Vintage Norma 44mag ammo

[505Gibbs]

Here's a question for the 'older' members.
I have some vintage Norma 44 mag ammo with both HP a flat nose soft point that has a nickel silver jacket[in appearance] that is magnetic.
Anyone that can shed additional light on this stuff.

Thanks

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Not really, but I remember that stuff fondly. AFAIK, it was the best factory load available at the time. It came in 20-rd boxes, and there was also a "carbine load," presumably for the Ruger carbine, or perhaps some Winchester or Marlin. I suppose that it has been superseded, but not necessarily surpassed, by Winchester 250gr Partitions, or some Buffalo Bore load. Don't know for sure, because I didn't own a chronograph back then.

I have some vague recollection that the jacket was of three layers. I am not surprised that one was magnetic, and I would not be surprised if I remember incorrectly.

 

[DWalt]

Norma was a latecomer to marketing the .44 Mag round. It did not appear in their cartridge lineup until 1966, long after R-P and W-W. I don't know what their jacket was made of. If magnetic, it is probably plated mild steel.

 

[505Gibbs]

Thanks guys!
I have some of the carbine as well. Its rated at 1700fps for a 18.5" bbl so its obviously only for the Ruger though I'd thing the Rem 788 or the Ruger bolt would handle it safely. Probably a Ruger revolver as well.
It's also magnetic!
I was guessing a nickle plate over the steel?? The jacket almost looks like the Winchester silvertip.

 

[Valmet]

Norma has always mfg great spec ammo. IIRC Weatherby has contracted with them for years and years to mfg their ammo.

 

[shottist]

As I recall, original Norma .44 Magnum did indeed have steel jacket.

 

[DWalt]

Norma has always mfg great spec ammo. IIRC Weatherby has contracted with them for years and years to mfg their ammo.

They did make ammunition for Weatherby, at least for awhile. Norma's market niche in the postwar period was concentrated in European (and Japanese) metric rifle cartridges not made in the USA. Also reloadable brass. They did load several of the more popular American calibers.

 

[Texas Star]

Is Norma still in business and exporting here? Haven't seen their new ammo in years.

 

[505Gibbs]

According to their web page only rifle and 22 rimfire are their current offerings. I say rimfire but someone may be producing with Norma adding their name.

 

[DWalt]

I don't remember ever seeing any Norma-branded .22 RF in the USA. Most of the Norma boxes seen are old stuff. If any is imported, it must not be in very large quantities.

 

[505Gibbs]

Norma USA markets a product by the name of TAC-22. Only one bullet weight offered.
Not in their International offering so I'd guess someone over here loads it for Norma.

 

[Spokes]

I have a few boxes of Norma 10mm left. Bought a case and split it with my brother. Very, very hot ammo. The 44 must be right up there with Buffalo Bore and some of the the other high end ammo company's..

 

[sw282]

l have a box of 44 cal 240 gr NORMA bullets. They are indeed MAGNETIC.

Back in the 60s Robert W Peterson killed a record Polar Bear with a nickel

Smith&Wesson Model 29 44 Magnum revolver using Norma 44 Magnum ammo.

Bob owed Peterson Publishing. They printed Guns and Ammo, Hot Rod,

Car Craft, Peterson Hunting magazine and books

 

[moralem]

A while back I uncovered my lost stash of 10mm Norma and use it sparingly, not because of it being hot but I want to have some for impressing friends and relatives. Heck I would have shot it all if I hadn't forgot where I stashed them. Here are some pictures of the boxes with performance data. Both 200 gr and 170 gr. Also just found a single box of 165 gr on gunbroker.....not sure what they will sell for......

 

[DWalt]

I believe that Norma was the original manufacturer of the 10mm cartridge for the late lamented Dornaus & Dixon Bren Ten from the mid-1980s.

 

[Echo Ranger]

Saw an ad in the Nov-Dec 1971 Handloader #34 for Norma Tri-Clad bullets. They had a welded three layer jacket of gilding metal/soft Swedish steel/gilding metal to give controlled expansion on tough game. Stumbled on a few boxes in a friends estate sale. Haven't tried them yet.