30-40 Krag loads

[jon_norstog]

posted on the other list as well ...

to the list:

I was up in N. Idaho hunting with my brother this weekend. He has a chrono! So i was able to check up on a few of my favorite Krag hunting loads. I use a powder measure, but weigh each charge on a powder scale, so they should be consistent. Here are 3 loads.

My elk load for the Krag rifle:

220gr H or S RN behind 41gr H414. using fresh CCI magnum primers, neck sized cases and relatively fresh brass.

This load has given me some great targets and is pretty strong, without ever showing signs of excess pressure. Here's how 4 shots chrono-ed:
2009 fps
1921 fps
1933 fps
1813 fps

WTF!!! I explains why the primer flattening is inconsistent, and why the shots don't always hit where they are supposed to. So Long, H414! The Sierra book has a 4350 load that pushes a 220 RN about 2100 fps and I might try that one.

Speaking of 4350, i ran a few loads through my Lee rifle as well. These were a little stronger than I would put into the Krag - the Lee has 2 locking lugs, a nickel steel bolt head, and double safety lugs. I don't carry the Lee hunting because it lacks a decent safety - it has a half-cock notch on the striker & you have to pull bACK THE striker knob to shoot if you see game. During which time an elk can cover a lot of ground!

THE BELOW IS NOT A KRAG LOAD

220 RN, 45.5 4350, mAgnum primers. 4 shots:

2163 fps
2219 fps
2201 fps
2214 fps

THE ABOVE IS NOT A KRAG LOAD

My new deer load. I wanted to use a lighter bullet that would open up in a deer's chest cavity, and would not go end-to-end through the diaphragm and guts (gall bladder!) if I took a shot at a deer facing me.

150 H RN45 gr H380, old primed brass, might have been standard rifle primers. This load is 1 grain more than the max published in the Hodgdon manual, but less than max in the Sierra and Barnes books. I took 3 shots hrough the chrono.

2317 fps
2247 fps
2257 fps

This load seems OK for accuracy in the field. I have not taken it to a range with bench rests etc. yet. Primers show about the same flattening you see on factory 30-30 ammo. The OAL length is short if you seat the bullet to the crimping groove, and I had a couple rounds hang up instead of feeding.

The black powder gun: an Argy No2 Remington Rolling Block barreled to 45-70, 24" barrel

385 gr cast bullet 1:20 tin:lead, 70 gr Goex FFG and a felt wad. This is a compressed loAD. It is accurate in the field. 4 shots through the chrono.

1100 fps
1094 fps
1104 fps
1088 fps

This is a load which should be pushing 1250-1300 fps. Which tells me the chrono may be reading low, but it is reading consistent. Temp was about 25 degrees that day. Thats degrees F, Gunner!

I think I'll buy a chrono of my own. Paul used his to develop a load for his 8x57 hunting rifle that drives a 220 gr spitzer at 2460 fps. And you can open the bolt no sweat in the unlikely event you need a second shot.

jn

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[gunner]

Jon, 25°F is -3,88°C. Mmmmh, do you really like to go hunting in the mid days heat?

Your last load seems to be really accurate by the fps!

[paulh358]

Here's the loads I use in my 30-40. '98 Springfield 22" Barrel for some comparison. I pretty much latched on to IMR4350 and didnt look back.

130 SPR (Screw around load.
IMR4064 45 grains
Primer WLR
CAL: 3.0
Avg Vel 2570
Accuracy 1.2-1.5

180 WIN Power Point
IMR4350 46 grains
Primer WLR
CAL: 3.09
Avg Vel 2140
Accuracy 1.2

180 Sierra PH
IMR4350 47 grains
Primer WLR
CAL:3.09
Avg Vel: 2230
Accuarcy .5-.7

220 Sierra RN
IMR4350 44 grain
Primer WLR
CAL 3.09
Avg Vel: 2030
Accuracy .7-1.0

Also Hogden shows 40 grains is max for a 200 grain bullet. 41 grains with a 220 might be a little to stout for a Krag action.
200 GR. SIE SPBT Hodgdon H414 .308" 3.090" 37.0 2013 40.0 2151

Can I ask why your using Mag Primers? Regulars I have found have always been good in the Krag

[jon_norstog]

Paul,

thanks! i may useyour 4350 loads. I used mag primers with H414 because it is kind of hard to light. I have since started using them with everything except black powder. sHOULD i GO Back to standard primers? good question.

Well, it's a year to the next hunting season, guess I'll get to work on it.

jn