Thread: 30-40 Krag load conundrums

Greeting again @akaroa1,
I turned up some pressure tested data for W760. This dates from 1976 or earlier and was repeated in the 2003 Winchester Reloading Components Manual. Their load for the 180 grain projectile in the .30-40 Krag was 44.5 grains of W760 for 2.380 fps at 37,000 CUP. For some reason Hodgdon does not list this in their W760 data. Speer in their No 9 manual lists 43 grains of H414 (actually W760 with a different label) for the 180 grain for 2,034 fps and 45 grains of H414 for the 165 grain for 2,188 fps. These velocities don't line up with the Winchester data even allowing for the 21 inch barrel of the Krag rifle they used. I have found this with the .303 in that pressure tested data gives higher velocities than that from army rifles. My own chronographing with practically new .303 barrels suggests that this is partly due to worn or loose barrels on some army rifles used for developing the loads. My .30-40 barrel is a used .308 target barrel cut of, re threaded and a new chamber cut. The throat and rifling look good and it shoots well. The barrel is also a snug .308 groove so chronographing will be interesting. As an aside the barrel was one of two given to me by the late Tony Loughnan who was heavily involved in the development of the Paki Paki range where I shoot F Class. One of those connections that interest us older chaps.
Regards Grandpamac.

PS. Ken Waters in his 1968 Pet Loads for the .30-40 listed 44 grains of H414 with the 165 grain Sierra for 2,495 fps. He found this load gave excellent accuracy in the 28 inch barrel he used, likely a Winchester 1895.