What was the original balistics for the 30.-40 Krag?

Rifleman336 · Post by **Rifleman336** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:49 pm

What was the specs for the origianl .30-40 Krag? Bullet wieght, Velocity
Wasn't it a round nose cartridge? Effective range? What was the length of the barrel?

Rifleman 336

Post by **Hobie** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:31 pm

220 gr. RN at 2100 fps from a 29-30" barrel. Effective range? On humans, as far out as you can hit.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:37 am

informal survey here...

I figure for a few years between the World Wars the .30-40 Krag was in strong running for the number 1 deer cartridge in the upper Midwest.

Those old Krag rifles were surplus... we use to see tons of em in Michigan, traded for other modern stuff. Just about everyone has a grandpa or uncle story about deer hunting with a Krag rifle.

Very effective round... I am looking for a 95 Winchester and would take a .30 govt or 30-06 equally well.

I have said it here before... we had all the cartridges we need today 80 years ago.

Jeff

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:22 am

Hobbie is spot on.

An interesting note - you can acheive the exact same results with a 200 grain hardcast, gas checked bullet at the same velocity. I use Lyman 2 cavity dies and linotype. They are just as accurate as the jacketed bullets and with Lee liquid alox, they don't foul as badly in my 95 Winchester which has a roughish bore.

If you want an original hunting load - Hornady's 220 grain soft point is the bullet - and 2100 fps is easy to acheive with a number of propellants.

Interestingly, the 30 US/30-40 is only a sniff behind the 308 Win - check the load charts for the lighter bullets and you'll see what I mean.

I've got the 95 as mentioned and an 98 Krag that my dad gave me - that came to him from his great uncle who used it for deer hunting - unfortunately, he lopped off the end of the stock-forend to lighten it up a bit...

I've been looking for a proper replacement stock to no avial...

OJ · Post by OJ » Mon May 26, 2008 11:09 am

It was a 30-40 Krag in a Winchester 95 that took the B&C prize elk up west of Crested Butte, CO. The owner of the motel I used to stay in when skiing there showed me the rifle and mounted rack (on a different cape - original one not saved).

I have friends in my "interest in guns" group that swear by that combo.

I had to settle for 30-06 -

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon May 26, 2008 11:51 am

.30-40 Krag is also known as .30 US or .30 Army isn't it? -06 was originally .30 Govt, right?

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Mon May 26, 2008 2:23 pm

According to Philip B. Sharpe, 30/40 Krag first was called 30 US Government, then changed to 30 US Army ... Shells marked as 30 Army or 30 USA.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Mon May 26, 2008 2:57 pm

My original 95 is marked "30 U.S."

Here's a pic of it:

I dug out my old cass stuff to stage it with.

As you can see, its in great shape - too good in fact - yep, it was refinished at some point and the smity got a little happ with the polishing, but that's why I own it - got it for $500 and that was stretch when I bought it... but i couldn't resist.

morgan in nm · Post by **morgan in nm** » Mon May 26, 2008 6:02 pm

I have also heard the 30-03 called the 30govt but that was a long time ago.

Somebody said earlier about the 220 grn Hornady and I might add that it is the absolute best for performance out of my 98 Krag.

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Mon May 26, 2008 11:47 pm

My custom barreled Ruger # 3 Carbine in 30-40 krag, it will out shoot a 308. I shoot a 190 gr. Nosler partition, using IMR4350 powder. I will not post the load data as I do not want someone to blow up a Winchester 95 or an original Krag rifle. This load is equal to a hot 30-06. This load also groups under 1" at 100 yards. I have clover leafed three shoots at 100 yards with the same powder charge and a Hornady 180 grain spitzer.

30-40's like a heavy bullet.

Bluehawk · Post by **Bluehawk** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:59 am

MY 95 Winchester shoots the 220 Hornady RN with 45 grains of IMR4350 very nicely
I have two orignal Krag carbines ( M98s) both shoot the 180 Rn with 46 gains of 4350 very well also .
I have owned several others over the years and have test shot about 60 older carbines for a guy to see if the rifles were shootable SOME wer NOt some of the old Bannerman put togethers had bad headspace be carefiul in buying them as shooters .

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:33 am

Bluehawk wrote:MY 95 Winchester shoots the 220 Hornady RN with 45 grains of IMR4350 very nicely
I have two orignal Krag carbines ( M98s) both shoot the 180 Rn with 46 gains of 4350 very well also .
I have owned several others over the years and have test shot about 60 older carbines for a guy to see if the rifles were shootable SOME wer NOt some of the old Bannerman put togethers had bad headspace be carefiul in buying them as shooters .

I just checked my old records for the best Krag loads I used in an original Springfield & a Winchester 1895. I also used the 180 gr. rn with 46 grains of IMR 4350. My field notes show 1/2" groups at 100 yards with that load. The date on my log entry is 1982.

The 30-40 is a great cartridge. I am looking for a W- high wall action or a R- rolling block so I can build a Custom single shot rifle and it will be chambered in 30-40.

KCSO · Post by **KCSO** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:03 am

With the long neck and generous powder space the 30-40 is also an excellent cast bullet cartridge. It is fairly easy to push a 220 gran cast slug at the original 2100 fps from the 30" tube and velocity from a 24" barrel rifle will run right at 1950. A cast buullett from wheel weighs at 1950 will go through a deer end to end and leave a 2" hole on the far side. This is accompliished at about 34000 psi and almost no bore wear.
Accuracy at 100 yards will be as good as your sights and eyes are up to.