Krag Loads IMR-4350 and 175gr SMKs

[Shawn Agne]

About 5 years ago I worked up a load for my .30-40 Krag using Remington brass, 175gr SMK's and Remington 9.5 primer and 43.5gr of IMR-4350. Now my lot of 4350 seems to have a slow burn rate and the load shoots very well. I was working up a new load for NRA mid-range for my 243 and was playing with Quickload, noticed it showing that the pressure is a little high for the combination I'm using. So before I go taking apart my loads and redeveloping the wheel I thought I'd check and see aproximately what powder charges people are using.

[Bill]

I have used 4350 with 180 grain bullets, but do not remember the charge exactly. Most likely it was about 45 grains, which is max for a 220 grain bullet.

I consulted the Sierra manual, and they list 40.2 grains as a starting load, and 47.4 as max. Based on this, your load should be quite mild.

[Shawn Agne]

Thanks, I'd shot it for several years and it doesn't recoil that much. However I was just playing it safe and double checking before I'd go through the process of re doing a load development.

[Parashooter]

Pressure-tested load data from the old IMR booklet, still useful.

.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 - Chg - Vel - C.U.P.
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

"The powder charge weights specified represent loads that devel-
oped Maximum Allowable Chamber Pressures with the test bar-
rels used and components specified, with the exception of loads that
are specified as (C) compressed charges which may represent case
capacity rather than maximum chamber pressure. All tests were
conducted utilizing commercial barrels in a Universal Receiver.
It is not unusual for reloads assembled with particular components
and fired in the individual reloader's gun to give ballistic results
(particularly chamber pressures) that vary in either direction from
the published data. To compensate for any component and/or gun
combination that would tend to yield pressures in excess of the
published data, it is recommended that the powder charge be re-
duced 10% initially. (This reduction in powder charge weight should
also be made each time that any of the components in the load are
changed.) After firing several loads at the lower powder charge
weight - without ANY evidence of excessive chamber pressure -
the powder charge weight may then be increased in 0.5 grain incre-
ments as accuracy needs and pressure indications permit."

[KenK]

Your load is safe. I've shot 45 grains of IMR 4350 with most 180 grain bullets in my 3 Krags for years. This load groups well and drops Mule deer as well as any other rifle load.