It's great to see all the replies on here... it seems the 308 Norma still gets some love!

Last week l got a packet of 175gn Atomic 29 projectiles to try in the 308 Norma.
The Atomic 29 is an all-copper monometal hollowpoint designed and made in Australia.
I really like these projectiles and they are what l use in my 425 Express.
They have an outstanding reputation for both accuracy and performance in the field and I was eager to give them a whirl in the Norma.

I was originally going to use the the 155gn projectile but Cameron (the owner of Atomic 29) suggested the 175gn for the .30 magnums, so that's what l went with.

With the 180gn Woodleigh l got a velocity of 2917fps with 73gn of 2213SC with no pressure signs.
l decided to up the powder charge to 73.5gn with the marginally lighter 175gn projectile and l was hoping to get around 2950fps.
Also, thanks to a mate of mine l now had a Lee Factory Crimp Die for the Norma (which he made - thanks Farmboy) and I reckon putting a nice tight crimp on them might bump up velocity a bit too.
It was an exciting drive to the range to see what the brutally honest chronograph was going to tell me...

Well the 175gn were actually a fraction slower than the 180gn averaging spot on 2900fps - which l was still happy with, but a little surprised they were slower.

After l finished sighting the rifle in l went home and punched my data into a ballistic program and got the following:

Caliber: .308 Norma Magnum
Ammunition: 175gn Atomic 29
(175gn Atomic 29 – 73.5gn AR2213SC – Norma Case - CCI mag primer)
Muzzle Velocity: 2900 fps
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.450
Muzzle Energy: 3269 ft/lbs
Recoil Energy: 26.99 ft/lbs
Firearm: Enfield M17 22.75” barrel

50mtrs = 1.75 - 3015ft/lbs
100mtrs = 3.5 - 2779ft/lbs
150mtrs = 4.0 - 2557ft/lbs
200mtrs = 2.75 - 2350ft/lbs
250mtrs = 0.0 - 2156ft/lbs
300mtrs = - 5.0 - 1975ft/lbs
350mtrs = - 12.0 - 1806ft/lbs
-----------------------------------------------
400mtrs = - 21.0 - 1648ft/lbs


So I've now got my 308 Norma all set up and sighted in.
With the shorter barrel it may not be the fastest .30 Mag out there (more of a souped up .30/06) but it's got a nice useable trajectory out to 350m and it should be plenty for any deer.

All that's left now is to use it in the field... so keep your eyes peeled for a hunt report real soon!

Russ

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Last edited by BadboyMelvin; 10/06/23.
You'll probably never NEED a gun. In fact I hope you never do. BUT IF you do, you will probably need it worse than anything you've ever needed before in your life...