cast bullet load for a Krag

[kevin.303]

got myself a .30-40 Krag last weekend and am getting ready to load for it. i plan to buy myself a Lee 180 gr. mold and do some casting as well. my Lee manual doesn't list cast loads for the .30-40 so i'd like to know where i should start. also i already cast .311 bullets for my .303, would i be able to put them through a .308 sizer and use them, or are they too fat?

[jh45gun]

First thing to do is slug that Krag barrel it may shoot the 311 sized bullets fine as a lot of cast shooters shoot bullets a couple of thousands over. And or the bore may be a bit oversized. Yea the bullets should be able to be sized a couple of thousands with out hurting them. The Lee book has a formula for figuring out Reduced powder loads for cast bullets ect.  Still 16 to 20 grains of 2400 can be used in both cases for a good load for cast bullets. I use 2400 for all my cast bullet shooting using Milsurp cases. It is economical, and is not position sensative meaning you do not have to tip the barrel up to seat the powder over the primer as you do with some other light loads. I shot two deer last year with my 308 Encore Pistol using a cast bullet and 19 grains of 2400.  Keeping it closer to 16 grains will give you a more accurate load according to C. H Harris than the heavier loads up to 20 grains but I got good accuracy out of my 19 grain loads for hunting. Jim

[Vern Humphrey]

If you're already loading cast bullets in your .303, try the same load in your Krag.

[w30wcf]

kevin.303,

Lyman's 311284 is the original Krag bullet.  As jh45 gun indicated, the .311 diameter bullets may work just fine.

Good luck,
w30wcf

[ron haralson]

Your first respondent had good advice - I've had a Krag for 40 years or so, and get good results with 16 - 18 grains of 2400. My Krag has shot well with a wide variety of bullets and powder charges, so don't be afra id to try other loads. Overall length is important, as cartrdges too short will jam in the magazine, and the throat may be pretty large so it may do well with bullets larger than .308 (mine likes .311 to .313) with a long bearing surface to fill that throat.
     I've really enjoyed my Krag and hope yours works out for you.


                                                                         Ron

[Robert]

Accurate Powder lists cast dat for 165, 180 and 210 gr bullets.  I'll try to find a link.   Here it is...
http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/308Cal(7.82mm)/30%2040%20Krag%20pages%20255%20256.pdf
  You will need acrobat reader to view it.  If you don't already have acrobat....they have a link to download it free.
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

www.accuratepowder.com  (main menu)

[kevin.303]

hmm.. accur 2400 isn't availble locally, and the local stores get uppity if you ask about special ordering. here's a list of powder that my local dealer has in stock at the moment.

Hodgdon

H335
BLC-2
H380
H414
H4350
H4831
H1000
Varget
Clays
HS-6
H 110
Retumbo

Winchester

231
296
748
760
Super Target
Super Field

Hercules

Red Dot
Green Dot
Unique
Blue Dot
Bullseye
Reloader 19
Reloader 22

DuPont

IMR4831
IMR4350
IMR4064
IMR4895
IMR3031
IMR4198
IMR4227
IMR7828
800X
700X
SR4756

also i'm fairly new to reloading and i'm wondering, are powders like IMR4831 and H4831 the same, and just sold by different companys. i'd like to use a powder thats good for both cast and jacketed loads, easier on the wallet.

[ron haralson]

2400 is made by Alliant, same as Unique etc. However, I've had good results with both Unique(9 - 11gr.) and 4198(about 22gr). both with Lyman 311284, 311365, and 311299 - not much to choose. Any of those will average 2 - 2 1/2" for 5 shots at 100 yards with iron sights. There's no reason H110(15 - 17gr.) shouldn't do as well. While I haven't tried it in the Krag, I've had good results in other rifles with reduced loads of H414, but usually didn't stick with them because it took so much more powder that it was much more expensive. The faster powders give useable velocity and a lot less noise/perceived recoil than the slower ones. Just be careful not to double a charge. The same designation (IMR4350 vs H4350) are not always the same. Anyway, I hope some of that helps.

 Ron