New to Cast - 30/40 Krag and 7.62x54r Loading

[Ken in Iowa]

I'm a long time handloader that is dabbling in cast boolits. A buddy has been making .311" Lee 185 gas checked boolits for me. Perhaps I'll jump into casting later.

I have 2 rifles that I have had good results thus far. The first an 1898 Krag with .309" grooves and a Finn Tikka barreled M91 Mosin with .3095" grooves. The basics look good, the bullet nose is slightly larger than bore diameter. There is neck clearance. Initial load development is favorable using Trailboss and 2400.

My powder cabinet has quite an assortment. Would any of these powders be worth messing with in these calibers?

IMR 4227
IMR 4759
IMR PB

Thanks

[Pb2au]

It depends on what your goals are. Just for target shooting, 2400 is an easy win.

[Echo]

I would say that all are usable in your cartridges. I've used PB in my 20-gauge OU, and in 38 Special loading. Might be usable for popcorn plinker loads in either gun.
The other 2 can be used exceptionally well in either cartridge. I've heard that 4759 is the Bees Knees, so I ordered some, but haven't used it yet. 4227 has been around for decades, and while some experimenting might be needed, I'm sure you will find a load the will give good accuracy. The 49th Lyman lists 20-30 grains under a 200 grain 311299 for the 7.62x54, and 17.5-29 of the 4759 with the same boolit. They don't list a load for using PB...
And they list several cast loads for the 30-40, with several different boolits, for both 4227 and 4759.

[runfiverun]

those will all work.
@ 18-19 grs on the first 2.
and about 9-10 grs on the pb.

[Ken in Iowa]

It depends on what your goals are. Just for target shooting, 2400 is an easy win.

I have a supply of the powders listed that are gathering dust in the powder cabinet. 2400 will be my benchmark powder.

Gosh, I probably have 3# of 4227 that needs a home. :)

[Char-Gar]

2400, 4227 and 4759 are do well if the Krag rifle at velocities of 1.5 to 1.8 fps. Above that a medium burning powder will do better.

Krag rifle barrels run .309 to .312 in the grooves, but they all shoot bullets .312 - .314 well due to the large throat.

[Shiloh]

I use 4759 and 4227 for the Krag. My 4759 is actually SR 7641 a 4759 clone. Wound up with about 25 pounds of this from years ago, and have used most of it up.

Lyman 314299 sized at .312 touches the mold line area an a bit more. Shoots well for me.
I'll have to look later at the data, but 21 gr of 4759 and 22 of 4227 gives around 1750 fps.

Shiloh