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Light jacketed load
Friends,
I hope to get some advice for a light, jacketed, load for my Krag.
I have a 03 Springfield I use in local competitions. I have found that a 150 gr. jacketed bullet along with 23 grs of SR 4759 will give me a tight group 3 inches above point of aim using the battle sight. Thus I can use a 6 o'clock hold on an SR-1 target and the group is i the 10 ring. This light load is easy on this aging shooter, makes for fast acquisition of sights/target.
What I'm looking for is a similar load for the Krag. I've read all sorts of loads - with many saying that the 220 gr round nose gets best accuracy. Some say 180 grs. I know nothing of twists, bullet weights, velocities....the Greenhill Formula.
Can anyone give me some advice?
Thanks!
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Hugh,
You're on the right track. A lot of the Krag guys are shooting light-loads with 2400 or 4759. Some favor 4198 or 5744. Usually over cast bullets. Krags don't always feed spitzers, I've had good luck with 180 and 220 gr. RNs seated out. 16-19gr 4759 are some of the numbers I've seen tossed 'round for target loads.
If you like shooting your Krag, eventually you're gonna want to us cast bullets sized for your bore. Give up, merge with the Borg!
jn
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Jon,
Thnaks! Just yesterday I loaded up 5 Sierra 168 gr Match Kings to see what would happen. I used 4759 as in my '03 load. To my astonishment they shot within 2 inches at 100 yards - which is as good as my eyes can see with any load/rifle. And, the point of impact was about 1/2 inch above point of aim using the battle sight. I'd rather be shooting cast but until I work that out this will be just dandy. I'd read about the rounded loading more reliably than the pointed - but, these loaded through the magazine fine. But, we're only talking 5 rounds here so I can't be sure (I only had a few of the 168 gr. Sierras - I normally shoot cast and shun "metal patched bullets"). Great to have the Krag shooting well! Thanks for your insights. See ya at the range.
Hugh
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I've found SR-4759 to work in all rifles I've tried it in - .45-70, .30-06, .303 and especially the Krag. 19 gr under the 185 Lee cast bullet gives about 1600 fps and will hold 2.5 MOA in my Krag.