Gunsmithing Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

V

vonbalkenbush

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 21, 2008
743
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43
Reno, Nevada
#1
Hey fellas, been perusing the boards for a while now, fanatastic site. Here's my question. I'm in the process of putting a .338 build together. Here's my list of components

Action: Badger M2008 Lapua Mag Action

Barrel: Bartlein, need input on the twist rate length will be
either 27 or 28 in.

Stock: McMillan A-5, I've got another build on a 700
in .308 that sits in an A-3, so that was a no brainer.

Bottom Metal: Badger DBM floor plate that will accomadate the
new 3.8 in. COAL AI mags.

Glass: Razor HD 5-20x50, have one sitting on my .308 and
absolutely love it, see no reason to change that up.

So, I had my heart set on George doing it, but unfortunately he is about 12 months behind on his builds. Can anyone recomend a smith with good experience with the .338 family of long range cartridges? (Lapua, Norma, Edge etc.) I need someone to cut the chamber and bed the rifle, I'm only interested in shooting the 300 grainers out of this beast, and would like it to be able to digest the newer 300 grn Bergers if they ever get them out the door LOL...

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!

-Sagebrush Shooter



 
#4
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

Shawn Carlock with defensive edge in Rathdrum, ID. He invented the 338 edge. One hell of a guy, has actual experience with rifles in the field, and uses them to make incredible shots on game. I have neve seen or heard of a rifle leaving his shop that the customer was not absoultly happy with.

Hope this helps, nick
 
#9
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

R Bros is looking really promising at this point, that's "the look" I'm after for this particular stick. They also seem to have pretty good experience with some of the long action magnum calibers. Probably be giving them a call tomorrow. Thanks again fellas, love this board!

-SBS
 
#10
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

I think you've made a great choice and will be very happy with your build. Make sure you post up some pics when you get it back!
 
#14
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

Finally got Jared on the horn today to discuss my build. Great guy, and super knowledgeable. But now I'm a little torn, I was set on a .338 Norma but he kinda thinks the Lapua might be a better route to go. He said there are more quality loading dies available and more established data for the Lapua. He also said it has a bit more flexibility than the Norma just because of slightly larger case capacity. My goal basically is to shoot the 300 grainers seated to standard magazine length, and that's it. I thought the Norma would be better suited to this so that's why i was leaning toward it. I was gonna wait until the longer 3.8 in COAL mags became available from AI and someone came out with bottom metal that would fit the Badger action, but then he made me aware of the fact that the mag well on the action would have be opened and wasn't even sure this was a possibility on Marty's action. He also was not sure if anyone was even making bottom metal to fit a McMillan A-5 that would accomidate the longer mags? I would love to hear what you guys have to say or know about these issues. All input is greatly appreciated.
 
#16
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

With the bullets seated at mag length, the case capacity between the Lapua and the Norma is really very little if any. Most of the 338 Lapua's I build use the Seekin's mag setup so a guy is able to take advantage of the capacity. The Norma doesn't suffer this problem. The new Bergers are longer, so this will come into play also. From the Badger actions I have worked with, I am not sure the mag well can be lengthened either. Both cases seem to perform very similar in the 27-28" barrel range, unless you use the seekins mag for the Lapua. Then seating bullets longer to utilize its case capacity will give it a slight advantage. Can't go wrong either way.
 
#17
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

Thanks for the input guys, That makes me feel a little better. If I'm gonna go with the .338 Norma should I just build it now or wait until Marty comes out with his bottom metal that will fit the new longer AI mags? Just talked to him this morning and he said the longer mags will fit in his action without the mag well having to be opened up, he just said there will be absolutely no room for error when pillar bedding the gun and inletting the stock since that extra 0.200 inches of play is now gone. Should I just have it set up for the standard length mags?
 
#18
Re: Need a smith for a .338 Norma Build

338 LM C.I.P. mags are already available in quantity. Several bottoms for it by end of year.

Marty's big action (very tight fit) and the newest Surgeon XL will both handle CIP length LM rounds.

.338 Norma would probably be fine without going the CIP length route. The Norma seems to be very forgiving and shoots many load combinations well.

Regardless of which 338 you choose, make sure the chamber is spec'd to work best with your mag length and bullet.

Good luck with your project.
 
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