Description
Norma 203B is a medium burn rate rifle propellant, highly regarded for its versatility and consistency among reloaders. It is particularly well-suited for applications in a range of popular rifle calibers, including the .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. The powder features a granular physical form designed to provide excellent metering properties, ensuring precise charge weights for consistent performance across various reloading sessions. Norma 203B is engineered for remarkable temperature stability, maintaining performance in varied environmental conditions, which translates to reliable shot-to-shot consistency and minimal velocity spread. This makes it a preferred choice for serious competitors and hunters alike. When developing loads, reloaders should note the broad range of suitable charge weights, as this propellant allows for fine-tuning to achieve optimal velocity and accuracy. Norma’s renowned reputation for high-quality manufacturing assures the handloader of consistent grain structure and density, further enhancing the precision and reliability of every handloaded round.
Specifications
Burn Rate
3.8 (Medium-Slow)
Bulk Density
0.920 g/cm³
Density
1.620 g/cm³
Temperature Sensitivity
Low
Suitable Substitutes
Powders with a similar burn rate that may be suitable alternatives (also see burn rate chart):
Standard Loads — Norma 203B
Verified load data combinations using Norma 203B.
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 35gr | Berger FB Varmint 35gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 40gr | Berger Varmint 40gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 55gr | Berger Varmint 55gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 40gr | Hornady V-MAX 40gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 45gr | Hornady SP 45gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 40gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 40gr
.20 BR
Sierra .204 | 39gr | Sierra Tipped VarmintKing 39gr
.20 BR
Speer .204 | 39gr | Speer TNT 39gr
.20 Nosler
Hornady .204 | 45gr | Hornady SP 45gr
.204 Ruger
Berger .204 | 55gr | Berger Varmint 55gr
.204 Ruger
Hornady .204 | 45gr | Hornady SP 45gr
.22 ARC
Barnes .224 | 70gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT 70gr
.22 ARC
Barnes .224 | 77gr | Barnes LRX BT 77gr
.22 ARC
Berger .224 | 77gr | Berger OTM Tactical 77gr
.22 ARC
Berger .224 | 80gr | Berger VLD Target 80gr
.22 ARC
Berger .224 | 80.5gr | Berger Fullbore Target 80.5gr
.22 ARC
Hornady .224 | 70gr | Hornady CX 70gr
.22 ARC
Hornady .224 | 75gr | Hornady Match 75gr
Subsonic Loads — Norma 203B
Verified subsonic load data combinations using Norma 203B.
.30-06 Spring.
Berger .308 | 230gr | Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical 230gr
.30-06 Spring.
Berger .308 | 230gr | Berger Hybrid Target 230gr
.30-06 Spring.
Discreet Ballistics .308 | 188gr | Discreet Ballistics Selous Machined Expander 188gr
.30-06 Spring.
Hornady .308 | 175gr | Hornady Sub-X 175gr
.30-06 Spring.
Hornady .308 | 190gr | Hornady Sub-X 190gr
.30-06 Spring.
Lapua .308 | 200gr | Lapua Subsonic 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
MAKER .308 | 200gr | MAKER 200 Grain .308 Expanding Subsonic Blackout Bullets 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
MAKER .308 | 220gr | MAKER 300 blackout 220gr
.30-06 Spring.
Peregrine .308 | 155gr | Peregrine Subsonic 155gr
.30-06 Spring.
Reichenberg .308 | 154gr | Reichenberg HDB Subsonic 154gr
.30-06 Spring.
Reichenberg .308 | 200gr | Reichenberg Subsonic 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
Sierra .308 | 220gr | Sierra MatchKing 220gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 95gr | AERO SUB-I,- smax:11.30 95gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 115gr | AERO SUB,- smax:11.40 115gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 190gr | AERO SUB,- smax:23.90 190gr
.308 Win.
Discreet Ballistics .308 | 188gr | Discreet Ballistics Selous Machined Expander 188gr
.308 Win.
Hornady .308 | 175gr | Hornady Sub-X 175gr
.308 Win.
Hornady .308 | 190gr | Hornady Sub-X 190gr
Community Loads — Norma 203B
Sample load data calculated with Norma 203B.
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| Cartridge | Bullet | Barrel (in) | Charge (gr) | OAL (in) | Case Volume (GoW) | Max. Pressure (psi) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .264 | 107gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKing | 23.6 | 41.1 | 2.80 | 53.5 | 53,301 (89%) | 3005 | |
| .264 | 107gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKing | 23.6 | 40.3 | 2.80 | 53.5 | 50,299 (84%) | 2956 | |
| .308 | 150gr | Norma SPFN | 20.0 | ••.• | 3.35 | 75.0 | 70,213 (120%) | 3038 | |
| .308 | 150gr | Norma SPFN | 20.0 | 57.0 | 3.35 | 75.0 | 49,966 (85%) | 2753 | |
| .308 | 185gr | Lapua Mega | 22.0 | ••.• | 3.15 | 68.2 | 49,414 (84%) | 2526 | |
| .308 | 150gr | Sierra MatchKing | 28.0 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 46,702 (78%) | 2825 | |
| .308 | 150gr | Sierra MatchKing | 28.0 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 44,313 (74%) | 2782 | |
| .308 | 150gr | Sierra MatchKing | 28.0 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 42,078 (70%) | 2740 | |
| .308 | 150gr | Sierra MatchKing | 28.0 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 39,949 (66%) | 2697 | |
| .308 | 162gr | Sax KDG-S | 20.5 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 55,526 (92%) | 2644 | |
| .308 | 180gr | Norma Bondstrike | 23.0 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 60,756 (101%) | 2644 | |
| .308 | 168gr | Hornady ELD-Match | 24.0 | ••.• | 2.90 | 56.0 | 49,777 (83%) | 2641 | |
| .308 | 185gr | Lapua Scenar | 24.0 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 59,176 (98%) | 2625 | |
| .308 | 162gr | Sax KDG-S | 20.5 | ••.• | 2.80 | 56.0 | 56,241 (93%) | 2612 | |
| .308 | 168gr | Speer Target Match | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.89 | 55.3 | 50,322 (84%) | 2605 | |
| .308 | 168gr | Speer Target Match | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.89 | 55.3 | 49,319 (82%) | 2589 | |
| .308 | 180gr | Hornady SP | 24.1 | ••.• | 2.77 | 55.9 | 53,998 (90%) | 2589 | |
| .308 | 180gr | NorthFork Bonded Core | 20.1 | ••.• | 2.78 | 56.4 | 61,192 (102%) | 2579 |
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