmith (not my rifle but identical config). You can see feeding is slick:

 

[redneckclimbing]

Looks like it works well, thanks.

 

[Gamesniper19]

I have a 338 Norma that I have been shooting for 4 years. I run a defiance action, 9.25 twist 26 inch PROOF CF barrel, McMillan stock - the following cocktail works for that barrel/rifle combo:
3.628 COAL
90 grains retumbo
285 amax .05 off
Norma Brass
CCI 250 primer

There are no pressure signs and the brass is holding the cci 250 primer in the pocket which sometimes can be an issue with Norma brass

 

[bryman55]

I have a 338 Norma that I have been shooting for 4 years. I run a defiance action, 9.25 twist 26 inch PROOF CF barrel, McMillan stock - the following cocktail works for that barrel/rifle combo:
3.628 COAL
90 grains retumbo
285 amax .05 off
Norma Brass
CCI 250 primer

There are no pressure signs and the brass is holding the cci 250 primer in the pocket which sometimes can be an issue with Norma brass

JMGamesniper19, what FPS at what temperature are you getting?

 

[Gamesniper19]

I see 2910 fps with that load. The environment is 51 degrees at 2150 feet elev with rel humidity approx 65%

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I see 2910 fps with that load. The environment is 51 degrees at 2150 feet elev with rel humidity approx 65%

Have you loaded this with the 285 eld?

Between 2800-2950 with the 270/285 is really peeking my interest in this cartridge.

 

[Tragik]

Hi all - I'm debating building either the 338 Norma or 338 Lapua - either way I would use brass by Lapua. I opened my trusty Lyman 50th handbook and was surprised there's no load data provided for the 338 Norma.

How does the 338 Norma compare as far as velocity per grain or powder to the 338 Lapua using 300 gr bullets? Specific load data would be great but not necessarily asking for that at this point - I'm more just looking for a 30K foot overview to determine which caliber to go with.

Thanks!

 

[surgeon260]

Velocity is going to be very close, depending on how hard you want to push your brass. I wouldn't base your decision on velocity alone, they are that close. Lapua has more capacity than a standard Norma, so it has a little more velocity potential. Probably less than 100fps with 300 grain bullets.

I shoot a Norma Improved. My fireforming loads use 90 grains of Retumbo, and velocity with 300 grain Bergers runs about 2775 with a 28" barrel. My improved loads with the same bullet are running around 2900 with 100 grains of RL33.

 

[codyadams]

In a 28" barrel with 88.5 grains H1000, 2815 fps is what I am getting with 300 Bergers and Peterson brass in the Norma.

The difference is, a Norma as a repeater will fit much nicer than a Lapua, the Norma at 3.700" OAL places the 300 Berger perfectly in the case allowing for useage of all the case capacity. With a berger 300 seated to 3.70" or so in a Lapua, the Lapua is using up alot of it's extra case capacity over the Norma with the bullet. Running both as a repeater, the Norma is generally equal to the Lapua with more optimum seating. If you single feed a Lapua and have the bullets seated out, that is where you will gain velocity over the Norma, but you no longer have a repeater. If you want top performance, run a single feed Lapua, or Lapua improved if you really want performance, but if you want a nice repeater hunting rig, then the 338 Norma is a great choice.