Cover it with a dime...

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someguy2800

someguy2800

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Okay I’m usually in the 3 shots don’t count group, but when I saw this through the scope I had to stop and take a picture.

4B4FBF62-3DEA-4741-AD9A-7F53B96B7B27.jpeg

Was doing some load development on my 1898 Springfield Krag Jorgensen. Manufacturing date is 1899. Somebody sporterized it before me but I made some bedding modifications and made the scope mount. It normally shoots 1-1/2” to 2” at 100 with a good load so this was mearly a blind squirrel finding a nut, but hey, once your gun turns 100 you get to brag about it as much as you want.

C12EE1F8-184F-4350-BCA5-03502FED5EF4.jpeg
 
DocRock said:
Sweet! What load, if you don’t mind?
Click to expand...

Speer 180 gr grand slam
Hornady brass
WLR primer
3.090” OAL
45.5 gr IMR 4350

I have struggled for some time to find a velocity node for this rifle. I have many loads that group well in this rifle but the point of impact changes dramatically with different bullet weights and charges. This load is right at the top of a velocity node for this barrel so poi is consistent with +\- a grain of powder.
 
someguy2800 said:
Speer 180 gr grand slam
Hornady brass
WLR primer
3.090” OAL
45.5 gr IMR 4350

I have struggled for some time to find a velocity node for this rifle. I have many loads that group well in this rifle but the point of impact changes dramatically with different bullet weights and charges. This load is right at the top of a velocity node for this barrel so poi is consistent with +\- a grain of powder.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Will have to explore that.
 
I stumbled on a new load that this rifle seams to really like today. I was cleaning out my truck the other day and found a box of Sierra 165 gameking soft points in the center console that I bought and forgot about. 46.5 and 47 grains of 4350 shot really nice and gave 2250 and 2330 FPS respectively and shot to the same point of aim. 47.5 also shot well but the Point of impact moved about 1-1/2 from 47 to 47.5 grains.

Will do some more testing but I think that’s what I’ll be taking hunting this year. Hits on an 8” plate at 200 are easy, but I’ll probably only be shooting to 100 or less where I hunt. Just put up a new box stand yesterday in a spot I’ve been scouting for 4 years.
 
someguy2800 said:
I stumbled on a new load that this rifle seams to really like today. I was cleaning out my truck the other day and found a box of Sierra 165 gameking soft points in the center console that I bought and forgot about. 46.5 and 47 grains of 4350 shot really nice and gave 2250 and 2330 FPS respectively and shot to the same point of aim. 47.5 also shot well but the Point of impact moved about 1-1/2 from 47 to 47.5 grains.

Will do some more testing but I think that’s what I’ll be taking hunting this year. Hits on an 8” plate at 200 are easy, but I’ll probably only be shooting to 100 or less where I hunt. Just put up a new box stand yesterday in a spot I’ve been scouting for 4 years.
Click to expand...
That doesn't surprise me. Mine likes 168 Amaxs that were left over from my 308. I use 4064 though. Back in the shortage I stock piled mostly it. So I'm like the guy who's main tool is a hammer.
 
Don't push them too hard, IIRC issues started around 22-2300 fps and that sped up the replacement on the krag....only 2 lugs on a 100 year old gun.

I have two, and keep them around 2000 really don't see a need to push them much harder.....I want to say the military loading was ~2100....but can't remember for sure.....think it was in there somewhere. I know after coming across the flat shooting 7mm spanish rifles the US wanted something a little flatter a little more oomph.....and the krag just could not take it.

IMHO These old girls just don't need to be pushed that hard to be enjoyed....but that is me.
 
fpgt72 said:
Don't push them too hard, IIRC issues started around 22-2300 fps and that sped up the replacement on the krag....only 2 lugs on a 100 year old gun.

I have two, and keep them around 2000 really don't see a need to push them much harder.....I want to say the military loading was ~2100....but can't remember for sure.....think it was in there somewhere. I know after coming across the flat shooting 7mm spanish rifles the US wanted something a little flatter a little more oomph.....and the krag just could not take it.

IMHO These old girls just don't need to be pushed that hard to be enjoyed....but that is me.
Click to expand...

