I have never reloaded 30-40 krag cases.  Can I use the same bullets that I use in my 30-06 or 308?

Absolutely.  I use a wide variety from 123gr to 220.  Shorter, lighter bullets may not be the best for accuracy.  My Krags really do their best with 180gr up.

Welcome to the Forum, RetiredMil!



Of course!

Step one.  Buy two cases of Remington or Winchester 30-40 180 grain ammo.

Step two.  Shoot said ammo.  About three boxes.

Step three.  Replace three boxes with three full cases.  Proceed to four

Step four.  Buy a thousand 220 grain jacketed bullets or comparable lead bullet mold.

Step Five.  Reload the three boxes.

Step Six.  Shoot catridges and have fun.

Hey!  If the 220 is good enough for the .30-03 then it is good enough for the Krag.

And not only that the    SQUIRREL!!!!

Culpeper wrote on Mar 12^th, 2019 at 4:29pm:

. . . And not only that the    SQUIRREL!!!!

That's a rather nutty answer. Have you considered Ritalin for the condition? :-?

Culpeper is a Squirrely fellow anyway!

As for reloading for your Krag...  The recipe that most closely replicates the original ammo is a Hornady 220 gr RN bullet with 40.0 grains of IMR-4350.  That said, Krags are almost human where ammo is concerned - different Krags like different food!  My does best with the original ammo, however other shooters do better with 180 gr spitzer bullets... and more still with even lighter bullets.  I have a friend who WINS matches shooting a 150 gr 30-30 bullet!  Try different bullets and loads until you find something that works well for you... and then stick with it!  Just remember to keep the pressures below 40,000 CUP!  You'll never get 30-06 or 308 velocities out of a Krag no matter what bullet you use, so don't crack your bolt trying.

RetiredMil, not sure if your shooting paper or if you are hunting. I settled on Hornady's 180 grain roundnose with IMR4350 powder for intended whitetail hunting. Not that I have proven to myself that this is the best for my gun, but it is a common theme I've found from many sources. I chose roundnose only because I have heard, not experienced, difficulty by some when cycling rounds thru a Krag using spire points. If I had more time to experiment I'd probably say something else. But this appears to be a good workhorse load and a safe bet.

I am shooting targets only and I believe I am reloading the 150 grain bullet in my 308 and 30-06.  I am not shooting long distance 200 or 300 yards with open sights.

Since the 150s are handy, they would be my first try. If they do not feed well or are not accurate then try one of the other suggestions.

A word of advice regarding pointed "Spitzer" bullets in a Krag:  Some Krags feed em well and some Krags don't feed them at all.  My Krags will feed spitzers but only if the bullet is crimped (I use the LEE Factory Crimp Die).  If I don't crimp the bullets, then the bullet will telescope into the case neck each and every time!!!  I'm not saying every Krag will do this... but I've seen it happen in several Krags.

150 gr spitzers and H414 (not sure of the charge with out looking) per Ken Walters "Pet Loads" is my hunting load. Very accurate and lethal in my hunting sporter when I do my part!!

Yesterday at 500 yards I had outstanding accuracy using Russian cup-base 150 grain lead core .310 bullets over 41 grains of Reloader-15.

Very interesting.  What kinda group or score?  Rifle?
Vic