I went to the range this morning to try to see what powder and bullet combination I wanted to use for my upcoming elk hunt.  I tried 180 grain and 190 grain bullets with several different powders.  Re 17 looked really promising right out of the chute and it is more than accurate with both bullets without any work up at all.  IMR 3031 worked great with the 190 grain bullet but I had one flyer with the 180's that will require more testing in the future as 2 of the 3 shots were touching.  Normally I shoot 5 shot groups but I had so many combinations and so few pieces of brass fireformed that I settled for 3 shot groups.  IMR 4895 also worked great with both weights.  H414 at the only weight tried was nothing to write home about but could improve with varying the charge.  My smile after having so many small groups out of the single charge weight for each powder brightened the morning fog!  Now I have to decide which bullet, the 180 Nosler Partition at around 2550 fps or the 190 grain Nosler at about 2400 fps.  The  190 gr Nosler is supposed to open reliably as low as 1300 fps so I am leaning toward it as it has plenty of energy at my imposed limit of 300 yards and the original Krag made it's name with a heavy bullet.  I am leaning toward Re 17 as I have several pounds of it and it shoots lights out in my 7mm Krag Improved Ruger #3.  My bag set-up is not the best for my thin forearm but I am more than happy with the results.  By the way, the second half of my trip will be for deer in Wyoming and my 25-35 wcf Stevens shot as good as I could see the front sight with 120 grain bullets and will be my weapon of choice.  I hunted with it last year but with a scope and took a nice 25" 4x4 on public land.  Tom

All shooting was done off a bench at 100 yards.  I seldom shoot over flags anymore as my rifles are all hunting rifles anymore and I am not looking for 1 hole groups, just minute of deer.  Tom

I will sure try to stop in on my way. I need to talk you into letting me drop off a Rolling Block for your magical touch.  Tom