I do keep a close eye on pressures and try to keep it as mild as possible. The army loading was 2000 fps, and later 2200 fps, but that was with a 220 grain bullet. The later loading was said to be 45,000 psi. This load is 2.4 grains under maximum of what Sierra’s manual shows for the bullet and 1 grain under all other sources for a 165. It is likely around 32,000 psi.

If this were just a fun gun I would probably be shooting cast plinkers in it, but this is a hunting rifle so I would like to maintain 2000 FPS out to 150 yards for bullet performance, which this does. My 180 grain loading would be down to 1844 fps at 150, which is probably just dropping below the velocity threshold where that bullet will expand. I’ve shot many hunting bullets in this rifle and this is the only one I’ve found under 180 grains that shot this well, so I am tickled pink because it extends the terminal performance out another 100 yards with less pressure, and is a softer bullet to boot.
 
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someguy2800 said:
I do keep a close eye on pressures and try to keep it as mild as possible. The army loading was 2000 fps, and later 2200 fps, but that was with a 220 grain bullet. The later loading was said to be 45,000 psi. This load is 2.4 grains under maximum of what Sierra’s manual shows for the bullet and 1 grain under all other sources for a 165. It is likely around 32,000 psi.

If this were just a fun gun I would probably be shooting cast plinkers in it, but this is a hunting rifle so I would like to maintain 2000 FPS out to 150 yards for bullet performance, which this does. My 180 grain loading would be down to 1844 fps at 150, which is probably just dropping below the velocity threshold where that bullet will expand. I’ve shot many hunting bullets in this rifle and this is the only one I’ve found under 180 grains that shot this well, so I am tickled pink because it extends the terminal performance out another 100 yards with less pressure, and is a softer bullet to boot.
Click to expand...

IMHO it is really the pressure the gun is under, not so much the speed the bullet leaves. In working up loads for the trapdoor I was told to keep the pressure in the mid teens...in some of the sources I found it is interesting to see one powder push the bullet at X fps, and then another powder push the bullet at the same speed, but the pressures are very different.

Just my feelings on the matter....not even thoughts. I really need to educate myself to the relationship of the force on the gun between different bullets and different powders. I have some pretty old stuff, that does not get shot a great deal but does get shot....I look at is as like a car you don't drive....that is not what interests me. And I do want to be easy on my old girls.
 
fpgt72 said:
IMHO it is really the pressure the gun is under, not so much the speed the bullet leaves. In working up loads for the trapdoor I was told to keep the pressure in the mid teens...in some of the sources I found it is interesting to see one powder push the bullet at X fps, and then another powder push the bullet at the same speed, but the pressures are very different.

Just my feelings on the matter....not even thoughts. I really need to educate myself to the relationship of the force on the gun between different bullets and different powders. I have some pretty old stuff, that does not get shot a great deal but does get shot....I look at is as like a car you don't drive....that is not what interests me. And I do want to be easy on my old girls.
Click to expand...

Yeah the reason I’m using the powder and bullet I am is to try to find a reasonable balance of bullet performance and keeping pressures as mild and predictable as possible. The loading manuals have pressure data for that reason. IMR4350 is the best that I have tried in this caliber. It’s very predictable and the primers on fires cases look like there wasn’t even any powder in the case. If this were an original in military configuration I would be treating it even more carefully for sure. I have tried 10 different bullets and 4 different powders in this rifle but I think I have finally found its happy place!
 
someguy2800 said:
Yeah the reason I’m using the powder and bullet I am is to try to find a reasonable balance of bullet performance and keeping pressures as mild and predictable as possible. The loading manuals have pressure data for that reason. IMR4350 is the best that I have tried in this caliber. It’s very predictable and the primers on fires cases look like there wasn’t even any powder in the case. If this were an original in military configuration I would be treating it even more carefully for sure. I have tried 10 different bullets and 4 different powders in this rifle but I think I have finally found its happy place!
Click to expand...

And if you need to get the bullet moving fast enough for it to do its job on game....then you have that to keep in mind....really if it was me the bullet performance on the game would be pretty close to the top of the list, right under don't blow this thing up. Me I just poke holes in paper and ding steel....so less to worry about.
 
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