Krag Collectors Association Forum

Ok I'm running out of IMR 4350 which my rifle loves behind Hornady 210gr bt ballistic tips. I went searching through my powder locker and found an unopened
can of Reloader 19 in the back that I bought with a powder lot from the relative of a departed reloader some years ago.

Now I'm no wildcatter I build loads on published data playing with it until I find what that particular rifle likes. Going through all the bullet and powder manufacturers books including Alliants I couldn't find any data for that particular powder in the 30-40. Knowing that it's a slow burner I figured it would be good behind the heavy bullets and in the long barrel. I contacted Alliant and their response was they have never experimented with that powder in that round so a dead end there. I did recommend they try it but hold no hopes.

So by working off the burn rate chart I found a powder listed just below Reloader 19 which is IMR 4831. There are multiple loads from multiple sources using that powder. Based on data published by Nosler, Sierra, Speer and IMR it looks like 41grs of IMR 4831 will provide 1900fps +/- from the 30 inch barrel and 42grs will provide 2000fps +/-. I've loaded some of both yesterday with the Reloader 19 but the weather is lousy and commitments will keep me from the range until next week. What do you guys think about this loading? Have any of you used it before? Any input is appreciated.

Alliants response,

QuickLoad estimates (not tested data!) for a sanity check -

Cartridge : .30-40 Krag
Bullet : .308, 210, Sierra HP MatchK 9240
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.089 inch or 78.46 mm
Barrel Length : 30.0 inch or 762.0 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-19

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.389% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-11.6 91 38.00 2085 2026 30316 4907 88.2 1.932
-10.5 92 38.50 2112 2080 31408 4989 88.9 1.903
-09.3 93 39.00 2139 2134 32540 5071 89.5 1.875
-08.1 95 39.50 2167 2190 33717 5151 90.2 1.847
-07.0 96 40.00 2195 2246 34935 5230 90.8 1.820
-05.8 97 40.50 2222 2303 36210 5307 91.4 1.793
-04.7 98 41.00 2250 2360 37529 5383 92.0 1.766
-03.5 99 41.50 2278 2419 38903 5457 92.6 1.737
-02.3 101 42.00 2305 2478 40330 5529 93.1 1.709 ! Near Maximum !
-01.2 102 42.50 2333 2538 41816 5600 93.6 1.683 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 103 43.00 2361 2599 43362 5668 94.2 1.656 ! Near Maximum !
+01.2 104 43.50 2389 2661 44971 5735 94.6 1.630 ! Near Maximum !

IIRC, the original FA loads with 220 grain bullets didn't go much faster than 2,000 fps. A 225 grain bullet at the same velocity ought to generate a smidge more pressure. Re19 doesn't look to be very much different than either of the 4350s. I'd try the 38.0 grain load first. If you have a sight setting for the standard 40 grains of 4350 and a 220 grain bullet, see if it matches. If you get vertical stringing, creep upward with the charge. I wouldn't go over 40.0 grains. Loads hotter than that are PROVEN to crack bolts.

Thanks I guess I'll be breaking down the rounds I put together and make them milder. I figured I'd run all these through the chronograph and if they showed over 2000fps I'd just stop using them. These loads are all way too hot apparently. I'll rebuild them starting at 38grs and move up from there.

Broke down all 40 rounds. I rebuilt them as 10 each of 38grs, 38.5grs, 39grs and 39.5grs. I will take the most accurate of these and test them against a 40gr load the next time I do a loading. All rounds will be run through the chronograph to keep an eye on velocity and every piece of brass with be scrutinized for signs of over pressurizing after every shot.

I've used RL19 quite a bit, there used to be some data on the Swiss Rifles website. There was a section of Krag loads useful for the 1889 Swiss rifle, a few with RL19. RL19 will get up to pressure with a 150gr bullet, 4831 will not do that without some major compression. It is very much like 4350 in burn rate, closer to it than 4831. Good stuff if you ask me.

My reloading manual says ...

That looks like a pre-WW2 reloading manual, maybe 85 years old. Many different powders have appeared since then. Some better, some not. I greatly regret the passing of HiVel 2 and SR 4759, but some of the recent stuff comes close to duplicating performance.