#300NormaMagnum

The Kraken from Cadex Defense is their answer to the multi-caliber rifle market.  Designed using their patented barrel change system, this rifle claims to have the lowest point of impact shift between takedown and assembly.  Available in 9 long and short action calibers, I was keen to try out this multi-caliber beast.  I asked Cadex if they had a Kraken I could review, and here’s what they sent over.

The U.S. Army has awarded SIG Sauer a contract to manufacture .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum ammunition. The order is a follow-on purchase for the Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) program, and has a $157MM maximum value contract and includes 4.5MM rounds for the first delivery. Specifically, the U.S. Army ASR ammunition contract consists of two cartridges: the M1163, which is a .300NM, 215 grain round, and the M1162, an armor-piercing 338NM, 300 grain round.

Back in March 2019, US SOCOM selected the Barrett MRAD to fulfill their requirement for an Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR). At the end of last year, Nighforce’s MIL-SPEC ATACR 5-25×56 Dayscope and their MIL-SPEC ATACR 7-35×56 Long Range Dayscope l were selected as the go-to optics for the new SOCOM ASR. Now Berger have announced that they have been sub-contracted to produce .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum for SOCOM’s ASRs.

Christensen Arms, like many manufacturers, will be attacking the precision or long-range shooting market in 2018. Modular and tactical-style stocks are all the rave currently and a company known for pushing the envelope with carbon fiber barrels is not going to miss out on the fun! They have already thrown their hat into the arena with their Modern Precision Rifle and now they are looking to expand upon that.

Lapua from Finland begin the year with expanding their range of quality brass for hunters and long range competition shooters.

Applied Ballistics Munitions, aka ABM Ammo, is now offering a pair of loads for the 300 Norma Magnum in its Mission Ready line. Both of these loads are designed for predictable accuracy beyond one mile and stay supersonic to 1,500 yards at sea level. Both loads use Berger Hybrid Target bullets, bullets designed with a high BC and long range accuracy in mind.