Improvement at the Range
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 6:22 pm
I recently had some encouraging range results with my 1899 Krag carbine. In a post a few weeks ago I noted I was switching from Varget and R/L 15 to AA 2520 powder for reloading 2 distinct Hornady Interlock bullets. The brass is also Hornady, reloaded 6X, trimmed, chamfered, polished, and primed with Win. LR primers. All cartridges were fired at 75 yds. from a bench rest Breeze was directly from behind at 3 - 7 mph ant the temperature was 60 F. Results were as follows: 165 gr. BTSP, 40 grs of AA2520 (.303 British reduced by 14%) and a COL 3.025". I fired only 8 rounds and they did not group very well... a 10" group circling the bulls eye. When I reload this brass I plan to increase the COL by .020 - .040" and reduce the powder by 2 grs.
Comparatively, when I switched to the 180 gr RN bullets the results were significantly better. I loaded those bullets atop 36 grs of AA 2520 (.303 British reduced by 16%) with a COL of 3.080" I placed 5 rounds into the capsule magazine, closed the gate and racked a round into the chamber. Then I topped this off by placing another round into the magazine. I then got very comfortable at the bench and squeezed off the 6 rounds. The 4th shot was a "flyer" at 3:00 o'clock, 5" east of the bull. (I probably yanked that shot.) The remaining 5 rounds hit the bull forming a 1.75" group. That afternoon (9/29/2021) I do not think any other shooter of 78 years would have been as excited as I was, and still am.
I then got greedy with the 8 rounds I had remaining in my ammo box. I let the rifle cool off a bit, and fired off the 8 remaining 180 gr rounds. Disappointingly, the bullets began to drift up, and to the left towards 11:00 o'clock. I ended up with a 6"group, with the nearest shot 3" to the left of the bull.
I humbly seek the perspective and opinion of the skilled and expert Krag riflemen on this forum as to reason(s) that might have caused this. I have an '03 Springfield manufactured in 1918. With it, after 6 - 7 shots in a couple of minute span, the bullets always being to drift up and to the right towards 1 o'clock. Back in the late 90's at a range in Florida, I was complaining about this drift, and the range officer who was a World War II Marine Vet, told me the "up to the right drift" was characteristic of early '03's made at the SA. I wonder if the Krags' accuracy erodes in a similar way to '03's, i.e., as the barrel expands with continual firing, does the bedding of the barrel to fore stock become compressed and cause the "drift". I certainly will appreciated any thoughts you have on this.
Many Thanks
Comparatively, when I switched to the 180 gr RN bullets the results were significantly better. I loaded those bullets atop 36 grs of AA 2520 (.303 British reduced by 16%) with a COL of 3.080" I placed 5 rounds into the capsule magazine, closed the gate and racked a round into the chamber. Then I topped this off by placing another round into the magazine. I then got very comfortable at the bench and squeezed off the 6 rounds. The 4th shot was a "flyer" at 3:00 o'clock, 5" east of the bull. (I probably yanked that shot.) The remaining 5 rounds hit the bull forming a 1.75" group. That afternoon (9/29/2021) I do not think any other shooter of 78 years would have been as excited as I was, and still am.
I then got greedy with the 8 rounds I had remaining in my ammo box. I let the rifle cool off a bit, and fired off the 8 remaining 180 gr rounds. Disappointingly, the bullets began to drift up, and to the left towards 11:00 o'clock. I ended up with a 6"group, with the nearest shot 3" to the left of the bull.
I humbly seek the perspective and opinion of the skilled and expert Krag riflemen on this forum as to reason(s) that might have caused this. I have an '03 Springfield manufactured in 1918. With it, after 6 - 7 shots in a couple of minute span, the bullets always being to drift up and to the right towards 1 o'clock. Back in the late 90's at a range in Florida, I was complaining about this drift, and the range officer who was a World War II Marine Vet, told me the "up to the right drift" was characteristic of early '03's made at the SA. I wonder if the Krags' accuracy erodes in a similar way to '03's, i.e., as the barrel expands with continual firing, does the bedding of the barrel to fore stock become compressed and cause the "drift". I certainly will appreciated any thoughts you have on this.
Many Thanks