.30 338 winchester magnum

[crashlanding]

I haven't been able to find much information here on this cartridge. The reason I'm asking is that I have a donor Remington 700 action that was once a .338 win mag, then re barreled to a 7mm rem mag and I would like to convert it over to a long range rig with horse power. From what I've read so far, it ruled the bench rest scene from the 60's thru the 80's. Shorter case than the .300 win mag, uses less powder but achieves the same velocities, able to seat long bullets out farther, dies are easily available, uses .338 win mag brass, I don't see what's not to like about it. Anyone with experience with this cartridge?

 

[kermodie]

The only experience I have with the 30-338 was one a friend had made in the 80s. It was a 40X with a 27" barrel. I know it was accurate enough that I have always wanted one. Having said that, I think that same rifle chambered in 300 WM or 308 Norma would have been just as accurate.

I believe Gale McMillan built a few in the 70s - 80s for military trials but dropped it because the 300 WM was more consistant. (Though I could be wrong - memory is like that). Try sending McMillan an email.

Of course the 300 RUM is the new 30 cal long range powerhouse. The 30-338 and 308 Norma are basically identicle cases.

 

[436]

I haven't been able to find much information here on this cartridge. The reason I'm asking is that I have a donor Remington 700 action that was once a .338 win mag, then re barreled to a 7mm rem mag and I would like to convert it over to a long range rig with horse power. From what I've read so far, it ruled the bench rest scene from the 60's thru the 80's. Shorter case than the .300 win mag, uses less powder but achieves the same velocities, able to seat long bullets out farther, dies are easily available, uses .338 win mag brass, I don't see what's not to like about it. Anyone with experience with this cartridge?

Shot one for years, mostly LR target work, some hunting. Great cartridge very accurate, if done up right. As the cartridges goes; it's pretty much a .308 Norma Magnum in every respect as stated, which is another belted cartridge I've used for Elk hunting. Bottom line, nothing wrong with the .30-338 or the .308 Norma Mag.
Cheers
436

 

[TOM H]

I haven't been able to find much information here on this cartridge. The reason I'm asking is that I have a donor Remington 700 action that was once a .338 win mag, then re barreled to a 7mm rem mag and I would like to convert it over to a long range rig with horse power. From what I've read so far, it ruled the bench rest scene from the 60's thru the 80's. Shorter case than the .300 win mag, uses less powder but achieves the same velocities, able to seat long bullets out farther, dies are easily available, uses .338 win mag brass, I don't see what's not to like about it. Anyone with experience with this cartridge?

Fred Huntington (RCBS) developed the case and Rem made some 40x's chamber for it. I had my first one build in the 80's as a hunting rifle 2nd one was done in the mid 90's few years ago had a 3rd one build. I've had other 30 cal mags build that were just as accurate so I don't want to get into a contest with anyone about the 30-338mag.

I've always like the 30-338mag and it's been one of my favorite deer/elk rifles as I still have two of them. Being that I have other calibers I don't get into comparing just too many calibers that overlap. One thing I can say they always been pretty good case to tune a load for as I've used 1/10,1/11 and 1/12 twist from 24" up to 26.5" long barrels from 150gr up to 200gr bullets.

Good luck

 

[crashlanding]

I did read that back some time ago, the Army team with their .30 338's went up against the Marines with their .300 win mags and got beat pretty good but that might also say that Marines back then were better shooters even though I'm x army. And I have been exposed to the .30 378 Weatherby out to 800 yards, awesome rifle, a little bit stronger than the .300 RUM but in the same vein. I also know as others that buying a factory rifle can be a crap shoot, hence, I would like to work with something I already have. This particular cartridge seems to appeal to me. Also, I'm a polygamist when it comes to guns.

 

[TOM H]

I did read that back some time ago, the Army team with their .30 338's went up against the Marines with their .300 win mags and got beat pretty good but that might also say that Marines back then were better shooters even though I'm x army. And I have been exposed to the .30 378 Weatherby out to 800 yards, awesome rifle, a little bit stronger than the .300 RUM but in the same vein. I also know as others that buying a factory rifle can be a crap shoot, hence, I would like to work with something I already have. This particular cartridge seems to appeal to me. Also, I'm a polygamist when it comes to guns.

I think what's important is that you and who ever builds your rifle your both on the same page and deal with a gunsmith who knows how to build a LR rifle got lot of good ones that post here.

 

[backwoods83]

Why bother with turning necks when you can chamber for 308 Norma mag, if you use quality brass the price is pratically the same. If you want something interesting expand a 7mm wby mag up to 30 cal, it runs at 65k psi, has a longer neck, and a superior shoulder than the other 2, and all you do is expand the necks and trim to length.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

The 30-338 did not dominate 1000 yard matches at any time. It was a good cartridge and did well for a period but not any more accurate than many other chamberings used during the same period. Like the others have said get a 308 Norma and you are better off. It has the qualities you stated but so does the 308 Norma over the counter. I am not saying the 30-338 is a bad cartridge because it is a very good cartridge. Just the 308 Norma is the same thing and over the counter.

 

[beretzs]

How do most of you make brass for it? Would it be any different necking 7mm Rem Mag up to .308 or is it better necking 338 down?

Just wondering since I have a 338 Win Mag and would like a way to keep the brass separated in my reloading room..

 

[TOM H]

How do most of you make brass for it? Would it be any different necking 7mm Rem Mag up to .308 or is it better necking 338 down?

Just wondering since I have a 338 Win Mag and would like a way to keep the brass separated in my reloading room..

My last one I just neck up 7mag brass.

 

[beretzs]

My last one I just neck up 7mag brass.

Thank you Tom. Appreciate it..

Semper Fi back at ya! Scotty

 

[Wild_Bill]

If you are set on it as mentioned above chamber for a 308 norma mag you can still use your 7mm rem mag or 338 win mag cases and full length size them and shoot.

As you are building on a rem action the 300 win mag can be loaded out and throated and still fit in the mag as they are long enough for ultramags.

If you were looking for some9 different look at the 300 dakota it is an amasing cartrige similar in length as the old short mags aka win and rem mags and does not have a belt or jump on the bandwagon with the new nosler case I 30 cal it realy is a dakota based off a rem ultramag case instead of the dakotas 404 base case.

Cheers Bill

 

[beretzs]

Good points. I guess I am sorta hung up as I have 30-338 dies right now. I'll have to look and see how much a set of 308 Norma dies are..

 

[TOM H]

Good points. I guess I am sorta hung up as I have 30-338 dies right now. I'll have to look and see how much a set of 308 Norma dies are..

If your going to build 308 Norma Mag why not buy brass for it.

Norma Reloading Brass 308 Norma Mag