Krag 30-40 bullets

[Battis]

I guess I can't change the laws of physics - a .309 180 gr gas checked (or not gas checked) bullet does not work in my Krag. They worked great in my 96/11, but it has a slightly smaller bore.
I reduced the H4895 and it was a little more accurate, but I need a bigger bullet.
So, 2 questions (I'll probably go with a .311)
Gas checked or not?
And, will I need an expander die (I didn't need one for the GC .309s).

[4570guy]

When you slugged your Krag, what did the bore and throat measure?

Many Krags have oversized bores - some as large as .313. Mine is .311. I shoot the Lee 312-185R sized .312 and tumble lubed. Great accuracy.

[Kraschenbirn]

I've found I can, essentially, duplicate original military ballistics with the Lee 309-200-2R (w/GC) in my Krag carbine. My groove dia. slugs right at .309 and I'm sizing to .3105...didn't have a .311 sizer die so I lapped out an old .309 to get what I needed. Have been shooting this boolit for a couple years and haven't found a need to use an oversize expander but, then, I'm using a fairly hard alloy (18-20 Bhn), too.

Bill

[Battis]

I've slugged the bore a few times with lead round balls and even cerosafe, and it keeps coming up right around .309. I'll try it again.

[Harry O]

I had a similar problem with a Lyman 311299. I thought about getting a 314299, but did not want to spend that kind of money for an experiment. Instead, I bought a Lee .303 British bullet mould and it shoots much better. Eventually, I will probably get a 314299.

[Ken in Iowa]

My Krag also has .309 groove and I use the Lee 312 185R sized to .311 with gas checks.

I found the Lyman 31 caliber M die to be quite handy when loading .311 and .312 bullets. I keep a .308 expander in at all times and bump up with the M die when I want to load fat bullets.

BTW, have you tried powders faster than 4895?

[Battis]

I have three powders - H4895, IMR 4064 , and Red Dot. I got the H4895 so I could shoot reduced loads. I use the Red Dot in my 38 SP. I haven't tried the IMR yet. The H4895 is great in the Schmidt Rubin 96/11. I tried 34 grs, then 27 grs, with the Krag - it shot much better with the 27 grs.

[Shiloh]

My bore is .310. The 314299 is my boolit of choice and it works great. The .312 sizer die just grazes the largest diameter. If I add lino, I get a slightly bigger boolit. I have found it is un-necessary.

Shiloh

[Pb2au]

I have three powders - H4895, IMR 4064 , and Red Dot. I got the H4895 so I could shoot reduced loads. I use the Red Dot in my 38 SP. I haven't tried the IMR yet. The H4895 is great in the Schmidt Rubin 96/11. I tried 34 grs, then 27 grs, with the Krag - it shot much better with the 27 grs.

I tested my Krag out over the weekend with three different loads.
All used the same boolit, the Lee 170 grn FN, sized to .309. The barrel slugged at .308 groove, .300 for the bore. I have not done a pound cast of the throat yet.
All shooting was done at 100 yards. Pacific peep sight, crazy thin blade front sight.
2400 18 grains. Mediocre results. Say 5"+-ish inches in ten shots.
4227 18 grains Same as above, around 4"+ inches, ten shots.
4064 33 grains Interesting results. 2-3", ten shots. The funny thing was the 4064 loads were an afterthought at the loading bench. I just decided what the heck, lets try this.

I am still getting my feet under me with this rifle, but all the reports I have read support the Krag as simply a superb shooter of cast.

I hope to get back to the range this Saturday and run more loads using 4064, and now some 3031. Moving forward, I think I will wring out what I can out of the 170 grain Lee and then try the 200 grain.

Keep it simple and have fun!

[Battis]

I have the same Lee mold (170 gr) but I've been using some 180 grs bullets that I bought online. Maybe I'll try the IMR 4064.

[Pb2au]

My guts are telling me that this rifle wants;
1)A bit heavier bullet.
2) which will give me a longer bullet, which should fill up the throat a bit.
3)possibly a fatter bullet. About 3 zillion posts to that effect support it.
I'm going to wring out what I can with the 170 mold before I go to BUY mode and order a mold.

[Shiloh]

My guts are telling me that this rifle wants;
1)A bit heavier bullet.
2) which will give me a longer bullet, which should fill up the throat a bit.
3)possibly a fatter bullet. About 3 zillion posts to that effect support it.
I'm going to wring out what I can with the 170 mold before I go to BUY mode and order a mold.

I agree with you. Use what you have.
See if you can get it to work. Some folks have had great success with the 311332. I'm not one of them. It drops too small.

Shiloh

[Pb2au]

That boolit after it is dressed for dinner weighs in at 176 with my alloy. Although I think it could do better with a longer boolit, I'm certain I can get some results with what I have.
It is a learning experience and a challenge to see what you can truly do with simple stuff. It is often pleasing.

[Battis]

I bought a used Lee .311 J bullet sizing die for a few bucks today. Now I gotta find a mold. Ken In Iowa suggested the Lee 312 185R - how do they shoot without gas checks? (reduced loads using H4895).

[uscra112]

Just for jollies, try 10 grains of Red Dot to see if it will slug-up the boolit on firing. Might not, but then again......

[madsenshooter]

You can buy a larger expander for the .303 British from the parts section on the Lee website. Go to any of the .303 sizing dies, click on parts and you'll see it. That should reduce the neck tension enough that your bullet isn't being sized down when seating. The bigger bullet ought to work for you, will fill the throat better. I can't comment on the no gas check idea, I just don't bother to try.