30-40 Krag cast bullets?

[Hootmix]

Trying to help out a friend (don't ya' know), can you use plain base cast bullets, shooting his 30-40 krag, 100-300yds., if i don't exceed 1600fps.
What would be the # of the mould i would need . I have not delt w/ the old military rifles, like i said just trying to help a friend, i shoot 1876 win., so i could use some help.

coffee's ready, Hootmix.

[tdoor4570]

Slug the bore , that will give you some idea of what cast bullet to use. Load it up and see what works best , that is what I have done to my 3 springfield krags and now is what happening to my 1895 winchester.

[Outpost75]

#311241 was originally designed for gallery practice in the Krag with 5 grains of Bullseye, about 1000 fps. Accuracy is good to 100 yards. Bumping the charge to 7 grains will reduce vertical at 200 yards, but for 300 yards you will want a #314299GC bullet and 30 grains of 4895, RL15, 4064 or Varget with 1 grain loose Dacron fill tucked into case neck, NOT shoved down against powder, to reduce free airspace in the case.

Most original Krag barrels I have measured run large from .310-.312" and the long freebore ahead of the chamber is often .313 plus.

Accurate 31-155D is the modern plain base bullet I use in .30-30 and .30-'06. The 31-171D is the GC version. NOE clone of #314299 works well also and is stable subsonic, without the GC with 7 grains of Bullseye.

Unless bullet fit is perfect and bore smooth and pristine I would not exceed 1300 fps with a plainbased bullet. Soft alloy, soft lube and subsonic velocity work best. No filler needed with fast-burning pistol or shotgun powders: Bullseye, TiteGroup, WST, 452AA. 700X, Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique.

[Hootmix]

My friend bough a "project rifle", tight chamber, bore .3o9 (will slug to be sure), Mark 4 # ll. He was trying to shoot "Precision ammo", the shoulder is (was) to far forward, and would not chamber, I'm not a pro. gunsmith, the R&P would feed & shoot, so i ckd. from base to shoulder w/ caliper both rds. different lengths. His other 30-40 (original), chambered and shot both brands of ammo.
Back to original ? Accurate 31-155D or equivalent or will he have to go to GC's, he likes to shoot long distant, was thinking 1400-1600fps. should be good out to 500yds. (yes or no?). I can cast "hard bullets" if needed. Glad each of you are to help me with this.

be having coffee, Hootmix.

[Outpost75]

My friend bough a "project rifle", tight chamber, bore .3o9 (will slug to be sure), Mark 4 # ll. He was trying to shoot "Precision ammo", the shoulder is (was) to far forward, and would not chamber, I'm not a pro. gunsmith, the R&P would feed & shoot, so i ckd. from base to shoulder w/ caliper both rds. different lengths. His other 30-40 (original), chambered and shot both brands of ammo.
Back to original ? Accurate 31-155D or equivalent or will he have to go to GC's, he likes to shoot long distant, was thinking 1400-1600fps. should be good out to 500yds. (yes or no?). I can cast "hard bullets" if needed. Glad each of you are to help me with this.

be having coffee, Hootmix.

Re-read my post which I edited to provide more info. Hard bullets are not needed. Wheel weights with 2 percent tin added or 50-50 linotype and plumber's lead are fine in plain base or with GC to 1600-1800 fps. and perform well for hunting loads and target shooting at 200-300 yards. Beyond 200 yards the NOE clone of #314299 is bullet of choice using 30 grains of the military rifle powders listed above.

[Krag1902]

I have five Krags. Best luck is with bullets in the 210 gr. range. Best is the 311284, then 311290, 311299, , and if you can find one, 311335. I've also had stellar groups with 311329.

[cwtebay]

I load for 6 Krag Jorgensen rifles and 7 1895 Winnie's.
Outpost is dead in with his statements.
I have found remarkable variation in the KJ's dependent on year they were produced. My oldest '95 is a flatside, my newest is a Browning ca. 1988 - remarkable how similar bore sizes are.


**OUTPOST IS DEAD RIGHT IN HIS STATEMENTS!!**

Holy cow I need to proof read better!!
Sorry outpost!!
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Ray1946]

I have a copy of a 1915 "Ideal" hand book and according to it the 311284(308284) was designed for the Krag rifle. They have a number of powder charges listed, but those powders were discontinued long ago..............................

[Hootmix]

Thanks, one & all, ordered a set of reloading dies, i can make a sizing die, will have to look for powders, I have H4198-Imr3031-RL-7. If i can find a mould that cast at .313 i can always size down .001-.002 for different bores.

coffee's ready, Hootmix.

[Outpost75]

Hotmix, for #311284 or #314299 with gascheck a charge of 22-24 grains of 4198 or 24-30 grains of 3031 should work for you.

[Hootmix]

Outpost75, these three smokeless powders seem to fit a lot of 1890's& up, type weapons, been working w/ RL7 in my 40-60 using a Dacron filler. Thank you again.

coffee's ready, Hootmix.