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Thread: 30-40 Krag brass

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    30-40 Krag brass

    A friend recently bought a 30-40 Krag rifle and was delighted to have found it. He was having trouble finding either ammo or brass for it so he passed this chore over to me (whatta pal)! My luck was no better than his so I searched my options in several cartridge conversion books I have on hand. To my surprise I learned that the .303 British cases are almost identical to Krag brass. I gathered together a few .303 samples and pressed them through a Krag sizing die. The end result was a very useable substitute and the end of a frustrating and potentially expensive search for properly branded brass. I took the time to ask him if he now owns a rifle chambered for the British cartridge. His answer was that he did not, nor will he add one to his assortment just to be on the safe side.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
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    I did the same thing when I got an 1895 Winnie and was already shooting an Enfield MKV. The only difference was that the 303 brass didn't have the bevel on the rim.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

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  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master


    missionary5155's Avatar
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    Every hand loader should have access to a cartridge conversion manual.
    "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
    Male Guanaco out in dry lakebed at 10,800 feet south of Arequipa.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Many years ago I got a Krag and it was during the last shortage of Krag ammo and brass. Converted quite a few 303B to 30/40 and they worked just fine. Note that they are a bit short but since I didn't crimp it didn't matter.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master WILCO's Avatar
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    "Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face!" - Mike Tyson

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  6. #6
    Boolit Bub Jungle Dave's Avatar
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    I started doing this for my Win-95 back when I got it. It's fun running those .303's through the die. Now I can't even find .303's...lol

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    Like you said, "potentially expensive search for properly branded brass." There is always that option, but it is getting more painful!

    https://www.gunbroker.com/item/978415431

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by missionary5155 View Post
    Every hand loader should have access to a cartridge conversion manual.


    If you are just starting out in reloading ... take note of this advice ...
    If you are experienced reloader ... it's still good to have one on your bookshelf .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check