Does anyone have experience with this caliber? Seems to be very similar to a .30-338. I saw one available in a very high condition Belgian Browning FN mauser. I know this would be a handloading proposition, but that doesn't concern me much.

Assuming no "salt wood" what would the value of this rifle be in 97%+ condition?

Tim

[ 04-18-2003, 04:43: Message edited by: Shumba ]

I have experience, I have one. I am the third member of my family to get one. I have not yet tested my stepfather and his brother's loads in mine, but they are getting just over 3100fps with a 180grain bullet. Chronographed. It is not a cartridge that you HAVE to load for, you can buy ammo, the cost though will make you want to load it yourself. Cases run about 80 cents a piece.

I am not sure value wise, I bet there are people here more qualified than me to answer that. I paid 450 for mine. It is a 1903a3, sporterized (gorgeous polish work on the barrel), standard sporter stock, came with leather military sling and 7.5 power Leupold. I had them install a timney after the fact, still in it under 500 bucks. I consider this a great deal, and attribute it to the fact that my gunsmith knows my tastes and when he took it in set it aside to show me first. (it was 06, I just had him take blow it out to the norma before I picked it up).

If you get it let us know, post some pics.

Red

Ballistically the 308 norma Mag and the 30338 Mag are twins. I have a 308 Norma in a Parker Hale Safari (gussied up commercial Mauser 98, really), and it's a fine cartridge. I load mine to 3000-3050 fps with 180 gr bullets and it will take any game on this continent. - Dan

A hunting buddy of mine has the same rifle/caliber and loves it. I believe you can still get Norma ammo for it & cases are available from Norma. It is basically a .308 Winmag in performance. If you like the rifle & don't mind handloading, go for it.

You can use 300WinMag cases by resizing and trimming.I have a rechambered P-17 sporter.

Buy it! the .308 norma is what the .300 win mag should have been. The longer neck really helps with 200 grs + bullets.

I love my .300 win mag however the Norma is a classic .300

Aleko

I had one on a 1903 Springfield. Chambering was done by Shebal's Gun Shop in Fairbanks AK. I killed one caribou with it at a very long range. Several acquaitances borrowed it, and did well killing bears with it using the 200-grain Nosler Partition bullet. It is a very good caliber, and in my opinion, will perform as well as the .300 Win. Mag., and the case has a better design than the Win.

Any thoughts on what a decent price would be for this rifle?

Browning FN Safari (made in Belgium) in 97% condition. It has the claw extractor and iron sights.

Thanks.

I paid 500 for my .338WM safari, before I knew about the saltwood. I had it appraised for insurance at 1000, about 10 years ago. the dealer offered me a new interarms .375 for it in trade.
I had the stock refinished, and the gun still would rust, so I had J.D.Jones chrome it for me. I have had no problems since. I know it lost value with that, but it is a great rifle.

A Browning 308 Norma in original, 97+ condition will bring in the 1200-1500 range....most were made before the saltwood problem of the late 60s.....Great caliber but a rather cumbersome rifle as today's rifles go............

I collect these rifles.308 Norma's aren't very common at all and one in the condition you described would bring $1500 easily,possibly more.

Never had the chance at one in that chambering,though I did end up with a beautiful Safari in 300 H&H Magnum.Don't see those very often.

Brian.