338 Norma Mag / Med. Weight Hunter

[Mike 338]

Has anyone built a standard weight (<10 lbs.) 338 Norma Magnum and if so, what are your thoughts now that you have it? I'm curious about twist, barrel contour, ease of reloading, brass durability, felt recoil and do you like it enough to keep it forever?

 

[bigngreen]

Search up sp6x6, he has a stellar 338 Norma Mag that is a light weight bringer of death but if you put a standard barrel instead of carbon wrapped on it would likely make a wonderful mid weight hunter.

 

[Swamplord]

I'm building one on a Sako TRGS M995, all the metal work is done... with a 30" +brake, 9.5 twist Brux Rem Varmint countour fluted bbl, havent fired it yet, waiting on a KRG Whiskey 3 stock, should be around 12+ lbs

** just went and weighed the barreled action, came in at 7 lbs on the nose with a Hollands Rem style Comp. recoil lug installed**

KRG website Welcome to KRG, lists the fixed stock at 4lbs 10 oz without magazine ( 5 or 10 rnd mag will add weight)

 

[Rimfire]

Has anyone built a standard weight (<10 lbs.) 338 Norma Magnum and if so, what are your thoughts now that you have it? I'm curious about twist, barrel contour, ease of reloading, brass durability, felt recoil and do you like it enough to keep it forever?

Mine is heavier but I would not hesitate to build a 10 lb rifle. After owning two I am going to hang on to this one. Both have proven easy to load for and the Norma brass is good.

Standard is 9.25- 9.50 twist at 26" mine is a 9.3 Broughton.

Both rifle were / are as accurate as you can ask for. The first one shot many .25 MOA groups at 2710 FPS. The new one shoots in the mid 3's at 2800 FPS with the first load (ramshot magnum) never looked any further.

 

[Mike 338]

I hear stories of Lapua's getting 3 reloads and the brass is done. How many are you getting on the Norma's?

 

[Rimfire]

I hear stories of Lapua's getting 3 reloads and the brass is done. How many are you getting on the Norma's?

My 1st one had 6 loadings on the brass with no problems. My current one has 2 loadings and the brass looks like new.

It is a nice cartridge dont try to push it too hard, some powders that you think will work just dont. They might shoot bug holes like most things you will put through it BUT only a few powders will give top FPS.

Lapua brass is strong and killing it in 3 loadings means only 1 thing period.....and that is running it HOT at high pressure.

 

[trueblue]

The 338 Norma brass is every bit as good as Lapua brass.
When I was running my 300 JAZZ I had 14-15 reloads on the brass, and these weren't mild loads.

 

[HoytFlinger]

I hear stories of Lapua's getting 3 reloads and the brass is done. How many are you getting on the Norma's?[/]

Never heard that before. Times that by 2 or 3 and you will have a true story.

 

[Mike 338]

I hear stories of Lapua's getting 3 reloads and the brass is done. How many are you getting on the Norma's?[/]

Never heard that before. Times that by 2 or 3 and you will have a true story.

When I mentioned Lapua, I was speaking of the 338 Lapua. Some People reporting short case life due to loose primer pockets. Just something I read somewhere. It seems that even 10 reloads isn't very many. I'm used to 15 to 20 or more reloads so I thought I would ask.

Here's another question. I've never used a brake. Seems not to make sense when moving through timber. So do those of you who use a brake, put you plugs in before the shot or wear them all the time?

 

[Rimfire]

When I mentioned Lapua, I was speaking of the 338 Lapua. Some People reporting short case life due to loose primer pockets. Just something I read somewhere. It seems that even 10 reloads isn't very many. I'm used to 15 to 20 or more reloads so I thought I would ask.

Here's another question. I've never used a brake. Seems not to make sense when moving through timber. So do those of you who use a brake, put you plugs in before the shot or wear them all the time?

What do you plan on using the rifle for? as you can see most use a 28- 30" barrel except for Normas that run a 26 as standard. Moving through the timber? too long with brake or too loud?

These are most often ambush rifles, I am of the belief if you have enought time to set up for a long range shot you have enough time to toss in some plugs.

 

[Mike 338]

What do you plan on using the rifle for? as you can see most use a 28- 30" barrel except for Normas that run a 26 as standard. Moving through the timber? too long with brake or too loud?

These are most often ambush rifles, I am of the belief if you have enought time to set up for a long range shot you have enough time to toss in some plugs.

To loud.

I'll use it as an all around hunting rifle. Not a brush buster but it's common enough to bump an animal @ 75 yards as spot one at 700. Open country is different with lots of time to set up. Basically, I don't want to choose between taking a snap shot at a an animal or loose my hearing.

 

[Swamplord]

Mike 338,

I know exactly what you are saying !, I was set up to shoot moose at 800 yards but shot one at 30 yards instead, the shot was taken due to it being the last evening on the last day of the hunting trip then it was back to work.....

the muzzle brakes are loud, some are worse than others, just wear ear protection at the bench and don't worry too much about it in the field, one shot won't permanently damage your hearing, I don't ever remember hearing the bang when shooting at game

 

[Truc]

When I mentioned Lapua, I was speaking of the 338 Lapua. Some People reporting short case life due to loose primer pockets. Just something I read somewhere. It seems that even 10 reloads isn't very many. I'm used to 15 to 20 or more reloads so I thought I would ask.

Here's another question. I've never used a brake. Seems not to make sense when moving through timber. So do those of you who use a brake, put you plugs in before the shot or wear them all the time?

Anytime I'm hunting I wear the Peltor electronic ear muffs for hearing protection and so I can here deer walking up on me when I hunt from a treestand in the woods.

 

[Mike 338]

Anytime I'm hunting I wear the Peltor electronic ear muffs for hearing protection and so I can here deer walking up on me when I hunt from a treestand in the woods.

That makes sense for that type of hunting but no tree stands here. I can't even get a stocking cap to stay on for looking straight up and down all day. It's just that over the years, I believe I've spotted as many animals with my ears as eyes. I'd hear a stone roll or a far off thump. Those faint noises are easy to dismiss but I don't dismiss them anymore. Something made them. Sometimes it's just the wind but many times not. That's why I don't want to wear ear protection. I think I'd go to a less powerful rifle before I plugged my ears all day.