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Reduced loads are nice on a hot day!

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:43 am
by butlersrangers
I went to the Range on this hot afternoon for a bit of practice and to try a new load. (Both loads were mild reduced loads).

I used a scoped carbine, which I'm getting to like a lot.
I also finally shot a restored model 1899 carbine.
(Last Winter, I switched the barrels of these two Krags).

I was going to shoot at 50 yards, but, a couple of 'whackadoodles' had that range tied-up, shooting auto-loaders at 15 yards!

I just went over to the 100 yard range to be away from their antics.

The 'scoped' carbine was 'right on the money' with a load using Frankford Arsenal 152 grain, .30 cal. M2 projectiles, powered by 26 grains of IMR4198.

This scoped Krag also shot a nice group on the 'backer' with the second load, which consisted of a 100 grain Hornady 1/2 jacketed projectile, powered by 16 grains of SR4759.
At 100 yards, this second load printed 8 inches 'south-west' of point of aim, but, the 5 shots fit into a 1.5 inch circle

It was trickier at 100 yards getting the carbine 'sighted-in'. The front-blade is too tall and the 1902 sight's windage was 'off'. (I should have put up a larger 'clean' backer').

I finally went to a 9" paper plate, set the slide for 300 yards, got the windage right, and aimed for center of mass. In the glaring light, the front blade was a trial to see clearly!
My last eight 1/2 jackets hit or nicked the plate. (I'm definitely going to do something to improve that front blade).

Re: Reduced loads are nice on a hot day!

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:35 am
by Zac952
Looks like you have those loads dialed right in, some impressive shooting no doubt, I was curious about the front sight, does the 1902 need a shorter blade than the 1901? Just wondering as I may be interested in a rifle with a 1902 sight as I have the 1901 on my short rifle build.

Re: Reduced loads are nice on a hot day!

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:52 am
by butlersrangers
U.S. model 1901 and model 1902 rear-sights use the same front-sight blades.

The rifle versions were matched with a .413" blade.

The carbine versions of 1901 &1902 rear sights were matched with .355" blades.

All U.S. Krag models had the same front-sight base height.