Black powder in 30-40 krag
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Old Stumpy
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Should work fine. The .303 British was originally loaded with BP.
They used a compressed cake of BP and formed the case around it.
I have no idea what velocity to expect.
tightgroup tiger
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I'll bet you'll have to clean your barrel after every shot to keep the riflings from fouling out. 1-10 rifling of the Krag will foul out fast, like 1 shot.
If you look at 32-40 which if a black powder gun, the rifling twist is 1-16. It is also a straight taper instead of a bottle necked case.
I don't know how you will compress a black powder charge in bottle neck cartridge.
I think your going to have problems with this project and I would discourage you from trying it.
Black powder take it's own kind of lube and it works best in straight or slightly tapered cases like the 32-40 rifle round. A bottle neck case with a short neck like the .30 Army, would be a challenge for sure. I don't know how you would get enough lube in there to coat the barrel, not to mention the 1-10 rifling fouling in about 1 shot.
As far as velocity, look at the black powder 32-40 rifle. 1400 fps with black powder is about it for any black powder rifle.
If I had a Krag I don't believe I would crap it up with black powder, the riflings are just to fast for it.
If you look at 32-40 which if a black powder gun, the rifling twist is 1-16. It is also a straight taper instead of a bottle necked case.
I don't know how you will compress a black powder charge in bottle neck cartridge.
I think your going to have problems with this project and I would discourage you from trying it.
Black powder take it's own kind of lube and it works best in straight or slightly tapered cases like the 32-40 rifle round. A bottle neck case with a short neck like the .30 Army, would be a challenge for sure. I don't know how you would get enough lube in there to coat the barrel, not to mention the 1-10 rifling fouling in about 1 shot.
As far as velocity, look at the black powder 32-40 rifle. 1400 fps with black powder is about it for any black powder rifle.
If I had a Krag I don't believe I would crap it up with black powder, the riflings are just to fast for it.
I hadn't thought about the rifling. I've run BP in 32 special. But it's also 1/16 twist.
The 30-40 has a relatively long neck when compared to other bottlenecked cartridges.
I probably won't go very far with this project. Just cleaning the cases will be annoying
TTv2
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The .577/.450 was a bottleneck black powder cartridge that people today have successfully reloaded with bp and proper compression. It can be done, but it's going to take some extra precautions in the .30-40 to make sure the bullet being used it compressing the powder.
I wouldn't even use black powder for this either, I'd use Triple 7. That should help cut down on the fouling as people have been using T7 in revolver cartridges for years without issue. Besides, the T7 would add a bit of velocity and cleaning is very easy. Just make sure to use a bullet lube that is free of petroleum.
I run 777 in my muzzleloaders. It does add 15% velocity with about 1/4moa penalty.
I already tried BH209 in the Krag with heinous results. It was terrible in everything I've tried it in unless I duplexed it with a pinch of 700x.
.455_Hunter
Member
Not quite- The .303 Mk I used 71.5 Gr of pelletized RFG2 blackpowder to achieve 1830 fps with the 215 gr RN FMJ projectile.
They used a straight walled case, placed the pellet in it. Then formed the brass to a 303 cartridge.
This isn't a fair comparison to other cartridges.
.455_Hunter
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It's fair when you say BP is limited to 1400 fps. If other techniques are used, its not as limited.
I think he was referring to the methods we are able to use as reloaders.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I read this post and sounds interesting enough. Just wanted to ask why part? The 30-40 was designed for smokeless from the start. Not like 45-70 or even 303 British. Not saying don't do it. Just interested in the thought process.
My thoughts are.
I like black powder.
The action is relatively weak. I have about 6 pounds of black powder from before I switched to 777.
It seems like a fun project. I'll be running coated bullets with a little lube on them.
tightgroup tiger
Member
Just remember, black powder barrel lube keeps black powder fouling soft as well as lubing your barrel.
If you dont use enough black powder lube, you will have a hard, gritty mess in your barrel after a couple shots.
Keep an eye out for leading also, a 30 cal lube wad doesnt have much lube in it.
If you dont use enough black powder lube, you will have a hard, gritty mess in your barrel after a couple shots.
Keep an eye out for leading also, a 30 cal lube wad doesnt have much lube in it.
I have run these bullets with smokeless without leading. I was planning on running some bore butter to help with the BP fouling.
In reality, I will probably go back to 4064 and count this as a bad idea.
mokin
Member
Please post a range report if you pursue this. With lots of pictures. I'm interested as well.
DocRock
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3.4 cc of 3 Fffg is about 55 grs by weight. Velocity in the 1400 fps area with a 245 grs bullet. Use a lube cookie and wipe after every second or third shot - one wet patch followed by two dry. Enjoy.
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