Magnum caliber build

[Tony1320]

I'm thinking about doing a magnum caliber build for shooting steel.

I'm looking at the 338 norma, 300win mag, 300 norma mag

What is the difference in barrel life?

What are the benefits of the norma mags vs the belted magnums?

I have a .308 and my 6.5x47 should be finished soon. Thinking about doing a magnum next, sortof have an itch for one.

Which action would you use? I'm looking at a Surgeon or Defiance

 

[Barney88PDC]

Honestly any of those would work. However, none of them should really be considered unless you are going to shoot 1200 plus. Energy and wind drift are where they really shine. I wouldn't do anything until you shot your 6.5x47 for a bit as it will be a WORLD of difference compared to your .308 and may very well do everything that your expectations of this Magnum rifle will achieve.

However, if you want to proceed beyond that. Of the 300's the Norma is going to have more horsepower than a 300WM and will get the same bullet going faster. However it is on a Lapua Magnum Bolt Face so some actions are out of the question. Of those 2 I'd still choose 300 Norma.

For the 338's it is a bit of a toss up. The case of the Norma is slightly shorter which has an advantage and a disadvantage. The pro is that a 300 grain bullet will be able to be seated properly and still be mag fed out of Non-CIP length magazines. However the Lapua has more case capacity and hence it can get a 300 grain bullet going faster which equals less drop, less wind and more energy, albeit probably somewhat negligible in the grand scheme. With Lapua announcing they will make Norma Brass for the 300 Norma as well as the 338 Norma there is no advantage there. However more components are "around" for the 338 Lapua being it is a NATO caliber. And if you ever wanted to sell it I'd say the Lapua would have a broader audience. If you do build I would go with CIP length magazines and an action that accommodates them as it just give you more options for bullet selection an OAL of rounds.

You also could buy 1 action if you went 300 Norma and get either a .338 Lapua or .338 Norma chambered and all you would have to do is a barrel swap because the both take the same magazines as well as bolts. Very easy to do with a barrel vise such as a (Viper Barrel Vise $58) and an action wrench $80.

I would go with a Surgeon XL action but I am bias. For what it's worth I have a 300 Norma and a 338 Lapua is being built as we speak. Both on the Surgeon XL Action.

http://shop.otmtactical.com/VIPER-BARREL-VISE_p_360.html

http://www.bugholes.com/product-p/338-bug-aw.htm

 

[Rthur]

I'm thinking about doing a magnum caliber build for shooting steel.

I'm looking at the 338 norma, 300win mag, 300 norma mag

What is the difference in barrel life?

What are the benefits of the norma mags vs the belted magnums?

I have a .308 and my 6.5x47 should be finished soon. Thinking about doing a magnum next, sortof have an itch for one.

Which action would you use? I'm looking at a Surgeon or Defiance

How much range do you have access to?
Is the added "horsepower" needed to effectively engage targets at that range?
Is it a possible hunting cal as well?

R

 

[Tony1320]

Honestly any of those would work. However, none of them should really be considered unless you are going to shoot 1200 plus. Energy and wind drift are where they really shine. I wouldn't do anything until you shot your 6.5x47 for a bit as it will be a WORLD of difference compared to your .308 and may very well do everything that your expectations of this Magnum rifle will achieve.

However, if you want to proceed beyond that. Of the 300's the Norma is going to have more horsepower than a 300WM and will get the same bullet going faster. However it is on a Lapua Magnum Bolt Face so some actions are out of the question. Of those 2 I'd still choose 300 Norma.

For the 338's it is a bit of a toss up. The case of the Norma is slightly shorter which has an advantage and a disadvantage. The pro is that a 300 grain bullet will be able to be seated properly and still be mag fed out of Non-CIP length magazines. However the Lapua has more case capacity and hence it can get a 300 grain bullet going faster which equals less drop, less wind and more energy, albeit probably somewhat negligible in the grand scheme. With Lapua announcing they will make Norma Brass for the 300 Norma as well as the 338 Norma there is no advantage there. However more components are "around" for the 338 Lapua being it is a NATO caliber. And if you ever wanted to sell it I'd say the Lapua would have a broader audience. If you do build I would go with CIP length magazines and an action that accommodates them as it just give you more options for bullet selection an OAL of rounds.

