ohland
06-27-2015, 11:19 AM
Fellow booliteers, I am trying to figure out the bullets in this article, since they are not directly identified. I've seen them before... They are in the Ideal catalog...
Western Field, Volume 12, No. 5 pages 351-352
https://books.google.com/books?id=3hULAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA352&dq=krag+1903&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Z7KOVenEAsfXoAT6w6SADQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBTgU#v=onepage&q=krag%201903&f=false
The U. S. Model 1906 Rifle
by J. H. BARLOW
IT IS but fair to say that thus far the 1906 Model rifle with the various kinds of ammunition, made by the government, or private manufacturers, as well as the individual reloading with various bullets, cast and otherwise, has proved to be a most agreeable surprise, for the predictions have been many that the shortened barrel and increased velocity would tend to inaccuracy and shorten the life of the barrel. As to accuracy of the light, sharp-pointed bullet with the high velocity and its ability to withstand the wind, this has been proved without doubt. As to increased wear on the barrel in general, time and use alone will reveal.
It is always considered good judgment to take time by the forelock and it is always best to lock the stable before the horse is stolen. These maxims may be put into practical use by the military organizations throughout the country, by saving their empty shells and reloading them with cast bullets, for use at 200, 300 and 500 yards. It is a useless waste of money for the State or military organizations to use the expensive high velocity ammunition at these ranges when their reloaded shells can be used for all this practice. This will not only save the wear on the barrels, but will be a saving of money. This reloaded ammunition may also be used on ranges where the high velocity cartridges would be dangerous. It would also be fine for schools and clubs where there were no safe ranges longer than 200 to 500 yards.
Such ammunition has been used extensively in the Krag and many who are equipped with bullets, thinking they can use them in Model 1906, will get into trouble, if they make the attempt, for the following reasons: When the Springfield rifle Model 1903 was changed at the breech of the barrel for the 1906 ammunition, the barrel was cut off and rechambered for the shorter shell. This operated two ways, first by shortening the neck of the same Model 1903 shell, and shortening the lead in the barrel just beyond the end of the shell, so that while in the Krag or the original Model 1903 rifle, a bullet with a straight body .308 to .311 inch in diameter 11/16 long could be used, in the Model 1906 the body of the bullet should not be more than 3/8 inch long. If longer the body of the bullet will project beyond the muzzle of the shell and it will prevent the closing of the action, or the base of the bullet will be forced in the shell beyond the length of the neck. It was therefore necessary to design bullets especially for the 1906 Model. Dr. Hudson, in his article, mentions bullets 308,334 with sharp point for outdoor work with 25 grains weight of "Lightning," and 308,280 for indoor practice with a charge of 5 to 7 grains of Unique powder. The latter bullet will be found fine for 200 yards when used with charge of 16 grains of "Marksman." A greater charge, however, would be apt to cause fusion because the base is unprotected. These two new bullets we here illustrate, together with 308,278,150 grains and the old 308,241,150 grains. The latter bullet became very popular with the shooters of the Krag rifle, and it is the only one of these heavier Krag bullets that can be used in the Model 1906. These two bullets will be found fine for ranges from 50 to 100 yards with a charge of 8 to 10 grains of "Marksman." These bullets must be seated in the shell deep enough to just cover the two base bands.
308334, 308280, 308278, 308241
143020 143023 143024 143021
Many of the bullets that were all right for the Krag, cannot, as stated above, be used in the New Springfield, for reasons as stated. All the bullets used in the latter, however, can be used in the Krag with good success. At the suggestion of Dr. Hudson and other interested shooters, the writer has made quite a variety of cast bullets- One identical in shape with the government's latest model of metal covered, this shape in a cast of soft metal bullet is found to be very erratic in flight. The reason for this in the mind of the writer is because the bullet is not entered sufficiently and properly aligned in the barrel before the explosion takes place. If the bullet when started from the shell is not in perfect alignment, when striking the rifling the bullet would not shunt to a central position, then the initial indent on the bullet from the rifling is out of true, hence the erratic flight. This is overcome in the bullets illustrated, by having the long bearing or front portion, of the proper diameter so that they fit snugly and rest on the lands of the rifling, thus they are started properly, before discharge. We submitted various modifications to Dr. Hudson, who finally decided on bullets 308,280 and 308,334. Some of the bullets submitted were exactly like 308,334 except the forward portion being shortened 1/16 to 1/8 inch, and in every case, the longer bearing, the front portion of the bullet had on the lands, the more accurate was found the shooting. All of which goes to prove that in many cases the cast or soft metal bullet cannot be used of the same shape as the hard metal covered.
"Change! Improve!" is the watchword of the times. Every change, however, may not be an improvement. The Doctor says, "Take it altogether, we are not starting out under such unfavorable auspices with the new gun." The change from 1901 to 1905 sight that is now used on the New Springfield also necessitated a slight change in the Micrometer Sight Gauge. It is now correct for 1901 and 1905 sights. The latter of course is graduated much finer on account of the greatly increased velocity and the Micrometer Sight Gauge will be of greater need to the shooter on account of the finer graduations.
