-
1 Attachment(s)
100 yard cast load
After much experimentation, I've got a good load for those 100 yard matches. 12.5gr of Blue Dot under a Belding and Mull 311169 cast boolit. The Blue Dot seems to require a large rifle magnum primer, I'd previously tried the same load with large pistol magnum and regular large rifle primers to my utter frustration. I recently tried it with the Remington 9 1/2M, as that was all I had, and viola! This is 5 shots at 85 yards using my scout scope equipped 92/96. 3 are in a cloverleaf touching, and 2 are less than an inch away, also touching. Velocity should be around 1250fps, about the same as a 22 rimfire, with 3x the bullet mass. I think I could hand some frustration to some black rifle shooters with this load!
-
Thanks Andiarisaka.
Have you tried the Lyman 311284? Got any good data for it?
-
Haven't tried it, but I know of it, it was originally designed for the Krag, and it would equal the accuracy of the service round at 600 yards. Data available at castboolits.com 50gr of a surplus powder, WC860 should net close to 2000fps at relatively low pressure.
-
I have only shot jacketed 185s and 220s, but there is a steel match for late 1800s military rifles that calls for lead bullets at under 1500 FPS. The Lyman/Ideal 311284 seemed to be the way to go until you posted your results.
-
Don't give up on the 311284 too soon, you're not easily going to find the B&M mould. Try 14 or 15gr of Blue Dot under the 311284, and use a magnum primer. Seat the boolit out to touch the rifling. Cast of WW should be ok. Most important thing is to slug the bore of your Krag. Most of mine are .310 groove diameter and I size bullets to .311. What ranges are you shooting in these matches?
-
Lyman 311413 is a near duplicate of the Belding and Mull, it was the original "Squibb" bullet, designed by a fellow named Squibb.
-
The matches go out in Nebraska.
I always just shot Krags for fun, loading a jacketed 220 over 40gr of IMR 4350. Cast bullets seem to be a good alternative to the current ammo situation.
The best I could find for pre sized gas checked 311284s was $50 for 500. I wont have the time for doing my own casting for a while but would like to get into it. Looking at getting a vintage Ideal 311284 mould, just because. Still need to find a good casting pot too.
-
Before you start shooting cast, make sure you get all the copper out of your bore. I don't think you'll beat the price you've found, the gaschecks alone are over .03 cents apiece now. Let me know what other powders you have available and we'll find a load below 1500fps for you. You're going to Nebraska from N. Carolina for a match? Wow!
-
What weight is that bullet?
Your load is similar to Ed Harris' "The Load" -- 13.0 grains of red dot for any case equal to the .308/.30-40 and up. As I recall, Ed used standard primers.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by
andiarisaka
You're going to Nebraska from N. Carolina for a match? Wow!
Combat move and shoot match along with some 100 yard acurracy shots with pre 1903 post 1865 military cartridge rifles. Sounds like a lot of fun huh?
Thanks for the offer with help for the loads. I have some 4320 and 4831 (I think). I believe the 4831 is for magnums, which I have zero of.
Vern, I think I have heard about that universal load for cast bullets. Do you have a link?
-
Ed's load
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Vern Humphrey
What weight is that bullet?
Your load is similar to Ed Harris' "The Load" -- 13.0 grains of red dot for any case equal to the .308/.30-40 and up. As I recall, Ed used standard primers.
Hi Vern,
What boolit are you asking about? The 311169 weighs 168 lubed in the alloy I'm using. The 311284 is about a 210gr bullet depending on alloy used. Yes my load is similar to Ed's "The Load", closer to his 16gr of 2400 than the Red Dot load, which by the way, Ed doesn't recommend in the Krag. Here's what he said about it on a CBA post: "The Load" of 13 grs. of Red Dot is intended for modern strong actions like the Springfield and 98 Mausers, and is too much for a weaker action like a Krag. In the .303 Lee Enfields I would use the full 13 grs. only in the later Long Branch and Savage No. 4 rifles and not in other wartime No. 4s or in any No.1s."
