Shot a few groups with the .30-338 Norma Imp today

[IdahoCTD]

The smallest was .127" and the biggest was .428". The smallest group ripped the paper funny so it looks bigger than it actually is. The gun wants to shoot just about everything I feed it. Guns like that are fun to shoot when I'm on my game. I had 4 rounds of the load for the smallest group, 89grs of R-33 with 230 Berger, and shot one, made a scope adjustment (the wrong direction I might add. It was early :lol: ) and shot the other 3 into .127". It was only doing 3000fps and is a really mild load so I'll try 90-93grs to see what I get can for velocity. It should shoot 3100+fps and if it's that accurate there I think I'm done with load development for this one. In the next couple weeks I'll stretch it out and see what it will do at 900+yds. I should finally have my dies next month too.

 

[DrMike]

Accuracy like that has to put a grin on your chin! Fine riflery. A good rifle and an excellent load are worthless if the rifleman can't make the platform perform; you've don't so admirably. Congratulations.

 

[Alderman]

Not on my best day. That is good to see.

 

[NYDAN]

Excellent! I am always amazed when I see the big cartridges shoot that accurately. Good performance by the triggerman do.

 

[Rigbymauser]

Looks great!.

Can you post a Picture of the cartridge please. Sometimes a Picture of a cartridge can move mountains :mrgreen:

 

[Dwh7271]

Terrific shooting and cool cartridge.
I would also like to see a pic of one.
Is it a 30-338 blown out like an Ackley? 40 degree shoulder and straightened a little?
Thanks!

 

[IdahoCTD]

It's a 338 Norma with a 35 degree shoulder. The 338 Norma has about .010 less taper than a 300 Norma already and only about .013" taper total. I gained about 6.5grs more capacity over the 300 Norma.

 

[HOGWILD338-378]

It is a fine tack driver for sure! Just needs a belt and more case capacity
Great shooting as you were sure doing your job !

 

[Dwh7271]

Thank you
Sounds great.
Shoots well.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Here is a comparison picture with a .300wm, a .300 Norma, and my .30-338 Norma Imp. The .30-338 Norma Imp is almost identical to a .300 RUM but only 2.50" long rather than 2.85" for the RUM. There is also another picture of a 5 shot group I shot a few months ago with 86grs of VV N-570 and a 230 Berger.

 

[FOTIS]

Smaller than the Lapua?

 

[IdahoCTD]

A Lapua is 2.72" long. I have a .30-338 Lapua Imp. reamer ordered from JGS with close to the same dimensions. It's .005 smaller at the shoulder due to the additional length but has the same 35 degree shoulder. I also have a 33" Bartlein heavy palma barrel to see just how fast I can push 230 Bergers. I'm hoping for 3400fps but we will see. This barrel here seems a bit slow as every time I get near 3075fps I get some pressure. A standard Norma will push 3000fps in a shorter barrel (mines 30"). I do have some 423 Dakota Lapua brass I'm going to neck down once I get my die, I can get the brass to .338 cal but every time I try to go smaller it collapses the cases. I can make a bushing die to do it right but I'm being lazy and waiting for my Whidden die. The 423 Dakota brass has a much thicker case head and will tolerate much higher pressures without issue.

 

[Dwh7271]

Thanks for the pics
Cool cartridge.

 

[sask boy]

That is some great shooting :wink: I wish I could do that!! It sure is fun when your rifle just takes every pill & make very small groups with them!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Oldtrader3]

Great shooting rifle and caliber. It should slay medium game!

 

[Rigbymauser]

Thanks for Pictures....and information :grin:

 

[IdahoCTD]

It is a fine tack driver for sure! Just needs a belt and more case capacity
Great shooting as you were sure doing your job !

I have a .30-378 Weatherby Imp as well but never shoot it. I have a hard time spending 3.00 a case and having them last 2-3 firings when you push them hard. I even have 150+ brand new cases for it. I might rechamber it to 30-338 Lapua Imp. and get rid of all of my brass. With WC872 it would push 150's well over 4000fps and 165's at 3950fps. I shot up to 210 Bergers in it with 120grs of WC872 at 3350fps. The brass thing is why I'm doing a Lapua Imp this time and why I did the Norma. The Norma brass was suppose to be relatively tough. It's Ok brass but it's not in the same league as Lapua brass and that is why I'm trying to use the 500 cases of 423 Dakota brass I bought for my Norma Imp.

 

[DrMike]

With WC872 it would push 150's well over 4000fps and 165's at 3950fps. I shot up to 210 Bergers in it with 120grs of WC872 at 3350fps. The brass thing is why I'm doing a Lapua Imp this time and why I did the Norma. The Norma brass was suppose to be relatively tough. It's Ok brass but it's not in the same league as Lapua brass and that is why I'm trying to use the 500 cases of 423 Dakota brass I bought for my Norma Imp.

That is certainly moving a projectile along! I do know that these big cases can be hard on brass.

 

[greenheadcaller]

Goodness ... ah yea... that is a lot of weight moving really fast and making tiny groups ... ya gotta be happy with that!!!! congrats

 

[FOTIS]

It is a fine tack driver for sure! Just needs a belt and more case capacity
Great shooting as you were sure doing your job !

I have a .30-378 Weatherby Imp as well but never shoot it. I have a hard time spending 3.00 a case and having them last 2-3 firings when you push them hard. I even have 150+ brand new cases for it. I might rechamber it to 30-338 Lapua Imp. and get rid of all of my brass. With WC872 it would push 150's well over 4000fps and 165's at 3950fps. I shot up to 210 Bergers in it with 120grs of WC872 at 3350fps. The brass thing is why I'm doing a Lapua Imp this time and why I did the Norma. The Norma brass was suppose to be relatively tough. It's Ok brass but it's not in the same league as Lapua brass and that is why I'm trying to use the 500 cases of 423 Dakota brass I bought for my Norma Imp.

Barrel length?