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Jonathan
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30/40 Krag an old war horse
Dec 14th, 2025 at 1:32pm
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You don't hear a lot about the 30/40 or as I prefer the 30 Army but it has become my favorite cartridge for a number of reasons. Six years ago I had CPA build me a 44 1/2 in the above mostly because I've always admired the cartridge's brief but colorful history and because I just wanted one. Five thousand rounds later I have gained some insights about the cartridge that might help any one that wants to load it. When I started out I tried bullet weights from 110 grains up to 220 grains and at least a half dozen different powders. My barrel has a .3078 bore diameter with a one in 12" twist. Regardless of the load, the 220 grain gas check bullet proved to be the most accurate. This is not surprising when you remember that this was the original bullet weight adopted by the government. The velocity of the original government load was 2200 fps but they soon realized that that was a bit to ambitious for the Krag action and so they dropped it down to 2000. My pet load is 22grains of IMR4198 which gives me a velocity of 1850 fps and is very accurate. IMR 3031 is my second choice and both shoot near MOA. On the flip side of the coin 2 grains of Red Dot with a 110 grain bullet makes a delightful gallery load that cuts one ragged hole at thirty yards and is the bane of barn pigeons for miles around. It's also great indoors with a minimal back stop required. Brass in all loads lasts forever if you anneal them now and then.  To date I've taken Caribou and a number deer with this rifle and the bullets cast in wheel weights have performed admirably, one shot, one critter, which is how it should be. So give this old war horse a look, you won't be disappointed.
  
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jimmy
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #1 - Dec 14th, 2025 at 3:01pm
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Love the cartridge. Sadly I don't have one at this time. I do have a Ruger No 3 barrel though. It may end up on one of the No 3s around here. Had a couple of Krag rifles but sold them years ago in a downsize at auction. Or maybe a highwall will show up.
  
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gewehrfreund
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #2 - Dec 14th, 2025 at 3:41pm
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I have a Cimarron (Uberti) High Wall in 30-40 and really enjoy loading for and shooting it. It seems to be every bit as accurate as my three Browning/Winchester Miroku High Walls. The "set-only" trigger is the only possible drawback.
  
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frnkeore
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #3 - Dec 14th, 2025 at 5:24pm
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I have a HW with a heavy 12 twist, A&M barrel on it and also, a well done, 26" bbl, sporterized Krag.

I found that 14 gr 4227, was a accurate, BSed powder charge for the HW, with a few different bullets, between 190 and 200 gr. But, I made 2 machined, reduced capacity cases for it, of 1.8 and 2.6cc that I got much better results from, BSed.

In my Krag, I got 1.5" @ 100 with a Lyman 48 receiver sight and post front. Using 18.5 gr, 4759 and a 311413 bullet, sized .313 on a .3095 bore.

Pictured is the 200 yard target from the HW, rechambered to 30/40 Imp (30° shoulder) and 2.7cc machined case and Ron Long, spitzer, 185 gr bullet and the rifle.
« Last Edit: Dec 14th, 2025 at 5:29pm by frnkeore »  

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George Babits
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #4 - Dec 14th, 2025 at 5:24pm
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One of my favorite cartridges.  I have a Shiloh saddle rifle with half round/octagonal standard weight barrel.  Mostly I shoot 190 grain cast bullets with it.  Great rifle and fun to shoot.   Made in 1985 or 6, probably the first or second 30-40 made by Shiloh.   Also have a 1895 Winchester in 30-40.

George
  
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George Babits
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #5 - Dec 14th, 2025 at 5:25pm
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One of my favorite cartridges.  I have a Shiloh saddle rifle with half round/octagonal standard weight barrel.  Mostly I shoot 190 grain cast bullets with it.  Great rifle and fun to shoot.   Made in 1985 or 6, probably the first or second 30-40 made by Shiloh.   Also have a 1895 Winchester in 30-40.

George
  
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frnkeore
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #6 - Dec 14th, 2025 at 5:46pm
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Here are some 100 yd groups, shot with the HW before I rechambered it, with both cast and jacketed bullets.
  

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oneatatime
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #7 - Dec 18th, 2025 at 2:53pm
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Here's my 30-40 HW. It has a 22 inch sporter weight barrel .588 at the muzzle with a 9.75 inch twist (possibly a standard 10 inch). Oh, and you might notice it has a one piece stock by Farr (see Landis for a write up on him), so it probably dates around 1940. It may have come to me through the Benenson collection. With a heavy Lyman 311284 sized .310  and seated to 2.90 OAL over 19.8 grains of H4198 and Federal LR Match primers, it has shot .8 inch groups at 100 yards with that old Lyman tang and post front and my old eyes. I figure that Farr may have built it as a hunting rifle instead of the heavy ones he built for target shooting. I use it for 200 meter Cowboy Rifle Silhouette matches where it is a pleasure to hold up for 40 rounds.
  
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bullshop
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Re: 30/40 Krag an old war horse
Reply #8 - Dec 20th, 2025 at 6:40pm
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I have an 1898 Krag rifle that had been converted to a PALMA rifle  for that competition at about the time the 30-03 was just a baby.
Still in excellent condition and still able to compete.
  
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