308 Norma Magnum

[Fredo Batali]

I'm starting to load 308 Norma Magnum ammunition. Picked up a FN Browning Safari Grade Hi-Power rifle in the caliber and wondering if I need to know anything special about resizing and loading belted magnum cases. Thanks in advance for any advice. Been handloading for 40 plus years. Never a belted magnum though.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[dave1918a2]

Just get a full length sizing die set and a neck sizer also. After the first firing use the neck die. Nothing much different from non-belted cases. I use a spray lube.

 

[Valmet]

Just get a full length sizing die set and a neck sizer also. After the first firing use the neck die. Nothing much different from non-belted cases. I use a spray lube.

+1. It’s a great old cartridge and IMO slightly more capable than .300 Win Mag due to neck length.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I load 300 Win Mag, which has a touch more powder capacity and a shorter neck. For normal hunting I'd go with 180 grain. For 500 plus yards go with 200 gr GameKing for 1000+ 220, 230, or 250 Spitzer BT with a poly tip.

For longer ranges, neck wall thickness needs to be uniform in the .014-.015 range. I use Redding Competition Collet dies. for correct size: Bullet Diameter Plus Neck Wall thickness times 2 minus the amount of neck tension. OR .308+.015+.015 (or .014+.014) = .338 (or .336) Minus .001, .002, or .003. There is no crimp. My gun likes the bullet out to just touching the lands. My brother's likes a .025 jump to the lands.

With a good crown and refiling in good shape you should get Scoped groups of between 1/2" and 1" @ 200 or 250 yards. That's 1/4 to 1/2 MOA or better.

Ivan

If you can't get good quality 300 Norma Brass, you can make it from 300 Win Mag, just FL size and trim to length. There is now a 30 Norma, that's a different cartridge.

Federal 215 M is THE primer. I like H 4831 and H 4831 Short Cut powders.

 

[jakerudy]

I ran across some .338 Win Mag brass at a decent price and made brass for mine. Full length size, check the length, and fire form. I had a sporterized Mauser and a pre-64 Model 70 rechambered from 30-06. Great round but more shoulder abuse than I care to take anymore.