got an offer to buy a semi sporter Kraig 30-40

thanks for the reply...

I'm not a big fan of higher dollar dies, especially on a milsurp that will spend more time on the wall, than on the range... right now, Midway really only has the RCBS 2 die set, or the Lee 3 die set, that are in my budget range... maybe the Lee seating die ( I think has a taper crimp ) would work better than the RCBS ???
 
BTW... anyone load this with cast bullets ??? might be a good rifle for cast...
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Jim Forel wrote an article on the Krag and cast bullets several years ago in Gun Digest and had really good luck with them. They should work well in your rifle.
 
I shoot some cast bullets in my Krag. I think they weigh 170 grains. Don't have load data at my fingertips but the Lyman cast bullet manual has some.
 
Just remembering an article

I recall reading an article in some gun bible years ago that the 30-40 Kraig rifle was considered an advanced weapon of the time. That it was issued to the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War and that the original specs called for the rifle to be able to pick a man off horseback at 800 yards, a sniper's rifle of the time. This would explain the long stock and field adjustable sights.

Good lord, do not ask me how I can recall this and never thought to record the SN! Have been kicking myself for this for almost 40 years, my only excuse is a poor one, young and stupid.
 
For reloading, unless you want to, there is no real reason to crimp .30-40 Krag ammo. You certainly can, and if done right there's no harm, but you don't need to.

Yes, in the Krag rifle, the rounds are "loose" in the magazine box. So what? The Krag, simply does NOT generate the conditions of recoil that will overcome proper neck tension to require a crimp.

As to dies, I prefer the RCBS over the LEE. Not that Lee dies are bad, just I don't care for their features. And, since I'm only going to be buying a set once, saving a few bucks is nothing. Also, in my case, most of the rest of my dies are RCBS, so I prefer to maintain that.

I wouldn't waste my time putting a taper crimp on .30-40 ammo. In fact, the only rounds I taper crimp are certain handgun calibers. Roll crimp in certain rifle calibers, when using bullets with cannelures, has always worked for me. Also, it depends on the gun you are going to be shooting.

I always roll crimp .30-30s for use in lever guns. I don't crimp .30-30s for use in my Contender, as an example.

I never saw a use for the LEE Factory Crimp Die, so I never got one.
 
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