30-40 Krag Load Needed

[GMW]

I have a new 1895 WinMuriku in 30-40 Krag that I am struggling to get a good load for. I ordered a Williams peep so hopefully that will help my 58 year old eyes.
I am casting with the 311299 with range lead mixed with wheel weights. I have the following powders on hand: 2400, unique, SR4759, Red Dot, 4198, 3031 and RX7.
Any good ones?

[Maineboy]

The most accurate boolit in my Krag is the 314299. In my recorded data, using that boolit and the powders you have, I show great results with 19 grains of surplus SR4759 and 13.4 grains of 2400. The latter load is the only one having chrono data: 1252 fps and a standard deviation of 8.41.

[cajun shooter]

The loads you will find in the older manuals will be at a much lower velocity than the 1895 is capable of shooting.
The Krag was and is probably the slickest action ever built but it also one of the weakest.
If you want to enjoy that rifle to it's fullest then try some 4759 that will make some gallery type loads that are loaded with the Speer 100 grain bullet(if you can find them). A load of 12 grains will be around 940, with 17 grains putting out 1120 and finally 22 grains for a 1340 FPS. Makes hunting squirrels fun.
This is of course a jacket bullet load but could be used with lead as well. This info is from a #5 Speer manual that was from 1961. Later David

[GMW]

Maybe I wasn't clear, I am looking for a load for a modern lever action in 30 Gov. My gun will handle full power loads for the 30-40, but I am not looking for a high power round. My bore is .309 and I probably stumbled across some decent loads but until I get the peeper installed, I will never know. Maybe I should post this in the Lever Rifle section?

[Rocky Raab]

Since they have almost identical case capacities (57 grains of water), any load for 303 British can be used in the Krag. Likewise, almost any cast-bullet load for the .308 Win (53 grains capacity) can be used as long as it doesn't exceed Krag pressures.

As I've written before, my Universal 30 Load consisting of the 100-gr Speer half-jacket Plinker bullet (or the Hornady copy) over 10.0 to 12.0 Unique will be extremely pleasant.

Likewise, Ed Harris's THE load of 13.0 RedDot with your bullet will be eminently useful.

[Throwback]

Try 12 grains of Unique with your bullet for best accuracy. You will not go wrong. I would size .310. (That's what I use in my very tight .300 land/.308 groove 1898 Krag) The RedDot load Rocky uses is the same idea. I do 90% of my shooting with this Unique load. For higher velocity (about 1,900fps for hunting), I use H4895.

[frnkeore]

I don't know why your getting 100 gr jacketed load info but, My best load for the 311299 type bullet (.312 bands and .301 nose) is similar to Maineboys, at 18.5 gr (real) 4759.

My groups ran 1.5 - 2.0 at 100 with it using Rem pistol primers and loaded out to engage the rifling. I didn't mark down the OAL but, I don't think it was over 3.1 so, with your .300 bore, your OAL (when set to engage the rifling) should work though your action.

Frank

[Char-Gar]

I have one of those Japchesters in 30-40 and it shoots cast very well. Most any good 30 caliber gas check mold will work fine. I like 311291, 311284, 311466, 311467,311405, RCBS 165 Sil, and several others.

I know nothing about range scrap and don't want know as it can just about anything and everything. I use straight air cooled wheel metal with about 1% tin added.

Size you bullet .310 or .311 and seat them over 16 - 18 grains of either 2400, 4959, or 4227. This will give you velocities in the 1.4 to 1.7 K range depending on bullet weight and all of the other factors.

Accuracy will be all the rifle has to give. If you have been shooting condom bullet in it, clean out all of the metal fouling from the barrel first.

These are easy rifles to get shoot well for you. Avoid tumble lube and use a good lube of which there are many.

I have the 1895 Japchester, 1895 Winchester, and 4 Krag rifles all in 30-40. They all do very well with cast bullets. Can you tell I like the 30-40 round?

Oh yes, the 30-40 and .308 Winchester rounds have an almost identical case capacity so any good .308 Winchester cast bullet data can be used. For sure and for cetain do not try to use .308 jacketed bullet data in a 1895 levergun or Krag rifle.

[Shiloh]

314299 on top of 19.5 grains of surplus clone 4759. I'll be experimenting with canister 4759 and 4227 this spring. This is a '98 cut-down Krag

Shiloh

[madsenshooter]

I have a new 1895 WinMuriku in 30-40 Krag that I am struggling to get a good load for. I ordered a Williams peep so hopefully that will help my 58 year old eyes.
I am casting with the 311299 with range lead mixed with wheel weights. I have the following powders on hand: 2400, unique, SR4759, Red Dot, 4198, 3031 and RX7.
Any good ones?

I get better results in my Krag rifles with powders that burn slower than what you've listed. Up to 28gr of 4198 works fairly good though, at 2000fps. I generally use something closer to 4350 in burn rate, 38gr would net you around 2100fps. I also cast bullets a bit harder than most folks as I'm shooting paper and don't have to worry about expansion. Some additional help for those 58 year old eyes, I have an old EC Herkner side mount around here somewhere for the 95, probably some rings too. The mount's never been used, rings more than likely have. PM me if you think you might be interested in the mount and rings.

[GMW]

I know nothing about range scrap and don't want know as it can just about anything and everything. I use straight air cooled wheel metal with about 1% tin added.

Great post with excellent information! I have a 65yd range in my yard and my range scrap consists of pure lead rbs and I also shoot a Shilo Sharps and those bullets are 30:1 tin/lead ratio. On occasion I will run a mag or two of 45acp J-word defensive rounds through one of my 1911's. So my range scrap is of good quality.

