Converting .300wm to .300norma mag?

[JakeM]

Hey, I have a bergara b-14 in .300wm that I want to re-barrel to a medium palma contour 24".
I'am thinking about re-barreling it to a .300 norma mag. I know I need to open the bolt face and get a barrel for it but do I need to do work on the action to get it to feed?
It is a push feed action with a hinged floor plate, with the re-barrel i would get a new stock that would take m5 dbm for a long action.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I don't think your action is going to work.

300PRC, on the other hand, should just need a new barrel - no bolt mods or other nonsense.

 

[JakeM]

I don't think your action is going to work.

300PRC, on the other hand, should just need a new barrel - no bolt mods or other nonsense.

Are you saying that the .300 PRC has the same bolt face as the .300wm and all i need is a new barrel?
And what about the OAL would it need a longer .338 lapua mag to feed? Just asking

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Are you saying that the .300 PRC has the same bolt face as the .300wm and all i need is a new barrel?
And what about the OAL would it need a longer .338 lapua mag to feed? Just asking

300PRC uses the same bolt face as 300WM, and was designed to run in the same actions. A CIP length magazine setup (which may require notching the feed ramp) is best for maximizing performance, but as far as I know it will work fine from a 300WM magazine at factory load lengths. There's a 300PRC info thread in the ELR subforum here on the hide that will help you out. I ran the math on one a while back, and even down here at sea level, a 300PRC with moderate hand loads is capable of keeping a 225 ELD supersonic beyond 1900 yards. A 300NM might beat that, but not by much.

 

[JakeM]

300PRC uses the same bolt face as 300WM, and was designed to run in the same actions. A CIP length magazine setup (which may require notching the feed ramp) is best for maximizing performance, but as far as I know it will work fine from a 300WM magazine at factory load lengths. There's a 300PRC info thread in the ELR subforum here on the hide that will help you out. I ran the math on one a while back, and even down here at sea level, a 300PRC with moderate hand loads is capable of keeping a 225 ELD supersonic beyond 1900 yards. A 300NM might beat that, but not by much.

Thanks I’ll look more into the .300 prc

 

[Huskydriver]

Dude seriously just do a 300 prc same action bolt as you currently have and almost the same whoop ass as a Norma mag

 

[JakeM]

Dude seriously just do a 300 prc same action bolt as you currently have and almost the same whoop ass as a Norma mag

I just sent Bergara an email about the barrel swap, I’am waiting on a response. Hopefully they can send a pre-fit or have me send them the gun and they swap it.

 

[LeftyJason]

I just sent Bergara an email about the barrel swap, I’am waiting on a response. Hopefully they can send a pre-fit or have me send them the gun and they swap it.

Contact LRI or somebody like that. Easier to do.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I just sent Bergara an email about the barrel swap, I’am waiting on a response. Hopefully they can send a pre-fit or have me send them the gun and they swap it.

Any competent bolt action gunsmith can spin you a barrel. I'd suggest GA Precision, especially since George was involved in testing and development on the PRC.

 

[DangerRanger]

Any particular reason you really want a medium Palma?

Pretty expensive endeavor to shoot a 225 @2810 compared to just buying a box of Berger win mag 215 @2880.

 

[JakeM]

Any particular reason you really want a medium Palma?

Pretty expensive endeavor to shoot a 225 @2810 compared to just buying a box of Berger win mag 215 @2880.

Yes, the gun is not very easy to shoot and the barrel is to thin to thread for a brake. Also the stock sucks and I’ll replace it and the trigger. Basically I want to build my first semi-custom.

 

[JakeM]

As for the medium Palma I want the barrel to take a couple shots before it heats up, as it can only take 4 shots before being warm in it’s contour right now.

 

[JakeM]

I reload and will load for it.

 

[DangerRanger]

Ah you must have the hunter model, I assumed it was a ridge which has a heavier barrel. Rock on

 

[JakeM]

Ah you must have the hunter model, I assumed it was a ridge which has a heavier barrel. Rock on

Yes I do

 

[JakeM]

I have 2 300 Norma Imp's on Remington actions and it's not as easy as a new bolt or opening up the existing one. A Norma case won't fit between the feed rails of a 300wm action so quite a bit of work needs to happen there to get them to feed correctly. The 300 Norma is only 2.5" long compared to the 2.62" of a 300wm. The barrel would have to be set back two turns to clean up the old chamber provided the neck diameter on the Norma is larger then the 300wm. A factory reamer is but my reamer, for a tighter no turn neck isn't. Otherwise it's a rebarrel. One other thing......there is a reason Remington only makes their 338 Lapua guns on chromoly actions. I wouldn't do a stainless action.

I’am most likely going with the.300prc

 

[kthomas]

Yes, the gun is not very easy to shoot and the barrel is to thin to thread for a brake. Also the stock sucks and I’ll replace it and the trigger. Basically I want to build my first semi-custom.

Why not sell that rifle and build a semi-custom from scratch?

- Buy a bighorn origin action
- Get gunsmith to spin up .300 PRC, you can install yourself
- Install trigger of choice
- Drop in chassis of choice

You can build a pretty damn good semi-custom rifle for a good price these days. Components are getting better and cheaper.

In the long run, it will be a cheaper and better solution then upgrading the Bergara. I wouldn't be surprised if you upgraded to a custom action in the near future anyways, so why not start now?

That's my unsolicited advice, and the route I would personally go.

 

[JakeM]

Why not sell that rifle and build a semi-custom from scratch?

- Buy a bighorn origin action
- Get gunsmith to spin up .300 PRC, you can install yourself
- Install trigger of choice
- Drop in chassis of choice

You can build a pretty damn good semi-custom rifle for a good price these days. Components are getting better and cheaper.

In the long run, it will be a cheaper and better solution then upgrading the Bergara. I wouldn't be surprised if you upgraded to a custom action in the near future anyways, so why not start now?

That's my unsolicited advice, and the route I would personally go.

Thanks man, but this action is just fine and this is all I can swing right now and I also have to save for a truck.

 

[RyanScott]

I’ve seen a factory R700 titanium action 338LM. It was light. I wouldn’t have fired it.