You also could buy 1 action if you went 300 Norma and get either a .338 Lapua or .338 Norma chambered and all you would have to do is a barrel swap because the both take the same magazines as well as bolts. Very easy to do with a barrel vise such as a (Viper Barrel Vise $58) and an action wrench $80.

I would go with a Surgeon XL action but I am bias. For what it's worth I have a 300 Norma and a 338 Lapua is being built as we speak. Both on the Surgeon XL Action.

http://shop.otmtactical.com/VIPER-BARREL-VISE_p_360.html

http://www.bugholes.com/product-p/338-bug-aw.htm

I will probably rarely have access to past 1200 yards it's more just to have one to shoot

How's the barrel life on a 300 norma mag?

 

[Bradu]

Honestly any of those would work. However, none of them should really be considered unless you are going to shoot 1200 plus. Energy and wind drift are where they really shine. I wouldn't do anything until you shot your 6.5x47 for a bit as it will be a WORLD of difference compared to your .308 and may very well do everything that your expectations of this Magnum rifle will achieve.

However, if you want to proceed beyond that. Of the 300's the Norma is going to have more horsepower than a 300WM and will get the same bullet going faster. However it is on a Lapua Magnum Bolt Face so some actions are out of the question. Of those 2 I'd still choose 300 Norma.

For the 338's it is a bit of a toss up. The case of the Norma is slightly shorter which has an advantage and a disadvantage. The pro is that a 300 grain bullet will be able to be seated properly and still be mag fed out of Non-CIP length magazines. However the Lapua has more case capacity and hence it can get a 300 grain bullet going faster which equals less drop, less wind and more energy, albeit probably somewhat negligible in the grand scheme. With Lapua announcing they will make Norma Brass for the 300 Norma as well as the 338 Norma there is no advantage there. However more components are "around" for the 338 Lapua being it is a NATO caliber. And if you ever wanted to sell it I'd say the Lapua would have a broader audience. If you do build I would go with CIP length magazines and an action that accommodates them as it just give you more options for bullet selection an OAL of rounds.

You also could buy 1 action if you went 300 Norma and get either a .338 Lapua or .338 Norma chambered and all you would have to do is a barrel swap because the both take the same magazines as well as bolts. Very easy to do with a barrel vise such as a (Viper Barrel Vise $58) and an action wrench $80.

I would go with a Surgeon XL action but I am bias. For what it's worth I have a 300 Norma and a 338 Lapua is being built as we speak. Both on the Surgeon XL Action.

http://shop.otmtactical.com/VIPER-BARREL-VISE_p_360.html

http://www.bugholes.com/product-p/338-bug-aw.htm

I'm with you on this, if you don't shoot past 1200 then a magnum is kind of a waste unless you need the energy for hunting. I have a Desert tech so I could justify a magnum since I hardly get to shoot past 1000. OP, I would suggest running some numbers in a ballistic program just so you can see the numbers and verify this is the route you want to go. As far as barrel life on a 300 norma, I've seen a lot of people post 1000-1500 rounds before losing accuracy and velocity.

 

[Mike_Honcho]

If it is rare that you are going to shoot at 1200+, I'd get a .300WM. It’ll save you a few pennies when reloading, and factory ammo is commonly available, not to mention your suppressor will cost you a few dollars less too.

FWIW with the right projo you’re making hits on steel at a mile with a .300WM, no problem

 

[BurnOut]

If it is rare that you are going to shoot at 1200+, I get a .300WM. It’ll save you a few pennies when reloading, and factory ammo is commonly available, not to mention your suppressor will cost you a few dollars less too.

Also, there's not a damn thing wrong with 7mm RM.

 

[Tony1320]

How much range do you have access to?
Is the added "horsepower" needed to effectively engage targets at that range?
Is it a possible hunting cal as well?

R

No it's not just want to have one to shoot

Unlikely that I will ever hunt with it

 

[Barney88PDC]

I have not burned a 300NM barrel out nor will I likely ever so anything I'd post would just be hear say.

 

[RyanScott]

I’m told that Finns replace TRG barrels between 3 and 4000 rounds but that’s a hammered barrel and their accuracy requirements are probably less aggressive than many private shooters.

