338 Norma Reloading Data

[gundog375]

Exactly the thread I was looking for! Fix'n to build my 338NM and was searching for days. Keep up the great info!

Same, getting the components ready for my 338 NM build, which will be next year. Also a big fan of the 6.5x47, as I see a few others are on here.

 

[sp6x6]

Any updates on some of the 250 grn and up bullets? Im just under a 1:10 so limited there.Curious on game performance 270-80 grn range,velocity.

 

[codyadams]

I'll add in a little more data. I tried out H1000 and IMR7828ssc in my 24" 338 nm.

300 Berger EH
3.680 OAL (.020" off)
Peterson brass, unfired
GM215M

H1000:
86.0 - 2594
86.5 - 2613
87.0 - 2621
87.5 - 2606 - Best Accuracy, .550" ctc 5 shots
88.0 - 2673

IMR7828ssc:
80 - 2539
81 - 2578
82 - 2615
83 - 2662 - Best accuracy, .677 ctc 3 shots
84 - 2669
84.5 - 2714

From my observations, I would say the 88 grain load of H1000 was about the same pressure as the 83 grain load of IMR7828ssc, just judging from primer flatness. None of these showed any signs of pressure such as ejector mark, bolt lift, or anything like that, however the 84 and 84.5 load did have the ever so slightest of primer craters, where the 88 grains of H1000 did not, indicating slightly higer pressure on the 7828ssc loads. I personally don't want to get to heavy bolt lift stage, as that would be more pressure than I want to run on my standard rem 700 action.

 

[sp6x6]

Thnx It seems like the 270-285 gr. bullets would be a good fit for NM. Ive had no problem with the 300 otm on about 15 animals up to moose,but feel maybe oversize a bit for general.

 

[jimbo300]

I'll share my experience, I have a 338 NM AI same chambering as surgeon260. Rifle is as follows.
Defiance Deviant
Proof Research cf barrel 28" 9.4t
Terminator T3 break
Manners T5A
Seekins DBM for LM
Jewell HVR
Badger Ord. Rings
S&B 5-25x56 PMII

I intended to only shoot the 300 gr Berger Elite Hunter in this rifle. I had hoped to get close to 2850 FPS using either H1000 or Retumbo. I know I could have achieved higher velocity with other powders, but due to the temp stability of Hodgdon it's hard for me to risk using others. I say this as a hunter who will leave my home in MS and travel out West to much different conditions. The load I settled on was as follows
Norma brass
88.5 H1000
CCI 250 Mag primers
Berger 300 gr Elite Hunter
Avg Vel 2738 SD7
This is a very accurate load in my rifle. I took the rifle out to 965 yards here in MS. It definitely delivers upon impact. As a matter of fact the first animal up for this rifle was a 350+ WY bull elk. The actual shoot to range was 470 yards, the bull was feeding in the snow covered terrain. Upon impact he face planted in the snow a kicked a couple of times and never moved at that point. Very impressed with its performance.

 

[Mark L]

That's awesome Jimbo!! I'm still waiting on my Manners stock and Whidden dies to come in so I can continue to play......

 

[codyadams]

That's awesome Jimbo!! I'm still waiting on my Manners stock and Whidden dies to come in so I can continue to play......

My most recent Manners took 7 months and a couple days, got it towards the end of November.

 

[Mark L]

Ordered it back in October so who knows when I'll get it. I'm hoping March or April.

 

[codyadams]

Ordered it back in October so who knows when I'll get it. I'm hoping March or April.

With the holidays, I would lean more towards April, possibly may, but ya never know!! They sure are nice once you get them though.

 

[sp6x6]

My smith took mine to 90.5 retumbo,300 otm,2800.Hit pressure.I settled on 86.5 at just close to 2700,in a 26''.I bought a used rifle,same maker,same cartridge,chamber is virtually identacle. Taken about 15 animals with this set up to moose.

 

[codyadams]

My smith took mine to 90.5 retumbo,300 otm,2800.Hit pressure.I settled on 86.5 at just close to 2700,in a 26''.I bought a used rifle,same maker,same cartridge,chamber is virtually identacle. Taken about 15 animals with this set up to moose.

Yup, in my buddies 28", we are running the same 86.5 of Retumbo, magnetospeed said 2730 fps , when we ran it out to 1450 yards it took 2750 to line up with drops. Could have been many things, but that is what lined up our numbers from Applied Ballistics to our observed impacts. Not a big difference. Retumbo is the next powder I want to try in mine. I found that I got a little more velocity before pressure than H1000, only 30 or 40 fps, but a little. I think I could get 2700 or close to it with the 300's and Retumbo in my 24" and be right at the threshold for max CIP pressure.

 

[quaka wacka]

Thought I'd throw mine in. I've got 2 built with the same reamer throated for 300gr OTMs. My lightweight rig has a 24" proof barrel and I get 2742 with RL33, 215Ms, and Norma brass. The same load in my heavy rifle has a 27" Bartlien 5R gets 2902. Both loads velocity have been verified past 1000. The heavy rifle brass has been shot 13 times and still holding primers tight. I anneal with an AMP every time.

Looking at trying the 265 and 275 cutting edge lasers. Killed an elk with each rifle this year (using the Berger's) and that bullet puts them down in a hurry, but one had 5 exit holes from a single bullet. And there were grey dust/specs running out when I drained the chest cavity. A little too messy for my liking.

Has anybody shot the CE Lasers?

 

[codyadams]

Thought I'd throw mine in. I've got 2 built with the same reamer throated for 300gr OTMs. My lightweight rig has a 24" proof barrel and I get 2742 with RL33, 215Ms, and Norma brass. The same load in my heavy rifle has a 27" Bartlien 5R gets 2902. Both loads velocity have been verified past 1000. The heavy rifle brass has been shot 13 times and still holding primers tight. I anneal with an AMP every time.

Looking at trying the 265 and 275 cutting edge lasers. Killed an elk with each rifle this year (using the Berger's) and that bullet puts them down in a hurry, but one had 5 exit holes from a single bullet. And there were grey dust/specs running out when I drained the chest cavity. A little too messy for my liking.

Has anybody shot the CE Lasers?

I don't have any first hand experience with them. Another one I will eventually try is the 265 ABLR, I can get them for about $20 less a box than the Bergers, and if I could get them to 2900 safely, they only have a few inches more wind drift at 1200 than the 300 Bergers.

 

[quaka wacka]

I don't have any first hand experience with them. Another one I will eventually try is the 265 ABLR, I can get them for about $20 less a box than the Bergers, and if I could get them to 2900 safely, they only have a few inches more wind drift at 1200 than the 300 Bergers.

I imagine you could get pretty close. Certainly could with RL33, although some folks shy away from it. I think your throated a bit shorter. Going from memory the OTMs give me a COAL of around 3.750" and I'm about .030" off. Also depends on the bearing surface of those 265s and any mag length restrictions.