I got a real nice Husky in 30-338 . I also have RCBS dies that came with this rifle . I would like to make some brass for this , but not sure where to start .. I think someone said to just run 7MM rem mag cases thru this die ...Is it all that simple ? What about case length ?

also--there was some reloading data recorded , in the die box ; RP cases - CCI prim M -H 4831 70gr. -sierra 180 gr. spbt = 2900 FPS ....

Anybody shooting one of these ? Sounds like a interesting caliber .

Thanks for your input , Bob

The std case length max is 2.5". If you neck up a 7mag it will be shorter than that. I would make mine using 338 brass. Run it in the die and trim.

A 30/338 is basically a 308 Norma Magnum with a "slightly" shorter neck. If you can't find 30/338 data the 308 Norma data will work just work up. I believe the Norma case is .05" longer and about 1gr more capacity.

I shoot a 308 Norma and either one will do everything a 300Wmag will do. You just can't find the ammo at the corner walmart.

I have seen such a rifle and the cartridges. But never fired one. However it seems to me a much better balanced design than the 300 Win Mag that post dates it and, it is said, is what the 300 Win Mag WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE if it the 308 Norma Magnum had not come out beforehand.

Thanks guys ,
Paul - that makes sense , I'll try the 338 brass as suggested , and trim to 2.5 in.

Norma data would be a good starting point !

Thanks , Bob

I make mine from .338 cases...works like a charm.

Thanks Phil
I'm going to try .338 brass ....

Either .338 or 7mm RM brass will work fine. Generally, necking "down" rather than "up" results in more consistent case necks. Also, although case length is not an issue (should be trimmed only if needed), your case necks will be a bit thicker when using .338 brass. This usually provides a better fit since most chamber necks are rather generous and the thicker neck provides a closer fit. But IF you find that necks from a .338 case are too thick and require turning or reaming, then you might get by without neck thinning by using 7mm brass.

The case capacity difference in the .30-338 and the .308 Norma is so little that the variation in case weight from brand to brand will exceed any theoretical capacity difference in the two. You can use .308 Norma data as a guide, remembering that each rifle, especially a custom wildcat, is a rule unto itself and loads must be developed from "below".

It's little better to neck up 338 brass and Sierra does have loading data for the 30-338mag. I'm on my 3rd one been shooting them since the 80's and Rem chamber the 40x also in 30-338mag.

Had Fred Huntington (RCBS) not neck down the 338 case for the wildcat 30-338mag that might have been the new 30 cal mag instead of the 300mag.

Trim length 30-338mag 2.500"-2.490" and if you use 7mag brass necked up you be 2.485" and I've done it both ways and using Win brass no difference in neck thickness.

308 Norma mag trim length is 2.560"-2.550" and only problem with the 308 Norma is price of brass or form using 300 H&H brass.

Well good luck

quote:

308 Norma mag trim length is 2.560"-2.550" and only problem with the 308 Norma is price of brass or form using 300 H&H brass

I shoot a 308 Norma. I simply used 338mag brass. Yes the neck is a touch shorter but so what. Not worth trimming longer brass to me.

If you don't mind trimming you can start with basic. Haven't used it but I believe you could simply use 300wmag brass as well. I would not like the headstamp.

Thanks guys ,
Does any one worry about having the wrong headstamp on these completed 30-338 rounds ?

Would they drop in a 338 win. mag chamber , and be dangerous to fire in such ...

Should they be identified in some way --- color coded with magic marker ?

Thanks , just wondering , Bob

quote:

Would they drop in a 338 win. mag chamber , and be dangerous to fire in such ...Should they be identified in some way --- color coded with magic marker ?

A 30/338 would drop in a 338wmag chamber and fire. Nope no danger. Heck many use the same principle to fire form larger dia wildcats.

I never tried it but I don't "think" a 338 Wmag would chamber in the 30/338. Maybe someone has tried it.

As to head stamp I'm the wrong one to ask. I've build wildcats from 243-426 using the same 280Rem head stamped brass. I don't mark the ammo but do put a very obvious label on the ammo box. Just like loading I never have two different boxes open and out on the bench or on my person. I know some simply use different brands of brass. Or as you state hit the case head with a marker.

If I remember right this rifle this rifle started the interest in the 308 Norma Mag.

http://www.gunsinternational.c...cfm?gun_id=100395479

Thanks guys ,

Tom , that is one beautifull browning safari grade , wish I had the $$$ ,thanks for the link . NIB --incredible find !!!

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by tom holland:
If I remember right this rifle this rifle started the interest in the 308 Norma Mag.

http://www.gunsinternational.c...cfm?gun_id=100395479

The Browning Safari was certainly a prestigious rifle, but it was actually the surplus U.S. 1903 Springfields that stirred interest in the .308 Norma.

Norma introduced its magnum .30 as the magnum craze was taking off. They advertised it heavily as "the" magnum to which the then-numerous Springfields could be converted. There was no other "short" .30 magnum at the time, making it the only .30 magnum short enough to fit in the Springfield magazine. It only required simple bolt face enlargement (and maybe a little honing of the feed rails) to make it work in a Springfield. This was a clever marketing scheme for Norma, a Swedish ammunition company which was trying to establish a foothold in the lucrative American market.

Except for the Browning Safari and the Danish Schultz & Larson, there were very few if any .308 Normas factory chambered. Most of the rest of them were conversions like the Springfield, or custom rifles. I'll agree with everyone here that the .308 Norma is a great cartridge, well-balanced, and yields essentially the same ballistics as all but the most outsized .30 magnum cartridges.

quote:

Originally posted by Bear Cat:
Thanks guys ,
Does any one worry about having the wrong headstamp on these completed 30-338 rounds ?

Would they drop in a 338 win. mag chamber , and be dangerous to fire in such ...

Should they be identified in some way --- color coded with magic marker ?

Thanks , just wondering , Bob

Ductility of brass has changed a bunch since the .30/,338 came to be. The brass these days is less ductile, but maybe a bit stronger as a result.

I had one in the late 50s and another in the mid-90s. (Folks may not believe this, but my mid-90s one was a conversion of a .308 Win. M-'88. Shot better than most of he bolt actions I had owned up 'til them.

Anyway what I really wanted to say is that for my late '50s one, starting about 1962/63, I began making my brass by just firing 7 m/m Rem Mag ammo in it. Had to trim to square the case mouths afterward, but You pretty much have to do that no matter how and what you make the brass from. As I was loading 7m/m Rem Mag then anyway, I saved a bit of time & effort.

AC --thats interesting ---you mean you would simply fire a 7mm rem mag cartridge in a 30.338 chamber , letting the bullet rattle down the
bore with no ill effects to the 308 bore ?
Take the now fire formed brass and square off the mouth and done deal ?

Looks like a guy can buy brass too .... Quality Cartridge

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
Looks like a guy can buy brass too .... Quality Cartridge

Yep - thanks Graybird

I bought several boxes of .30/.338 headstamped brass from Quality Cartridge a few years back that I'm still reloading.