30-40 Krag_Heavy_Powders

[mehavey]

I happened to chance upon an old LBT mold 312-200SP that -- when I looked at the design -- seemed to have perfect nose/shank proportions for my 30-40Krag.

Right now I'm running AA5744 under my other heavy Lym311284 and ACC 31-200W, but happened to look at Ken Waters who recommended the old Win 760BR as 2nd most accurate load for the Krag.

That got me looking at the modern Win Supreme 780 in Quickload for compare/contrast and found it spot-on for Waters' predictions.

THEN I expanded out and asked QuickLoad for everything in the 32,000psi regime having good fill, good burn and good velocity -- and found a potload:

https://s9.postimg.org/gao1t0tvz/30-40_Krag_LBT_312-210_SP_Powders.jpg

Question #1: Has anyone ever used Win Supreme 780 ?:
Question #2: Has anyone every used any of the powders in this performance regime?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Thanks for posting this. An honest answer from me would be that most of these powders I've never used for anything, and several I've never heard of. My old standby for most bullet weights in the Krag has been IMR-4895. I have also used IMR-4831, H4831, and H4831SC. High 2,000 to low 2,100 fps is the range of most of my loads also. 32,000 psi is a comfortable pressure range for the old Krag rifle, so the loads in the chart seem safe, but I wonder if they've actually been tried or if they are what a computer thinks would be good? Anyway, very interesting read and I printed it off for future reference.

[skeet1]

After sending an email to Buckshot about using the very slow burners (WW 872) in the Krag he assured me I wasn't crazy. I have been experimenting with this powder with the 311299 bullet and it does very well. So I would think that most of the slow burners might be very acceptable for this cartridge at cast bullet velocities. The best part of this surplus powder is the price, $48.00 for 8 lbs. at Pats.

Ken

[tdoor4570]

interesting also printed it out for future use also who is Pats for surplus powder?

[M-96 Hunter]

http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel3/Items.aspx

Where can I get loading data for Pat's powders ?

[Wayne Smith]

When I was in Graduate School I was shooting a 25-06 at what was then the South Coast Gun Club. Another shooter aked me what powder I was using - I said 4831. He said "you ought to try H760 - that stuff burns all the way to the target!". I did and it didn't, but it was one of my most accurate powders in that gun.

[Kraschenbirn]

I shoot 38 gr. H414 (same as WW760) under a Lee 309-200-R. Quite accurate and shoots, essentially, to the same POA as some NOS Remington factory loads I obtained in a gunshow trade.

Bill

[mehavey]

Went out this noon in miserable weather.

Stuck my wet thumb in the air for rough Sight Adjustment
(like Rodney Dangerfield at the end of the diving board)
and closed the bolt . . .

https://s9.postimg.org/w3g57dd7j/30-40_Krag_LBT_312-210_SP_Supr_780_1.jpg

[Taterhead]

VERY nice. Looks like you're on to something there. I have one LBT mold, and it casts so dreamy.

[swheeler]

When I was in Graduate School I was shooting a 25-06 at what was then the South Coast Gun Club. Another shooter aked me what powder I was using - I said 4831. He said "you ought to try H760 - that stuff burns all the way to the target!". I did and it didn't, but it was one of my most accurate powders in that gun.

Wayne I'll bet that was H870 powder, you had WW760 on your mind when you typed this?;-)

[Char-Gar]

I have been shooting WC872 in Krag and Winchester rifles, chambered for the 30-40 round for a number of years now. I use 50 grains dropped into the case (for compaction) with a long drop tube. This will give a slightly compressed powder column. With a 210 grain cast gas check bullet it will give 1,940 fps out of a 22" barrel. This is about original military performance. There will be a little unburned powder in the barrel, but just blow it out. Accuracy all the way out fo 600 yards is outstanding.

[M-96 Hunter]

The powders he sells are:

WC844 Virgin
Rifle Powder WC860 Surplus
Rifle Powder WC867 Surplus
Rifle Powder WC872 Surplus

NOT 760, 780, 869 or 870.

So, again, where can one get loading data for THESE powders ?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

The powders he sells are:

WC844 Virgin
Rifle Powder WC860 Surplus
Rifle Powder WC867 Surplus
Rifle Powder WC872 Surplus

NOT 760, 780, 869 or 870.

So, again, where can one get loading data for THESE powders ?

published data on the three slow powders? I don't think it exists, unless you are loading 50bmg.

There are years worth of threads here with members who have experimented in other calibers, just type in the name into the Google custom search box.

[JCherry]

There is some loading data about the slow powders on "Castpics" "Surplus Powder Data".

I thought there was info specifically for the 30-40 in "Castpics" but I can not find it.

My experience with several lots of WC860 and WC 872 in a 30-40 Krag rifle, 30 inch barrel, with the Lyman 311284 bullet match Char-Gar's experience.

The lots of these powders can be different so you do need to start low and work up. As Char-Gar said there can be unburned powder but not really a big problem. With my current lot of WC-860 I only have a one or two grains of unburned powder.

The slow powders do prefer long barrels, heavy bullets and magnum primers.

Have Fun,

JCherry