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Bulseyetom
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What bullet for 30 Army
May 23rd, 2020 at 6:24pm
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Starting to get hooked on bullet casting and now am wondering what mould to get for my HiWall in 30/40 Krag with a 12 twist.  I am using 20:1 for my 32-40 and 40-70 SS so want to keep with that.  This is a modern barrel, probably a Douglas.  Just looking for informal target shooting as I use jacketed bullets to hunt with but was wondering if I can get by with a plain base or if I will need to go with a gas check with that alloy.  I am thinking around 1400 fps up to maybe 1600 fps but there is no pressure data in the Lyman #4 Handbook.  Thanks.  Tom
  
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craigster
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #1 - May 23rd, 2020 at 8:14pm
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I have 2 rifles chambered in 30 US. Gas checked Lyman 311291s work well in both rifles.
  
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boats
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #2 - May 23rd, 2020 at 10:10pm
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I won a couple CBA postal matches with the Saeco 301 196g gas check in a Krag Carbine.  30 US was loaded from the Arsenal with long heavy Round Nose bullets. Cast best duplicate the nose shape as much as possable.  Old manuals refer to that bullet as the RG4.  Think it was a Hudson design 

Have a .30 US barrel for one of my CPA rifles so far all Jacketed bullets 

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beltfed
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #3 - May 23rd, 2020 at 10:28pm
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311284 bullet was designed for the 30 US/Krag
it is about 215 grains, round nose, gas check. A good shooting bullet in most 30 cals. The original Krags were in 10 twist, but I expect your 12 twist should work OK.

OTOH, that suggestion for the 311291 is Very Good. It is one of the easiest 30 cal bullets to get good accuracy, Nom
170 grains. for plinking you could use it w/o the gas check
over a light load of Unique or similar
beltfed/arnie
beltfed/arnie
  
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oldman46
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #4 - May 24th, 2020 at 2:49am
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As previously mentioned the 311284 was designed for the krag, However Lyman's 311299 is also used in 30 caliber barrels and if your barrel is slightly oversized the Lyman 314299 that was developed for the 303 British cartridge does very well in my Finn Model 27 in the 7.62x54r cartridge. That particular rifle's barrel slugs out at .3115. Both are heavy weights at 200 grains or slightly over that weight. And would suggest you seriously consider using gas checks. In any event have fun with your Hi Wall in 30-40 Krag. Frank
  
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Bent_Ramrod
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #5 - May 24th, 2020 at 10:44am
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I have a Krag action I rebarreled with a 1:12 twist 0.308” Douglas barrel and chambered in .30-40.  I use 21 gr of 4759, behind a gas-checked cast bullet.

Generally, I find any bullet between 165-200 gr works well, but if you’re only going to get one mould, the longer the bullet the better.  Even with the 12” twist.  If you want to go for range, you will need a gas-check design.

For some weird reason, my rifle shoots best with the bullets sized to 0.308”.  Don’t know if this is a “Douglas thing” or what.  With the bullets and powder charges weighed, and crimp-on gas checks, the shots land with surprising frequency on the Ram silhouettes at 500M.  They will drill through 1/4” aluminum plate at that distance with no trouble whatsoever.

For sighting I use a ~2-1/2x Thompson-Center muzzleloader scope, mounted ahead of the action, Scout-Rifle style.  That and the trigger limit the percentage of hits, IMO, more than the gun and load do.
  
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DocRock
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #6 - May 26th, 2020 at 12:09am
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I currently have five rifles chambered in 30-40 Krag, as well as a 35 Krag. The Lyman 311284 shoots very well in all of the 30-40 rifles, bolt, lever, and single shot; and my load for Krag and Win 1895 that I compete with (200 yards) is 23 grs IMR 4227. It's a treat.
  
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waterman
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #7 - May 27th, 2020 at 12:31pm
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Don't forget 311403 or a similar design.  Shoot as cast, do not size.  Pan lube.  Just put half the base band in the mouth of the case.  Light load of 4227 or something close.
  
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Re: What bullet for 30 Army
Reply #8 - May 28th, 2020 at 7:45am
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My Winchester 1895 flat side 1st year production shoots well without a gas ck.  Uniq is the propellant with a good crimp.. and I also have SRC Springfield that uses the same round. 10 gr Uniq & 165 flat point.  off bench iron sites about 2 to 3 inch group.
  
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