30-40 Krag Magazine rifle ammo

Deadeye Don · February 12, 2010, 06:51:11 AM

Was the 30-40 Krag ammo used during the Cuban campaign of the Spanish American War Lead or jacketed?

Thanks! Deadeye.

Jed Cooper · February 12, 2010, 07:35:41 AM

Quote from: Deadeye Don on February 12, 2010, 06:51:11 AM
Was the 30-40 Krag ammo used during the Cuban campaign of the Spanish American War Lead or jacketed?

Thanks! Deadeye.

Don, Cartridges of the world says it was designed as a smokeless load, and only shows jacketed projectiles in the load data. I believe it began life with FMJ slugs due to the high velocity of the round not working well with lead. If I'm wrong Im sure someone will chime in. Hope this helps. Jed

St. George · February 12, 2010, 07:52:01 AM

Issue Service Ball ammunition always used a jacketed projectile - never lead.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Deadeye Don · February 12, 2010, 07:52:36 AM

Dave, Thanks for the reply. The Jacketed is all I could find also, but I (thought) have seen references to a non jacketed projectile also perhaps very early in the SAW during the Cuban campaign. I have purchased an 1896 Krag in great shape so I want to purchase the correct ammo for the time. Current production of the 30-40 Krag are all jacketed as far as I have seen.

Deadeye Don · February 12, 2010, 07:54:04 AM

Quote from: Deadeye Don on February 12, 2010, 07:52:36 AM
Dave, Thanks for the reply. The Jacketed is all I could find also, but I have seen references to a non jacketed projectile also perhaps very early in the SAW during the Cuban campaign. I have purchased an 1896 Krag in great shape so I want to purchase the correct ammo for the time. Current production of the 30-40 Krag are all jacketed as far as I have seen.

Thanks St. George. Your input is good enough for me!!

The 220 grain was used, correct?

St. George · February 12, 2010, 08:09:45 AM

Service Ball had a 220-grain cupro-nickel, round-nosed projectile.

This is what was used during the Spanish-American War.

Later - there was a lower-powered 'Guard' cartridge with a lead projectile - used by prisoner chasers.

You can find more by reading:

'History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition, Vol 1: 1889-1939' - by Hackley.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Jed Cooper · February 12, 2010, 06:24:41 PM

Don, I have a bit of that ammo. Been looking for an 1895 in 30 US. I have one in 303 Brit. Fun to shoot. Dave

Delmonico · February 12, 2010, 06:41:49 PM

The Cupro-Nicle does cause a lot of bore fouling, I don't think anyone makes them anymore. Cupro-Niclkle jackets are a dirty silver color. Hornaday still makes 220 gr FMJRN but with Gilding metal jackets. I think they are about the only mainstream amker that makes anything close. However last I knew a lot of the lower production bullets were out due to producing more popular bullets that are in short supply.

Deadeye Don · February 20, 2010, 02:24:33 PM

I found this maker. I received 40 rounds to have a look and they appear to be the cupro nickle in 220 grain.

http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21/products_id/648

I cant wait to try them out.

Deadeye Don · February 22, 2010, 08:40:42 AM

Ok the rounds I got from Old West Scrounger are a shiny lead bullet (looks like silver). I have never seen anything like this before. Perhaps someone can clue me in why this is a shiny silver color rather than the dull lead color of most lead bullets.

Texas Lawdog · February 22, 2010, 09:49:49 AM

It has been hard for me to find any ammo for my Krag. I bought 2 boxes of Winchester factory ammo before Christmas, which was all I could find anywhere, including on line. Maybe those bullets are nickel or nickel plated.

Deadeye Don · February 22, 2010, 09:58:55 AM

Quote from: Texas Lawdog on February 22, 2010, 09:49:49 AM
It has been hard for me to find any ammo for my Krag. I bought 2 boxes of Winchester factory ammo before Christmas, which was all I could find anywhere, including on line. Maybe those bullets are nickel or nickel plated.

That is what I thought when I first saw them. However, the lady at the company said they were lead. She had no expanation why they were shiny and looked like silver or polished nickel. I am confused, but at least they are 220 grain.

St. George · February 22, 2010, 10:35:14 AM

Newly-cast lead 'can' have a bright look - depending upon its make-up.

Krag bullets do well when full metal jacketed - or with a gas check.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Deadeye Don · February 22, 2010, 01:02:11 PM

Quote from: St. George on February 22, 2010, 10:35:14 AM
Newly-cast lead 'can' have a bright look - depending upon its make-up.

Krag bullets do well when full metal jacketed - or with a gas check.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

I think that is the case here St. George. They are certainly shiny and look like silver. The offer a FMJ with a gas check bullet, so I may try those also.

Stillwater · March 19, 2010, 11:42:07 PM

My first high power hunting rifle, was a Krag, lo those many years ago... It was one of the smoothest operating magazine rifles ever made. Only one locking lug on the bolt though.

Bill

Montana Slim · March 20, 2010, 03:06:33 PM

My Pa has a full length Kraig...it's definitely more fun for me when the ammo isn't hot-rodded.
My preference is for 170-200 grain plain-based lead bullet around 1400 fps.

Now....My first experience with a Kraig was at a NCOWS national match some years ago. A man asked me to shoot his riflle with some factory ammo so he would have brass for reloading. He had fired a few rounds and didn't care for the sharp recoil, being a stout lad (at the time), it didn't bother me to fire off the remainder of 2 boxes of ammo.

Regards,
Slim

Pitspitr · April 05, 2010, 07:26:35 PM

Several years ago I found a fired Krag bullet east of the buildings of Ft. Robinson. It had apparently been fired into a snow drift as the nose of the bullet wasn't skinned up. I had pictures of it until the computer backup disaster at Christmas time. It had a copper colored full metal jacket, weighed 220 gr. and had the correct number of grooves to have been fired from a Krag.

Having just purchased a 1898 Krag a couple of months ago, my question is; does anyone produce a round nosed .309 220 grain mould?

pony express · April 05, 2010, 09:44:20 PM

A quick look through my Midway catalogue only lists Lee, Lyman and RCBS as heavy as 200 gr. Hoch lists a 220 gr, but they are single cavity only(and a bit pricey, at $127.99)

Montana Slim · May 06, 2010, 09:42:09 PM

I was bidding on a 220 grain RNL mold specifically designed for the Krag on Gunbroker last fall.
I don't recall the manufacturer, though. Obviously, I'm not the new owner...but, all I needed to do was keep bidding, eh

The Krag just begs for moderate velocity cast bullet loads...and is a real pleasure to operate & shoot.

Regards,
Slim

Delmonico · May 06, 2010, 10:31:30 PM

Quote from: Pitspitr on April 05, 2010, 07:26:35 PM

Having just purchased a 1898 Krag a couple of months ago, my question is; does anyone produce a round nosed .309 220 grain mould?

Lyman lists this at 210 with their #2 alloy

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-rifles.php?entryID=53

And is was originally made for the 30-40 Krag.