338 Norma do you like it or hate it. Thoughts on it.

[Derek71]

Now before someone says don't go with it. Go edge, lapua, or 338 ultra. I don't want your opinion. I want to talk to the guys that have shot the 338 Norma. I would like to know there pros and cons of the cartrage. I would like a repeater so this is one reason why I like this cartrage. Also that the cartrage is suppose to be the most accurate out of the 338s. Is this true.
From what I read it is just a little slower than the other by about 50 fps but is more efficient and accurate. It this true. Has anyone got rid of there 338 Norma and liked something else.

 

[dragman]

Me and my friends have a ton of 338s and the guy in our group who has the most likes his norma the best for hunting. The shorter case let's you seat them long to feed out of the box magazine and they shoot.
I wouldn't say it's any more accurate than the lapua, edge or any variation. People tend to struggle with shooting big guns and settle on loads that are good enough instead of treating them like a BR gun.

 

[338 Mollett]

One fine cartridge!Kudos to my friend Jimmy.The velocity will be about 100 fps slower than the 338 lapua using the 250 and 300 bullets.But the accuracy is much more repeatable in the barrels I tested.A good powder to start with is n 165 about 87 or 88 g on a 250g bullet. Hope this helps And being P.C. incorrect Merry Christmas to all!

 

[montana_native]

I had one. It shot very well and was very consistent. I was just disappointed in the velocity I was getting. High 2600s was the best I could do with 300 grain bullets before I got pressure signs. This was out of a 26 bbl. a friend of mine shoots one as well. I load develop for him and it will shoot a 300 SMK, Scenar, Hybrid or Custom Comp under 0.5 MOA with 86.5 grains of H1000 and a Gm215m. I thought that was pretty cool. He loves it and it does feed very nice and fits into a magazine. This load is about 2675 fps out of a 25" bbl with a suppressor.

A coworker of mine shoots one out of a tube gun with a 28" barrel. He is just a shade over 2800 fps with 91 grains of H1000. This is with Jamison brass. It's very accurate too.

I only went with a 338 Lapua improved for the added speed and (in my opinion) better brass for the money you pay.

I don't think you can go wrong with one. I'll probably own one again.

 

[Drop Port]

The main pros are:
1- It has an OAL of 3.6" with a 300 SMK seated out where it belongs and therefore fits in a long action repeater without a shoe horn.

2- I is extremely easy to tune and stay in tune. My first on a Rem action never went over 1/2 MOA during load development with Retumbo, RSM, R-22, R-25 or H-1000.

The cons I have yet to figure out.

My current custom shoots well under 1/2 MOA with H-1000, RSM, R-222 and R-33. It runs 2725-2825 depending on the powder and charge. Don't push it too hard and enjoy the consistency and accuracy.