Ruger No. 3,.30-40 Krag load

Sea Buck · August 24, 2012, 12:17 PM

Early this summer I picked up a Ruger No. 3, .30-40 Krag. I have been thinking of loading up a 165gr Hornady SST for this rifle but have no I idea how it will react with the short carbine barrel. Any have any thoughts about reloading for this rifle?

McShooty · August 24, 2012, 12:44 PM

Actually, the Ruger No. 3 has a 22 inch barrel, which is common to lots of sporters and is not terribly short. I have had good luck with Sierra 180 grain bullets, both spitzer and round nose. Using W760 or IMR 4350, I strive for 2200-2300 fps, and have had excellent accuracy results. Bullets of 165 grains should also work well, also, at least in the No. 3. They do not work so well as the 180s in Krag rifles and carbines.

Sea Buck · August 26, 2012, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the reply. I have a little 4064 and 2 lbs of H380.And none of the powders you use. Any recommended loads for H380? I have been using it for my .243 and .30-06.

McShooty · August 30, 2012, 09:44 AM

Sorry to be late here. I have not had experience with those powders, but the Sierra Manual lists for 165 grain bullets: IMR 4064, 41.3 gr (2300 fps) and 43.3 gr (Max for 2400 fps). For H380, 44.8 gr is max and gives 2300 fps. The manual states that the IMR 4064 at 2300 probably gives best accuracy.

August 24, 2012, 12:17 PM	#1
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Ruger No. 3,.30-40 Krag load Early this summer I picked up a Ruger No. 3, .30-40 Krag. I have been thinking of loading up a 165gr Hornady SST for this rifle but have no I idea how it will react with the short carbine barrel. Any have any thoughts about reloading for this rifle?

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August 24, 2012, 12:44 PM	#2
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Actually, the Ruger No. 3 has a 22 inch barrel, which is common to lots of sporters and is not terribly short. I have had good luck with Sierra 180 grain bullets, both spitzer and round nose. Using W760 or IMR 4350, I strive for 2200-2300 fps, and have had excellent accuracy results. Bullets of 165 grains should also work well, also, at least in the No. 3. They do not work so well as the 180s in Krag rifles and carbines.

August 26, 2012, 08:02 AM	#3
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Thanks for the reply. I have a little 4064 and 2 lbs of H380.And none of the powders you use. Any recommended loads for H380? I have been using it for my .243 and .30-06.

August 30, 2012, 09:44 AM	#4
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Sorry to be late here. I have not had experience with those powders, but the Sierra Manual lists for 165 grain bullets: IMR 4064, 41.3 gr (2300 fps) and 43.3 gr (Max for 2400 fps). For H380, 44.8 gr is max and gives 2300 fps. The manual states that the IMR 4064 at 2300 probably gives best accuracy.