Thread: 308 norma magnum

Originally Posted by gonetropo

Tedz maybe able to help, he mentioned to me the other day he had dies

Have dies but would have to hunt for shellholder.
Also found one of my old hand loads case full of 5010 powder salvaged from 50BMG rounds and 30/06 Armour piecing projectile.
These rounds were very effective on hares and wallabies.

Thanks Tedz but have a set of dies coming with the rifle. Have just purchased a m1917 from a forum member and looking for a starting point for a load.

I recall that around about 1964 some Parker Hales came into the country in this caliber. I was working in Tisdall Sports PNth after school. There was quite a buzz about them.

Graham Henry had one too. If I looked hard enough would find rod n rifle article about it...

The only grizzle I would have about it is the 1-12 barrel. If you seriously wanted to try 30 cal projectiles for a long way out it might struggle. If nothing bigger than 180gr probably sweet at.
Mate has a winny M70 300win mag. Acquired it some years back, so didn't build it. Thought it would be a giggle trying some long range stuff out. Spent a shit ton of money, effort and frustration wondering why the 200ish grain pills patterned like a shotty. Tested the twist rate and it's 1-13.
Same as the Palma match barrels in the 308 comps in the US. They only use 165grs I think. Wouldn't you know it, got some and first load was very acceptable. The rest is history and that's what he uses for his seriously LR stuff. I've shot it at 600m. 800 is fine and he has shot it past a k but the lighter bullets hinder it that far out.
You want a 30 mag for nz under 300m your rifle should shit it in

So a 178eldx would go ok?

Check yr twist rate. S&L M 65dl have 10" twist, so can handle the long eldx type bullet profiles. The early 12" twist are better suited to the older style shorter bullets.

It has a 12" twist

Don't write off a blunt round nose either if you want more projectiles weight and aren't going stupidly long.... Do the maths with any of the ballistic programmes,it is surprising how well they hold up.

Originally Posted by NigeC

So a 178eldx would go ok?

Work great in mine, and they kill stuff!

And if they dont work cos its a 1-12 twist, cant see why it wouldnt, then the Targex have a shorter bearing surface and perform just as well as the ELDX.

I had one with an ex-TR rifle barrel, 12twist. It would push 180gr Sierra gamekings at 3200fps with ease.

It performed on par with a 300WM but with less recoil.

From memory I could not find any load data and ended up using the 300H&H's load data - which ended up being a bit to hot.

Lovely calibre, If I didn't have a WSM I'd have a 308NM any day.

Nick Harvey's

nosler