Ok i bought my first 308 norma mag.I've been wanting a rifle in this caliber for a long time and finally bought a nice mauser converted with a parker hale barrel.My question anybody have any nice handloads they use???I'm just starting to reload and i'm hoping for some help i know to start with books but would like to know some pet loads people have thanx

Tbear I have a couple 308 Normas and load for a couple more. I have found them to be best with 180 or 200 gr bullets. Powders of choice have been IMR 4350,H450 and Imr 4831. With 180 gr bullets 4350 is very good. Max loads vary a bit depending on length of throat.Start about 67 gr and work up carefully. I have found max to be about 72 grs in most rifles. Max loads of H450 and a good 200 gr spitzer make an excellent long range elk & moose combination. Since H450 is no longer availible 4831 will work. I suspect RL 19 & RL 22 would also be good.

It's great to see some interest in this grand, but fairly obscure, 30 cal magnum cartridge. You'll find some loading data at this thread http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=848401&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=21&fpart=1 .

Mine really shoots best with 180 gr bullets (this is the 30 cal mag's forte) and it will give every bit 300 Win Mag ballistics and even challenge the 300 Wby Mag in a 24" barrel. Unfortunately, with the proliferation of
300 Win Mags in almost every factory rifle made today, the 308 Norma Mag is a specialist rifle for those who want something different. But for those who do it is a real classic and very under-rated. It is my candidate for the best 30 cal mag.

Regards,
Magnum

tbear,
the 308 norma and 30/338 mag have the same STARTING loads, per the speer book...

get a copy of the speer reloading manual, either 10 or 11...
should be able to get for 5 bucks on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7308&item=7117269286&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7308&item=7117221536&rd=1

jeffe

Magnum,



I have a .308 Norma on an FN action and Sako barrel that I inheritted from my stepfather and he bought it just for the reason you mentioned (he wanted something a little different). The heavier the bullet and load the better mine likes it.



Dennis

I bought some 308Norma brass at a gunshow,one box was factory,they list 3020f/s for their 180gr.I think that's the safe max.I use 74grs of N-560 with 180 Sierra to get 3050 out of a 26" tube.