Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 338 Norma Magnum

Does anyone have any guidance regarding load data for this chambering with 200-250 grain bullets.

A 358 Norma is essentially a 338 Winchester Mag with a few more thousandths of brass in the neck. How is a 338 Norma different from the Win Mag?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.338_Norma_Magnum
.338 norma is essentially a 2.5 " long .338 lapua case with a longer neck and ability to fit into normal sized magnum actions with 300 gr bullets seated out.

Instead of the .375 H&H as a parent case...the .338 Norma Mag is based off the .416 Rigby.

Yeah, Wyoming beat me to it.

Kind of like the relationship between the shorter 6.5 Creedmoor and the .260 Remington and the Standard Short Action Magazine.

I think one of these .338 Normas on a Magnum CZ or Brno 602 would be interesting. Needs some weight or a brake to attenuate recoil ;-)

Alright, I thought it might have been a typo - (in which case, had he been referencing the 358 Norma, you can just use 338 Win data with like weights and, increase the powder charge to reach same speeds. That is all within the realm of safety, and could be improved upon. Obviously, a 35 caliber in the same case will safely exceed the speed possible with a like weight in a smaller bore.

For a different case altogether, there are several bigger .338 caliber cases. I'd choose the one closest or slightly less in volume, and work with that data.

I'd take a hard look at 330 Dakota data.

I just checked on line and Norma's data for the 338 Norma calls for a max charge of 88 gr MRP for a velocity of 2916 fps. with the 250 Sierra.

For the 330 Dakota, the Hornady manual calls for a max charge of 82.3 gr of RL22,and 83 gr of H4831 with the 250 gr Hornady bullets.Both these powders are in the same burn rate as MRP,even if not exactly the same.

The two cases are roughly the same case length. I am thinking a guy could take starting loads for the 330 Dakota and work up. Of course proceed with caution!

Of course an easier way is to check Norma's data for the cartridge and go from there.

Thanks for the help guys. I have looked at the Norma data and also taken a look at some data for cutting edge bullets.

I will look at the 330 Dakota which is something I hadn't thought about.

I will post my load work-up with hunting bullets from 200-250 grains.

Take a look in the Reloading section. Rcamuglia gave some real data.