RepackboxRotoMetals2Titan ReloadingLoad Data
Inline FabricationWidenersLee PrecisionReloading Everything
MidSouth Shooters Supply
Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: "The Load" and .30-40 Krag

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    3

    "The Load" and .30-40 Krag

    I have heard of the "The Load" and am interested in loading some for some milsurp bolt action rifles. I have Mosin, 1903, 03A3, M1917, and .30-40 Krag.

    My confusion is, if you Google "The Load" you come up with a number of hits, with slightly different info about the .30-40.

    One says it is great in .30-40 Krag. Another says only for 1898 Krag rifles. Another says only for cases LARGER than .30-40.

    So what is up?

    And if not "The Load", what reduced charge, similar load is good?

    My club shoots various matches, all at 100 yards, where I can shoot these various rifles.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    1,523
    By the guy that knows (i.e., original author/Harris):

    The Load" has shown complete success in the .30-40 Krag, .303 British, 7.65
    Argentine, .308 Win., 7.62x54R Russian, .30-'06, 8x57 and .45-70
    (strong-actioned rifles such as the 1886 Winchester or 1895 Marlin -- 12 grs.
    is maximum for 400 gr. bullets in the Trapdoor Springfield -- Ed.) Though I
    have not tried it, I have no doubt that "The Load" would work well in other
    cartridges fitting these parameters, such as the .35 Whelen, .358 Winchester,
    .375 H&H or .444 Marlin, based on RCBS and Lyman published data.

    https://castbulletassoc.org/forum/th...ns-of-red-dot/
    http://guns.connect.fi/gow/ed.html

    With a Sierra/150gr SP, it's about 35ksi in a Krag

  3. #3
    Banned



    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    7,068
    That 13 grains of Red Dot always seemed kind of hot to me, I'd start with ten or eleven grains.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,251
    RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1
    30-40 Krag, model 1898 , 21 " barrel , RCBS #30-180-SP-GC , sized .309.
    Red Dot - starting load : 11.0 grs. @ 1430 fps.

    Red Dot - maximum load : 13.0 grs. @ 1558 fps.

    RCBS says to start at 11.0 and do not exceed 13.0.... "The Load"
    I would do the same for 170 gr. or 165 gr. cast boolits

    Work up carefully to the load , we like to load safe !
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    SE Kentucky
    Posts
    1,309
    Max load of Unique listed by Lyman is 11 or 12 grs depending on bullet weight for bullets in the 160-200 gr weight range, and Red Dot is a lot faster than Unique. Per Lyman #3 12.5 grains is top load in 308 Win with pressures nearing 40K PSI. The 30/40 has about the same capacity as the 308 so 13 gains of Red Dot is really pushing it. Starting load listed was 10 grs at a bit below 30K. Good advice to start at 10 grains and remember, unless you have a Ruger, rifles for this round are 100+ years old. These are relatively mild loads but for shooting at 100 yards they should be more than adequate.

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    3
    But another version states:

    "The Load” is 13 Grains of Red Dot"

    By C.E. Harris, Revised Sept. 27, 2007

    1. The case must be LARGER than the .30-40 Krag, and have a normal working pressure greater than 40,000 psi. The No. 4 Enfield in .303 Brit is OK, the 1896 Krag is not!
    https://castbulletassoc.org/forum/th...ns-of-red-dot/

  7. #7
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    1,523
    Fair point (and interesting revision on Ed's part).
    Hence I would rely on Quickload to keep charges/pressures well under 40ksi as the bullets become heavier.

    Can I interest you in some nice . . . Retumbo ?
    https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...27&postcount=8

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy T_McD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    380
    And that is why internet load data is inherently sketchy.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    1,523
    Fwiw:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	THE LOAD_Krag.jpg 
Views:	96 
Size:	168.3 KB 
ID:	236268

    CAUTION: For Comparative info Only.
    Your mileage may vary
    Work up in your own rifle

  10. #10
    Moderator Emeritus


    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Land of 10,000 Lakes
    Posts
    15,832
    30-40 Krag ??? I'd use 2400 as mentioned in this article (at the halfway mark).

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Rifles-Article
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
    ― The Dalai Lama, Seattle Times, May 2001

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    1,091
    Quote Originally Posted by mehavey View Post
    Fair point (and interesting revision on Ed's part).
    Hence I would rely on Quickload to keep charges/pressures well under 40ksi as the bullets become heavier.

    Can I interest you in some nice . . . Retumbo ?
    https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...27&postcount=8
    Wow, Retumbo. That's a lottle surprising, but the results speak for themselves.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master fourarmed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    1,777
    I shot a lot of 2400 behind the 314299 with excellent accuracy, even in a very rough barrel. I ran out of that boolit, but had a lot of 311284 on hand, which did equally well with 4198. Never exceed the manual loads with a Krag. There's no reason to, if you're plinking. I shoot my 92 cutdown in cowboy silhouette with great success using those loads.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check