308 Norma

boomer68

Handloader
Oct 23, 2006
898
114
Has anyone loaded for this cartridge? Just picked up an older Schultz & Larsen M65DL and was wondering if forming brass would be a good idea or just bite the bullet and buy some factory brass.
 
I have two 308 Norma Magnums.I shoot them with Norma brass,but it is softer at the base than Winchester and Remington brass I've made for it.I backed off my loads 1.5grs with the Norma brass I have to save my primer pockets.You can make brass three ways.Necking up 7mag brass,necking down 338 Win Mag brass down or running 300 Win Mag brass through the die.My opinion necking up 7mag is the best because it's the cheapest and easiest to find.338 Win Mag brass is sometimes harder to find since it's has a lower production and can cost more.300 Win Mag is the hardest because you have to totally push back and reform the shoulder a great amount,then also trim the very long neck that is formed because the brass was so much longer to start with.As for brass.Use brass that is new or once-fired.That brass is still soft and easy to form.After about the third or forth firing,the brass becomes harder and I anneal at that time.
There is not a lot of data for the 308 Norma Magnum.Probably because it's an older cartridge.Quick Load is your friend for adding newer powders.Dr Mike ran QL for me.It is really close if the QL is tailored to your barrel length,bullet type and weight and the max pressure.It's a great cartridge.Runs really close to the 300 Win Mag.Handloads probably exceed most factory 300 Win Mag loads.I had a 300 WSM with a 26" barrel.I found my 308 Norma Magnums with the same barrel lengths,easily achieved higher velocities.Really surprised the long range shooters haven't adopted this cartridge.The case length at 2.559 gives a lot of mag box room for seating bullets way out.



308 nm hart wxr.jpg308nm180.jpg
 
Code:

Cartridge : .308 Norma Mag.
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler BalTip 30180
Useable Case Capaci: 76.003 grain H2O = 4.935 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.346 inch = 84.99 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63250 psi, or 436 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

12 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C 110.8 83.5 5.41 3238 100.0 63250 12307 1.167 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26 *C 102.4 77.1 5.00 3190 100.0 63250 11456 1.188 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C 103.2 75.5 4.89 3166 100.0 63250 11616 1.186 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C 111.4 77.6 5.03 3165 100.0 63250 11144 1.177 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C 105.0 75.2 4.87 3160 98.6 63250 11950 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 107.7 80.5 5.22 3156 99.3 63250 11704 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 107.5 80.4 5.21 3156 99.3 63250 11683 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 105.2 78.4 5.08 3149 97.5 63250 12017 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80 *C 112.0 85.1 5.52 3148 97.7 59439 12538 1.210 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 109.5 74.5 4.83 3143 98.9 63250 11540 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 103.6 74.5 4.83 3143 98.9 63250 11540 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C 109.9 79.1 5.13 3139 98.8 63250 11813 1.200 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C 105.3 74.5 4.83 3134 99.6 63250 11471 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 105.3 74.5 4.83 3134 99.6 63250 11471 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C 105.3 74.5 4.83 3134 99.6 63250 11471 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C 96.5 72.1 4.67 3134 100.0 63250 10785 1.179 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15 108.1 74.9 4.85 3133 99.6 63250 11488 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 108.1 74.9 4.85 3133 99.6 63250 11488 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 *C 112.0 82.7 5.36 3130 94.6 57730 12847 1.223 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 104.5 74.0 4.80 3128 98.8 63250 11447 1.173 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T 93.7 68.8 4.46 3123 100.0 63250 10306 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 108.3 78.8 5.11 3117 99.0 63250 11266 1.171 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30 112.0 78.5 5.08 3113 98.9 59264 11856 1.221 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 *C 112.0 78.5 5.08 3113 98.9 59264 11856 1.221 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 104.9 80.0 5.19 3111 99.9 63250 10916 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T 92.6 68.1 4.41 3098 100.0 63250 10233 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17 92.6 68.1 4.41 3098 100.0 63250 10233 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T 97.6 66.6 4.32 3098 100.0 63250 10225 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T 97.6 66.6 4.32 3098 100.0 63250 10225 1.182 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 106.4 74.0 4.80 3097 98.5 63250 11190 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T 107.2 73.5 4.76 3094 100.0 63250 10218 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T 107.2 73.5 4.76 3094 100.0 63250 10218 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT *C ~approximation 108.1 77.3 5.01 3089 97.1 63250 11300 1.178 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 101.4 70.6 4.58 3089 99.5 63250 10868 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T 104.0 71.4 4.63 3088 100.0 63250 10364 1.215 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C 101.9 71.4 4.63 3087 99.5 63250 10932 1.188 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518 98.2 71.1 4.60 3083 100.0 63250 10625 1.194 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511 94.3 70.4 4.56 3080 100.0 63250 10542 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 102.7 71.9 4.66 3079 99.5 63250 10853 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 97.5 70.5 4.57 3079 100.0 63250 10527 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62 96.0 70.5 4.57 3078 100.0 63250 10311 1.207 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 92.0 68.2 4.42 3077 100.0 63250 10577 1.196 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 92.0 68.2 4.42 3077 100.0 63250 10577 1.196 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C 96.7 70.0 4.53 3061 99.4 63250 10650 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 99.8 70.0 4.53 3061 99.4 63250 10650 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 99.8 70.0 4.53 3061 99.4 63250 10650 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 99.1 69.1 4.48 3060 100.0 63250 9761 1.205 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T 107.2 73.0 4.73 3060 98.2 63250 10792 1.186 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T 103.1 73.0 4.73 3060 98.2 63250 10792 1.186 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C 94.2 67.5 4.37 3055 100.0 63250 10204 1.206 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C 97.0 67.2 4.36 3054 100.0 63250 10069 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 97.0 67.2 4.36 3054 100.0 63250 10067 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217 112.0 77.6 5.03 3053 98.5 59214 11116 1.207 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 *T 112.0 77.6 5.03 3053 98.5 59214 11116 1.207 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR 94.6 66.3 4.29 3051 100.0 63250 10055 1.197 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33 *C 112.0 85.1 5.52 3050 93.9 54191 12489 1.260
Accurate 4350 96.1 67.4 4.37 3049 100.0 63250 10021 1.219 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 102.1 72.3 4.69 3047 99.8 63250 10415 1.208 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation 97.5 69.3 4.49 3036 99.9 63250 10230 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
 
