338 Norma Reloading Data

[codyadams]

I would think you could get more than that with 265's. Are you going to run H1000 and see if it shoot good up higher?

I'm fairly certain I could go higher with all three powders, I'll probably work up eith H1000 and RL-26 as well. I still had a grain or two of room before compression with H1000

 

[codyadams]

Next.....270 bulldozer!!

And a lineup of what I have tried so far....

265 ablr, 300 Berger, 270 badlands, 285 Hammer

 

[codyadams]

270 Bulldozer, .025" off standard CIP chamber, 3.819" OAL. They look pretty wicked!!

 

[Mark L]

They get 10 points for sexiness!!

 

[codyadams]

Here is the work up with the 270 Super Bulldozer, and I have HBN coated them and prepped my barrel, not that I have over 100 rounds down range and it should be settled. I added in Retumbo, trying H1000 as always, and this time, VV N-570. Using a 6" drop tube and pouring in very slowly, I was able to get 96 grains in and no powder crunch when seating the 270 bulldozer, actually I can hear a couple grains shaking around, so I'm fairly certain I'll be able to pressure up with N-570, as I could go a couple grains higher with relatively light compression, but we will see!! Should get to the range tomorrow, maybe the next day.

 

[Swinehunt74]

Thanks Cuz. I am thinking about trying some reloaded 22 and 25 as well with 300 gr bergers.

6.5 x47 the link you posted is for 338 Winchester we are talking about 338 Norma mag. Thanks for the efforts

Have one of the first 338NM built. Using Reloader 22 with 300gr SMK start at 82-85 with vel up to 2800. Magnum powder gave a little better vel but not quite as accurate. Didnt like H1000 though. Want to turn into switch barrel with 300NM and 338NM. Maybe for my 70th BD.

 

[Swinehunt74]

Sounds more like you were expecting too much out of a certain case. If you were getting anything over 2650 with the 300, then being disappointed that you weren't getting more is simply expecting more than a cartridge is capable of, and is your own fault. The .338 Norma was designed around a 300 grain bullet going 2650-2750.

U are exactly correct. This cartridge was designed to out perform the Lapua with 250 gr. Early models of 338 Lapua just woulnt shoot 300's. Case in point, shot against best friends Lapua AI 338 $14000 pkg with 3 calibers and my Remmy 700 in AI chasis 338 NM 26" Batlein. Shooting at target at 1mile and 1 1/2miles. I ran out of correction at a mile and was still able to hit 40" dia steels at both distances, buddy shooting 250gr only hit the mile after 17shots never to repeat. We had 20-25mph wind at 75degree deflection. 300gr bucked wind so much better...................Which it was designed to do without hiper velocity...

 

[Swinehunt74]

Thanks for the feedback! As long as the Lapua and Norma are relatively similar in muzzle velocity, the fact that the OAL is shorter for the Norma is great, and I'm assuming the Norma has at least a bit better barrel life which is always nice. Sounds like Norma's the way to go.
It's funny because before I ever explored 338s, I always assumed 338 Lapua was head and shoulders over any other 338 cartridge. I'm surprised to now be going with the Norma but it just seems to be the better option.

Wise choice, dont look back. Been one of the easiest magnums to load for and shoot.

 

[codyadams]

Ok, got some data with the 270 Bulldozer.

Peterson brass
GM215M
270 Badlands Super Bulldozer, HBN coated
Seated .025" off, 3.819" OAL

H1000:
87.0 - 2782
88.0 - 2801
89.0 - 2846, beginning pressure signs on primer, discontinued work up

Retumbo:
88.0 - 2803
89.0 - 2823
90.0 - 2858, beginning pressure signs on primer, but didn't notice it in the dark shoot house.
91.0 - 2906, very light bolt lift, discontinued work up

VV-N-570:
91.0 - 2923, light pressure signs on primer, did not shoot more

These 270 Bulldozers seem to pressure up somewhat early than I figured they would, they are 5 grains heavier than the ABLR's but they were uncoated and these are HBN coated so I figured that would offset, the monolithic design must be building a little pressure. I will certainly be able to pressure up with VV N-570, I will do another work up with it starting at 86 and working up to 90.

From what I have seen on this work up, with VV N-570 I should be able to get 2900 or just under for a safe max, H1000 would probably get 2800 at a safe max, and Retumbo would land around 2825 for a safe max. Keep in mind, I'm using a 24" barrel, with the 26"+ barrels on most of these, I would think you would get another 50-150 fps than I am seeing.

As far as accuracy, I think these are REALLY gonna shoot....H1000 and Retumbo both respectively made 3 and 4 shot groups at or just under an inch.

 

[codyadams]

Finished up pressure work up with vv n-570 and the 270 badlands, as follows -

86 - 2736
87 - 2774
88 - 2832
89 - 2836
90 - 2868

They grouped really well too, around 3/4". I might try a load around 88.5 and shoot some groups next.

 

[quaka wacka]

Thanks for the update Cody. Any chance your annealing with an AMP machine and have (non-Aztec) setting info? I've got CE lasers on the way to try in my ultralight NM. Both the 265s and 275s. Gonna try it with RL33. Need to run a few other powders through QL. It did well with my heavy .338NM and 300gr Berger's. I'm jealous of the amount of free time you seem to have to do load testing

 

[codyadams]

Thanks for the update Cody. Any chance your annealing with an AMP machine and have (non-Aztec) setting info? I've got CE lasers on the way to try in my ultralight NM. Both the 265s and 275s. Gonna try it with RL33. Need to run a few other powders through QL. It did well with my heavy .338NM and 300gr Berger's. I'm jealous of the amount of free time you seem to have to do load testing

Ha, I load after cooking dinner and helping with homework and the family goes to sleep. I have been going shooting after taking both kids to school and while my one year old is napping, between taking her to my wife's work to breastfeed ha ha

And unfortunately, I don't have an annealer.

 

[Mark L]

Whoohooo!! Just got the shipping conformation on my Whidden dies. Now if Manners would get in gear we would be in business......

 

[Westernhuntr]

I'm working up loads in my 338 NM with the 225 Cutting Edge MTH, here's what I have so far for pressure work ups.

25" 9.5 twist barrel.
CCI 250 primers, Peterson brass
225 MTH 3.55 oal

H1000
94-3075
95-3130
96-3150
No pressure, primers are rounded

RL26
91-3130
92-3148 faint ejector mark and flat primer

Retumbo
95.5 (compressed)- 3034 flat primer.

I'm jacked with the velocity I'm getting using H1000, I'll test some loads for accuracy next.
This bullet has far less recoil than the 265 ABLR's and gives up next to nothing ballistically, for comparison I hit pressure at 2800 with the 265's using N570 and Retumbo