Page 1 of 1
Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:09 am
by Emmagee303
Greeting all: First time posting here.
I have some questions regarding re-loading for the 98 Krag Rifle, not carbine.
I recently got hold of a beautiful 98 Rifle in superb original condition. Apologies though, no pics at this time but will soon. Bore is mint. I plan to shoot it and am all set up to re-load for it. I wish to replicate the period military ball loading. I plan to load Hornady 220gr. RNSP bullets and saw reference to a load of 40 grains of IMR 4350 that would produce 1,990-ish FPS which would be nearly an exact match for the original ball round. Can anyone confirm this or point me in a better direction?
More posting to come with pics but for now I greatly appreciate any and all input.
Best regards,
Terry
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 1:31 am
by butlersrangers
'Emmagee303' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.
The load you have mentioned is popular with some of the KCA members, who shoot in vintage matches.
If you look at the heading "Older Threads", I have 'bumped' an entry on loading data in which Paul Steinmayer mentions this load. (See - "Took my 1898 sporter out today").
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 2:20 am
by Emmagee303
Greatly appreciate the information Sir! Will give it a look-see!
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 2:04 pm
by FredC
Here is the link in case the thread is not always at the top:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2148
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 2:10 pm
by Emmagee303
Fred;
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
Terry
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:41 pm
by Doubly Reincarnated
Do not try to increase the powder load. That's entering the range where bolt lugs get cracked.
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 6:24 pm
by psteinmayer
FWIW, the Hornady 220 gr RNSP bullet is as close as you will ever find to the ballistics and shape of the original 220 GR cupro-nickel bullet used in US .30 Army (the military name for 30-40). There are other 220 gr RN bullet out there... but are slightly different. For instance, the Sierra 220 gr RN has a smaller nose and taper. Also, IMR-4350 is as close as you will get to the Laflin and Rand W.A.30 that was used for the US .30 Army.
There are some who shoot other bullets and loads... and do well. I have a friend who wins matches and he's shooting a 155 gr RN bullet out of his 1894. Krags are funny beasts and almost human in that not all Krags like the same food! However, my 1898 loves the 220 gr RNSP/IMR-4350 round. For what it's worth, I used to load mine with a CCI-250 Magnum primer, but I've since switched to a CCI #34 Mil-Spec primer (which is somewhere between a standard and magnum with a slightly thicker cup. I did this for logistics reasons, but it works). The reason I use a hotter primer with the 4350 is simply to ensure a complete burn of the powder.
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 12:34 am
by Ned Butts
psteinmayer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 6:24 pm
FWIW, the Hornady 220 gr RNSP bullet is as close as you will ever find to the ballistics and shape of the original 220 GR cupro-nickel bullet used in US .30 Army (the military name for 30-40). There are other 220 gr RN bullet out there... but are slightly different. For instance, the Sierra 220 gr RN has a smaller nose and taper. Also, IMR-4350 is as close as you will get to the Laflin and Rand W.A.30 that was used for the US .30 Army.
There are some who shoot other bullets and loads... and do well. I have a friend who wins matches and he's shooting a 155 gr RN bullet out of his 1894. Krags are funny beasts and almost human in that not all Krags like the same food! However, my 1898 loves the 220 gr RNSP/IMR-4350 round. For what it's worth, I used to load mine with a CCI-250 Magnum primer, but I've since switched to a CCI #34 Mil-Spec primer (which is somewhere between a standard and magnum with a slightly thicker cup. I did this for logistics reasons, but it works). The reason I use a hotter primer with the 4350 is simply to ensure a complete burn of the powder.
I've been using the Hornady/4350/CCI250 load for years now as well. Just did a search and found this post
"KWK Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 11:33 pm
Contact: Contact KWK
Re: Load Suggestions
Post by KWK » Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:15 pm
I have only one load for my .30-40: 35 gr of IMR 4895 with the Rem 9.5 primer and Hornady 220 gr RN giving 2000 fps from 30". Based on Lyman's pressure tested data, this should be in the mid 30's in pressure.
Lyman's data suggests 4350 requires about 15% more powder but won't lower pressure much. Of course, it might regulate to fixed sights better"
I have IMR 4895 for my Danes and Garand so might give it a try. would be nice to unclutter the powder cabinet!
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:59 am
by Parashooter
psteinmayer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 6:24 pm . . . I've since switched to a CCI #34 Mil-Spec primer (which is somewhere between a standard and magnum with a slightly thicker cup. . .)
Contrary to many assertions, the CCI #34 achieves enhanced resistance to inadvertent ignition not by a thick cup but rather by a short anvil -
- cci34.jpg (65.59 KiB) Viewed 1575 times
Re: Questions on loading for 1898 Krag Rifle
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:28 pm
by psteinmayer
There ya go... I stand corrected. Thanks Para.
FWIW, I've never had a mis-fire or inadvertent (slam) fire using the #34... and I use it in all of my rifle calibers that I reload now (except 7.5 Swiss which I am using a Berdan KV762N primer).