Winchester Supreme 780 100.4 74.2 4.81 3035 99.4 63250 10373 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 101.8 68.3 4.42 3034 100.0 63250 9843 1.211 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 105.3 73.8 4.78 3032 100.0 63250 10075 1.222 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071 111.3 73.8 4.78 3032 100.0 63250 10075 1.222 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 100.7 69.5 4.51 3030 98.8 63250 10397 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C 107.4 74.5 4.82 3030 99.7 63250 10169 1.199 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T 104.3 71.1 4.61 3023 98.4 63250 10464 1.192 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 96.7 67.0 4.34 3019 100.0 63250 10048 1.210 ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350 96.7 67.0 4.34 3019 100.0 63250 10048 1.210 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C 107.4 72.2 4.68 3012 98.7 63250 10201 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 99.5 67.5 4.37 3007 100.0 63250 9271 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225 112.0 78.9 5.11 3000 99.6 51246 11570 1.288
Hodgdon Retumbo 112.0 78.9 5.11 3000 99.6 51246 11570 1.288
Rottweil R907 94.6 65.0 4.21 3000 99.8 63250 9917 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 94.6 65.0 4.21 3000 99.8 63250 9917 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 91.6 65.1 4.22 2999 99.8 63250 9910 1.205 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 99.6 74.3 4.82 2997 98.2 63250 10197 1.204 ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle 95.6 65.5 4.25 2994 100.0 63250 9652 1.211 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065 95.6 65.5 4.25 2994 100.0 63250 9652 1.211 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 91.9 63.7 4.13 2989 100.0 63250 9280 1.222 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 92.1 63.1 4.09 2986 100.0 63250 9305 1.216 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2218 112.0 83.6 5.42 2979 91.5 52105 12502 1.277
Shooters World BMG 112.0 84.4 5.47 2960 89.4 60371 10597 1.220 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100 112.0 84.4 5.47 2960 89.4 60371 10597 1.220 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron *C*T 108.5 75.2 4.87 2948 91.7 63250 10034 1.198 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41 *C 112.0 83.6 5.42 2932 86.6 55157 11085 1.257 ! Near Maximum !
 
I used one for many years and still think it's the best of the belted magnums and compares well to many newer belt less rounds. I necked down 338 WM brass and it works fine with a bit shorter neck. That said Norma brass was awesome and would go that route.

I used MRP with 200's and the Nosler 220 Pt but that's impossible to find these days. With 180's IMR 4350 was a standout and that would be my first choice for almost any bullet you would want to shoot. Anything in that 4350 burn rate is a top choice for the round.
 
Thanks for the information. I plan on keeping the velocities to match factory load. With rear locking action, don't want to push it too much. It's been a cartridge I have wanted for over 40yrs. Not too many around.
 
Thanks for the information. I plan on keeping the velocities to match factory load. With rear locking action, don't want to push it too much. It's been a cartridge I have wanted for over 40yrs. Not too many around.
You must go on some of the same websites I go to, have seen a few of them for sale recently. Even with the rear locking action getting a 180 gr bullet to 2950-3000 fps shouldn't be too hard and be easy on the gun. I've heard that those Shultz and Larsen guns were very well made rifles. Sounds like an amazing purchase.
 
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