165gr ranch dog

[tdoyka]

what powder would you use in a 30-40 krag with a 165gr(174gr actually) ranch dog(.311")? i have h4198, rel 7, and varget.


i have the lyman reloading book. i was going to try the RD at 1800-1900fps. the RD will be for deer only and around 100-125 yards. most likely, the RD will do about 50 yards.
i don't own any 2400, but do you have to put a piece of dacron on it?

thanks!

[Bzcraig]

Check out this thread on using Dacron

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?109280-The-proper-use-of-fillers

[2wheelDuke]

I don't know if Ranch Dog has load data for the Krag. I looked, and the closest I saw was 308 Marlin Express. It's got a bit smaller case volume than the Krag.

I'd guess you could use that data as a start point. Looks like he's pushing over 2k fps in the 308 Marlin Express.

I am pretty sure the data on Ranch Dog's site comes from Quickloads, and I've seen a data file with his boolits so that you could work up your own Quickloads data.

I don't have Quickloads, so I'm no help there.

[runfiverun]

here is a cool fact about shooting reduced cast loads.
you are generating gas volume with your powder charge.
if your case size is similar or in a 'window' of case sizes and your boolit weight is similar and your bore size is similar, you will get similar results in pressure and velocity.
this means stuff like the 308, 30-40, 8 mauser, 7.65, 54-R, and others can use the same data and get similar results.

'the load' type thing works because of this trait, it's once you get out of that window either through bore diameter [below 7mm and above 338] or case volume [above 30-06 and below 300 savage] that your loads increase or decrease to make up the difference in available volume for the gas to expand into...

based on the choices given I would use re-7 [no filler] and target 1900 fps using data from Lyman for a similar boolit weight.

[goofyoldfart]

Thank you r5r---that really clarified the volumetric issue very well for my febble brain, thanks again. God Bless to you and yours.

Goofy

[taco650]

303 British is another caliber with a similar case volume to 30-40 Krag.

[tdoyka]

thank everyone! i loaded up some shells that should go 1800-1900fps. i have h4198, rel 7, and varget. i should shoot them in the next week or two.
i'll let everyone know how good the 165gr rd at 50 yards works.

[oldblinddog]

Lyman 46th for .30-40 Krag:

169 gr gc

2400 18 - 23 grs. 1964 fps (at 23 grs.)
IMR 4198 23 - 27 grs. 1980 fps (at 27 grs.)

hope this is somewhat helpful.

[redbullitt]

Great bullet in 30 30, 308, 30-40, 30 06, and just about every other one I have here lol.

Probably have a 10 twist in that Krag, the same as my 308 hunter. Got very good accuracy at a bit over 1800 FPS (GC bullet). Consistent sub 3 inches at 100, which for my purposes and loading practices is good! I used 5744 there, but in the other cartridges w748,H4198, and unique did well.

[tdoyka]

i hope i can hit 3" at 100 yards. i'll start out at 50 yards until i get my "eyes" adjusted. for 20+ years i've been using a scope. theres like 10 years without a scope(30-30 and 32 win spl m94)

i've really been thinkin about 2400. i might have to get a pound or two to try it.

[selmerfan]

I've got a single shot Krag. Varget would easily do what you need - I'm using the 311299 with 32 gr. of Varget and have MOA accuracy at 100 yds going just under 2000 fps.