chronograph my krag

[mi-fordson]

I chronographed my krag this weekend, shooting a lyman 311290 mold 210gr gas checked bullet. This is a sporterized krag with a 25" barrel.
imr 4759 2400
1-1458 fps 1-1415
2-1442 2-1485
3-1452 3-1407
4-1446

How much more can i get out of her in velosity and be safe, the brass and used primers look very good but i think the action is the week link. I plan on hunting this fall with this krag and would like to get up to 1600-1700 fps with here if i can?

[kstone1020]

I use standard Remington Core-lokt 180gr. Not sure of its ballistic coefficient. I may have to look it up and get back to you.
However, it does fantastic out of my krag for white-tail as well as black bear.

I never shot 210 grain out of my krag, couldnt even tell you what the velocity or spin drift is with a bullet that heavy out of it. I could also find the ballistic coefficient for 210gr. as well.
If youre interested. With that information you can compare and use the right grain for the application.

[Stewart]

Krags actually have strong actions; it's the bolt that was reported to have failed (110 years ago) when they were really still just figuring out the parameters of smokeless powder. The bolts reportedly cracked at the forward main locking lug. They were probably replaced; I've never seen a cracked Krag bolt and if you don't see a crack as described, you're in good shape. There were no reports of Krag actions failing like subsequent 1903 Springfields - just cracked bolts. Inspect your bolt periodically if you're shooting loads that you're not sure if the pressure level is OK. Are you casting your own bullets? Do you want to continue shooting cast bullets? As the previous responder implied, Remington manufactures 30-40 factory ammo that gives about 2450 fps. If I were hunting with my Krag, that's what I'd want to use. I've never heard of anyone having pressure problems with the currently available factory ammo and it's an effective loading. My own opinion is that a lot has been made of this legend of "weak Krag actions" and I think a lot of the facts have been forgotten (or never known) as it came down through the years. I have a Model 1898 that was made in 1902. I would trust it with somewhat higher pressure loads than I'd be comfortable with in an 1892 or 1896. The steel forging and heat treatment processes that were used for 1903 Springfields were also available and being used in 1902 and 1903 to make Krags. The steel is not inferior but the bolt locking mechanism had limitations. I've exceeded max. pressure limits with handloads by a grain or so with no signs of over pressure. You just have to use good judgement based on the condition and age of your particular gun and the available information.

[kstone1020]

I found BC information on a 210 Grain .308 caliber (which closely matches the performance of a 30-40)

fps/ mach Cd i7 BC(G7) i1 BC(G1)
1500/ 1.34 0.379 1.033 0.306 0.574 0.551
2000/ 1.79 0.319 1.019 0.310 0.513 0.617
2500/ 2.23 0.280 0.984 0.321 0.494 0.640
3000/ 2.68 0.251 0.965 0.328 0.473 0.668
Average: 1.000 0.316 0.514 0.619
Variation: 0.067 0.021 0.101 0.117

This is for a Sierra Match King 210 Grain G1 and G7. Dont have anything on Lymann, sorry

Hope it helps, and your Krag can shoot much higher than 1500fps. As long as the bore, bolt and barrel isnt damaged or mistreated you can go upwards of 2800+/- fps

[fred]

I'm far from an expert and if I am way off base others will let us know. But, wasn't the original load for the Krag a 220 grain slug traveling at 2000 fps? If I recall correctly, they later tried to raise the velocity up to about 2200 fps and that's when they began noticing cracked lugs.

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

daveboy

[Dick Hosmer]

As bolt actions go, Krags do NOT have "strong" actions. It makes no difference which component fails - bolt or receiver - the end result is the same. The single locking lug is the weak point - the shock load is asymmetric, and lug contact area is insufficient for more than about 45000PSI. Lapping the main lug so that the safety rib also bears is a poor fix at best, and doesn't make it OK to shoot hot loads, just may give a bit more safety margin.

If you need more pressure, buy a new rifle which will handle 55000-60000PSI. Enjoy the Krag for what it is. It will do almost anything a .308 will do - but if that isn't enough, get a better gun.

Just my $.02.

[butlersrangers]

Dick Hosmer is a true gentleman and he generously shares a wealth of useful knowledge. His observations and 2 cents worth are priceless!
(It is my understanding that the U.S. Krag has the same metallurgy as a low # 1903 Springfield. I won't shoot a low # 1903 because a case failure allows hot gases to get into the single heat-treat action with possible disasterous results. The Krag with its rimmed cartridge provides a Seal to hot gases entering the action in the event of most cartridge case ruptures. Although not as strong as the low # 1903 action, the Krag is safer in the event of a cartridge case failure. I shoot my Krags, but with low pressure loads).
Dick Hosmer is correct. If you want to shoot hot loads, get a stronger action!

[Stewart]

I will stick with my statement that Krags have strong actions but weak bolts (due to their single lug). I do not (and did not) suggest that someone try loading and using 308Win pressure level reloads. The factory Remington loads for example are quite potent and perfectly safe with any Krag in good condition. If I owned a long barreled rifle, I would probably not shoot a lot of them (frequently). Also, regarding heat treatment at Springfield Armory, it is not ALL low serial number 1903s that had insufficient heat treatment, just SOME of the early serial numbers and I believe they've identified a particular time period, method and person/s at fault. I've never read that there is any record or account of Krag actions coming apart upon firing like those early 1903s that failed.

[kstone1020]

Heaviest projectile I shoot out of my Krag is 180Gr. I have successfully put 2300fps out of my krag with a Lapua 155Gr Scenar. I think I would be afraid to push a 200+ Gr. projectile to 2300fps. smaller projectile will produce less pressure since the gasses can escape the barrel faster due to the lighter projectile. Blunt force of a 200+Gr will defenately raise the PSI, making the action and bore more suseptable to damage or rupture. At least thats what I was taught.

[kragluver]

Bottom line is - don't exceed the max charge weight or muzzle velocity of published loads. I personally use the Lyman manual for my Krag data but have cross checked it against numerous other books. With the right bullet and slow powder, the Krag can almost match .308 ballistics (note I did not say pressures!).