I've been reading a lot about reloading for my Krag.  Up to now, I've shot sparingly with Wisconsin Cartridge Co. 150 gr. SP's.  As the ammo craziness continues, price has gone up to $25 a box, $47 for 40 rounds and $20 for shipping.  Too rich for my blood....so it's time to start reloading.

I found a Lee Loader for .30-40 for $25.00 and here's what I think I'm going to do:

Use Montana Bullet Works cast bullets with gas check 170 gr. RN over Alliant 2400 powder (on the used brass from Wisconsin).  The lead is heated alloy, Lyman mold @ .311".  From what I can find, it should leave the muzzel at 1600 fps. (Max load is 23.0 gr @ 1991.)

My question:  I that load safe?  Too weak?  Too strong?  Anyone have any experience with it?  The Alliant 2400 seems to be a pistol powder...but older manuals list it as OK for the Krag.

I was going to try IM 4895 or H 4895, but there's none in any of the local shops....but one guy has the 2400.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can tender.

Actually, 2400 is a rifle powder, originally designed for small, intense cartridges such as the .22 Hornet. A charge of 16 grains is widely-accepted as a good choice for cast bullets of normal weight in .30-40 Krag. The following is quoted from the work of C.E. Harris:

"Sixteen Grains of #2400 Is The Universal Load . . . It is mild and accurate in any larger military case from a .30-40 Krag or .303 British up through a .30-'06 or 7.9x57, with standard-weight bullets of suitable diameter for the caliber.  This is my recommendation for anybody trying cast bullet loads for the first time in a military rifle without prior load development.    I say this because #2400 is not position sensitive, requires no fiber fillers to ensure uniform ignition, and actually groups better when you just . . . load the rifle and bang them off, rather than tipping the muzzle up to position the charge."

Thanks for the good advice.  Picking up my powder tomorrow, lead should arrive next week, and my bargain Lee reloader came today.  Now all I need is a little rubber hammer for the reloader kit and I'll be in business.

again, thanks for the help.

I would lose the rubber mallet too. They 'bounce' when hitting with it. I suggest a soft face dead blow mallet or a wooden/leather/plastic mallet instead.

As others have stated, 16 gr of 2400 is the "standard" cast bullet load for .30-ish caliber rifles. I use 19 gr of 4759 which gives nearly identical ballistics. You should find good accuracy assuming the bullets fit correctly. As others stated, I would slug the bore first before deciding on the bullet size.