H335 and the 30-40 Krag: GTG?

[luvmy40]

Has anyone used H335 for their Krag?

I found several online data sheets for the 30-40 that listed H335 loads. None of my hard copy manuals list it as a viable option.

Most of the data I found start at 30-33 gn for the 180-200 gn spitzer jacketed bullets.

I loaded 10 rounds with 185gn Lapua pills at 31gn H335 but I haven't test fired yet. My concern is that the volume of powder in the case is very low. Is there any worry about detonation?

[madsenshooter]

I found some old Hodgdon data for 180 & 220 gr bullets in a One Book/One Caliber for the 30-40 that I have. 31-34gr for the 180, 30-33 for the 200. Detonation, as in SEE shouldn't be a problem, if your rifle doesn't have a rough throat. 335 was a relatively fast ball powder, in between 3031 and 4895 in burn rate, faster than powders normally associated with SEE events. I have no personal experience with it though. I have found that my Krag prefers powders in this burn rate or faster, for best accuracy. Might have something to do with the muzzle pressure. Most accurate load I found with 168s uses 29.5gr of a powder that burns about 4198 speed. The lower muzzle pressure doesn't make as big a jet blast to add to recoil as 50gr of slow burning powder does.

[luvmy40]

Jut in case anybody cares:

I hit the range with the test loads yesterday. They functioned fine, even felt a little underpowered. The accuracy was less than stellar. At 100 yards, I got no discernible group with them. I fired 10 rounds of Core-Lokt factory ammo and got a nice group so there's no doubt in my mind that the rifle just did not like my load-up.

I'll do a work up with the 335 and the 185gn lapua pills but It may be futile. My 308 does not like these bullets either and I only have another 200 or so. I got them at a gun show a few years ago for next to nothing. They were pull downs from "Match Ammo" according to the vendor. I'll also do a load up with the Hornady 180gn that I have as well. Hopefully I can find a reasonably accurate hand load. The factory ammo in 30-40 Krag is stupid expensive.

[madsenshooter]

Yes go up a bit, without exceeding the recommended max of course. Sometimes accuracy sucks, then you get to the pressure level where the powder burns efficiently and a bullet that performs poorly magically becomes accurate. Remington already found the right pressure level. Are those Lapuas the rebated boatail? My Garand didn't think much of those if they are. I only tried a couple loads though.

[luvmy40]

Yep, that's them.

I'll play with them a bit but I won't be looking for more anytime soon!

I'm going to start casting and Hi-Tek coating 55gn .22 pills for .223 soon. Maybe I'll pick up a spitzer mold in .309 as well. I had a .311 round nose mold for .303 brit but I sold it with the Lee-Enfield a while back.

[madsenshooter]

For a 30 caliber spitzer mold, I'd avoid the 311413 aka the Squib bullet. Very accurate up to 1500fps or so, then things get wild. I've had good luck with NOE's 311365. It was shooting good enough at 100yds that I tried using it at Camp Perry. It was going around 2100fps, and weighed 203gr, so it was an approximation of the 1907 Palma load. My alloy wasn't up to the task and I didn't do very good, still about mid-pack.