NORMA AMMUNITION

rbmac52 · Nov 28, 2021

I've been buying cases of Norma 9mm lately for target shooting because it is the least expensive 9mm out there. Many folks either don't know about Norma ammo or think of it as hunting ammunition for large game rifles.

I found an article online recently published in Guns & Ammo magazine that detailed the history of the company. I thought it was a good read. Here's a link if you're interested:

Norma: The First Name in Precision Ammunition - Guns and Ammo

jbtrucker · Nov 28, 2021

I have fired several boxes of Norma 9mm with no problems and is accurate

Dave Lively · Nov 28, 2021

The Norma website is listing 9mm FMJ at $15/box of 50 with free shipping on orders over $150. Sky high by 2019 standards but the best price I have seen recently on brass case FMJ.

cporfe · Nov 28, 2021

I use Norma FMJs with very good results in full size and single stack nines. Zero problems. I also have been very happy with their MHP 9mm defense ammo. It functioned, without any problems, in my Hellcat, Glock 43X and 9EZ. It's priced right, for today's market I suppose, and they sell on-line if you can't find it locally.

PeteC · Nov 28, 2021

Good or bad price aside has anyone looked at the specifications for their one current .38 spl offering?
Cut and paste from their website:

Caliber: .38 Special
Bullet Weight: 158 grain
Bullet Style: FMJ-FN
Muzzle Velocity: 968 FPS
Muzzle Energy: 329 ft.-lbs.
Case: Brass

968 fps muzzle velocity for a 158 gr flat-nose round is not what I was used to seeing in the past. It is FMJ/FN, but still... Magtech advertises 755 fps for 158 gr FMJ/FN.

Am I missing something here? That muzzle velocity is in the same range as advertised for some lighter +P rounds (Remington for example).

ddixie884 · Nov 28, 2021

I would be surprised if that is a real world velocity. Probably a 7.7" non vented test barrel. I have some Perfecta 158gr FMJ that will give about 900fps in a 4". I consider them to be HOT! See below......

PeteC · Nov 28, 2021

ddixie884 said:
...I have some Perfecta 158gr FMJ that will give about 900fps in a 4". I consider them to be HOT! See below......

Exactly my thought. It is close to what Buffalo Bore advertises for their 38 SPL+p, 158 gr SWC "Heavy" ammo... and charge 3x the Norma price.

22shtur · Nov 28, 2021

I saw some Norma Whitetail at a great price and decided to pick up a 20 rd box of 30-06 to see what it would do. I shot a nice whitetail with it at 170 yards, and the results were excellent - good penetration and good expansion.
When I buy factory ammo, my go-to is Remington Core Loct, but the Norma Whitetail was every bit as good.

LittleAugieMo · Nov 28, 2021

IIRC Norma had somewhat of a "reputation" for "hot" ammo. To go along with their reputation for "premium" ammo.

Rpg · Nov 28, 2021

Norma is top notch ammo.

It’s every bit as good as the name brand stuff, usually better.

rct269 · Nov 28, 2021

Once again we see commentary about some of today's "HOT" ammunition with no mention of common, everyday ammunition from yesteryear.

Here are some muzzle velocities from an ad by S&W published in the later 1930's making a virtue of the wide range of fodder available for use in the 357 Magnum. Worthy of note is the fact these velocities were achieved from an 8 3/4" 357 Magnum revolver.

.38 S&W Special Mid Range---------825 fps
.38 S&W Special---------------------950 fps
.38 S&W Special Super Speed-----1100 fps
.38/44 S&W Special----------------1226 fps
S&W .357 Magnum-----------------1512 fps

Ralph Tremaine

rockquarry · Nov 28, 2021

The hottest factory .38 Special ammo I'm aware of was produced by Norma quite a few years ago, but it was still being manufactured in the early '70s before the +P designation came about. It used a 110 grain JHP at an advertised 1500 + fps (unknown barrel length but probably more than 4" or 6") with a chamber pressure of a little over 27,000 (probably CUP pressure), quite a bit warmer than even Super Vel or Speer DWM, the other two hot loads of the day.

Rudi · Nov 29, 2021

I think the only Norma ammo I've shot was 6.5 Japanese In a very old type 38 Arisaka (wish I still had it). Outstanding accuracy. A great combo, a tack driver.

.455_Hunter · Nov 29, 2021

I have seen recent Norma 9mm that is loaded in Hungary and in Germany.

cporfe · Dec 2, 2021

I shot a box of Norma's .38spl FMJ/FN in my "new to me Md 14 4 screw" I recently acquired. I really liked it! So much so I bought 2 more boxes. It didn't seem "hot" to me, but I've been shooting a lot of 130 grn FMJ from WW.

Just my thoughts.

VaTom · Dec 2, 2021

.455_Hunter said:
I have seen recent Norma 9mm that is loaded in Hungary and in Germany.

I bought some 158 grain .38 special during the flash sale a month or so ago. Haven't shot it yet. Made in Hungary. Will try it during next range visit.

diyj98 · Dec 2, 2021

Rpg said:
Norma is top notch ammo.

It’s every bit as good as the name brand stuff, usually better.

I agree, but I'd say that Norma is name brand stuff. It's just not as well known by the average U.S. citizen. They've been in business for over 100 years. In the 70's I thought of Norma as premium ammo, but mostly for European calibers.

brucev · Dec 2, 2021

Have bought Norma 9mm FMJ 115 gr. ammo. Excellent. Will buy more. Sincerely. bruce.

boatbum101 · Dec 2, 2021

Loaded to CIP not SAAMI specs . Euro is tad " hotter " 357 mag SAAMI 35K psi , CIP 40K psi .

rbmac52 · Dec 2, 2021

Normashooting.com does not offer a .357 Magnum round presently.

NORMA AMMUNITION

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