143025
The writer wishes, through the columns of Western Field, to extend thanks to Dr. Hudson, James H. Keough and others of the rifle shooting fraternity for their kind suggestions from time to time, also this medium, through which all shooters who have the interests of the shooting fraternity at heart, may exchange experiences for the benefit of all. Respectfully, J. H. BARLOW
Western Field, Volume 12, No. 5 pages 351-352
https://books.google.com/books?id=3hULAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA352&dq=krag+1903&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Z7KOVenEAsfXoAT6w6SADQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBTgU#v=onepage&q=krag%201903&f=false
The U. S. Model 1906 Rifle
by J. H. BARLOW
IT IS but fair to say that thus far the 1906 Model rifle with the various kinds of ammunition, made by the government, or private manufacturers, as well as the individual reloading with various bullets, cast and otherwise, has proved to be a most agreeable surprise, for the predictions have been many that the shortened barrel and increased velocity would tend to inaccuracy and shorten the life of the barrel. As to accuracy of the light, sharp-pointed bullet with the high velocity and its ability to withstand the wind, this has been proved without doubt. As to increased wear on the barrel in general, time and use alone will reveal.
It is always considered good judgment to take time by the forelock and it is always best to lock the stable before the horse is stolen. These maxims may be put into practical use by the military organizations throughout the country, by saving their empty shells and reloading them with cast bullets, for use at 200, 300 and 500 yards. It is a useless waste of money for the State or military organizations to use the expensive high velocity ammunition at these ranges when their reloaded shells can be used for all this practice. This will not only save the wear on the barrels, but will be a saving of money. This reloaded ammunition may also be used on ranges where the high velocity cartridges would be dangerous. It would also be fine for schools and clubs where there were no safe ranges longer than 200 to 500 yards.
Such ammunition has been used extensively in the Krag and many who are equipped with bullets, thinking they can use them in Model 1906, will get into trouble, if they make the attempt, for the following reasons: When the Springfield rifle Model 1903 was changed at the breech of the barrel for the 1906 ammunition, the barrel was cut off and rechambered for the shorter shell. This operated two ways, first by shortening the neck of the same Model 1903 shell, and shortening the lead in the barrel just beyond the end of the shell, so that while in the Krag or the original Model 1903 rifle, a bullet with a straight body .308 to .311 inch in diameter 11/16 long could be used, in the Model 1906 the body of the bullet should not be more than 3/8 inch long. If longer the body of the bullet will project beyond the muzzle of the shell and it will prevent the closing of the action, or the base of the bullet will be forced in the shell beyond the length of the neck. It was therefore necessary to design bullets especially for the 1906 Model. Dr. Hudson, in his article, mentions bullets 308,334 with sharp point for outdoor work with 25 grains weight of "Lightning," and 308,280 for indoor practice with a charge of 5 to 7 grains of Unique powder. The latter bullet will be found fine for 200 yards when used with charge of 16 grains of "Marksman." A greater charge, however, would be apt to cause fusion because the base is unprotected. These two new bullets we here illustrate, together with 308,278,150 grains and the old 308,241,150 grains. The latter bullet became very popular with the shooters of the Krag rifle, and it is the only one of these heavier Krag bullets that can be used in the Model 1906. These two bullets will be found fine for ranges from 50 to 100 yards with a charge of 8 to 10 grains of "Marksman." These bullets must be seated in the shell deep enough to just cover the two base bands.
308334, 308280, 308278, 308241
143020 143023 143024 143021
Many of the bullets that were all right for the Krag, cannot, as stated above, be used in the New Springfield, for reasons as stated. All the bullets used in the latter, however, can be used in the Krag with good success. At the suggestion of Dr. Hudson and other interested shooters, the writer has made quite a variety of cast bullets- One identical in shape with the government's latest model of metal covered, this shape in a cast of soft metal bullet is found to be very erratic in flight. The reason for this in the mind of the writer is because the bullet is not entered sufficiently and properly aligned in the barrel before the explosion takes place. If the bullet when started from the shell is not in perfect alignment, when striking the rifling the bullet would not shunt to a central position, then the initial indent on the bullet from the rifling is out of true, hence the erratic flight. This is overcome in the bullets illustrated, by having the long bearing or front portion, of the proper diameter so that they fit snugly and rest on the lands of the rifling, thus they are started properly, before discharge. We submitted various modifications to Dr. Hudson, who finally decided on bullets 308,280 and 308,334. Some of the bullets submitted were exactly like 308,334 except the forward portion being shortened 1/16 to 1/8 inch, and in every case, the longer bearing, the front portion of the bullet had on the lands, the more accurate was found the shooting. All of which goes to prove that in many cases the cast or soft metal bullet cannot be used of the same shape as the hard metal covered.
"Change! Improve!" is the watchword of the times. Every change, however, may not be an improvement. The Doctor says, "Take it altogether, we are not starting out under such unfavorable auspices with the new gun." The change from 1901 to 1905 sight that is now used on the New Springfield also necessitated a slight change in the Micrometer Sight Gauge. It is now correct for 1901 and 1905 sights. The latter of course is graduated much finer on account of the greatly increased velocity and the Micrometer Sight Gauge will be of greater need to the shooter on account of the finer graduations.
143025
The writer wishes, through the columns of Western Field, to extend thanks to Dr. Hudson, James H. Keough and others of the rifle shooting fraternity for their kind suggestions from time to time, also this medium, through which all shooters who have the interests of the shooting fraternity at heart, may exchange experiences for the benefit of all. Respectfully, J. H. BARLOW