In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

30-338/308 Norma Mag

grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
edited December 2016 in Ask the Experts
Are they close enough in size that they could be shot out of the same rifle. Have one listed on the Auction side.

Comments

  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    grumpygy,

    Since the .30-338 Win. Mag. is a wildcat, there are no definitive dimensions for that cartridge. It's possible that your two cartridges might now be perfectly compatible as most observations state.

    I think the safest method would be to cast both chambers and measure. The .308 Norma Mag. is 0.060" longer than the .338 Win. Mag. Since both headspace on the belt initially at least, the fireformed cases will grow that 0.060" on the first firing.

    Best.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Actually the 30-338 is a Norma round. They are close in size. Not the .30-338 win Mag which is different.

    Just did some reading and it seems that they are now calling the 30-338 win Mag. They did not do that a few years ago. Know I need to look in my reloading books cause they were listed as 30-338 Norma.

    Also found that by fire forming I can use the 30-338 in my 308 Norma. So the brass will be much cheaper.
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,382 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Norma site lists .308 Norma Magnum brass and ammo.
    http://www.norma-usa.com/index.php/products/ammo/aph/19-amph/104-308-norma-magnum

    I see no mention of .30-338 Norma in the Norma product lineup.
    There is some internet speculation that it was an early term for what is now known as the .300 Norma Magnum, a bigger round based on the .338 Norma which is a shortened .338 Lapua.

    Ken Waters said that if you neck .338 Win Mag down in a .308 Norma Mag die, it comes out shorter. One source says the case body taper is different, too.
  • AmbroseAmbrose Member Posts: 3,225 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have rifles in both .308 Norma mag. (Schultz & Larsen 65DL) and .30/.338 (rechambered 03-A3). I had dies for the .308 NM when I got the .30/.338 but found I couldn't completely neck down .338 cases in the .308 NM die so had to get .30/.338 dies. I will measure some cases and report back.

    As an aside: I have a Remington 1903 that, many years ago, I had rebarreled to .358 Norma mag. I have made brass for it from .338 Win. Mag. cases and they are indeed short. I don't remember, offhand, how much so I'll have to check that, too
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    Actually the 30-338 is a Norma round. They are close in size. Not the .30-338 win Mag which is different.

    Just did some reading and it seems that they are now calling the 30-338 win Mag. They did not do that a few years ago. Know I need to look in my reloading books cause they were listed as 30-338 Norma.

    Also found that by fire forming I can use the 30-338 in my 308 Norma. So the brass will be much cheaper.


    Norma does not, or never did have a 338 Magnum, to neck down to 30 caliber, so it has to be the 338 Win Mag. If you are looking for brass for the 308 Norma, I am sure it can be formed and trimmed from the 300 Winchester Magnum.
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,382 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Actually there IS a .338 Norma Magnum
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.338_Norma_Magnum

    And it HAS been necked to .30 caliber.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.300_Norma_Magnum

    They are not what the OP is talking about, but they do exist.
Sign In or Register to comment.