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Thread: Bullet choose and load for 30-40 Krag

  1. #1
    Boolit Master brstevns's Avatar
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    Bullet choose and load for 30-40 Krag

    Just traded for a 30-40 Krag built on a 98 mauser action. Any suggestions for a bullet and powder?

  2. #2
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    the usual suspects in the 308/30-06 work pretty much the same in the other 30 cal government round.

  3. #3
    Boolit Mold
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    Do you what twist you have?

    If you want to shoot cast, 311299 works is my Krag rifle and my buddy's hi wall and 311413 does well in my Win 95.

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    Boolit Master
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    I no longer have any Krags, but still shoot the .30-40 in a Ruger #3 and a Winchester reproduction Model 1895. I've used many bullets in the .30-40, but don't recall anything that was more accurate than Lyman #314299 cast of WW alloy. I size to .311" and also shoot these bullets in .308 and .30-06. Your gun may prefer a .309" or .310" bullet, but I've found most .30 calibers do best with the .311" diameter.

    A lot of .30-40 Krag shooters like the Lyman #311284, but I've never found it to be as accurate as the #314299.
    Last edited by lotech; 01-29-2017 at 02:23 PM.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

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    The Lee 309-200 has become the 'go-to' in my 1898 Krag carbine to the point I've pretty much given up on trying to improve on what I've got. You know, like 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'?

    Bill
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  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    The Mauser 98 was never chambered for the 30-40 round, so obviously experience from the 30-40 Krag rifles will not apply. The Krag rifle has a very long and large throat, and I know know about your rifle.

    It is possible to get a 98 action to feed the rimmed 30-40 round, but off hand I would think a bullet that feeds properly would be one of your first concerns. If your rifles has the standard 1-10 twist, then there are many cast bullets that will shoot well in your rifle, deepening of course of the size of the throat, power and powder charge and temper of the bullet.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master




    Scharfschuetze's Avatar
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    That's an interesting conversion, a 98 Mauser to the rimmed 30/40. Keep us posted on your progress with it.

    My favorite 30 and 31 calibre bullet for military calibres are the Lyman designed 311334 and 311299 (also 314299). NOE makes a nice copy of the 299 in both 311, 314 and 316 diameters if your bore is large.
    Keep your powder dry,

    Scharf

  8. #8
    Boolit Master madsenshooter's Avatar
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    A common conversion for the Siamese mauser however.
    "If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."

    -Thomas Jefferson

  9. #9
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    Not too long ago(year or two) someone was selling lots of LR 98 barrels chambered in rimmed cartridges, seems 30-40 was one of them. It seems like they were all Belgium made barrels reasonably priced, Numerich maybe.
    Charter Member #148

  10. #10
    Boolit Master brstevns's Avatar
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    I believe this one to be the 98 Siamese Action.

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    I have a Mirkuru 1895 Winchester in 30-40 and I won two money shoots at my club with the Lyman 311284 over 18.5grs of RX7 with a small tuff of dacron. Boolits will touch at 50yds, if I am having a good day. I am using a Williams peep sight.
    Ore'mus
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    165gr ranch dog(.311") and 25.5gr of h4198

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    I really liked the 311299 out of my 30-40 #3 rifle, but am seeing that the 311041 is actually beating it in the accuracy department, when lightly loaded with 4759.
    I shoot so that I can handload.

  14. #14
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    It sounds like a good candidate for the 30-40 Ackley improved. With less body taper it should feed better than the standard Krag round. I base my opinion on the 30-40 Siamese Mauser I built a long time ago. It fed ok MOST of the time but occasionally didn't. It had a McGowan barrel and shot like a dream with everything I fed it. It's still killing deer for a friend down by the Mexican border. Good luck with yours- in that action you can surpass .308 Win ballistics in the standard case. Best, Thomas.

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    Boolit Master brstevns's Avatar
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    Anyone have any IMR 4227 loads ?

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    In an 1895 Winchester takedown, the 311-291 was an excellent performer. I tried 2400 and WW-748, both worked well, the WW-748 load delivered 2 1/2 inch groups and 2300 fps. I hunted with it one year, but to no avail, saw nary a deer.
    _________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    A good cast bullet load for shooting in the Krag, is 18.0 gr 4759, with the 311291 bullet. Delivers around 1500 fps depending on barrel length. Performs great in the several US Krags I tried this load in. I know this powder has been phased out, but there is still some floating around. A 8 lb keg if you find one will last a lifetime.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Dan Cash's Avatar
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    Why would one want to cripple a cartridge with the capability of the .30-40 and be pleased with .32-40 or under performance? Take a good 175 - 220 grain bullet and apply a healthy dose of Reloader 15, or 4831 or other similar propellant for 2000 to 2300 fps and go hunting for real.
    To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, the trouble with many shooting experts is not that they're ignorant; its just that they know so much that isn't so.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master brstevns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Cash View Post
    Why would one want to cripple a cartridge with the capability of the .30-40 and be pleased with .32-40 or under performance? Take a good 175 - 220 grain bullet and apply a healthy dose of Reloader 15, or 4831 or other similar propellant for 2000 to 2300 fps and go hunting for real.
    Just want to punch paper at 100 yards no need for deer loads.

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master


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    Quote Originally Posted by brstevns View Post
    Just want to punch paper at 100 yards no need for deer loads.
    Then I suggest the 311466 or the 30 XCB (310-165-FN) which fit the 30-30, 30-'6 and 30-40 length necks perfectly and are both superbly accurate .30 caliber cast bullets. Both are available from NOE. For powders, the usual suspects (Unique, 2400, 4198, 4759, etc.) and your 4227 will do nicely. A Dacron filler may be in order with a couple of those.

    Larry Gibson

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