Cast bullets from Krag

[cpt dan blodgett]

Getting new DCM barrel on my 98 krag.  Would be extremely surprised if Krieger let it out of the factory anything but .308.

The question is .309 or .310 gas checked montana bullets?  Or is the best stroke get 100 of each and let the rifle choose.

For the postal matches will try 155 grain palmas, 175 sierras and 200 or 220 grain round noses.  Accuracy prime consideration but feeding smoothly may be an issue for pointy.  Prolly use varget on lighter bullets and H 4350 or 4831 SC for the heavy ones jacketed or cast for long range.

Will have to figure something out to keep the montana cast bullets under 1400 for GAF matches.  Kinda new to the mix on that but
if I want to use a lot of powder something like 15 - 18 gr of AA 5744 may be the hot tip Something like 22 is 1600 FPs in the AA manual #2. Or maybe somewhere in the vicinity of 12 - 14 grains of a moderately fast Pistol Powder may also work

[Charles Isaac]

I use .309s in an original barrel and they are great in the Krag I set aside for cast bullets, but there is some degree of variance from gun to gun with originals- .308 to .310/.311 or so I'm told-but they are supposed to be .308 diameter. I'm also sure the Krieger would be a .308.

Trail Boss is clean, bulky and versatile-learned about it from Drydock-and being bulky with less air space in the case is a big plus for me seeing how small charges with a lot of airspace in the case can be every bit as dangerous as an overload. I use 8gr behind a 214gr .309 gas check bullet designed for the .303 Brit. at 1100fps or so. Can get the bullet # if you want and it feeds better than the .311284 that was specifically designed for the Krag barrel throat over 100 years ago.

[Drydock]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/articles2008/trailbosskiss/index.asp         

[cpt dan blodgett]

Thanks to both of you for the response.  Interesting article, may have to invest in some Trail boss.

Hope the Krag comes home soon, I am missing it.

[pony express]

I'm using a bullet from a Lyman mould, it's about 185 grain, somewhat spitzer shape. It's long enough to feed welll, Krags don't like short bullets much. Tried some 30-30 170 flat nose GC bullets once, didn't feed well. 10 gr Trailboss is my CAS load for it, when I can find any. If I don't have any, can use Unique, Red Dot, Green dot, etc, but I always check the powder level in each case with a dowel, to be sure of no double charge. That's not a problem with Trailboss, double charge will overflow the case.

[Niederlander]

I personally use the 210 grain round nose bullet from a Lyman mold.  (I actually use two of them so I get more bullets faster.)  It feeds extremely well (never had a jam) and is quite accurate.  I use Accurate 5744 for powder, and it works great.  I haven't gotten to try Trail Boss yet, but it sounds really good.  I may have to pick up a pound.  Do you guys have any loads for the
.50-70 using Trail Boss?

[Charles Isaac]

Funny you should ask-I have an M1866 Allin Conversion Springfield trapdoor in 50/70 ("my Wagon Box Fight" rifle ) and wanted to try Trail Boss in it once I get it going.

In my 45/70 trapdoor, I was using 12 gr of Trail Boss behind a 405gr flat point for just under 1000fps, but have found no data for the 50/70 and I don't experiment with handloads-I like my guns too much!

[Niederlander]

I've got an 1868 Springfield Rifle in really nice shape, and I'm building an 1870 Springfield Carbine from a rifle that's basically a parts gun.  The 5744 works reall well in the .50-70.  In fact, I shot the rifle in our last monthly shoot.  That big ol' bullet really puts a target down with some authority!

[Pitspitr]

I'm using 12.5 grains in my .45/70. I don't remember the load for my .45LC.

Call IMR. I'll bet they'll recomend a load for the .50/70. I was at Hornady one day talking to Doug Derner and asked him about Trailboss loads for the .45/70. He said, "I don't know, but just a minute and I'll find out." He called IMR and within a couple of minutes had a load for the .45/70 for me. This was before I could find any published rifle data for Trailboss.

[MMA10mm]

Capt. Dan,
I'm just getting underway with my 1896 Krag, so this is my best advice, coming from some experience with other caliber .30 rifles:

Shoot the biggest bullet your chamber throat will accept.  Shape, nose diameter, and amount of bullet projecting from the case will all have an effect.  Don't order bullets til you have the rifle and can measure the throat.  (Oil a piece of 00 Buckshot and drive it into the throat, just until you feel deformation, then knock it back out on a towel from the muzzle end.)

My Krag still has its original bbl, and I thought for sure it'd need a fat bullet.  Not so.  I couldn't get .314" (as cast), or .313" (sized) bullets to seat in the chamber.  Had to go down to my .311" die.  I thought there was something wrong with the gun til I measured that buckshot...  OTOH, my two '03 Springfields both take the .314" bullet fine...

For loads with that velocity restriction, try Unique powder. 5744 isn't bad though.  2400 is also good.  Remember to match velocity, rifle twist rate and length of bullet to maintain stabilization.  Since velocity and twist are fixed, you'll have to choose wisely on bullet length (weight). 

[cpt dan blodgett]

Thanks for the info.

Primary use will be shooting the military match at WR.  No velocity restrictions so plan on doing a linotype gas check 210 grainer.

Should be able to push that to about original velocities to make the sights work more or less.  Will probably be shooting a 2 foot square plate at 100, 200 and 300 yards.  Do not need the rifle to hold the x ring but...  Actually thinking with the new barrel I should be able to drive tacks.

Will probably also shoot jacketed bullets for the postal matchs

At some point I am sure there will be some GAF matches in Phoenix hence the need for the 1400 ft or less loads.

Have some 30/30 170 grainers both HC and Moly.  They would not fly straight at 25 yards out of the old barrel.  Shooting at the 100 yard reduced high power target would not hold that full size (not just the repair center)

Having never shot a GAF match guess I will try to figure out how to hit point of aim at 50 and 100 yards.  If I am likely to encounter significantly different ranges in a straight GAF not Long Range match someone out there please straighten me out.

Not sure when the Krag will be done, told the guy I was in no real hurry.  Think he was not going to start the project until he had some bluing to do.  Kind of understand his not wanting to go thru the hassle of getting the blueing tank hot for a single barrel especially since he does a lot of blueing on kind of a regular basis for a business customer.

Heading out to alaska to fish in two weeks so if the krag is gone another month I won't miss it.

[Pitspitr]

Having never shot a GAF match guess I will try to figure out how to hit point of aim at 50 and 100 yards.  If I am likely to encounter significantly different ranges in a straight GAF not Long Range match someone out there please straighten me out.

What we're doing here in central Nebraska for the the Department of Missouri match and the local matches is shooting half scale human silhouettes in the main matches at 25-100 yards and 400 yards for long rangeside match. With my Krag you have to flip the sight up for the long range match, but in the main match you just hold center of mass.

Lt. Col. Neiderlander reloads my .30-40 for me and his loads have always functioned well in my rifle.