Anyone hunt with a 30-40 Krag?

[380AUTO]

Gentlemen I recently picked up a Winchester 1895 in 30ARMY. Has anybody used this cartridge with success? Plan on using it for black bear here in Maine.

[Texas by God]

I've killed two bucks and a doe instantly with the .30-40 Krag. The 180 gr at 23-2400 fps will do what needs to be done.
One of the greats.

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[richhodg66]

No, but I'm going to. Picked up a very nicely sporterized Krag which is a very good shooter with the 311284. It'll find it's way into a deer stand with me eventually.

Many feel the .30-40 is the ultimate cast bullet cartridge.

[Idaho Mule]

I use it's British counterpart, the legendary 303. JW

[runfiverun]

I got that exact same rifle.
if I can get within 150 yds I can kill it.

except turkey silhouettes,,,, those I got a problem with.

[Whelen]

I have been thinking about the same thing. I have a carbine that produces amazing accuracy with 311284s at 1800 fps. I haven't hunted it because I'm nervous that round nose will only pencil it's way through at that speed. What would you guys consider the minimum parameters to go out and kill deer/bear with this cartridge?

[Beerd]

If you are worried about expansion you could cast some BruceB soft points for hunting -

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?11749-Casting-Softnose-Bullets-From-ANY-Conventional-Moulds

..

[Dan Cash]

Gentlemen I recently picked up a Winchester 1895 in 30ARMY. Has anybody used this cartridge with success? Plan on using it for black bear here in Maine.

I have the same rifle, vintage 1900, which is my go to hunting rifle for anything larger than porcupines. I use a paper patched 215 grain cast bullet from Accurate Molds over 42 grains of Reloader 19. It is an accurate and effective load and rifle which I would use on anything in the Western Hemisphere.

[tdoor4570]

I have been packing an 1898 springfield 30 USArmy since I was 11 years old. My Krag always makes the trip to hunting camp. I would hate to try to guess how many deer and elk that rifle has taken down. I am 70 now.

[bob208]

I used a 99 krag carbne with the 311299 cast bullet to take a 8 point. one shot just under the neck between the front legs it came out past the ribs on the left side.

[Hardcast416taylor]

The Krag that I bought from an estate sale had photos and load info for it from the gunsmith that had sportered it. His data was for using the Speer 165 gr. SP. He took deer, black bear and an elk with this bullet combo. Myself I haven`t taken it hunting since getting it and the 11 boxes of ammo that came with it.Robert

[Char-Gar]

I killed my first deer with a Krag rifle in 1959. I paid $15.00 for the rifle and still have it. Over the years more deer and lesser game have been taken with it. The round is one of the best every developed for deer and even larger game.

[Texas by God]

The Krag rifle is a marvel of design and a better built rifle you will not find. The cartridge is ideal for hunting.
If I can ever afford it, I'll have a Hi Wall or Rolling Block so chambered.

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[500Linebaughbuck]

5 bucks, untold doe and a few black bears. i use 170 - 220 gr cast. mostly it uses 2400 but i'll go 4198 for time to time.

[KCSO]

Hit search and see my posts about hunting with the 30-40 and my loads. Deer, coyotes, cats rabbits and squirrels all with various cast loads over the last 50 years.

[RPRNY]

I have killed hogs a plenty with the 30-40 in a Krag sporter and this year did a "retro" elk hunt with it. Loaded 210 grs 311284 over IMR4227, a good 200 yard load. Sadly, my hunt was cut short due to a work "emergency", so I never got a shot in.

Is your 1895 an original ? Ken Waters did a good Pet Loads on loading for the original and a Browning reproduction 1895, which will take somewhat hotter loads than the Krag rifle. I also have a Ruger No. 3 in 30-40, and in that rifle, the 30-40 is essentially a 30-06 Lite.

[380AUTO]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen I'm super excited about using it on my next hunt I've always wanted an original 1895 and I finally got one. Mine was made in 1928. I still need to develop a cast load for it I have various molds from lee and ideal in the 180-220 grain range. I think I'll start with my old ideal SC 311284

[TXGunNut]

Keep us posted on your project, 380. I have an original 1895 that's a range toy, can't see the factory sights well enough for hunting. I've always felt the 30US with a heavy boolit would make a great hunting round. Maybe I'll find one with a Lyman site someday and find out for myself.

[Wolfer]

My 98 krag was made in 98 according to the serial number. I only run about 17 gr of 2400 behind the 311041 with a small HP. 1800 fps or a little less. Very pleasant to shoot, quite accurate and experience has shown me that I needn't fear MO. Whitetails very bad.

Aperture rear and fiber optic front make it usable for my old eyes.

[RCE1]

I was pretty hot on getting a Krag for a while, but my fatherinlaw, a gunsmith of many years, pointed out that there is only one locking lug and suggested picking the bolt out of my teeth might be problematic. I guess it isn't exactly the strongest design. I love the way they look, though. Sort of steampunk...

[GEOMETRIC]

Your gunsmith was probably right about the locking lug but as far as the 30-40 & the .303 British go, they are a lot more rifle than the .30-30 I used to kill numerous deer & wild hogs. I have a friend that had a .30-40 Krag & I have owned 2, .303 British rifles. If their is anything wrong with the .30-40 cartridge, I don't have a clue what it could be. As for the bolt lock up, how many Krags have been documented to have blown up? Lyman says many old original Krag rifles developed hairline receiver & bolt cracks. I am thinking they can be inspected for that but I am not a gunsmith.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Of course they can be inspected, but the problem (although it does exist) is overblown. Although the Krag only has one locking lug up front, the bolt handle itself locks into the receiver and acts as a safety lug. I have used these rifles since the middle 1960s, presently own well over a dozen of them, and have only ever seen one cracked lug which showed up on a replacement bolt I ordered from e-bay. But it just makes good sense to stick with original load equivalent or less powerful loads, because the youngest of the breed was made in 1903. That's 114 years old, so treat them kindly!

[skeettx]

Mine is a Ruger #3, plenty strong
Mike

[500Linebaughbuck]

Your gunsmith was probably right about the locking lug but as far as the 30-40 & the .303 British go, they are a lot more rifle than the .30-30 I used to kill numerous deer & wild hogs. I have a friend that had a .30-40 Krag & I have owned 2, .303 British rifles. If their is anything wrong with the .30-40 cartridge, I don't have a clue what it could be. As for the bolt lock up, how many Krags have been documented to have blown up? Lyman says many old original Krag rifles developed hairline receiver & bolt cracks. I am thinking they can be inspected for that but I am not a gunsmith.

back in the late 1890's or early 1900's someone, in their infinite wisdom, decided a 220gr rn going roughly 2200fps could be going at 2400fps. so in their infinite wisdom, decided it. it wasn't long that they, in their infinite wisdom, began to see the bolt head cracked. and they, in their infinite wisdom, said that maybe, just maybe, that they said their load was hot and that 2200fps was just about right, in their infinite wisdom.

since i shoot cast, 1700-1800fps (170-220gr) is good enough for deer. i'll shoot it at 1400-1500fps for deer.

[AllanD]

My neighbor uses an 1892 Springfield Krag, while my girlfriend has her grandfather's 1895 Winchester in 30-40.


I don't personally load for 30-40 But I'm planning on tooling up to do so as I already cast for my 30-30