Reloading .30-40

[Drydock]

Fill the case 3/4 full with Trail Boss, and you've got a lovely GAF load!

[RattlesnakeJack]

For the Muster I used the case chock-full of Trail Boss for the .303 - still not a "powerful" load by any means ..... it required the sights to be set at 400 yards to be on target at 100 yards ....

[pony express]

For our purposes one should think 10 grains of fast pistol powder Red Dot, Bulleye or anything similar would push the bullet out at close to the target velocity especially in heavier bullets.

I think 10 gr of Bullseye might be a bit much, but that's about right for the medium pistol/shotgun powders, Unique, Green dot, Red Dot, and probably some of the other newer powders in the same range.

[Pitspitr]

I don't think I "drilled holes" .... just caused a wee bit of cratering!   

Says he ....with classic British understateme.
Don't worry about it RSJ, it was nothing a welder and an angle grinder wouldn't fix

[Bat 2919]

Just slugged the barrel on the Krag and my calipers tell me it's .309.  I would prefer something a little ovesize (310 / 311) but I guess I can give the 309s a try.  I would prefer the gas check bullets and would like to know how much this adds to the cost.  Even when loading to lower velocities think the gas checks help with engagement of the rifling.   

[Bat 2919]

Not long after Trailboss came out I noticed that they were listing 30-30 loads.  I asked Birdshot (Hodgden Rep.) about loads in 30.06 for my 1903 and while he admitted they hadn't developed any loads at that point for the aught six he did share what they had found.  He advised that it just about impossible to over load period rifle brass with Trailboss.  Basically, what I came away from the conversation with was to fill the case and weigh what you get.  Now back off a few percent (just to allow for your own load development) and see what works in your rifle.

[Bat 2919]

After reading the fine article Drydock posted I've learned something new and very interesting.  I guess you're never too old to learn new things.  With this new information I'll go for a thousand 220 Gr. unsized.  If possible I'd like them lubed if it's not too much hassle.  I guess I could pan lube them my self if I have to but would really love to not have to.  If I can make this unsized bullet concept work in my Krag I'll try them in my 1903 as well.  I would certainly be ordering more bullets if this works as advertized.

Thank you guys for sharing your knowledge.

[Pitspitr]

For the Muster I used the case chock-full of Trail Boss for the .303 - still not a "powerful" load by any means ..... it required the sights to be set at 400 yards to be on target at 100 yards ....

In my experience Trailboss loads don't work all that well at long range, though I love them for the steel portions of the match.

[Pitspitr]

Bat
You might want to get in touch with Niederlander. He has a successful load for each, the '06 and the .30-40. If I'm not mistaken he uses the same powder charge and bullet in both loads. Also if you aren't lubrisizing you might want to try Lee Alox. Niederlander and I have each had some success with it.

[Stu Kettle]

Also if you aren't lubrisizing you might want to try Lee Alox. Niederlander and I have each had some success with it.

So have I, and it's fast and easy to apply - the trick is to not use too much, & it's surprising how little is too much.

[Bat 2919]

I hadn't firmed up my thoughts on powder before this.  I guess I sort of had 4759 in the back of my mind but I was thinking more about a 1600 - 1700 fps rifle load than a sub 1400 trail walk sort of load.  What ranges are the long rang targets normally set at?  On the trail walk loads what is the velocity restriction and what ranges are they normally engaged from?  I guess it would make sense to have one load for long range (on paper?) shooting and another less expensive load for the higher volume of rounds required in a trail walk.

I have cast some bullets when I was younger and had plenty of time.  I have a furnace, lead and a few molds left around the house but I don't currently have any equipment to lube/size or seat gas checks.  I haven't cast my own bullets in over 20 years and I not in a huge hurry to do it again if I can find some way to get bullets the way I want them from a commercial source.

[Pitspitr]

The distance used for the long range match is dependent on the facility of the host range. We use 300 yds here at my range, but have seen it as short as 100 yds. Skirmish match targets are usually set at from between 15-100 yds with the majority of them set between 30 and 75 yds. again, the distance is dependent on the facility.
I will use 2 different loads, one, a lead bullet, low velocity load for the skirmish match; and the other a jacketed 220 grain round nose bullet pushed at 2100 feet/sec. for the long range match and hunting.

[RattlesnakeJack]

In my experience Trailboss loads don't work all that well at long range, though I love them for the steel portions of the match.

Although my sights needed to be set on 400 yards for this load to be "on" at 100, I was amazed at how consistent it was - I was repeatedly hitting a horizontal steel plate only about 5" or 6" wide! 

However, a lot of good that did me when I then used full-charge jacketed military rounds for the long range shooting (because it was a paper target) but neglected to set the sight down from 400 yards!  Surprise! - all ten shots went high, only three of them low enough to just cut the top (non-scoring area) of the target!

[Drydock]

For the Skirmish (Trail Walk as you call it) we have a 1400 fps limit, lead bullets with gas checks allowed.    The long range is shot on paper, no ammunition limitations.  (NOTE: Some CAS ranges don't like gas checks, call ahead)

I use a milspec load of IMR 4350 under a 220 grn jacketed round nose for the long range match.  But for the Steel plate Skirmish match the Trail Boss loads are perfect IMHO!

[Bat 2919]

30 Caliber 220 round nose FMJ bullets should be a very accurate.  With no steel targets in use it sounds like the perfect answer for long range.  I did a quick check and could only find one source for RNFMJ bullets.  Midway sells Woodleigh bullets designed for dangerous game hunting at $84.99 for 50.  I'm assuming someone as a source for reasonably priced bullets as everyone appears to be using them.

What is an average round count for a long range event at a muster?

[Drydock]

20 rounds will do you for the long range match.

it does not have to be FMJ.  Both the Sierra and Hornaday 220 RN soft point are ballisticaly identical to the FMJ, and a  lot cheaper and easier to get. They just leave the tip bare.  I use the Hornadays myself.

Here ya go:     http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348088/hornady-interlock-bullets-30-caliber-308-diameter-220-grain-round-nose-box-of-100

[Drydock]

And of course, in a Krag rifle those bullets are the Hammer of Thor on Deer, and will anchor elk at iron sight ranges.  Save the Woodlieghs for yer next elephant hunt . . .

[Pitspitr]

20 rounds will do you for the long range match.

it does not have to be FMJ.  Both the Speer and Hornaday 220 RN soft point are ballisticaly identical to the FMJ, and a  lot cheaper and easier to get. They just leave the tip bare.  I use the Hornadays myself.

Here ya go:    http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348088/hornady-interlock-bullets-30-caliber-308-diameter-220-grain-round-nose-box-of-100

What he said.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I have had good success with 170 grain .30-30 bullets seated long and 10 gr AA2 out of my Krag 5 rds under a quarter at 50 yards.
They were bear creek moly koted.

I was not trying to achieve rapid fire bolt movement but had no feed problems

[Pitspitr]

Scruffy Skippy found a supplier for the bullet mold. Looks as though it will only be 210 grains, but that should still feed with no problems. Please contact him directly for orders. His e-mail address is:

fricke_roofing@hotmail.com