Parker Hale Safari Deluxe 308 Norma Magnum

[Olegeezer]

My dad purchased this rifle brand new back in 1966.  Back then the ammunition was much more powerful than that available today.  However, we have found that we can get new ammunition made in Europe for about $80 cdn for a box of 20.  This rifle was a top loader with a magazine that could be opened from underneath.  Is anyone aware of how we could customize it so that we can use a detachable clip?  We had a similar Remington 30-05 which we were able to get changed to a detachable clip and would sure like to do something similar with this rifle as well.

[Rangr44]

If the commercial P-H alloy hinged FP & bottom metal is switched out for milsurp 98 Mauser bottom metal, Numrich Arms makes a 3-round detachable magazine that replaces the mauser military FP.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=191840731

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[gunnut69]

I'd check to be sure but it appears to me from looking at the pictuers the magazine will not function with belted mag cases. The belt will likely hang up on the back of the feed lips.. The Norma 308 mag is a nearly full length round and there may also be overall length issues with the magazine is question. The Mauser style action you have with the hinged floorplate to dump the ammo from the magazine is very fast but still not as fast to unload as the box magazine fed rifles.. Perhaps they make a mag with full length lips to aid in feeding the belted case..

[Siskiyou]

Depending on your situation I would suggest getting into the reloading business.  The startup cost will be high but having a reliable supply of ammunition for the fine cartridge will pay for itself.  At $80 a box it will not take too long for the equipment to pay for itself.  Just an opinion but the investment in reloading equipment will pay higher dividends. 

A brother has the pair the 308 Norma Magnum on a Mark X action and a 358 Norma Magnum.  I believe he uses .338 Winchester and 300 Winchester cases to create cases for his 308 Norma Magnum.

There is a lot data for the 308 Norma Magnum...  A quick look at my latest Hornady Manual shows it still in there and liking slow burning powders.

A small sample of data from the Hodgdon site for the 308 Norma Magnum.

180 GR. HDY SP    Hodgdon    H1000    .308"    3.345"    72.0    2769    45,900 CUP    76.0    2940    51,900 CUP          
180 GR. HDY SP    Hodgdon    H4831    .308"    3.345"    67.0    2865    43,200 CUP    73.0    3022    52,300 CUP          
180 GR. HDY SP    Hodgdon    H4350    .308"    3.345"    65.0    2770    43,000 CUP    69.0    2999    52,800 CUP          
180 GR. HDY SP    Hodgdon    H414    .308"    3.345"    58.0    2772    50,500 CUP    63.0    2908    54,300 CUP          
180 GR. HDY SP    Hodgdon    H380    .308"    3.345"    58.0    2746    48,600 CUP    63.0    2847    51,400 CUP          
180 GR. HDY SP    Hodgdon    H4895    .308"    3.345"    54.0    2732    48,200 CUP    59.0    2898    53,400 CUP          
190 GR. HDY BTSP    Hodgdon    H1000    .308"    3.435"    70.0    2711    45,500 CUP    74.0    2891    51,100 CUP          
200 GR. NOS PART    Hodgdon    H1000    .308"    3.400"    69.0    2674    47,400 CUP    73.0    2859    54,500 CUP       

                                    

Link to the site and follow the menu.

http://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html