The Blue Dot load was being cantankerous to me until I used the magnum primers. I was getting patterns instead of groups, but out of necessity used the large rifle magnum primer and found the sweet spot. Here's a link Marine: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13425
-
But, before you go out and buy some 2400 Marine, try 34grs of 4831 under your 311284. That should get the required velocity at a very Krag friendly pressure. With the wind in Nebraska, you'll be glad you're using a heavier bullet.
-
I use 311284 w/22.5 grs 4198. Works good in my M1898. Shoots 2 inch groups at 100 - - that's as good as I can see with any sights. This gets about 1680 fps. Love the rifle and the load.
-
I am curious because I have seen no mention of using gas checks, without which you are pretty well limited to pistol velocities. Or has some new technique or hard alloy made them obsolete?
Jim
-
I use gas checks for 30 cals as I'm in the 1600 fps range. Something like a 45-70 trapdoor springfield with slower vel. I use plain base. Leading does not seem to be a problem.
-
I have finally found my SWEET LOAD for my SUPER DARK bore. 16 grs of 2400 with the Lyman 311334 sized to .311. Shoots golfball+ size groups. Got a gentleman sending me 311284's sized at .311 to see how they shoot.
Another great load w/FMJ's is 35.5 gr of IMR 4350.
Havin a ball w/this rifle!
Take care, TerryR
-
You shooting the 311334s with gas checks? What velocity are you getting with the 16 grs. 2400?
I'm envious! Golf ball sized groups are great!
Be sure to let us know how you fare with the 311284.
-
100 yard Krag loads
I found a great 100 yard load using 12.5 grains of Long Shot with a 150 grain FMJBT .308 bullet. I am shooting low master class with a Krag with a M-14 NM front sight and a Lyman 48K rear sight. The load shoots lighter than the AR-15 poodle gun. The rapid reload during the reloading part of the matches are interesting. No room for mistakes during the 60 and 70 seconds that they give you. Frank Jr.
-
Garand Doc,
Thanks for the info. I'll make note of it. I must be living in a cave as I've not heard of "Long Shot." FMJ.....I'm a cast bullet man myself. I find that the Krag loads fast - with practice - and as long as the fingers "dance" just right. I twist the rifle to the left and pour 'em in. If done right it's faster than a stripper clip (if you have loose rounds laying out where you can get 'em and not pulling them out of a cartridge box).
Thanks for the tip about your load.
Great rifles.....and it's fun to beat the plastic rifles.
Hugh
-
10 Attachment(s)
Parashooter's stripper
Here's the step by step to making one of parashooter's strippers: Seems it would be easier to load using it rather than fumbling around, pointed bullets tend to get stuck at the front of the magazine pivot for me. Longshot has a burn rate about the same as 2400. i recall seeing a pic of your rifle with the M14 front sight, almost looked like it belonged there.
-
Wow! This really is a neat gadget. I have more than my share of thumbs (can't even cut two boards the same length) so suspect that I couldn't manage the project. But, it is ingenious and I am envious of both the design capability and the skill to carry it out.
Build a better mousetrap and the world beats a path to your door.
Thanks for sharing this. I'll print out those photos and do some thinking.
-
Be safe - choose the right accessory!
-
Ah, I see, and the stripper appears to be about the right age for us too! More info please? How can I make one of them?
-
Charger for Krag
Parashooter are you selling these chargers. It would help with my rapid reloads during the matches. Here's a photo of my "match" rifle. As I remember the Krag was a good shooter but the military sight were hard to work with. One of the problems is finding a rifle with a good barrel. The National Matches were shot here in Jersey at Sea Girt with the Krag. Which still is a National Guard base and State Police Academy.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Krag002-1.jpg
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Garand Doctor
. . . are you selling these chargers.
No. I am happy to share the concept and trust that anyone with enough skill to shoot a rifle well also has all the mental and manual skills needed to make chargers. The rest is just learning to use simple hand tools.
-
