Norma ammo

MarineSgtjimh

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Stumbled on a box of Norma 357 mag, 158gr sopt point, flat nose. I can't find any info about this ammo. Anyone help out? No dates on the box

As always, dazed and confused.
 
Norma Precision - ammunition
They have quite a web site with a ballistics section . I have used Norma product , brass and factory loads for 308 Norma Mag and 6.5 Swede and have been happy with it , but I am happy anytime I don't get totally ripped off these days .
 
thanks for the Norma site. They only had info on rifle ammo. I didn't see anything on pistol. Any other ideas?

Semper Fi

Norma still markets rifle ammo but I'm not sure about pistol.I've bought a lot of rifle brass made by them and it's all first rate quality.Don't remember if I've used any of their pistol factory ammo but I'd expect it to be good quality.Only way to know about the velocity specs is to chrono it from your gun.From years ago,it always had the reputation for being good high performance ammo.
 
Stumbled on a box of Norma 357 mag, 158gr sopt point, flat nose. I can't find any info about this ammo. Anyone help out? No dates on the box

As always, dazed and confused.

I found this on the net.

Just looking at a 1967 Shooters Bible.
(Velocities from 8 3/8" barrels)
Remington offered only three .357 Mag loads.
158 Hi-Speed Lead SWC @ 1,410 FPS.
158 Hi-Speed Lead Metal Piercing @ 1,410 FPS.
158 Hi-Speed JSP @ 1,550 FPS.
Winchester offered two.
158 lead SWC @ 1,410 FPS.
158 lead Metal Piercing @ 1,410 FPS.
Norma only had one load.
158 JSP @ 1,520 FPS.
 
From "Ammo and Ballistics II"

Norma 158 gr. soft point flat nose (product code 19107) from 4" barrel.
1214fps muzzle vel.
515 ft. lbs.
BC- 0.181

They also made FMJ and JHP loads with 158 gr. bullets listing identical muzzle velocities.
 
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Norma's heyday of revolver ammo was back in the 60's and 70's but has since become mostly rifle ammo. They were[4-6 years ago] working with Black Hills Ammo but I think that is no longer the case.
I have some of their 44mag which is marked for carbines only!
It was hot ammo.
 
A few years ago I ran across three fifty round boxes of 357MAG brass. Really nice stuff, drilled flash holes, uniform size and weight. I wish I could buy more. I loaded some up with Nosler 158JHPs.
 
Norma ammunition is made by Norma Åmotfors in Sweden less than 200 miles from my home. This is top notch quality ammunition, I used their 357 ammo a lot in the 70s-90s basically it was all that was commonly available over here, they were 158 gr only in JSP, JHP and FMJ. Unfortunately they don't make the 357s any longer belive that they just make handgun ammo in 9 mm and 32 S&W Long WC. Still got a few boxes stashed away. My impression is that it was pretty hot in the 70s but then later somewhat tuned down. Right they made a super speed 38 Special 110 gr JHP I even think that the box said 38 Special Magnum. Hottest 38s on the market but still claimed to be within 38 Special pressure specification. Norma also had a very good fast and clean burning pistol powder designated R1, faster than Bullseye and a good slow burning revolver magnum powder R123, unfortunately non of these are to be found any longer, had a few kilos of R1 but all used up last year. BTW their 44 Mags were the best I ever tried, still got a full box, they even used to make a 44 Carbine load that we used to shoot in our Model 29s (pretty nasty fired from a 4" tube). Most of my brass in 32, 9 mm, 38, 357 and 44 is still Norma, it appears that I can reload it forever.

Svante
 
44 mag Norma

Not a .357 Magnum but.... 1961 brochure.

SCAN0311.jpg
 
Back in the early 70's I loaded a lot of .357 ammo and Norma components were very inexpensive at that time. We had a big wholesale/retailer nearby who carried a lot of Norma components and he had very good prices. Norma components and ammo are top notch - at least the equal of anything made in the U.S. but their stuff is quite expensive now. The "carbine only" ammo was introduced by Norma specifically for the then-new Ruger .44 carbine.
 
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I had and long since have fired one or two boxes of Norma .357 ammunition, probably late 60s. At the same time I bought 100 Norma .357 cases. I know that I have a box of .357 Jacketed Bullets somewhere. Somehow I developed the urge to load the hottest .357 rounds known to man, probably saw an article, I have an unopened # of 2400 all part of the same project.
These cases are still in use, very high quality.
I have a box of 9 MM 115 gr which is mostly intact.
I am sure (I Think?) that I had and used 10mm ammunition from Norma as well, but I cannot find any 10mm Norma Brass in my brass pile.
 
Norma in 2020 will NOT buy again 357mag

During this ammo shortage, was lucky to find 357mag in stock at Velocity Ammo on line ... no longer in stock, at last visit.

This Norma ammo was new to me and these/other OLD but grand reviews discovered much later.
Range experiences included
Ruger 357mag LCR 17.1oz and
S&W327 357mag 21oz

  • Boxes arrive old/shop worn
  • Recoil was firm, ala Fiocchi
  • Accuracy was OK at 22ft or less but not a tackhammer
  • Not as clean as Fiocchi, not as dirty as Armscor/Magtech/others
  • THE LAST 1 OR 2 BULLETS WOULD PROJECT OUT OF BRASS enough to lock cylinders from turning UGH

Not buying this again and need advice
WHAT TO DO with this elongated ammo supply created?
I do not have a reloading device anymore
No carbine to load
Am 95% positive they will shoot
Reluctant to hammer, even with a thick washer protecting primer

OBVIOUS comments "trash them" really not needed nor less than safe suggestions "toss them in fire"
 
Your last post leaves me a bit unclear....you have or have not actually fired this ammo and had 2 rounds with bullet creep? Or, all of the ammo is over length?

If all are over length I would try to find a reloader friend and have them seated to the proper length.

If you are getting bullet creep with only 2 rounds, tells me that the crimp is not enough to hold the bullet securely and would need another trip through a crimp die.

My Norma experience has been 100 % satisfaction so I am surprised that yours is causing problems.

Norma ammo is usually quite stout, so the crimp should also be very stout as well.

Any chance that what you bought were reloads in Norma casings and put back into a Norma box?

Randy
 
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I have been using Norma 9mm i obtained from Midway. It is fairly hot but very manageable in my 9mm pistols. I like the way the hollow point nose is shaped and it feeds in all of my guns with no issues. I like it and will buy it again
 
Norma Ammo

Recently purchased 500 rounds of Norma 9mm 115 grain FMJ for my security team.


Norma still markets rifle ammo but I'm not sure about pistol.I've bought a lot of rifle brass made by them and it's all first rate quality.Don't remember if I've used any of their pistol factory ammo but I'd expect it to be good quality.Only way to know about the velocity specs is to chrono it from your gun.From years ago,it always had the reputation for being good high performance ammo.
 
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