Range Results: We're making progress!

[keith.herrington]

Took my 1898 Krag rifle (with the CMP barrel) to the 200 yard range this weekend and tried two sets of loads: Sierra 220 grain round nose and Nosler Partition 220 grain Semi-Spitzer. Both bullets were very similar in overall configuration. The Sierra had a cannelure and the Nosler did not. Overall length for the Nosler was set at 3.085" and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die and the Sierra crimped using the same die in the cannelure for an OAL of 3.025". The Sierra fed much more smoothly out of the magazine than did the Nosler, but the Hornady 220 is still the smoothest feeding bullet I've tried. Like butter.

Here is the best Nosler group, using 37.5 grains of IMR 4350.

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/cprher/1898%20Krag%20Rifle/Nosler220375IMR4350200yds_zpsbad8a046.jpg (http://s568.photobucket.com/user/cprher/media/1898%20Krag%20Rifle/Nosler220375IMR4350200yds_zpsbad8a046.jpg.html)

Here are the two best loads using the Sierra 220, the first using 38.5 grains and the second 41.0 grains

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/cprher/1898%20Krag%20Rifle/Sierra220385IMR4350200yds_zpsc57a75b6.jpg (http://s568.photobucket.com/user/cprher/media/1898%20Krag%20Rifle/Sierra220385IMR4350200yds_zpsc57a75b6.jpg.html)
http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/cprher/1898%20Krag%20Rifle/Sierra220410IMR4350200yds_zps7fbb515e.jpg (http://s568.photobucket.com/user/cprher/media/1898%20Krag%20Rifle/Sierra220410IMR4350200yds_zps7fbb515e.jpg.html)

All the other loads with both bullets (36.0 to 41.0 grains of IMR4350 in .5 grain increments) were vertically strung, some a little and some a lot. However, the lighting was pretty good throughout the testing and throughout I was using a gun of known performance to check my performance, a No. 4 Mk 2 Lee Enfield that holds between 1 and 1.5 MOA all day long with my ammo. Some of the vertical stringing I think is due to velocity variance. I've never shot a cartridge that was so sensitive to the weight of the charge.

Next time I'll use my chrono.

[p246]

Looking good. The Lee factory crimp die works well for me on jacketed bullets, but I've found I have to be very consistant on down pressure or the difference in crimp pressure starts messing with my velocity.

[JimF]

. . . . . The Sierra fed much more smoothly out of the magazine than did the Sierra, . . . . .

Huh?

[psteinmayer]

FWIW, I normally stick to the Hornady bullets. They're vastly less expensive than other bullets and fine for target work (I don't hunt anymore).

[jon_norstog]

That's pretty good shooting, Keith. I feel good if I shoot that well at 100 yds. You probably have a really good Kragf.

jn

[keith.herrington]

Huh?

Smoother than the Nosler. Man, you're picky.

[Griff Murphey]

4350 was Townsend Whelen's favorite powder for the .30-40. Try 38.5 grs. With a 168 BTHP you may be VERY surprised. Both my sewer pipe and my pretty 98 shoot it well. Very mild easy shooting load.

Pity my pretty one feeds so poorly, not a good gun for CMP rapid, even with round nose, she's stiff.