.338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

[Eric B.]

It would appear that the new(er) .338 Norma mag. will, with virtually the same OAL as the .338 LM, be a better case shape for accuracy for a few reasons.

1. Sharper angled shoulder <span style="font-style: italic">usually</span> gives more consistent powder burn (witness the better benchrest cartridges)

2. Less bullet intrusion into the cartridge case also gives a more consistent burn and less powder compression at max loads with some powders.

Any comments?

 

[RogueHk]

Re: .338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

gradous told me to change to LM to norma mag if that helps. He's got my rifle and I will have it next month!

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: .338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

Hiker,
You're probably right that the case has some built in inherent accuracy. The 6.5x47 Lapua being another.

One thing on your side with the Norma, I don't think there is a factory made gun, so it will be a full house custom. I've never seen a properly made custom that will not shoot anything put through it that is not accurate.

Guys buying factory made .338 Lapua's might have to work to find a load. So you have a step up from the start.
With the right load, I think either one would be a kickass gun to shoot!

 

[Lowlight]

Re: .338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

I would say, from what I am seeing the Norma is a bit better all around.

We are seeing some pretty respectable results with the Norma and the Lapua is no slouch, so its hard to ignore the downrange stuff, I am definitely gonna move to a Norma barrel, and already had a 300NM built for the same reasons.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: .338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

LL,
What is your load for the .300 Norma?

 

[Lowlight]

Re: .338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

I don;t have one yet, I am using Hypertex's rounds until I develop some... been busy.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: .338 Norma mag. vs .338 Lapua mag. (accuracy)

Thanks LL,
Never heard of Hypertex.
A freind has a .300 NM, I've been part of it from the start.
The load is 81gr N570, 230gr Berger 215M, 2950 fps.

Gun is a laser to 900-1000 yards. Turns into a crapshoot at 1350 & 1450 yards, the farthest we've shot it.

Maybe we do, but please don't tell us we need your ELR coarse!

 

[CthulhuAwakens]

I've been looking at picking up a .338 in either Lapua or Norma. Any updates on this?

 

[CthulhuAwakens]

Lowlight, how is the .338 Norma working for you? Thinking of picking one up for the DTA.

 

[CthulhuAwakens]

Anybody?

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Anybody?

Ehhh. Look around for your answers.

I'm a LM shooter and therefore biased, but just look at how popular the 338LM's gotten, in just the last year? 338NM, not so much so.

There's always going to be 'better' right around the corner, but at some point, most people have to draw the line and go with what's proven and available (or more readily available.)

Chris

 

[CoryT]

If you can shoot to the level that you can tell the difference in the results between two different cases shooting the same bullet at ranges past 1000 yards, I'd sure like some lessons.

While the NM case may have some reasons to choose it over the LM case, increased accuracy is not one of them.

 

[Lowlight]

A year or two ago when every one was shopping this (338NM) at SHOT they were claiming 1/2" @ 1500m over the 338LM, LOL

Ask Ward OBrien I think that was his line, or maybe it came the mighty T.H.

 

[CthulhuAwakens]

Cool thanks guys! Sounds like 338L is the way to go.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Cool thanks guys! Sounds like 338L is the way to go.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, but the 338LM is almost ubiquitous these days and while brass is expensive at ~$250/100ct, I'm on between 12-13 cycles on most of my 80/20 Lapua/Norma cases that I started out with back in February of '06. Granted, I haven't shot tons over the past few years, like I did in the beginning, but shooting the 338LM isn't that expensive if you buy in bulk and buy carefully.

It is, but it's like a Ferrari guy bitching about the price of an oil change.

Also, I'm not saying that a 338 RUM wouldn't serve you well, or a 338 Edge, or even the 338NM, but the 338LM is hardly chopped liver.

I remember the chatter here when the 338NM was first discussed and I remember when there was LtArcLight, me, JeffLV and a couple of others who shot the 338LM.

Now, everybody and their grandmother is slinging a 338LM rifle. It's almost passe'.

Chris