psteinmayer wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2019 at 2:45pm:

According to the Hodgdon site, a 180 grain bullet loaded with 46.0 grains (compressed) of IMR-4350 should achieve 2,445 FPS at 38,700 CUP.  This is listed as their max load.  Loaded with 49.0 grains (compressed) of 4831 should give 2,425 FPS at 35,900 CUP (also listed as max).

You'd be amazed how old that data is. Here's a copy of the same stuff from a 2003 downloaded IMR booklet (PDF of 2 pages attached) which is the same as that found in a printed version so old it has "DuPont" on the cover -

.30-40 KRAG
WIN. CASE; WIN. 8 1/2-120 PR
REM. 180 GR. SPCL
.308" DIA.; 25.5" BBL.; 3.00" C.O.L.
Powder - Gr. - Vel - CUP
SR 4759 24.0 1940 39100
IMR 4227 23.0 1900 37800
IMR 4198 29.5 2150 39800
IMR 3031 38.0 2375 39300
IMR 4064 41.0 2435 39000
IMR 4895 35.5 2270 38800
IMR 4320 35.5 2210 38100
IMR 4350 46.0C 2445 38700
IMR 4831 49.0C 2425 35900
C=Compressed

An odd feature of this data is that the "maximum" for some compressed loads is not because of pressure, but rather it's all they could stuff in the case and still seat the bullet. :-/

Anyhow, the 178's don't have a high enough BC to reach 1000 comfortably supersonic when launched at reasonable Krag velocity. Close, but on the edge of the nasty transonic region That's why I'd want those pricey Berger 185's if I had to fire that course with my Krag.

I think you're wise to stick with the 03A3 simply because it groups better. Nostalgia is fun - but not as much as a string of 10's and X's at over half a mile!

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