300 Norma Improved

[Borisserge]

As an alternative possible action as a hunter is a sako trg-s m995. Pretty much a "sporterised" sako try, which run factory 338LM

 

[Earnhardt]

Anyone built a 300 NM on a Savage Lapua action?
Results?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Anyone built a 300 NM on a Savage Lapua action?
Results?

Savage is not worthy of the 300 NM

 

[rpierce]

Thought I would throw some updates on this thread. I started tinkering with VV N570 powder. I did a ladder/pressure test. I got up to 3314 fps with a 215 berger. Honestly the pressure signs weren't really there. The case web expanded just a little bit from 1.5 gr less powder. I just thought I would hit 3300 with a lesser charge and didn't have anymore loaded up with more powder. Im guessing it was gonna start showing solid signs pretty quick though. There was a big node on the target and chrono at 3245 fps. I loaded some up and the 3 shot group had an ES of 3 and measured 1.05" @400. Ive since also tried some different primers as well and CCI 250's offered great ES also at that node. I had a 3 shot group that measured .687"/.164moa at 400 with them and it had an ES of 2. It has since shot a .8" group at 400 with small ES. This 3245 fps node isn't hot. The web doesn't expand at all and the primer pockets are super tight. I think this node will let brass last a very long time. This heavy rifle I have is more or less my testing rifle so I have as much different load info to give customers as possible. I will be getting some IMR 8133 in a few days and plan on testing it out. Preliminary results from people is that it offers great velocities with zero temp sensitivity. So if a guy cant find VV N570 it might be a great alternative. But we will see.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thought I would throw some updates on this thread. I started tinkering with VV N570 powder. I did a ladder/pressure test. I got up to 3314 fps with a 215 berger. Honestly the pressure signs weren't really there. The case web expanded just a little bit from 1.5 gr less powder. I just thought I would hit 3300 with a lesser charge and didn't have anymore loaded up with more powder. Im guessing it was gonna start showing solid signs pretty quick though. There was a big node on the target and chrono at 3245 fps. I loaded some up and the 3 shot group had an ES of 3 and measured 1.05" @400. Ive since also tried some different primers as well and CCI 250's offered great ES also at that node. I had a 3 shot group that measured .687"/.164moa at 400 with them and it had an ES of 2. It has since shot a .8" group at 400 with small ES. This 3245 fps node isn't hot. The web doesn't expand at all and the primer pockets are super tight. I think this node will let brass last a very long time. This heavy rifle I have is more or less my testing rifle so I have as much different load info to give customers as possible. I will be getting some IMR 8133 in a few days and plan on testing it out. Preliminary results from people is that it offers great velocities with zero temp sensitivity. So if a guy cant find VV N570 it might be a great alternative. But we will see.
View attachment 1084750

I've been working a little bit with IMR 8133 alongside RL33 with 230gr Sierra MKs and Bergers in my 300 Norma Improved (35 deg shoulder, .235" freebore, and 0.018" body taper from shoulder datum to.200" line).

The burn rate of 8133 is right around Retumbo (my rifle hates Retumbo btw). Its slightly slower than H1000, but definitely faster than RL 33. I havent had the chance to run 8133 up to max speeds yet, but so far I am getting 3050 fps with the 230gr in a 31" barrel, 1 in 8" twist, and 89gr charge weight. Still have throttle left and its shooting pretty decent. Will need to stretch out the distance and tune it in with 5 shot groups once I find a safe max speed. I will say that 8133 does burn very clean and it is fairly dense so you can fit plenty in the case. Not as dense as RL33, but I'm not sure that any other powder is as dense as 33.

RL33 has a lot of throttle and case capacity left and is showing more promise on accuracy so far, but it's still a toss up between the two powders because I'm still increasing charge weights.

Target at 100 yards with 230gr Sierra MK (new .800 G1 BC). Squares on target are 1"x1".




Target at 100 yards with 230gr Berger.

 

[rpierce]

Thank you for the info. Im looking forward to hearing updates on it from you. Hopefully Ill be testing it late next week.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Ledd Slinger,

Yours is basically the same as mine with 35 degree shoulder and .235" throat. It looks to shoot most everything into small groups like mine too. Mine loves 91 or 92grs (depending on the brass used) of R-33 and 230 Bergers at 3040fps. It shoots in the .1's with boring regularity. Your velocity seems low but I think Sierra's have a shorter bearing surface and they will probably take more powder to get the velocity.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The velocities with the 230 Sierras seem to match the Berger 230s or at least they are very close.

 

[rhovee]

I’m bringing this to the top as I have been trying quite a few different options. .040 off with 215 and IMR 8133 is shooting pretty well around 3100-3125 with cci 250 and Lapua brass. It’s not a dense powder so case fill is great. In an improved chamber I am at 91-91.4 grains for 3120 26” barrel. Tried H1000 and accuracy was good but quite a bit of room in the case still and Es was a little erratic. AB tested IMR 8133 for temp stability and found .1-.2 FPS per degree.

