Reloading for 30-40 Krag

Blindstitch · May 11, 2013, 07:31 PM

I have a Remington Lee 30-40 Krag that I'm trying to find load data for it when using the 180 grain projectile and IMR 4064.

Who's to trust? Do you pick a manual and stick with it or cross reference a guess of starting load from all the data? Does anyone have a favorite combo. (yes I know not all guns even the same model might not use the same data)

The hodgdon site only lists a maximum load of 41 grains, vel 2435 and pressure 39000 CUP. There isn't any starting load data.

The Speer Manual 12th edition says 34 grains for 2112 muzzle velocity - 38 grain max for 1863 muzzle velocity.

Lyman's 48th says
Suggested starting 38 grains for 2148 velocity and 29700 CUP
Max load of 42 grains, 2389 velocity for 39,000 CUP.

Hornady Handbook 3rd edition says
32.6 grains for 1900 fps to a max of 40.5 grains for 2400 fps

Hornady Handbook 4th edition is the same as the 3rd.

IMR handloaders guide just says
41 grains for 39000 C.O.L.

Speer Manual #6 of 1964 doesn't list IMR 4064 in the Krag

Just trying to get some understanding and not damage this fine gun.

chiefr · May 11, 2013, 08:03 PM

All manuals vary and create confusion. IMHO, I always let the bullet type & weight be the most substantial factor in determining what powder to use.

30-40 Krag maximum pressure is around 40,000 PSI. I have found bullets weighing 180 grains or more get the best results in the older Krags. Bullets of 150 gr and lesser weights, tend to open up.

My pet Krag load is 44gr of IMR 4831 and Sierra or Hdy 180 gr. This by no means is a hot load. I have shot my share of 1 inch groups with this one. One or 2 grains more, the group get larger. One manual I own says 48gr is the max load.

Blindstitch · May 12, 2013, 08:22 PM

Thanks.

I guess I'll go with a combination of the Speer and Hornady Handbook and start with 34 grains of powder and work my way up.

I thought the 30-40 might be close to 303 British data but I guess there's a shortage of information on that too. The hodgdon website shows higher pressure for the same max grain.

Blindstitch · August 12, 2013, 08:05 PM

Finally got a chance to get out to the range after several months. Really sucks living in the city. This weekend I visited a range 75 miles away and brought the 1899 Remington Lee 30-40 Krag along.

Brass was loaded with 36 grains of IMR 4064 and 180 grain reclaimed projectiles. At 30 yards with open sights it did pretty good. Wish I had a picture of the second target because they were all in the center ring.

This rifle did surprise me with having the hardest trigger to pull that I have ever used. But I believe that it removed a good deal movement by holding the rifle even tighter.

GeauxTide · August 12, 2013, 09:05 PM

41gr for 2435 and 39000 in a 25.5" barrel

Sierra280 · August 13, 2013, 11:20 AM

Saint Ackley lists 40gr of 4064 and 40gr of 4320 as max loads for a 180gr projectile (in a factory chambered 30-40) = about 2300fps.

It's worth noting that the AI 30-40 krag was one of the biggest 'improvements' he ever made. An AI 30-40 has a listed max load for a 180gr bullet is 50gr 4064 = 2900fps

May 11, 2013, 07:31 PM	#1
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,696	Reloading for 30-40 Krag I have a Remington Lee 30-40 Krag that I'm trying to find load data for it when using the 180 grain projectile and IMR 4064. Who's to trust? Do you pick a manual and stick with it or cross reference a guess of starting load from all the data? Does anyone have a favorite combo. (yes I know not all guns even the same model might not use the same data) The hodgdon site only lists a maximum load of 41 grains, vel 2435 and pressure 39000 CUP. There isn't any starting load data. The Speer Manual 12th edition says 34 grains for 2112 muzzle velocity - 38 grain max for 1863 muzzle velocity. Lyman's 48th says Suggested starting 38 grains for 2148 velocity and 29700 CUP Max load of 42 grains, 2389 velocity for 39,000 CUP. Hornady Handbook 3rd edition says 32.6 grains for 1900 fps to a max of 40.5 grains for 2400 fps Hornady Handbook 4th edition is the same as the 3rd. IMR handloaders guide just says 41 grains for 39000 C.O.L. Speer Manual #6 of 1964 doesn't list IMR 4064 in the Krag Just trying to get some understanding and not damage this fine gun.

August 12, 2013, 09:05 PM	#5
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	From Loadata.com 41gr for 2435 and 39000 in a 25.5" barrel

May 11, 2013, 08:03 PM	#2
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	All manuals vary and create confusion. IMHO, I always let the bullet type & weight be the most substantial factor in determining what powder to use. 30-40 Krag maximum pressure is around 40,000 PSI. I have found bullets weighing 180 grains or more get the best results in the older Krags. Bullets of 150 gr and lesser weights, tend to open up. My pet Krag load is 44gr of IMR 4831 and Sierra or Hdy 180 gr. This by no means is a hot load. I have shot my share of 1 inch groups with this one. One or 2 grains more, the group get larger. One manual I own says 48gr is the max load.

May 12, 2013, 08:22 PM	#3
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,696	Thanks. I guess I'll go with a combination of the Speer and Hornady Handbook and start with 34 grains of powder and work my way up. I thought the 30-40 might be close to 303 British data but I guess there's a shortage of information on that too. The hodgdon website shows higher pressure for the same max grain.

August 12, 2013, 08:05 PM	#4
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,696	Finally got a chance to get out to the range after several months. Really sucks living in the city. This weekend I visited a range 75 miles away and brought the 1899 Remington Lee 30-40 Krag along. Brass was loaded with 36 grains of IMR 4064 and 180 grain reclaimed projectiles. At 30 yards with open sights it did pretty good. Wish I had a picture of the second target because they were all in the center ring. This rifle did surprise me with having the hardest trigger to pull that I have ever used. But I believe that it removed a good deal movement by holding the rifle even tighter.

August 13, 2013, 11:20 AM	#6
Sierra280 Junior member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Gardnerville, NV Posts: 569	Saint Ackley lists 40gr of 4064 and 40gr of 4320 as max loads for a 180gr projectile (in a factory chambered 30-40) = about 2300fps. It's worth noting that the AI 30-40 krag was one of the biggest 'improvements' he ever made. An AI 30-40 has a listed max load for a 180gr bullet is 50gr 4064 = 2900fps