Anyone have experience with 308 norma magnum i'm thinking of having a rifle made in this caliber.Wondering the pros and con of cartridge and any suggestions on where to buy the ammo

I have one, but have only shot it 5 times I just have more guns than I do free time. My stepfather and his brother both have them, and both were getting 3100fps with 180 grain bullets when they worked up their loads. His brother's started out a 300 win mag and he rechambered it because he coudn't get it to perform well.

Like I said, I don't have enough experience with mine to give you pros or cons. People will tell you that ammo cost is a con, and that is the only one I could concieve, but I reload so that doesn't matter. brass is pricey too if you buy the real stuff (I think you can form from something I just don't remember what offhand) but then again unless you are into punishment you aren't going to go out and shoot your magnum hunting rifle a whole lot. I have 200 unfired pieces that I figure will last me forever.

The norma used to be a very popular round, and in my opinion a mistake was made by Winchester in not buying the 308 and 358 Norma and putting them into production. Then you would have a nice pair there that could handle north America beautifully (I need to build a match to my 308 by the way, although I have the 35whelen AI, so how do I justify it.....hmmmmm).

If you handload you won't be disapointed, if you don't then don't build it because ammo is over 40 a box.

Red

The Norma has been pretty well pre-empted by the 30-338 (which I THINK is a virtual twin to the .308 Norma) and the .300WM. I am told that the Norma .308 mag coming out when it did caused Winchester to have to redesign its .300WM. Its a good round approaching the .300WM and the longer neck is perceived by reloaders to be an advantage. I have never owned one but know a couple of fellows that have them. It gives them something a little different and gives us something to argue about when we get tired of the .270 versus the .280 discussion. I've never had a problem with the .300WM's short neck.

The 308Norma is 1/8' shorter than the 300WM,thus a better fit in standard 3.4" actions.The M-700 and post'64 M-70 are long actions,making the 2gr larger 300WM a better choice.The Norma has a longer neck,so in theory, better accuracy.I just resize and trim 300WM brass.

First rifle I ever bought (a Springfield) is chambered in 308 NM. First class caliber! Accurate, consistent, and delivers plenty of energy.

Easier to deal with than the 300 Win Mag and its short neck.

Mine shoots everything from 150s to 220 very well. Even likes Partitions.

Hey thanx for the good replies anybody got advice for barrels i was thinking a 26 inch barrel but have no idea what is best twist rate or who makes nice accurate barrels This will be my first custom rifle it's a special thing thanx for your help

If this is to be a hunting rifle, A Douglas barrel will give you all the accuracy you can use. And you won't have to spend an arm and a leg nor wait 6 months for it.
I assume you're gonna be shooting bullets in the 200gr range so 1 in 9 ought to work well.

TBEAR99,

Unlike some of the more "modern" 30 cal magnums, the 308 NM does not need a 26" barrel to realise its potential. The original Norma loading was developed specifically in (and for) 24" barrels. Mine is a Douglas premium of 25 + years ago vintage (there are probably a whole range of match barrels today) but it shoots great for a hunting rifle (and I like my hunting rifles to be real trackdrivers) . If you're looking for a hunting rifle (light enough to carry up the mountains where this cartridge shines but heavy enough to allow you to shoot it well) then a 24" light sporter barrel is ideal.

About twist, talk to your gunsmith about a twist that is best to stabilize the heavier bullets (180 gr plus). An excellent bullet in the 308 MN is the 200 gr which can be driven at a MV of around 2,900fps (out of a 24" barrel) and with a good shaped bullet (high BC) will have the edge (loose less velocity) on the 180gr past 400 yards.

If you want to make your first custom rifle a real classic as I did some 25 years ago my description of how i got there on a thread on GBO http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=8287&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=35 might assist. I post there under Magnum308.

Magnum