My Japchester is a lead only rifle!:drinks:

[Char-Gar]

Madsenshooter... If I want to go above 1.6 or 1.7 K fps, I used WC872. 50 grains under the bullet of choice give me 1.9 to 2.1 K fps depending on the barrel length and all of the various factors. This very slow machine gun ball powder is easy on the old Krag steel and gives excellent accuracy.

A few years back, when it was still cheap, I bought 64 pounds of WC872. So that is what I will be using for a long time for velocities above mid-range.

All of my rifles wear a rear peep sight of some sort. Thus far (age 70), I can still shoot them well. I have a pair of glasses designed to give me a very clear sight picture from about 18 inches to infinity. The problem with side scope mounts on a Krag is they must be mounted on the left side of the receiver and don't work for me as I am left handed.

[Char-Gar]

Great post with excellent information! I have a 65yd range in my yard and my range scrap consists of pure lead rbs and I also shoot a Shilo Sharps and those bullets are 30:1 tin/lead ratio. On occasion I will run a mag or two of 45acp J-word defensive rounds through one of my 1911's. So my range scrap is of good quality.

My Japchester is a lead only rifle!:drinks:

All my rifles and handguns are lead only. I swore off the other stuff years ago.

I have a couple of defensive handguns (45 ACP and 9mm) that are loaded with state of the art jacketed bullet loads and I keep 200 rns of good jacketed loads in clipsfor the Garand. I live only 3 miles from the Rio Grande River and Mexico so I keep a shotgun, the Garand and a couple of pistols ready to go at a moments notice. We have a bad situation down here these days and I want keep the pendejos away from the house until the cavalry arrives..I hope!

[SharpsShooter]

GMW,

My pet 30-40 load is a 208gr 311299 over 23gr of IMR 4198 gives me 1700 ft/sec. It is an incredibly accurate load in my 98 Krag and is plenty enough for eastern whitetails if you are inclined to hunt them.

SS

[madsenshooter]

Madsenshooter... If I want to go above 1.6 or 1.7 K fps, I used WC872. 50 grains under the bullet of choice give me 1.9 to 2.1 K fps depending on the barrel length and all of the various factors. This very slow machine gun ball powder is easy on the old Krag steel and gives excellent accuracy.

A few years back, when it was still cheap, I bought 64 pounds of WC872. So that is what I will be using for a long time for velocities above mid-range.

All of my rifles wear a rear peep sight of some sort. Thus far (age 70), I can still shoot them well. I have a pair of glasses designed to give me a very clear sight picture from about 18 inches to infinity. The problem with side scope mounts on a Krag is they must be mounted on the left side of the receiver and don't work for me as I am left handed.

I use 860 upon occasion char-gar, the mount I was talking about was for the Win 95, though I do have one Krag that has a Weaver sidemount on it. Works ok for me as I am right handed. Also have one with an old Miller Kodiak Dreamount that puts the scope over center. Only drilling and tapping is out on the barrel. Peeps, I have a Pacific and Redfield, haven't used them yet.

[GMW]

All my rifles and handguns are lead only. I swore off the other stuff years ago.

I have a couple of defensive handguns (45 ACP and 9mm) that are loaded with state of the art jacketed bullet loads and I keep 200 rns of good jacketed loads in clipsfor the Garand. I live only 3 miles from the Rio Grande River and Mexico so I keep a shotgun, the Garand and a couple of pistols ready to go at a moments notice. We have a bad situation down here these days and I want keep the pendejos away from the house until the cavalry arrives..I hope!

I believe that there are thousands of Patriot Americans like myself that would head down to the South Western border to give you guys a hand if the need arises.
But unfortunately I believe the Government would turn on us first before the invaders.:sad:

[Char-Gar]

I don't know which government you are talking about, but the goverment of the Lone Star State of Texas would not hinder you one bit. But it won't be necessary. We have a Texas Ranger task force and commande center down here now. If push comes to shove we could have the entire Ranger force, the Texas National Guard, and the Texas Department of Public Safety down here PDQ. Throw in the armed citizens, of which there are many thousands, and we can deal with the issue.

Rick Perry is a heck of a Governor and would step up to the plate. He is a Texas Aggie from Paint Creek Texas and that isn't selling well outside of Texas, but that is a matter of perception and not of substance.

[GMW]

I don't know which government you are talking about, but the goverment of the Lone Star State of Texas would not hinder you one bit. But it won't be necessary. We have a Texas Ranger task force and commande center down here now. If push comes to shove we could have the entire Ranger force, the Texas National Guard, and the Texas Department of Public Safety down here PDQ. Throw in the armed citizens, of which there are many thousands, and we can deal with the issue.

Rick Perry is a heck of a Governor and would step up to the plate. He is a Texas Aggie from Paint Creek Texas and that isn't selling well outside of Texas, but that is a matter of perception and not of substance.

Char-Gar, I was referring to the Feds. They are trying to take Arizona to it's knees and thank God for Joe Arpaio. I served with Texans and they were a proud bunch.

Go Giants!

[451whitworth]

in my Browning 1895 30-40 i shoot a 200gr. LBT LFN gas checked @.311" with 29.0 grs. RL-7.

[Westerner]

That is 1896. Howdy Pards. This is all good info' , thanks a bunch. I have my daddy's 60 year old Lyman 311299 that is well used and still pours a clean slug. I can't wait to launch a few and get ready for SASS long range competition. It will be a good addition to my Highwall 45-70 and the Quigley Sharps of the same chamber. I use a peep on my safety glasses made of a .45" diameter circle cut out of electricions tape with a pin hole in the center for these 70 year old eyes and put 6 rounds inside 3/4" at 100 yds with the 1874 Sharps. Try it, you may never go to glass again. Deadeye Ashley

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

+1 on the generic 30 cal mil surp load of 16 gr. of 2400 with a cast boolit in the 180 to 220 gr. range.