Reloading 30-40 Krag question.

[yoopercollector]

I have a 1898 Krag that I want to start reloading and have never reloaded before. It will be used in milsurp matches and is the only 30-40 I have. I ordered a press kit and three different manuals to get started. I would like to neck size only because I heard your brass lasts longer. I want to load Sierra 220 round nose. I have a Lee Classic Loader in 30-40 and it neck sizes only but someone at my shooting range said I have to buy certain bullets because the Lee Classic Loader won't crimp them. I have a set of 30-40 pacesetter dies coming with the kit. My question would be, can I use the Classic Loader to remove the old primer and neck size then seat the bullet and crimp it on the press? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks

Information

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[Parashooter]

There's no need to crimp. Many original Krag military cartridges didn't need it and neither do you! Crimping is for tube mags, elephant guns, and autoloaders - not fine instruments like a Krag!

And don't accept any more handloading advice from that Bozo at the range!

[yoopercollector]

Thanks that helps a lot. I will definitely be reading the books. I can use bullets with the ring around it near the base, don't know what they are called? I think that I was told I couldn't use them kind because I couldn't crimp them.

[CINDERS]

That ring is called the cannular and crimping is a personal choice and if you are going to seat them 10 thou off the lands best make up a dummy round (Or make to military specs COAL ~ Cartridge Over All length) that can give you the required dimensions when sitting on the lands I wont go into making one as there is plenty of info out there on the web on how to do it but you will need to get a Sinclair nut for a 30 cal others here will explain I am sure about the how to do's.
Best thing is to first of all get your head around how to do it correctly and that means reading all the info may as well buy yourself a lee trimming kit and primer pocket cleaner, remember this maxim change one thing at a time when doing so and what works in another Krag may not work in yours.
You will find on this web site straight shooters who will not give you any bullsh*t or theories have fun.......

[yoopercollector]

I ordered the Lee trimmer for 30-40 and the kit comes with the pocket cleaner. I know I got a lot of reading ahead of me. Ordered the Lyman 49 Edition, Hornady 9th Edition and the Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition.

[Wineman]

It is probably a good Idea to go with neck sizing. I have seen several Krags that have longish headspace and the brass if F/L sized tends to have a short life. With N/S the Headspace is a non issue. In slow fire seating out to get best accuracy is OK. In rapid fire, I might play it safe and not be so close to the lands. The Krag is super smooth rifle but they are old and were never the strongest action made. Keep your reloads on the "Start Load" (My Lee set says 40 grains of H4350 with a 2.8 cc dipper for a 220 grain bullet and that is where I would stay). You will not need to crimp, even in my M1 Garand, I do not crimp. The canulare is a good place to act as a seating guide. The OAL is 3.080" how does that compare when you seat to the middle of the canulare? Good luck and be safe.

Dave

[yoopercollector]

I haven't got my equipment yet, was just trying to find info about neck sizing and crimping. Sounds like I can get by with the Lee Classic Loader without crimping for my
Krag. I'm going to be reloading 30-06, 308, 8mm, 303, 30 carbine and some pistol rounds. I think it still might be cheaper to buy 7.62x54 surplus and 9mm though. I want to reload 8mm because I use it in my K43 and don't want to use corrosive surplus. I use surplus in my K98.

[Parashooter]

"cannular" "canulare" - C'mon gents, how's he gonna look it up to learn more?

cannelure
noun can·ne·lure \ˈkanəlˌ(y)u̇(ə)r\ [as in "Can a lure catch a fish?]
Definition of cannelure
1 : a groove running lengthwise on the surface of a cylinder or column
2 .a : a groove around the cylinder of an elongated bullet for small arms to contain a lubricant
b : a groove around a bullet into which the edge of the cartridge case is crimped
c : a groove around the rotating band of a gun projectile to lessen the resistance offered to the rifling
d : a groove around the base of a cartridge where the extractor takes hold

[CINDERS]

Come on Para I had to put an Aussie spin on it otherwise no one here would understand what I waz sayin'

[jamie5070]

I wouldn't worry about shooting good surplus ammo in your K 43. Bolt guns are easy to clean up with warm/hot soapy water to remove any corrosive salts.