30-40 Krag Range Report

[lafayne]

Went to the farm today with the Ruger No. 3. All groups were 3 shots and fired at 100 yards with a Leupold 4X. As the Ruger is a very strong action, these loads may exceed the limit for the Krag rifle. I did not chrono today and will only list group size.

165 Speer Spitzer with 43.0 grains of IMR 4895 - .850 "

165 Nosler Ballistic Tip with 48.0 grains of IMR 4350 - .750 "

165 Nosler Ballistic tip with 43.0 grains of IMR 4895 - 1.250 "

180 Nosler Solid Base with 45.6 grains of IMR 4350 - 1.77". Two in .320" and one that enlarged the group.

180 Nosler Ballistic Tip with 45.6 grains of IMR 4350 = .750 "

I am very pleased and will experiment more, but a couple of these loads will be hard to improve with the 4x and my 70 year old eyes. My guess is that the 165 Nosler Partition will shoot as well as the Ballsitic Tip or the Speer and will be hard to beat for a hunting load.

By the way, I have the Shooting Times with the 30-40 article. Bought it today after my range time. Looks like some good stuff there.

Ken

 

[Iggy]

Those #3's are scary accurate.

 

[lebomm]

Krag accuracy

Tickled to read your report, lafayne ! I've been using the Sierra 180 gr. spitzer over 46.0 gr. IMR4350 in my '96 Krag 24" chopper for about 2.5" @ 100 yds with my 63-yr eyes, the GI rear sight and a 1903 front. Nice, round primers, clean cases, flawless feeding, and easy extraction and reloading!
I've been a Krag fan for some years now; nice to hear from another one.

Larry

 

[cush]

This is a great thread that I have been watching with interest. I have plenty of questions given that I will soon be loading for my Ruger #1 in .30-40. I hope you don't mind if I simply PM you?

 

[Alk8944]

Lafayne,

Glad you got one that would shoot! Mine sure wouldn't.

 

[PattonTime]

Ruger #3

Hi ,
I shot mine today at the indoor range I belong to. It is only fifty yards
but it sure is nice for sighting in especially.
Anyway , best group was a cloverleaf under an inch, with one flier half an inch away.
This was my 30/40 Krag with 150 grain SP RN Winchester cheap bullets
and 40 some grains of H-335 I can't recollect amount right now. I believe there are better powders but I like the way it meters , is my first choice in my 223's and works in most all my medium bore guns.
My first group really "stringed" but that goes away when I bear down, I believe I should look at the bedding.

 

[6thtexas]

I love the old 30/40! I've had a Browning 1895 for many years and it loves IMR 4350 and heavier (180-220 grain) bullets. It is a great cast bullet shooter too.

I bunch of deer and my one and probably only black bear have fell to the rifle.

I wish Ruger would turn out a #1 Light sporter in the cartridge

 

[lafayne]

I don't know if my No. 3 is typical, but it is throated a bit long. With a single shot, this can be a good thing because I can seat as close to the lands as I want with the heavier weight bullets and still have enough in the neck. I don't anticipate I will load anything less than 165 grain bullets or use any powder faster than IMR 4895 in the Krag. The Shooting Times article by Lane Pearce is a good read and seems to support this logic.

 

[PattonTime]

Ruger #1 30/40 krag

Cabelas has had a run of these done by Ruger.
They are pricing them at $1395.00 which is a bit high since every other caliber seems to run $850.00 or so.
They claim nicer wood though ?