Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mike Venturino's Handloader article on the .30-40 Krag

I was pretty interested in this article, but he's showing loads that all fall well short of the Remington Factory ammo.

I'm trying to get an original Krag ready to shoot on a doe hunt. It really likes the Nosler 180 gr Ballistic Tips, but so far I am only getting about 2200-2230 fps out of them(48 grains Reloader 19). The factory loads show considerably more case expansion than these loads.

I have no intention of abusing this old family heirloom, with its one locking lug, but I would like to see at least 2300 fps or so, for deer under 80 yards. Anyone have any suggestions?

How would a deer at 80 yards tell the difference between 2200fps and 2300fps? And, assuming you're shooting with open sights, what advantage would that 100fps give you in trajectory at 80 yards? If you're getting 2200 I'd keep it there and not worry about it.

Funny how the .30-30 has been decking deer for over 100 years, at those ranges (and then some) with a 170 grain .308" bullet at a MV of about 2200.

I'd run those, or the factory fodder, and not fret it.

I went through a spell where bad shoulders precipitated youth loads from my 30-06.

Don't fret the velocity. Even pansy loads kill deer at conservative ranges.

If you are getting 2200 fps with a 180, that is 10 grains more bullet and over 200 fps more actual velocity than a 30-30. An extra 100 fps will make no differnce.

tex_n_cal'

I've been shooting deer for about 60 yrs. and have shot them with a vast array of calibers at various speeds. I've recently been hunting with a hot wildcat 3000+ fps with the newest whiz bang powders and bone bashing bullets but I gotta say - The most deer I ever killed was with a model 64 Winchester in 32 Special shooting a 170 grain bullets at about 2200 fps (Muzzle) Never shot at one that it didn't kill - pronto!

I would confidently load your 30-40 with those 180's at 2200 that it likes and hunt and grin.

I doubt either you or the deer you shoot with it will be able to tell the difference between the velocities you are getting (which are fully adequate) and the velocities you were hoping for.

Load 'er, Hunt N grin.

That's my viewpoint, yours may differ.

Jim

It's funny how we can get our minds locked on a certain "gotta have" velocity, isn't it? I'm sure we have all done it, not just our good poster here. I know I have.

Unless we can reach that mental minimum, we just aren't happy, no matter how insignificant the difference might be in reality. And the closer we get, the more determined we can be to get the rest of the way. I've corresponded with guys who have locked up bolts trying for the final 50 fps to get to their arbitrary magic velocity. They never ask if a bit less speed is all right after all; they invariably ask what trick or powder can get them to their number. Fascinating.

tex_n_cal, I can only echo what the others have said: take what you have and get ready to cook deer steaks. But I know that it will have only as much effect as an echo - none.

Here's some advice: chronograph your load as is. Whatever the machine says, add a bit for "instrumental error" and proudly write 2300 fps in your load log. Now go kill a deer with a clear mind.

In my Krag 180gr SuperX factory ammo gives 2291 fps.
45 gr of 3031 with a 180 gr round nose gives 2204.
Close enough, good accuracy.
Good Luck!

In my Krag 180gr SuperX factory ammo gives 2291 fps.
45 gr of 3031 with a 180 gr round nose gives 2204.
Close enough, good accuracy.
Good Luck!

I would trust Mike V for load info over his friend shrapnel


Mike

I don't care who you are that's funny!

I guess I'll explain that I'm trying to avoid a repeat of the last time I shot a deer with an antique rifle - in that case it was a Stevens 44 & 1/2, in .32-40. I had worked up loads with Hornady 170's at 1900 fps, and was assured that time, that lots of old-timers had killed deer with no problem with such loads out of .32-40's.

I certainly did get a good blood trail from the doe I shot at 40 yards, but the trail eventually stopped, and she turned out to be the only deer I've ever shot & lost. What was meant to be a cool experience proved disappointing.

I have tried lighter bullets in the rifle - it didn't like them. The 180 BT's that shoot so well in the old Krag are recommended for impact velocities of 1800 fps minimum. They would indeed be above that when launched at 2200 - but not much above it. I'd like a little more safety margin. That's the first goal.

The second goal is - I'm about 300 fps below Rem factory velocities. I'd like to be in the ballpark, and 300 fps shy ain't my idea of a ballpark. Perhaps I should have asked for a load "factory equivalent, or a touch less".

Anyhow, I am trying to be respectful of the game, and also respectful of great grand-dads old rifle. I really don't believe I'm on a ego trip to push its limits.

And Rocky I do need to get around to buying one of your books one of these days...

I was expecting SOMEONE to mention Shrapnel

Guess I could try some of the flex-tip Hornadys in it, they are designed to expand out of a .30-30

vA .32-40 at 1900 fps will kill any deer that walks just find and dandy with room to spare - if you put the bullet in the right place. Bad shot placement is just that. Bad.

Not to sound too cynical, but I largely quit reading MV after he decided he'd only write on what's in his safe.

Considering he has more cool schit in his safe than I'll likely ever see, much less own, I can't fault that.

That is not true, he writes about stuff in my safe too.

I would never consider shooting a Krag with anything but 220 grain roundnoses at about 2100 fps.

But he only shoots the stuff that's not blown up yet. Still a helluva lot of hardware and experience. Personally, I usually don't crono loads til I get an accurate one. Then I check to make sure it's not overboard. I find the ballistic tables less reliable than actual shooting over distances, and I put a lot of store in usable brass life.

fail to see the problem? a writer writing bout stuff they know and actually use........and the issue is? not like no one else is writing bout other stuff......

whole lot bout what Mike V. writes about that doesnt interest me but the stuff he does write about that does interest me i really like.....