30-40 Krag Newbie

[GunnyJohn]

I have recently aquired my Krag. It's a nice sporter got it in a trade. Always wanted one. Now the new dilema... Boolit loads. I've recieved some info already. Currently I have a Lyman 311466, 31141 and a Lee 309-170fn. It has been suggested that I get my hands on a Lyman 311284 or 311299, however these are pretty hard to find right now. Midway has a Lee 309 200 available. Has anyone used this boolit with much sucsess? So far I have used my 31141 and accuracy is ok, but some have stated that better accuracy is to be had with the heavier boollits. Thoughts, advice? I plan to use this rifle for my bear hunting this year and as the season is already underway I need to get going. Really hate the thought of using J-words.

[Dean D.]

For accurate plinking I've used the 311466 with 19.5gr of IMR4227.

I have a 5 cav. NOE 311284 which casts great boolits but have not worked up loads with it yet in the Krag. If you are looking for one it looks like Swede has a 2 cav in stock as I type this: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=418

The 31141 is top of my wish list for my next mould.

Good luck!

[frnkeore]

Most of the Krag grooves run large. They can be anywhere from .308 to at least .312. I've seen more .310 than any other size and here lies the problem with the Lee 200 gr mold, unless your groove is one of the rarer .308 - .309 barrels, it won't cast large enough. A lot of people use the old 311299 because it usually casts close to .314 with a .302/3 nose, as does the modern .314299. They either shoot it as cast or sized to about .312. I shoot a shaper pointed, NEI version of that bullet that casts .312 with 18.5 gr 4759 and a pistol primer (about 1680 fps in my 26" bbl)

Slug your barrel and you'll be able to make a better decision.

Frank

[GunnyJohn]

Slugged my barrel this morning and it came out just under 309 with a dial caliper. I reduced my original AA4350 load from 40 grns down to 38 grns pushing a 31141 sized to 311. The 40 grn load grouped 3 inches @ 50 yds, (3 shots) the 38 grn grouped 3.5 inches @ 100 yds (5 shots)
definate improvement. I'm unsure of the velocity as my AA book lists 39.5 grns as a starting load for a 180 grain boolit @ 2014 fps. A little sight adjustment for elevation, and some more lead down range, and I'll be ready for the bears. I think that I'll still keep looking for a 200/+grn mold. Can't have to many.

[4570guy]

Glad you slugged the bore. That's the first step. Krags are generally considered to be excellent cast bullet shooters. The bore on mine is finely pitted and dark. It slugs .312. Even so, I shoot the Lee 185 gr bullet in it over 19.0 gr of SR4759 with excellent results. Given your Krag's bore size, I would expect the Lee 309 to shoot well. If the 170 gr doesn't do it for you, try a longer bullet. The Krag has a very long throat and tends to "like" long bullets with plenty of bearing surface- so say the old timers. That said, I know someone on the forums that has very good luck with he little .313 bullets that Hornady makes for the 7.62X39.