I recently purchased some brass at a gun show.  The brass is marked either W.R.A.Co - 30 Army, or REM-UMC - 30 USA.  All (except 2) had correct dimensions, although some needed to be trimmed for length.  Most had been reloaded (based on the variance in the primers used). 

Two of the cartridges in the bag were loaded/live however, and this is what is baffling me...  I pulled the bullets and discarded the powder, and I will not use the brass either, but I am curious about these two:  They are approximately 1/8 inch shorter than a normal Krag Case.  Otherwise, the dimensions are correct.  Also, the case heads have been stamped with some kind of pattern.  They were loaded with 150 grain spitzer bullets with what appears to be a nickel jacket.  I have included some pictures of these cases.   

Has anyone encountered cases like these?  Does the 1/8 inch shorter case present a problem in a Krag?  Also, what era is a case marked 30 Army/30 USA from?

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Note the shorter cases...

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The 150 Grain Bullets

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No info on the Rem-UMC, other than it is post 1912.

The WRACo 30 Army headstamp was used 1911-1967.  The WRACo book says that 150 grain soft points were loaded about 1927, but if they were Winchester factory loads, you might see a small "w" stamped in the side of the bullet.  With the pattern stamped into the cartridge heads, the 2 shorter cases are probably reloads.  In any case, they are simply curios.  You might get one load out of them, but it is not worth the risk to either you or your Krag.

Compare your cases with .303 British cases.  The shoulder on the shortened cases looks like it is longer than the .30-40.  It appears someone resized & shortened some .30-40 cases into .303 British cases.

Good eye, Kirk.  That may explain the pattern stamped into the case heads.  Now what diameter are the 150-grain bullets?

Also, I think both those primers are Winchesters, but maybe 2 different types.

I'd guess someone trimmed them too much. IIRC my RCBS trim charts says the max case length should be no more than 2.314 and recommends trimming down to 2.304.

I'm still looking for a single, original military cupronickel .30-40 Krag round from the war period. No luck yet :(

Thanks for all of the input.  I'll check the 150 gr bullet diameters.  I would not use the brass though...  I just found it interesting.  The remainder of the brass will get a good cleaning and inspection before use, although I really don't need them as I have several hundred rounds worth of brass!

The 303 British angle does make sense because the shoulder is slightly different and the cases taper just a hare more too!  I believe that the cases will go into the display case.

As for 220 gr cupronickel rounds, I have a couple boxes that were given to me years ago...  I would never fire them though.   I would like to shoot some original Krag rounds...  Maybe by dismantling an old round and loading the bullets with modern brass and powder. 

As for case triming, I use the very simple Lee trimmer - idiot proof and under 20 bucks for the holder/collet and cutter/case lock sets combined!