Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

[Conrad]

I've decided to build an elk hunting rifle that packs some punch, but something I can still hike with. I have a heavy ELR .338 Norma mag already that I shoot the 300's out of, but for hunting I'm focusing on the 200 grain .30 cal accubond or .338 250gr accubond, both around 2950 to 3050 fps.

I have a 29" 5R 1:10 Krieger blank sitting in the safe.

My research has me comparing the .300 Dakota and the .300 Norma Mag.

Looks like I have to get custom dies for the Dakota. Looks like Brass is a long wait currently for the Norma, but I do have .338 NM brass on hand that could be formed.

The appeal of the Norma is that I could shoot a 24" barrel and still achieve velocity, at least according to QL. I'd like to have this handier length barrel. However, Quickload shows the rounds to be very comparable, and the Dakota doesn't give up much velocity in comparison and it's using roughly 10 grains less powder with the same barrel length. I might be pushing it close to max pressures though (QL shows 59k, but is that right?). Running the Norma at moderate pressures is appealing. I would like some first hand experience to confirm QL data. Leaning towards Norma, but the efficiency of the Dakota is interesting.

Since I do shoot a .338 NM already, the other option is to sell the .30 cal barrel, get a .338 barrel and build another .338 Norma mag since I already have the brass and dies, and shoot the 250 accubonds. I'm assuming I can still go wtih a remington varmint contour for the .338, but could I take it one contour lighter? I'm trying to keep the rifle around 10 to 12lbs all up (thinking McM A3 stock). Not sure about recoil with the 250's either. Not recoil sensitive persay, but my big .338 weighs 17lbs and is braked. Should I just man up to .338 and 250's or am I on the right track with the .30 cal options? BTW, 22" barrel on these in QL is still pretty impressive velocity wise.

Experience, thoughts, and opinions appreciated.

Thanks,
Conrad

PS: I'm leaning more towards the .30 cal options simply because I'm going to notice the recoil more between the two than the animal will know what hit it.

 

[excaliber]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

Have you thought about the 300-375 Ruger (300 Accuracy International)? 240gr at 2900-2950fps.

 

[Conrad]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

I have looked at that option also. Appealing given that the bolt face would not need to be altered. Looks to have good case capacity at 99gr H20, and the numbers you've presented. It's only downfall is that it looks to have a bit of a short neck, and I'd really like to be able to seat the bullet's BT above the neck shoulder junction. .300 Norma let's me do this. .300 DK, very close. Can't seat much past 3.6" in the AI mag.

 

[excaliber]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

Actually, the neck on the 375 Ruger is short but when it`s down to 30 cal it is longer.

 

[Conrad]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

Hmmm, well that is a plus, but are there official dies out for it?

 

[excaliber]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

Hornady makes them. Couple of guys on here have rifles chambered in that cartridge. pm me for more info.

 

[BigNoise]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

I would run the 200 Accubonds out of a .300 Win Mag.

Why you ask?

So I could screw on a TBAC 30P-1!

 

[Conrad]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

I actually was planning on getting TBAC's 30BA. They say it will handle magnums, but given that these rounds I speak of are more in the realm of .338 LM capacity, especially the NM, it'd probably make sense to use their .338 can with the larger expansion volume. Is this your reasoning?

Thanks,
Conrad

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: Elk Build--.300 Dakota, .300 Norma Mag, .338 NM

Conrad

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