Thread: 30-40 Krag load conundrums

Greetings @akaroa1 and @Micky Duck,
The scope on my Martini is a VX1 3 to 9 that I was given. Previously it was aM8 4x. Both scopes have decent eye relief needed for the barrel mounted scope. I also had a Bushnell 10x that I would have liked to use but could not set it back far enough. It crossed my mind that I should try the rifle out on the bench to make sure I have the eye relief right as it was not actually raining today thinking that I would use my fixed bench. After a flash of inspiration I used my portable bench inside the garage looking out through the open door. The weather report is crap for the next week so it may be some time before I actually fire the rifle and sort out some loads. Pity the garage is not pointed in the right direction. I blame the draughtsman. Unfortunately that was me.
Regards Grandpamac.

I finally resolved my load conundrum when Hornady 180 grain RN bullets became available again

Found a load using W760 that the rifle seems to like.
Loaded plenty, checked the sights and decided it would be my primary big game rifle for the summer

So 3 days hunting in the West Coast and first evening a hind at 170m became the first victim of the 1885 30-40 U.S. Govt

I did hit it a little higher than I intended
But it dropped in the spot and never moved



Rifle and bullet performance was perfect
There were some fragments of copper and lead around the exit hole.
Exactly what I wanted from a big round nose bullet with lots of lead exposed



So that's the last of the Christmas shopping done

Knew you would like the bullets performance.its the closest thing I could get to the Winchester 180grn as far as terminal performance goes. Enjoy the venison.

Originally Posted by akaroa1

So 3 days hunting in the West Coast and first evening a hind at 170m became the first victim of the 1885 30-40 U.S. Govt

I did hit it a little higher than I intended
But it dropped in the spot and never moved

Attachment 239737

Rifle and bullet performance was perfect
There were some fragments of copper and lead around the exit hole.
Exactly what I wanted from a big round nose bullet with lots of lead exposed

Attachment 239738

So that's the last of the Christmas shopping done

Now that's a very nice bang stick.