Long Throat 33 Nosler for Cutting Edge Bullets

[Bubba Boomstick]

I have two 338 Norma Rifles and I dislike how often I have to trim. The 338 Norma Improved is an option, but I think I will pursue that later. I have a little one and he takes up all my time and I don't have extra time and money to do fireforming.

I bought some 250 grain Cutting Edge Single Feed GEN II bullets. This is what they look like at max magazine length for a 3.850 CIP magazine.

Is there anything I should watch out for in 33 Nosler? Or has someone done this before and have advice? I am using Peterson Brass. Rifle action will be an American Rifle Company Coup de Grace. Barrel will be a 27 inch Bartlein at 1:8 twist for monolithic solid bullets.

33 Nosler on the left and 338 Norma on the right.

 

[Mike TackleBerry]

I have two 338 Norma Rifles and I dislike how often I have to trim. The 338 Norma Improved is an option, but I think I will pursue that later. I have a little one and he takes up all my time and I don't have extra time and money to do fireforming.

I bought some 250 grain Cutting Edge Single Feed GEN II bullets. This is what they look like at max magazine length for a 3.850 CIP magazine.

Is there anything I should watch out for in 33 Nosler? Or has someone done this before and have advice? I am using Peterson Brass. Rifle action will be an American Rifle Company Coup de Grace. Barrel will be a 27 inch Bartlein at 1:8 twist for monolithic solid bullets.

33 Nosler on the left and 338 Norma on the right.
View attachment 1600507

Do you have any issues with donuts forming in the norma? My buddy is having donuts appear on his 3rd firing with his 338 lapua brass.

 

[Bubba Boomstick]

Do you have any issues with donuts forming in the norma? My buddy is having donuts appear on his 3rd firing with his 338 lapua brass.

Yes. I have lots of issues with donuts and case growth on my Norma brand 338 Norma brass. I've also had this issue with the 338 Lapua. I get pressure spikes and erratic velocities after a couple of firings because the donut changes my neck tension drastically.

It's a shame because this brass is expensive for these big bore cartridges but they don't last long when they grow by 0.005-0.010" per firing.

I'm moving away from anything with a 20 degree shoulder angle. Thankfully, the 33 nosler is 35 degrees.

 

[benchracer]

Thread title "Long Throat 33 Nosler for Cutting Edge Bullets" implies that you intend your build to have long freebore. That is neither necessary nor desirable for Cutting Edge bullets. They are bore riders. The portion of the bullet forward of the Seal Tite band is under diameter and does not engage the rifling. Stay with a standard chamber throat if you intend to shoot Cutting Edge bullets.

 

[Bubba Boomstick]

Thread title "Long Throat 33 Nosler for Cutting Edge Bullets" implies that you intend your build to have long freebore. That is neither necessary nor desirable for Cutting Edge bullets. They are bore riders. The portion of the bullet forward of the Seal Tite band is under diameter and does not engage the rifling. Stay with a standard chamber throat if you intend to shoot Cutting Edge bullets.

Thank you. I wasn't aware of that diameter difference. That's why I like these forums.

I checked with my micrometer. Above the band is 0.337". The band itselt 0.340" and below the band is 0.338". So the portion of the bullet that is 0.337" should not engage the rifling and so I should just stick with a SAAMI chamber?

 

[benchracer]

Thank you. I wasn't aware of that diameter difference. That's why I like these forums.

I checked with my micrometer. Above the band is 0.337". The band itselt 0.340" and below the band is 0.338". So the portion of the bullet that is 0.337" should not engage the rifling and so I should just stick with a SAAMI chamber?

Correct. With this type of bullet, jump to the lands is measured from the band, which is normally seated near the case mouth. These bullets are specifically designed to work in a SAAMI chamber.

 

[swed6.5]

I started playing with the 33nosler and wasn't as impressed as i had hoped, was seeing pressure before my expected velocities, now it stays in my spare rifle category's with 225 grs that hammer very nicely, it wont compare to the norma or rum or lapua. But is shorter and can work in your magazine length your hoping for, i might have a wonky unhappy barrel, keep us posted on results