SOLD/EXPIRED No one shoots a 30-40 Krag

[aitch]

Did a search for all open threads, zilch, nada, zero nothing on this old caliber.
Anyway, I'll ask. I just aquired a Ruger #3 in 30-40 Krag and am looking for brass and dies.
I know this venerable old caliber is not a steller long range round nor is the #3 Ruger the best platform, but I thought I'd tap this great resource for components or leads and ideas.
Thanks.

aitch

 

[britz]

I looked at Midway.com for brass and they just do seasonal runs and it is currently unavailable but Powder valley has some in stock Powder Valley, Inc. or Welcome to Sinclair International's Online Store

Dies you can order from (midwayusa.com) http://search.isp.netscape.com/nsis...mpTest=1&remove_url=http://www.midwayusa.com/ , Powder Valley, Inc. Welcome to Sinclair International's Online Store.

Midway and sinclair are my go-to sites for anything out of the ordinary. Sinclair seams to shy away from poor quality equipment.

Good luck

Mark.

 

[britz]

This cal got me interested so I did a little research. IMHO a 150 would be about as heavy as you would want to go with it. The powders I would start with are H4895 (hodgdon extreme good for temp change and very close to imr's version which is a good powder for the krag) IMR 3031 (give you the most velocity), and H 4350 should be fairly good powders.

I have never loaded or shot this cartidge but according to the short research I did, these are what I would try.

The krag has a decent amount of case capacity for it's time, but it is only rated at 40000 psi chamber pressure, so this is a limited cartidge. Not to bad for a cartidge design that is over 127 years old!

 

[aitch]

Thanks for the lead on Powder Valley, I've not dealt with them before. Ordered some brass and they confirmed my order so that's a good sign.

I figured 4895 or 4350 would be go to powders. I did note in something I read that there is a 180g Winchester factory load clocking 2430 MV.

I'll see what it'll do then consider a re-chamber to...????

First, I have to find bases and mount a scope so I can see the target.

Aitch

 

[britz]

I wonder what the collecting value of this rifle is without altering it at all? Seems like a pretty rare find and it would be a shame to drill/ or mess with it.

 

[aitch]

Yeah, the #3 in itself is a bit of a rarity and in 30-40 even more so.
As factory supplied, the #3 has tapped holes for mounting scope bases.

Unfortunately, the PO, wanting to be really old school, must have mounted a Unertl, for which an additional pair of tapped holes were added forward on the barrel.

Aitch

 

[britz]

any idea how old it realy is? I know that the Krag Jorganson (probably spelled wrong) were built from the 1890' till the middle of the next centry. The origional spanish american war modles are going to bring big buck --> around 1500 and up where as the sportsized versions are worth a few hundred only...

 

[aitch]

The Ruger #3 was manufactured from 1973-1986. My rifle was made the second year of manufacture in 1974.

Have no idea how many were made in 30-40 Krag.

Aitch

 

[BillLarson]

I`ve got a box of new rem.180`s...
where are you at....????

 

[aitch]

Hey Bill Larson,

I'm in NW Arkansas.

Aitch

 

[outofayr]

I've got a # 3 in 30-40 as well. I've had better luck with 4064 and 150s or 165s in my rifle. With 180s, either 4064 or 4350 worked fine, but the accuracy edge went to the 4064. Varget should be another good one in this fine caliber. My Ruger shoots all bullets weights well from 150 on up.

This isn't a magnum case, so keep that in mind, but it's not as enemic in the strong Ruger action as it needs to be in the Krag action. Throats are fairly long in the Ruger, so you can seat bullets out, increasing case capacity some and running lower pressures. The Hodgdon manual has data for this caliber in "strong" actions that allow you to get all the oomph out of it, as long as you use the H powders. I was easily able to reach 2800 fps with a 150 gr pill in mine.

Recoil with that carbine stock sucked, though, so I switched to a B&C synthetic made for a #1. It fit great, and made it a lot nicer to shoot. If you stick with Krag level loads, it's fine in the factory wood.

Current dies are readily available, and it sounds like you already have some brass. Have fun with it!

BTW, what part of NW Arkansas are you in? I lived in/around Fayetteville for 4 years, and come down for 3-5 days over Memorial Day weekend every year.

Brian

 

[aitch]

Hey Brian,

Thanks for the load information. I don't think I have any 4064, that will be a new one to try.
I should have dies and brass on the way, still have not figured out how I'll mount a scope.

I work in Rogers and have a Eureka Springs address.
I think you can "find me on the map" through the link. I'm below Beaver Lake dam about 500 yards from the White River (Table Rock)

 

[outofayr]

Aitch:

I've fished/hunted/dove your neck of the woods quite a bit. Spent many a weekend below Beaver Dam and on Table Rock.

As for scope mounts, Redfield made a Weaver-style base and rings for the #3 that I have on mine. There was another make as well, but I had trouble with the spacing on those (can't remember who made it, but the eye relief with the scope I was using with those mounts was a problem). You might check GunBroker; maybe you'll get lucky.

Have fun!

Brian

 

[aitch]

Brian,

It's a great place to live, global warming not withstanding.

I belive I've secured a quarter rib, so all that's left to do is get some rings and mount a scope, then start loading as soon as the brass arrives. Dies arrived today. Still waiting on Powder Valley for the brass but it's early.

Aitch