How to build a 338 Norma

[darrindlh]

What do I need to build a 338 Norma . Will a normal magnum bolt work . Would love your opinions

Darrin

[J E Custom]

Originally Posted by darrindlh

What do I need to build a 338 Norma . Will a normal magnum bolt work . Would love your opinions

Darrin

Darrin.

I read somewhere that Norma was designing a new 338 and would not be using the 300NM
as a parent case.

If this is true, you will have to find out the case head diameter of the 338 NM and refer to the
Gunsmith section of Long Range Hunting and look under bolt face diameters and com pair with
the Magnum bolt face of other cases,(534 Dia. is avg.).

Once you get the diameter if you are not sure just ask and I or some of the other members
will respond.

J E CUSTOM

[geargrinder]

It has the larger case head diameter. It's same as the 338 Lapua or the big Weatherby's.

[darrindlh]

The reason I am so interested is because Norma makes brass for the 338 Norma . It is avaliable now. So it seems that it would be more reliable to reload and less work. According to zoom other threads the norma is only 50 to 100 fps less than the lapua mag. It seems it would be better for me since I am on a budget.

Darrin

[darrindlh]

On wikipedia the base diameter is .585 for the 338 Norma only .045 larger than a 300 rum. I guess I don't understand why I can't build a 338 Norma off a 300 wm donor rifle when I can build a 338 edge off the 300 wm bolt.
Darrin

[kiwi3006]

The 338 edge has the same case head diameter as the 300 wm. Remington gave the 300 Ultra the normal magnum case head so that it would work in a normal magnum rifle with less tooling needed. I think it is called a rebated rim or something like that.

The bolt head of a 300 wm would need to be opened up to accept the larger case head of the 338 norma/lapua type cartridge.
Some gunsmiths will open up a Rem 700 action others won't. I think the ones that will use the blued receiver, not the stainless as the blued receiver is stronger.
Otherwise you will probably need to go to a custom receiver.

Stu.

[bigngreen]

I think the only problem is going to a larger cartridge is the thrust on the bolt. The pressure isn't running higher than a RUM or WSM but that same pressure has more surface area to work on thus more thrust. Of the 338NM write up's I have read most have been built in shorter barrels and getting near 338LM results so in my mind the 338 LM and NM are ballistic twins only the NM will function better in a standard sized action because of lenght.
Hopefully some one will read this thread who can do the math on the bolt thrust of a 338LM vs. a 338RUM. I have seen it but can't recall the thread.