Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

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2ndovc
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Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 2ndovc »

Headed out this morning with my Grandfahter's .38-55 and a
Springfield 1989 .30-40 Krag.

I've had the Krag for about 15 years and think I've shot about ten rounds through it. :oops:
Decided it was time to stop obsessing about buying more guns and start playing
with the stuff I've got.
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Was quite pleased with my first attempt at a cast bullet load for this rifle.
160 Gr. FLPGC and 20 Gr. AA 5744. ( first time using this powder for me)
Image

Produced some promising groups and
mild recoil.
First target on the left sights set to 100 yds resting the 5" circle on the
front sight. Raised the sight to 300 yds for the center targe. Was wanting it
about an inch high. Right target I finally settled down to see what these could do.
Four shots into an inch and I pulled the last one opening it up to 2".
Going to have to break down and buy a chronograph. Love to know the actual velocity
of these. Definately a winner. Kicking myself for not doing this sooner.
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Next up was my Grandfather's 1907 vintage .38-55. This thing is a tack driver
with factory loads but I've still haven't gotten a cast bullet load right.
Image
Today was no exception. Tossed that target.

Had my little CZ-83 along and for kicks I emptied a mag of S&B FMJs at the
50 yd target offhand. Not bad for a little $200 mouse gun.
Image

jb 8)

( the crooked tracks in the snow were there when I got there! :D )
Last edited by 2ndovc on Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Old Savage
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by Old Savage »

Nice rifles, wow COLD, saw kids out here in a public pool the other day.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...

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2ndovc
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 2ndovc »

It's actually in the 50s today and blowing like snot!

Gonna be a real mess by the end of the day :D

jb 8)
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71fan
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 71fan »

Thanks for the report Jason. I know exactly what you mean about buying versus shooting. I bet a lot of us fall into that rut. I certainly do.

I'm interested to hear more about your Krag adventures. Ned Roberts wrote about using those rifles when he was competing on the rifle team, and shares several of his loads in his various articles and books. I've always had a hankering for a Krag, but I've been too busy collecting leverguns and single shots.

It's cool to see you out using your granddad's rifle too, and I wish you luck finding the right loads.

Keep up the range reports...
Chad
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2ndovc
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 2ndovc »

I'm guilty of ignoring the 94 as well. I've played around with it here and there but never did any serious reloading for it.
Plus I had several hundred rounds of factory ammo for so I didn't have a real need for hand loading it.

I managed to snag a 1000 LFPs at a rediculas price and decided to get started on a cast load.
I started with IMR 4895 but can see after 5 rounds that just won't do.

Starting over with AA-5744 and Varget.

I'll get some better photos of the Krag. The stock had
been sanded and varnished. I stripped the vanish and oiled it.
Otherwise excellent condition.

jb 8)
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Charles
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by Charles »

Be very, very careful with that Krag and cast bullet! It will only take a couple more range sessions to form a life long adiction to Kags. They are far and away my favorite rifle of all times. I only have three, but that will do me for the rest of my life. Krag's rule!
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2ndovc
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 2ndovc »

I can see that happening Real easy!

Been scrounging the net looking for more brass. I have plenty of .30 cal bullets to choose from but need more brass.

I'm sure the manufacturers will catch up sooner of later. I hope.

My ex wife's grandfather hunted with a Krag sporter for many, many years. Had a mountain of
antlers to show for it. After shooting it and another Krag it was easy to see why so many got turned into
sporters. Smoothest actions I've ever come across.

jb 8)
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kimwcook
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by kimwcook »

Nice report. If you can't get that '94 to shoot just that ole thing to me. :D
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2ndovc
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 2ndovc »

:lol:

I struggle through somehow :D

She shoots just fine with jacketed ammo but was hoping to
get together a cast load for Sil. shooting.

Thanks for the offer though :D

jb 8)
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by Sixgun »

Jason,
The old guns sure are addicting, ain't they? :D One thing nice about this hobby, is that you can never run out of old guns using cast bullets to test out. Each gun is different with different challenges along with the endless variety to play with. It would take several lifetimes to play with 'em all. I said it before and I'll say it again--------workin' with old rifles is better than a woman-----they both give you a little aggravation from time to time, but you get your money back with an old rifle. :D

You wanna get that 38-55 really shooting? Like 30-30's and 30-06's, I have never had a 38-55 that had a decent bore that was inaccurate. Drop me a line------------------Sixgun
1st. Gen. Colt SAA’s, 1878 D.A.45 and a 38-55 Marlin TD

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2ndovc
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by 2ndovc »

They sure are!

email on the way.

I'm thinking the key to this one is the velocity. I was looking though
some of the factory ammo I got with this rifle and on the back of one
of the boxes of Winchester ammo ( yellow box, red W) states the
FPS at 1320.

jb 8)
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by Ysabel Kid »

Kind of hard not to fall in love with the Krag after working it's bolt. Smoothest darn thing I've ever felt - er, in a bolt-action that is! Congrats jb!!! :D
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morgan in nm
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Re: Range time w/ Cast bullets and 100 year old rifles.

Post by morgan in nm »

Nice Krag. Always wanted an original but had to settle for a nicely sporterized version that sure handles and shoots nice. On that 38-55, you might be pushing the velocities a little high. What diameter bullet are you using? I use .379 249grn bullets with 9.9 grns of Unique. Shoots very good for me but I have never chronographed it; seems fairly mild so I would imagine close to 1300fps.
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