 

[rpierce]

Check out this 300 Norma improved I finished up that's on the shelf ready to ship. It has a Kelbly atlas action, MPA folding hybrid chassis, Brux sendero contour 26” 9.0 tw, self timing 5 port “Muscle” brake, Triggertech diamond. Here’s the first two groups shot w the rifle and my Kahles scope. 100 yds off the bipod fireforming w factory 230 grain ABM ammo.

Weighs 12.0 lbs without optics. This chassis has the ability to add several pounds of weight to it. This rifle is a little under 4100 shipped.


Ive found the 230 gr ABM ammo to shoot absolutely lights out while fireforming. I test fired another rifle w it yesterday and the results were mind blowing.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Looks like another great shooting rifle

I was not aware that Kelby produced a Lapua bolt face in the Atlas? I was considering that action for my lightweight 300 NMI build but they didn't list the Lapua face on their website so I ended up going a different route.

Build components for my hunting 300 NMI will include:

Curtis Custom Helix action.
Bixn' Andy TacSport PRO trigger.
Proof Research Carbon Fiber 26", 1 in 9 twist barrel.
BEAST Ti brake.
AG Composites 'Chalk Branch' carbon fiber stock.
DBM and AICS mag.

Alex Wheeler is putting the barreled action together for me and timing in the Bix trigger. Looking forward to seeing what she will do with the 215gr Berger.

Also planning on doing some further testing with IMR 8133 and RL33 in my Definace 300 NMI ELR rifle. Hoping to find a node above 3100 fps with the 230 Sierra and 230 Berger

 

[rpierce]

Yep. Ive had the Kelblys since late last summer and generally have quite a few sitting on the shelf. For $1100 w a rail and full nitride theyre a smoking deal for a lapua bf action. Let us know how yours comes together.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Just read that ABM ammo has now become "Berger Ammunition".

Do they use Lapua brass in their ammo? Thanks.

 

[rhovee]

Yes they use Lapua brass in 300 NM ammo

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks.

Could any of you guys shooting ABM 300 NM factory ammo please send me your spent cases so they dont go to waste. I promise to pay for shipping. LOL

It's only going on 15 months since Lapua announced the production of the brass. So nice of them to provide it to everyone except US brass suppliers. Canada, Australia, UK, ABM, and the US military all has it. But not US handloaders. At least not unless you want to pay big prices and outrageous shipping costs to get it from outside the country.

Peterson brass I use is good enough I suppose. Hoping ADG picks up production of 300 Norma as well. Getting tired of waiting on Lapua to deliver on promises. Bout to tell them to shove it and move on with other manufacturers.

 

[284winner]

Check out this 300 Norma improved I finished up that's on the shelf ready to ship. It has a Kelbly atlas action, MPA folding hybrid chassis, Brux sendero contour 26” 9.0 tw, self timing 5 port “Muscle” brake, Triggertech diamond. Here’s the first two groups shot w the rifle and my Kahles scope. 100 yds off the bipod fireforming w factory 230 grain ABM ammo.

Weighs 12.0 lbs without optics. This chassis has the ability to add several pounds of weight to it. This rifle is a little under 4100 shipped.


Ive found the 230 gr ABM ammo to shoot absolutely lights out while fireforming. I test fired another rifle w it yesterday and the results were mind blowing.

View attachment 1098606 View attachment 1098607 View attachment 1098608 View attachment 1098609[/QUOTE
!

I love that gun !!!

 

[rpierce]

Thanks.

Could any of you guys shooting ABM 300 NM factory ammo please send me your spent cases so they dont go to waste. I promise to pay for shipping. LOL

It's only going on 15 months since Lapua announced the production of the brass. So nice of them to provide it to everyone except US brass suppliers. Canada, Australia, UK, ABM, and the US military all has it. But not US handloaders. At least not unless you want to pay big prices and outrageous shipping costs to get it from outside the country.

Peterson brass I use is good enough I suppose. Hoping ADG picks up production of 300 Norma as well. Getting tired of waiting on Lapua to deliver on promises. Bout to tell them to shove it and move on with other manufacturers.

If the brass wasn't as good as it is Im sure I would switch as well. However considering the primer pocket was still super tight after the scale drifted 3 gr over a warm load leads me to believe this brass is dang near indestructible. 100 pieces should last a lifetime. For some reason I didn't check that load on my sartorious. Now that I have my auto trickler setup I could probably get rid of my chargemaster. It seems they only last a few years until they take a crap. Ive gone through 3 now in 12 years.

 

[rpierce]

I love that gun !!!

Thank you.

 

[rpierce]

Check out this sexy tack driving 300 Norma improved that's shipping out to a customer. It has a Kelbly Atlas action, Cadex chassis, Brux heavy Palma barrel, slabbed 5 port “Muscle “ brake, Bixn Andy Tacsport Pro trigger, and a Kahles k624i bedded into some Nightforce rings. Target shows the first 6 shots through the rifle. This is fireforming brass w factory ABM 230 gr ammo. First 3 shots went into .326” @100. Made a scope correction, ended up turning the windage the wrong way, and pounded a 3 shot .056” group at 100.

 

[cmillard]

Fine looking rifle Ryan!