Anyone do a 338 Norma Mag on a Savage action?

[shoalwater]

I just bought a 116 Brush Hunter in 375 Ruger (large shank action) to use for a 338 edge build. Well I have been thinking about a 338 NM as it is more mag friendly with 300gr Berger hybrids. If I do this am I running into the same issues as doing a 338 LM on a non LM action? What say you on doing this build?

[derbs]

I recently built a 300 Norma Magnum on a dual port Savage benchrest rifle. Used the PT&G short action Lapua bolthead with a Bartlein 10" twist 32" barrel blank and radial muzzle brake. Was an easy and successful build.

[din]

I recently built a 300 Norma Magnum on a dual port Savage benchrest rifle. Used the PT&G short action Lapua bolthead with a Bartlein 10" twist 32" barrel blank and radial muzzle brake. Was an easy and successful build.

We're gonna need some photographic evidence. You know the rules.

[derbs]

No photo posting capabilities on this end........you are dealing with an old timer.

[shoalwater]

Derbs, that's a much stronger action than an open top long action.

[derbs]

Yes, you are correct. The magazine fed actions do not have the locking lug recess support at the 6:00 clock position that the solid bottom PTA action has. Info on this site indicates that Savage moved the magazine cutout rearward slightly for the 338 Lapua chambering. There is also some info regarding a different action heat treatment that I have not been able to confirm. My 300 Norma Magnum has the same bolt head as the Lapua and I take special precautions to alleviate and verify increase in headspace. One advantage to the NM case is that it does not have as much body taper as the 338 Lapua which equates to less bolt thrust provided both are operated under similar operating conditions.

[shoalwater]

Do you think there is to much bolt thrust in a 338NM to do on a non LM action?

I really want to build something that is magazine friendly in either a 30 or 338. My requirements are that it launch either a 30 cal. 230gr Berger Hybrid at least 2900FPS or a 338 cal. 300gr Berger Hybrid at least 2800FPS and still be able to fit in a 3.625 length mag. Will be running a 28" barrel in whatever I end up building.

I've been looking at the 30-375 Ruger as a possibility in the 30 Cal, I like the the short non belted case. That case would give me about 6 grains more capacity than a 300WM, which I think would get me the velocity I want. This gun would mainly be used to shoot steel out to a mile, once in a blue moon maybe further.

[derbs]

I personally would not build a .590" case head chambering on a magazine fed Savage unless it was the 110 Lapua version. Attention to brass and chamber cleaning with a good brake cleaner solvent to ensure no trace of lubricant would also help in controlling bolt thrust.

I built my 300 NM with a very long throat for one bullet......the Berger 230gr. Hybrid Target which my accuracy load is @ 3160 fps.