Wondering if anyone loads brass for these two with any of the more "exotic" .30cal bullets. I have a .300Sav and will be getting a Krag, and am just curious. Doubt I'd load anything myself, just wondering what kinda things people are putting on top of those two brasses.

Thanks

jonas

I've used the Nosler 150-grain Ballistic Tips in my .300 Savage on numerous deer. I don't know if this qualifies as exotic though. ;)

I've used the Nosler 150-grain Ballistic Tips in my .300 Savage on numerous deer. I don't know if this qualifies as exotic though. ;)

Thats exactly what I had in mind. I meant anything that wasn't a Cor-Lock or equivilant.

Now, knowing basically nothing about hand-loading, I do imagine many of the newer, more sophisticated bullets are meant for greater velocities than the Sav or Krag generally produce. But, given the reports of the Ballistic Tips (factory loads) not functioning well at short ranges (I assume its a vel/energy thing...they need to slow down a bit before hitting), perhaps the slower Sav does well with them?

Now that I have a .300 Sav, and I know its possible to make some new, funky combos, handloading becomes all the more tempting!

jonas

The 150s were well suited to the Savage's velocity window. My closest shot was about five yards, but I hit the neckbone and the bullet exited. The longest was 200+ yards and expansion and penetration were excellent. The 150 and 165 are perfect fits for the .300 Savage. :D :cool:

I load Sierra 180 grain Pro hunters or Sierra 220 grain RN in the 30-40. They shoot very well and smacked the snot out of everything we have shot it with.

The 150s were well suited to the Savage's velocity window. My closest shot was about five yards, but I hit the neckbone and the bullet exited. The longest was 200+ yards and expansion and penetration were excellent. The 150 and 165 are perfect fits for the .300 Savage. :D :cool:


Very cool! What kind of ballistics are you able to generate? The factory numbers show drops of ~10 inches at 300, when 0'd @ 200 (depending on the maker).

Now, what about lighter bullets? Maybe get them going a bit faster? I know the case can only handle so much, but a lighter bullet should allow for a bit more vel., right? Maybe flaten out the trajectory a little, make it a bit longer range gun?

jonas

Jonas, the 300 Savage and 30-40 are what they are. I haven't tried to push it faster because if I want a speedier 30 caliber, I just use my 06.

Jonas, the 300 Savage and 30-40 are what they are. I haven't tried to push it faster because if I want a speedier 30 caliber, I just use my 06.


Ha! Yeah, my .270 will throw them out pretty fast too. :) I suppose the 220gr in the .30-40 gets us back to the discussion about weight, size, speed, and energy that's been happening on other threads. Hadn't thought about heavier....interesting.

jonas

I load mostly 150 grain spitzers ahead of a moderate charge of IMR4895. This is a classic round and within its limitations is a fine cartridge. All the best...
Gil

I load mostly 150 grain spitzers ahead of a moderate charge of IMR4895. This is a classic round and within its limitations is a fine cartridge. All the best...
Gil

Thanks Gil! Yup, it is very good at what it was designed to do, for sure. Definitly has the history to prove it.

jonas

Now, what about lighter bullets? Maybe get them going a bit faster? I know the case can only handle so much, but a lighter bullet should allow for a bit more vel., right? Maybe flaten out the trajectory a little, make it a bit longer range gun?I have loaded the Nosler and Remington 125s, they shoot well and at higher velocity than the 150s, but I have not tried them on game in the .300 Savage. I have shot Kodiak blacktails with the 125 BallisticTips out of .300 Whisper, .30 Carbine and .30 Herrett handguns though. Worked great, but the velocities were well below what the .300 Savage can generate.

I tried some of the new Hornady 180 Grain SST's in my 300 Sav, beat the snot out of me but was pretty solid out at 200 yards, shooting phone books to test penetration, that was out of my Rem. 81. After the beating I got from that, I pulled the bullets, there was no way I was shooting that load out of my 99 EG. I was fairly accurate, was able to bang the phone books at that distance with good expansion. Les

I tried some of the new Hornady 180 Grain SST's in my 300 Sav, beat the snot out of me but was pretty solid out at 200 yards, shooting phone books to test penetration, that was out of my Rem. 81. After the beating I got from that, I pulled the bullets, there was no way I was shooting that load out of my 99 EG. I was fairly accurate, was able to bang the phone books at that distance with good expansion. Les

Excellent...very cool!

Thanks

jonas

Wondering if anyone loads brass for these two with any of the more "exotic" .30cal bullets. I have a .300Sav and will be getting a Krag, and am just curious. Doubt I'd load anything myself, just wondering what kinda things people are putting on top of those two brasses.

Thanks

jonas

The .30-40 Krag was thought of as a small bore cartridge. When the U.S. government dropped the .45-70 in 1892 and adopted the .30-40 it is easy to see why "it" was once considered a small caliber. As is usually the case with U.S. military cartridges, the .30-40 enjoyed a great deal of popularity as a big game cartridge long after it had been replaced with the .30-03 in 1903. And for good reason; ballistically, the .30-40 Krag and later the .300 Savage are practically identical. Of course, the availability of war surplus Krag-Jorgensen rifles to civilian shooters for $1.50 didn't hurt the .30-40's popularity either.

A number of sporting rifles were once available in the .30-40 caliber, including the Winchester Model 1895 lever action, Winchester Model 1885 single shot, Remington-Lee bolt action, and the Remington rolling block single shot. The only modern rifle chambered in .30-40 Krag is the Ruger No. 3 single shot which was available in this caliber during the 1970's.

One seldom sees a big game hunter toting a .30-40 Krag in the woods these days but that has nothing to do with its performance. Even today the old cartridge will hold its own with a number of modern day wonders and even is superior to some. A 150 grain bullet at 2500 fps is strong deer medicine and a 180 grain bullet at about 2300 fps would be fine for elk and moose out to 150 yards or so. A number of propellants work fine in the .30-40 Krag with H414, H380, H4895, IMR-4320, and W-760 leading the pack.

Hello,
I have both; a Savage '99 300 Savage and a cut down Springfield Krag,30/40.
I spent much quality time hunting with the Krag.Origionally,I tried Nosler bullets but then settled on Honady interlocks because I only shoot Whitetails and the common bullet is every bit as good as the elite bullet.
A few years ago I got the 300 and ballistically,they are the same.
Frank

Hello,
I have both; a Savage '99 300 Savage and a cut down Springfield Krag,30/40.
I spent much quality time hunting with the Krag.Origionally,I tried Nosler bullets but then settled on Honady interlocks because I only shoot Whitetails and the common bullet is every bit as good as the elite bullet.
A few years ago I got the 300 and ballistically,they are the same.
Frank


Thanks, Frank. Yeah, I kinda figure since both rifles have dropped many deer while in my grandfather's hands, and the fancy bullets weren't available, I know they'll work just fine with plain factory loads. Can't wait to get the Krag...the Savage 45 Super Sporter I have in .300 Sav has been GREAT fun to shoot.

cheers

jonas