 

[Sheldon N]

I don't know if I'd want to build a cartridge that big if you're shooting steel mostly inside of 1200 yards. Yes, you get bragging rights if you want to show off the rifle to friends, but for actually hitting steel and being enjoyable to shoot maybe a bit smaller. Something in the 7mm is a sweet spot IMO.

We had the ELR match up in WA state last weekend, average target distance was probably around 1100-1200 yards. Top three shooters were running 7mm cartridges (7 WSM, 28 Nosler, 7 SAUM). I finished in the top ten with a 7 SAUM running out of a short action at 2.95 COAL. Same action I use for my 6mm competition rifle, just swapped bolt face and barrel.

 

[Tony1320]

I have not burned a 300NM barrel out nor will I likely ever so anything I'd post would just be hear say.

How many rounds do you have on it right now?

 

[Tony1320]

I don't know if I'd want to build a cartridge that big if you're shooting steel mostly inside of 1200 yards. Yes, you get bragging rights if you want to show off the rifle to friends, but for actually hitting steel and being enjoyable to shoot maybe a bit smaller. Something in the 7mm is a sweet spot IMO.

We had the ELR match up in WA state last weekend, average target distance was probably around 1100-1200 yards. Top three shooters were running 7mm cartridges (7 WSM, 28 Nosler, 7 SAUM). I finished in the top ten with a 7 SAUM running out of a short action at 2.95 COAL. Same action I use for my 6mm competition rifle, just swapped bolt face and barrel.

Just want to have one to add to my collection and for fun. I'm not really shy to recoil. I'm open to suggestions though. Which 7mm would you go with?

 

[Sheldon N]

Just want to have one to add to my collection and for fun. I'm not really shy to recoil. I'm open to suggestions though. Which 7mm would you go with?

Lots of options, depending on whether you are building on long action or short action, whether you are after barrel life or the most impressive cartridge for sake of pride of ownership. A 28 Nosler shooting 195 Bergers is pretty darn impressive but also a barrel burner. 7 SAUM with 180's is a nice middle of the road cartridge that will also do the job.

FWIW, if you simply want a gun for the collection or cool factor I'm not opposed to a 300 Norma Improved with a fast twist 30 inch barrel to launch the new Berger 245g Hybrid EOL at stupid speeds. Hell, that sounds pretty cool to me. It's just way overkill for 1200 yard steel and I know that after I got over the initial fun factor I probably wouldn't shoot it that much myself if I owned it. Just my own tastes tending towards something that's a bit more easy to shoot.

 

[Tony1320]

Lots of options, depending on whether you are building on long action or short action, whether you are after barrel life or the most impressive cartridge for sake of pride of ownership. A 28 Nosler shooting 195 Bergers is pretty darn impressive but also a barrel burner. 7 SAUM with 180's is a nice middle of the road cartridge that will also do the job.

FWIW, if you simply want a gun for the collection or cool factor I'm not opposed to a 300 Norma Improved with a fast twist 30 inch barrel to launch the new Berger 245g Hybrid EOL at stupid speeds. Hell, that sounds pretty cool to me. It's just way overkill for 1200 yard steel and I know that after I got over the initial fun factor I probably wouldn't shoot it that much myself if I owned it. Just my own tastes tending towards something that's a bit more easy to shoot.

I was thinking long action.

How's the barrel life on a 28 Nosler?

I shoot quite a bit although this gun wouldn't be used as much as my others I do somewhat care about barrel life.

That's pretty much what I was thinking with the 300win mag / norma but with the Berger 230 gr hybrid or 300 gr for the .338

 

[Rthur]

If you have decided to build one go with the 300 norma.
Add the Flatline 198
This will be a fair piece of reach.

R

 

[brianf]

1200 yards 300 wm.
More than enough umph to make you feel like you shooting something, not a 223
You can fire more than 20 rounds before you flinch
Exceptionally accurate at those ranges.
Excellent factory match ammo
Still supersonic
Able to go 500 yards more if loaded correctly
1500 rounds of excellent accuracy
And if you reload 30 cal always gets the newest coolest stuff.
Don't listen to the "I hate belts", they make no difference on accuracy. It's just one more step when reloading and using a collet die.
300 wm was (might still be) the winningest round in 1000 camp perry history, tells you something.

 

[Velocity Chad]

28 nosler is going to my next project. They are a laser.

 

[Jeffd]

Go with the 300 Norma. That's all you will ever need!