Need load for Krag

[Hamberger]

I have a model 1898 Krag in good shape. I just got my hands on a lyman mold #311284. Anyone have any load data for this critter? I would like to the fps around 1800.

Thanks,
Greg

[Buckshot]

..............Welcome to the board! Krags are neat ole rifles. Have you slugged the barrel yet? I'd suggest starting at 21.0 grs of H4198 and 23.0 grs should have you at your desired velocity. Another good one would be with IMR3031. Start at about 23.0 grs of it.

...............Buckshot

[missionary5155]

Great old rifles... Imagine the troopers delight turning in the old Trapdoor and recieving a Krag. If I needed to shoot through a horses neck to smack the rider then that 45 would sure do it... but that was all in the past ....
I sure enjoy mine !

[jonk]

I like 18 gr of SR 4759.

[4570guy]

18 gr of 4759 under the Lee C312-185-1R is a good load for me. The velocity is a bit lower than you're shooting for though -- around 1600 fps.

[SharpsShooter]

23gr if IMR 4198 is my pet load for the Krag. I use the 311299, cast of 20:1. They weigh 210gr and are deadly accurate. The 311284 is another great design and the same load should fit the bill for your needs.

Welcome to the board!

SS

[JCherry]

missionary5155,

With all due respect.

I have an 1896 Krag Rifle and from what I've seen, I would not want to stand behind several horses necks while someone was shooting a 30-40 Krag at me. 220 Grain bullets, cast or FMJ will go through an amazing amount of just about anything.

Edit: Forgot to list my loads. I'm using the 311284 out of straight wheel weights (225 GR with check) oven tempered to about 25 BHN+ on top of almost a case full of WC860 or WC872 for velocities of 1850 to 2000 FPS. The rifle and load does better than I can hold out to 600 yards. I like the slow powders as they seem to give a slow push starting out and work well in 30 inch barrels. Have I said how much I like my Krag?

Have Fun,

JCherry

[Hamberger]

Thanks for the info. I slugged the barrel and it came out at .311. What size lube die should I use?

[Buckshot]

Thanks for the info. I slugged the barrel and it came out at .311. What size lube die should I use?

.............I'd go wth a .312" sizer. As was mentioned by others, for a bit of variety there are a coule other good designs out there. A good one and cheap is the Lee C312-185 as 4570guy mentioned.

...............Buckshot

[Bob S]

The old stand-by for my first 1898, has performed very well for the past 40 years: Ideal 311284 cast of "old" wheel weights, Ideal gas checks, sized .311, 15 grains of 2400, Rem 9-1/2 primers. I started out using the old black Lyman lube, switched to Alox-beeswax as soon as it became available.

200 yard groups, five shots fired prone with sling, run between 3 and 4 inches, with the M1901 sight. For "vintage" match shooting on the SR-1 target, that will clean the target. Exchanging the issue M1901 sight for a clamp-on Redfield 70KT, it will usually score in the mid-90's on the MR-52 target (200 yard prone slow fire) in the NRA Match Rifle category.

The groove diameter on my "old" rifle is .309. I recently acquired another with a groove diameter of .311, and a "short rifle" that is somewhat tighter than .308. I have not started working with either of those yet. Obviously, groove/bore dimensions are all over the map, and you really need to slug the bore and do a chamber cast to figure out your bore and throat "handicaps".

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Kragman71]

I have a model 1898 Krag in good shape. I just got my hands on a lyman mold #311284. Anyone have any load data for this critter? I would like to the fps around 1800.

Thanks,
Greg

Hamburger
I don't know why anyone would want to have an old Krag.Everybody knows that the bolt will come out and hit you in the nose,if you shoot it.
But,if you must.
My best loads with that bullet are with 20 grains of IMR 4198 and 20 grains of IMR 4227.Neither one will do 1800 FPS,though.
I have had much bettter results with the Lyman 311041 and older 31141 bullets.They are the same except for the diameter.
23.0 grains of IMR4198 with dacron filler gets 1828 FPS and is accurate.
24.0 grains gets 1900 FPS and almost as good accuracy.
22.0 grains is also accurate,for me
Frank

[flintlocknfur]

Im sure Ill get bashed, but.... Ive had luck lately with 24 gr of 2400 on top of a 312 lee 150gr GC. Set out as far as the mag can handle it Chronos ~2200fps with my stubbie sporter...3" group at 100.

[clearwater]

Single shot handi rifle. williams peep. 22" barrel

Cast load

170 grain gas checked double alox lubed.
CCi mag primers
18 grains 2400
velocity 1711 average
5 shot extreme spread 25 fps
stand. dev 10.5

best 3 shot group - .35" at 50 yards

----

pig hunting load

220 j- bullets hornady or sierra
reloder 19 45.5 grains. 2100 fps
win standard rifle primer
1.5 to 3 inch groups at 100 yards.