New to Krag Reloading

[JessLJessup]

I've reclaimed a bunch of spirepont soft nose and round nose soft nose bullets that I believe are Remington Core-Lokt. Both are flat base. I intend to use them in my Krag, but am new to reloading for 30-40 and want to keep an ancient gun in one piece. I don't have any of the powders listed in the manuals for 30-40. I use Varget for my other vintage rifles and 2520 for the ARs. I have some Shooter's World Match Rifle, but I don't have any 30-40 data for that powder.
So what are your favorite powders. The most I will try to do is a 200 yd CMP match.

BTW, new and this is my first post.

Jess

[Mike4MSU]

I like H4350 for the original, heavier 220gr RN
This is also a great powder if you shoot 6.5cm

I also like H4895 with SK 175gr HPBT
This is a great powder for 30-06 and 308/7.62

[Y2K-WS.6]

Hey Jess, you didn't mention what you're using them in.
My rifle likes IMR 4350 behind 220gr round nose down to 180gr spitzers. I like to stay with flat base bullets whenever possible. That slow burning powder behind a heavy bullet in a 30 inch barrel works perfectly.
However if you're using a carbine I'd go with a 4064 or a 4895 behind a 180 to 200gr bullet for slightly faster burn characteristics and flatter trajectory.

[Culpeper]

I looked in my Hornady and Sierra manuals. Both list IMR 4064 and IMR 4350 as possible charges for .30-40.

Sierra 175 - 180 grain bullets

Which is line i item # 106 on the chart - IMR 4064 @ 2000 fps is 35.6 grains

Which is line item # 113 on the chart - Hodgdon Varget - Beats me. Some place in between? You should call Hodgdon's customer service and contact one of their engineers.

Which is line i item # 130 on the chart - IMR 4350 @ 2000 fps is 42.0 grains.

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/ ... EBSITE.pdf

[Mike4MSU]

Varget is listed for 180gr

[Culpeper]

How rude of me. Welcome to the greatest Krag forum just this side of heaven, Jess! The smart fellas will be along. You can see Mike4MSU has given posted info for Varget. My google-fu eludes me sometimes.

We are all lonely souls. Never venturing out in the daylight fearing we may see rifles that are not Krags, pouring over Krag porn in the dark recesses of our closets away from the prying eyes of loved ones.

Okay. It's just me. So what ya got for a Krag? Do you have enough ammo or brass to last the rest of this millennium?



Culpeper

[Ned Butts]

And what are the bullet weights?

[Mike4MSU]

I like H4350 for the original, heavier 220gr RN
This is also a great powder if you shoot 6.5cm

I also like H4895 with SK 175gr HPBT
This is a great powder for 30-06 and 308/7.62

30-40 Krag

40gr Hodgdon H4350
220gr RN Soft Point

37gr Hodgdon H4895
Sierra Match King HPBT 175

[JessLJessup]

Sorry, here's the info I left out.
Spire points are 165 grn.
Round nose are 180 grn.
It is an model 1898 rifle.
Thanks for your patience.

[butlersrangers]

Lots of good Data is available in the Hornady and Speer "Reloading Manuals".

I have no experience with Varget.

FWIW - IMR-3031, IMR-4895, and IMR-4064 are nice propellants with 150 grain to 180 grain .30 cal. projectiles

I prefer jacketed bullets lighter than 220 grains.
They give higher velocities, good accuracy, less recoil and keep pressures down.

I like IMR-3031 and medium weight jacketed bullets.
Most of my Krags feed 'spitzer' bullets OK. I seat them 'out', so they just pass through the magazine.