I bought a nice sporterized '03 (not A3) w/ a 26" older magnum contour Mcgowan barrel. The rifle is not a show piece but well done. I am wondering what needs to be done to rechamber and feed from 30-06 to .308 Norma. I cannot find anything useful from searching the net. I have always wanted a Norma, this rifle was perfect and I got it for a song. From what I understand this was common back when Springfields hit the market surplus. Thanks for the help! BTW it is a safe action in the 1.2 million range.

Nobody?

do it in 300 win, just to save yourself a TON of heartache .. likely that no one has reamer handy

Dude, it's super simple. I have one. I have two in the safe actually as I have my stepfathers right now too. I'm not sure what all is involved, local shop did it for me, I don't remember I think they didn't charge much, years ago.

-rechamber
-bolt face work
-possible work on the rails?

Great cartridge, can't go wrong.

Red

Yep a rechamber and bolt face. As to the feed rails I've never worked on a springfield so can't help on that one. I had an 06 MKX that I converted. I have a 308Norma it is the little brother of my 358Norma. I happen to like to be different. As Jeff says the 300Wmag is easier to find brass, reamers, ammo etc. If you want easy go with the 300wmag if you want a 308Norma then go for it. The few fps it gives up to a 300wmag will never show in your hunting.

I'd suggest sending it to Harry Mcgowen Gunsmithing in St. Anne, IL. He's been chambering O3's for .308 Norma for 50 years or so. He is also the maker of your barrel, although I would imagine that Harry is actually retired by now.

tigger and i have the same springfield rifle, except caliber, his 308, my 300win .. funny that .. mine shoots well under moa, i believe his as well...

glad my old gunny buddy talked me into 300win .. far easier to deal with today

First bolt rifle I ever bought was a Springfield converted to .308 Norma Mag ... still have it ... still shoots to better than 1 MOA.

Mine has a Timney trigger ... love it.

No telling how many Springfields were converted to 308 Norma Mag before the Winnie came along.

Easy as said above.

Just did one in 308 Norma last month for a customer.

Great cartridge and no monkeying arount with the box.

Reamers, brass and everything is all available!

What a great cartridge to boot! Will do everything that the Win will do, and you will be cooler doing it.

Mark

I've had both, velocity differance is up to the individual rifle more then the cartridge. I hate stuffing bullets so deep in that win mag case, so I like the norma version better.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
I've had both, velocity differance is up to the individual rifle more then the cartridge. I hate stuffing bullets so deep in that win mag case, so I like the norma version better.

\??/
the winmag, norma, and 30-06 are all 3.35" aol ...

The Norma case has the shoulder set back compared to the 300 Winchester and, therefore, it has a longer neck. You give up some capacity but the bullets can be seated without intruding into the powder space.

Jerry Liles

Thanks for the replys everyone!!!! I just like to be a little different thats all. Thats why I am wanting to make it a Norma. As for the Mcgowan barrel I think Harry may have installed it! Because the barrel says "Mcgowan Barrels" engraved on it (not stamped). Also an older friend of mine killed his first buck w/ an A3 that was converted and had a peep sight. He told me it had a short barrel and "Was a loud SOB". I just think it will be a fun project to play w/. The local gunshop has a pre-64 win in Norma (converted from '06) but he wants WAAAAAAY to much money for a plain jane rifle.
I am sure I will get flamed but I just don't see the extra money for the pre-64. Not in that rifles case anyway.

We chambered lots of military barrels over to the 308 Norma. No problem are far as I know, but sometimes had to do a little rail work to make them feed smooth.

The Norma brass was short on the belt for headspace. We made the headspace guage undersize about .003 to use as a go guage and the regular go guage as the no go guage. If in dought make a belted ring guage and check all cases with a depth mic drop in the ring guage. Set the ring guage by chambering with a Norma reamer to about .005 deep for a known dimension. Mark the ring guage on the side with the know depth. Drop the case in and measure with a depth mic. You will find different brand brass will be different and can cause headspace problems. Sometimes brass would be short .010 to .015.

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Liles:
The Norma case has the shoulder set back compared to the 300 Winchester and, therefore, it has a longer neck. You give up some capacity but the bullets can be seated without intruding into the powder space.

Jerry Liles

But the shoulder is? (intruding into the powder space)

quote:

But the shoulder is? (intruding into the powder space)

Yes, but I just dont like the looks of a cartridge with the bullet seated deep (win mag) useable capacity in each is very similar.

The Norma's shoulder is what it should be, the win's is short. Winchester should have just bought the 308 and 358 from Norma.

You can use other brass and form it and make it for the 308 norma, but if you use 308 norma brass you won't have trouble. It's out there for good prices if you watch.

I'm glad I never see the 358 for a good price, I'd probably convert my whelen over.

Red