Rifle · SAAMI
.338 Norma Magnum
SOCOM's heavy option in the Mk 22 ASR system.
- Caliber
- 0.3386″ · 8.6 mm
- Introduced
- 2009
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .416 Rigby
- Primary use
- Long Range, Military, Anti-Materiel
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2009
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Sweden
- Inventor
- Norma
- Manufacturer
- Norma
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 116 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:235
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 62,500 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 1500 yd
- Max range
- 7500 yd
- Recoil
- 15–22 ft·lb
Introduced by Norma
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .338 Norma Magnum. Parent case: .416 Rigby.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.60 | 0.339 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.40 | 0.370 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 14.50 | 0.571 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 20.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 14.87 | 0.585 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.93 | 0.588 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.52 | 0.060 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 8.70 | 0.343 | ≈ |
| Case length | 63.30 | 2.492 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 93.50 | 3.681 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .338 Norma Magnum is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
13 reloading powders listed for .338 Norma Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .338 Norma Magnum
Lineage
Necked down and shortened
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Norma in 2009. Selected by SOCOM for the Mk 22 alongside .300 Norma and .300 PRC. Uses .338 Lapua bullets in a shorter case, optimized for the highest BC projectiles available.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .338 Norma Magnum use?
- .338 Norma Magnum typically uses a 1:235 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .338 Norma Magnum?
- .338 Norma Magnum uses a 0.3386″ (8.6 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .338 Norma Magnum still in production?
- .338 Norma Magnum is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .338 Norma Magnum used for?
- .338 Norma Magnum is primarily used for long range, military, anti-materiel.
- What is .338 Norma Magnum based on?
- .338 Norma Magnum is derived from the .416 Rigby case.
- What are the best powders for .338 Norma Magnum?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .338 Norma Magnum include URP, Norma MRP, N165, N170, among 13 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI Announces Acceptance of New Cartridges (338 Norma Magnum) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .338 Norma Magnum archived
- Manufacturer Norma — Norma Match King .338 Norma Magnum 300gr (Golden Target, SKU 20185272) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
- Manufacturer Black Hills — .338 Norma Magnum 300 Gr. Sierra MatchKing · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Secondary Wikipedia — .338 Norma Magnum (parent case: .416 Rigby; cites CIP 2010 certification) · parent_cartridge
- Secondary Lapua — .338 Norma Magnum (manufacturer; confirms .416 Rigby is the grandparent) · parent_cartridge
- Secondary Wikipedia — .338 Lapua Magnum (confirms .416 Rigby parent, establishing sibling relationship) · parent_cartridge
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 33 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
