Need advice for 338 builds.

[bigngreen]

So in anticipation of a lathe I'm getting parts together for two builds but I need advice. The first rifle will be for my buddy chambered in a 338 RUM, he wants to stay vanilla simple but I want to do something a little different so I'm going with the 338 Norma mag, and here lies the questions.

There is very limited info on the 338 Norma so does anyone know anything. I've found a little on improving it but it seems to not be worth it. What about brass, Norma vs Jamison? Most of the info I've found has been with shorter barrels, so anything on a barrel in the 30in range? Anything anyone would have would be great!
Initial plans are Savage long action, Brux 1-9.3 twist standard palma contour 30in long with a Muscle brake. Mcree stock. Whatcha think?

 

[NesikaChad]

I can tell you this:

I've chambered a few guns in 338 NM. Just buy the reamer from PTG and you'll be fine.

As for brass.

NORMA, NORMA, NORMA.

I can tell you from experience NORMA!

Good luck.

C

 

[bigbuck]

"watcha think" The only thing that needs to be improved on, is the action. A nice trued up Rem-700 LA would complete the setup I had to say it

Seriously , sounds to me like in the end you would have a real Elk pounder !!

Good luck with your new builds.....

BigBuck

 

[BountyHunter]

Snipers Hide has a ton of info on the 338 Norma. Might want to look/search there.

BH

 

[bigngreen]

Snipers Hide has a ton of info on the 338 Norma. Might want to look/search there.

BH

I did review all the Sniper Hide info and there is a little between all the fighting over whether it will match the Lapua. It seems about the best info out there on the 338 Norma is in a couple threads on Snipers Hide.

 

[bigngreen]

Chad

PTG all the way!! Thanks for the heads up on the brass.


Bigbuck, why would I want to screw up a perfect build with a Rem action? Ya, elk pounding is what we're doing gun)

 

[bigbuck]

bigngreen I just read about the .338 norma article seems very nice. Do you know what the max mv it will run a 300 grain MK out of a 30 inch barrel ?

thanks,
bigbuck

 

[bigngreen]

bigngreen I just read about the .338 norma article seems very nice. Do you know what the max mv it will run a 300 grain MK out of a 30 inch barrel ?

thanks,
bigbuck

I don't know, I was kinda hoping someone would know. I'm more concerned about inherent long range accuracy with a 300gr Berger or SMK. I'm kinda settling down on maxing out velocity and trying to build a low and slow, long life, long range hammer that I can put thousands of shots through with consistency.

 

[winmag]

I don't know, I was kinda hoping someone would know. I'm more concerned about inherent long range accuracy with a 300gr Berger or SMK. I'm kinda settling down on maxing out velocity and trying to build a low and slow, long life, long range hammer that I can put thousands of shots through with consistency.

Well that aughta do it. I think as long as you dont mind tinkering a bit (and you dont seem to mind it at all) youll easily figure out whatcha need to know when you get er built.
I do have to be a smart *** and agree with Bigbuck on the action tho
WWWWHHHHYYYYYYYY not go with a custom action or at least one with a smooth finnish? I know your a Savage fan, and Savage has EARNED its praise with you and your 270wsm, but dang man, you make me wanna cry staying with that vs......well anything but that or the Mossberg equivilant.
Perfectly good custom, in a rather unique cartrige/caliber dont plain jane it.
Im done being a smart *** now. You can hammer away on me if you like and Ill keep my mouth shut and be happy for you and your build
Looking forward to hearing all the details on the process/progress/and results! Good luck

 

[bigngreen]

Well that aughta do it. I think as long as you dont mind tinkering a bit (and you dont seem to mind it at all) youll easily figure out whatcha need to know when you get er built.
I do have to be a smart *** and agree with Bigbuck on the action tho
WWWWHHHHYYYYYYYY not go with a custom action or at least one with a smooth finnish? I know your a Savage fan, and Savage has EARNED its praise with you and your 270wsm, but dang man, you make me wanna cry staying with that vs......well anything but that or the Mossberg equivilant.
Perfectly good custom, in a rather unique cartrige/caliber dont plain jane it.
Im done being a smart *** now. You can hammer away on me if you like and Ill keep my mouth shut and be happy for you and your build
Looking forward to hearing all the details on the process/progress/and results! Good luck

Well, the answer is that I want to continue learning and building on Savages till I get to know how to make them work very well and this will give me two chances to chuck em up and tune them, on the job training kinda.

Using the Savage also saves me the trouble of dealing with a bolt, all I have to do is true the lug abutments, chase the threads, square the front and in the 338Norma deal with the bolt face a little, the RUM is a slam dunk! I've figure out how to fix bolt lift and feel issues, the few Savages I have worked over are silk man.
I will say that I think I'm going to castrate them though, I don't want to cut back the tenon for a nut, I'm afraid that heavy barrel needs a little more support. The RUM may retain it's man hood as it will be shorter.

A custom action would be most excellent but would defeat the learning process I want to go through and it is $700-$800 more than the Savage, not counting needing a Jewel trigger. We get along very well with the Accutrigger after I get them tuned up, so there is an economic advantage also, I want to put money into the barrel and I can buy a bunch of reloading components for that much, which may do more than having a slick action gun)

When I get up to building the 338 SnipeTac, then I'll through down on a custom action and a Russo stock, the works!

I could really make it hard and try to make something out of a Winchester, my gunsmithing kung fu is to weak to tackle one of those