General Dynamics .338 Norma Magnum Machine Gun

[hpman66]

Never heard of it before until I got an email on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klr0EXZty6s&app=desktop
NDIA - General Dynamics .338 Norma Magnum Machine Gun
guntruth
Published on May 18, 2012

AND

Watch the barrel swap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNB7khjOSXc
General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems - Light Weight .338 Cal Medium Machine Gun
arronlee33
Published on Mar 22, 2013


.338 Norma Magnum Specs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.338_Norma_Magnum

 

[RugerHound]

Wow! I WANT one...

 

[Mobuck]

I wonder about the choice of cartridge. Why such an "odd duck" round? The .308 and .358 Norma mags are pretty rare but a "338 Norma Magnum" is quite the rare bird.
Actually, I don't remember EVER seeing a factory chambering of such a cartridge.

 

[Don Lovel]

I would imagine that the choice of the 338 Norma mag vs say a 338 Win mag, beltless case on the Norma Mag and shorter cartridge body profile lets it align in a belt fed weapon a little better.
I would expect this cartridge to be an up and comer in the market in sniper rifles and such now that there is medium MG chambered for it
http://kjg-munition.de/8,5-mm/338-Norma-Magnum.htm

 

[hpman66]

One reason for the choice of the 300gr. low drag bullet might be that in Sierra MatchKing bullets, the 250gr. bullet has a BC of .587 and the 300gr. bullet has a BC of .768. This is a big difference in down range ballistics and the 300gr bullet wins hands down with the .768 BC.

 

[picketpin]

Don: Have you seen the new Nosler Accubond Long Range bullets. The make a 210 GR .308 with a BC of .730. A little more recoil than I think me new shoulder will like by November elk hunting so I loaded the 142 grain 6.5 with a BC of .719 in my 264WM #1,

Ross

I suspect the 338 was a "Compromise" between BC, SD and weight.

 

[Enigma]

I still prefer the GAU-19; 2,000 RPM (when mounted on an aircraft; 1,300 RPM on a vehicle) .50 BMG. Granted, intended for somewhat different purposes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VMHQzwDwc

 

[Don Lovel]

Don: Have you seen the new Nosler Accubond Long Range bullets. The make a 210 GR .308 with a BC of .730. A little more recoil than I think me new shoulder will like by November elk hunting so I loaded the 142 grain 6.5 with a BC of .719 in my 264WM #1,

Ross

I suspect the 338 was a "Compromise" between BC, SD and weight.

210gr with .730 Ballistic Coefficent, that is pretty cool, could make a lower recoil 338 win mag load that is a bunch of fun to shoot. I just read that a 338 Norma mag case has slightly more case capacity than a 338 Win Mag case.

I know where there are two reasonable priced 338 Win mag chambered Ruger M77 in local gunshops that one might have to become a project gun.

 

[xtratoy]

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