Look it up at http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp. Never, never, never solicit or accept specific loading data from strangers (like me) who may be incompetent, careless, or just plain nuts.
Cartridge: 6.5 x 55mm
Bullet Weight Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
129 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4895 .264" 2.935" 35.0 2488 38,400 CUP 39.0 2703 45,600 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4895 .264" 3.030" 34.5 2364 38,900 CUP 37.8 2550 45,500 CUP
160 GR. HDY RN IMR IMR 4895 .264" 3.300" 33.0 2189 37,700 CUP 36.0 2346 44,600 CUP
129 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4064 .264" 2.935" 36.0 2534 39,800 CUP 39.2 2704 45,800 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4064 .264" 3.030" 35.0 2394 39,500 CUP 38.0 2563 45,800 CUP
160 GR. HDY RN IMR IMR 4064 .264" 3.300" 34.0 2243 39,500 CUP 36.5 2360 44,700 CUP
This data from Hodgdon may be correct - or I could have screwed up copying it. Use the source, Luke! ::)
Norwegian Sporter Krag
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Parashooter
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:14 am
- Location: Kragmudgeon House, CT
Re: Norwegian Sporter Krag
I ask for suggestions. I also check the data. I am interested in what other Norwegian Krag users find effective. I've been surprised at my results using info from my Sierra load book. Sierra listed Varget as the powder they used for their accuracy load using the 140 grain SBT. As such, I've been surprised by my poor results.
Rich T
Re: Norwegian Sporter Krag
Listen to Parashooter and use a better powder and dont start too low. Try the Lyman manual with 140gr bullets for a start. There are lots of 140gr bullets out there to choose from and Lyman used a Swedish M38 Mauser for the test gun for their data. (Short of using a Krag that is as close as you are going to get.) Try Priv 139gr SPs from Graf & Sons. They are cheap and in stock. They may not be the most accurate in your gun as they are .263 diameter but you need to get the general powder charge in the ballpark before you start to worry about accuracy. You are too low or using the wrong powder or something.
Re: Norwegian Sporter Krag
My M1912 Krag actually just barely fails the SAAMI field gauge test and slugs at .266. Am I worried? Not really. Despite this, pressure seems low as my Krag loads are consistently and predictably just a little slower than the same loads out of my tighter barreled Swedish M38 Mauser, which also has a 24 barrel. (Both guns have military chambers with only small differences so it is a fairly close comparison on paper at least.) The only time I ever had a slightly sticky bolt and a low velocity on the Krag was with an opening load form Hornadys and going up a grain solved the problem. Ive never had primers back out or overly sooty cases.
Re: Norwegian Sporter Krag
Try IMR 4350, or Vihtavuori N-160 with 140 gr bullets. These powders are in a lot of manuals and are commonly used for this bullet application in the Krag. Start with Lymans opening load and by seating the Privi bullet the same depth as the factory loaded Privi. (You can use a factory loaded Privi bullet to set up your seating die)
This is my experience: I Use Privi cases as they are good quality, last a long time and they are cheap. I get them from firing the loaded ammo and recycling the cases but if you dont want to shoot factory Privi in your Krag, you can buy the cases new from Graf & Sons. Try just re-sizing the neck if you have fired them once in that gun. I trim cases to CIP 2.157 but others may use the SAAMI spec of 2.155. I neck size, check length and trim my cases every time I reload them. So far, after 5 loadings I then full length resize. I have never had a case split other than a minor split in the neck due to the die catching the case incorrectly, not the firing of the gun. The case was discarded before loading . I use Winchester large rifle primers. I have used N-160 mostly and have worked up to 40grs (over that too) of powder with the Privi 139gr bullets with no problems. My gun seems to prefer the Privi 139gr BTs over the SPs. Normally about +/- 2.5-3 group at 100 yards but my eyes may be a biggest part of this. My velocities are usually in the 2100-2250 ft/ sec range with 140gr bullets and these are still rather low pressure loads. (For the record and for comparison, Privi factory 139gr SP loads are about 2360 ft/ second in my gun, and I doubt they are over the pressure threshold for Krag safe in my gun. Privi uses a faster powder than I do but slower than your Varget, Still, I do not use them that often.)
This is my experience: I Use Privi cases as they are good quality, last a long time and they are cheap. I get them from firing the loaded ammo and recycling the cases but if you dont want to shoot factory Privi in your Krag, you can buy the cases new from Graf & Sons. Try just re-sizing the neck if you have fired them once in that gun. I trim cases to CIP 2.157 but others may use the SAAMI spec of 2.155. I neck size, check length and trim my cases every time I reload them. So far, after 5 loadings I then full length resize. I have never had a case split other than a minor split in the neck due to the die catching the case incorrectly, not the firing of the gun. The case was discarded before loading . I use Winchester large rifle primers. I have used N-160 mostly and have worked up to 40grs (over that too) of powder with the Privi 139gr bullets with no problems. My gun seems to prefer the Privi 139gr BTs over the SPs. Normally about +/- 2.5-3 group at 100 yards but my eyes may be a biggest part of this. My velocities are usually in the 2100-2250 ft/ sec range with 140gr bullets and these are still rather low pressure loads. (For the record and for comparison, Privi factory 139gr SP loads are about 2360 ft/ second in my gun, and I doubt they are over the pressure threshold for Krag safe in my gun. Privi uses a faster powder than I do but slower than your Varget, Still, I do not use them that often.)
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butlersrangers
- Posts: 9880
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: Norwegian Sporter Krag
bump for new guy