More (Sorry) Shiloh Ramblings....

[Blaine]

I notice that it is also available in 30-40 Gubment......Was that a chambering back in the day? Interesting, to say the least.....it would make a low cost plinker, and hunter out of it.. Lobbing cast 200s downrange would be a decent way to go shoot ..I'm not interested in the BP, traditional stuff too much, and my shoulder is getting more tender and achy as the weeks roll by.

[harry]

30-40 krag

Back in 1892 the US Army adopted its first bolt action service rifle and its first smokeless powder cartridge, the .30-40 Krag (.30 US Army). The rifle was a slightly modified version of the Danish 1892 Krag-Jorgensen infantry rifle.

Modern factory loads for the .30-40 are still available from Remington and Winchester, both with 180 grain bullets. Remington loads their pointed soft point Core-Lokt bullet and Winchester their reliable Power Point (soft point) bullet. Both have a MV of 2430 fps and muzzle energy (ME) of 2360 ft. lbs. At 200 yards the Remington figures show 2007 fps and 1610 ft. lbs.

According to the Sierra Reloading Manual, Second Edition their 180 grain bullets can be driven to a MV of 2300 fps and 2114 ft. lbs. of energy with 40.8 grains of IMR 4895, 41.9 grains of IMR 4064, or 42.4 grains of IMR 4320 powders. The trajectory figures for the Sierra Pro-Hunter spitzer bullet fired from a scoped rifle at 2300 fps look like this: +3.1" at 100 yards, 0 at 200 yards, and -12.19" at 300 yards. I would regard that as a good all-around load for a .30-40 rifle, for game ranging in size from deer to elk (approximately 100-500 pounds live weight).

The Sierra 200 grain GameKing boat tail spitzer bullet can be driven to a MV of 2200 fps with 2149 ft. lbs. of ME by 40.2 grains of IMR 4895, or 40.9 grains of IMR 4064 powders. The trajectory tables for this sleek bullet show that if zeroed at 200 yards it will strike +3.33" at 100 yards, 0 at 200 yards, and -12.64" at 300 yards. It would probably be a fine choice for elk or Scandinavian moose.

[Leverluver]

Great cartridge. I have a couple rifles chambered in it. IMO, the Sharps is not that good of a platform for it. That tiny hole makes for a heavy rifle, no matter what shortcuts (short round or half round barrel). I went saddle rifle (26" HRHO) in 40 cal and it still came out heavier than I wanted to lug up and down mountains.

[Griff]

I notice that it is also available in 30-40 Gubment......Was that a chambering back in the day? Interesting, to say the least.....it would make a low cost plinker, and hunter out of it.. Lobbing cast 200s downrange would be a decent way to go shoot ..I'm not interested in the BP, traditional stuff too much, and my shoulder is getting more tender and achy as the weeks roll by.

Since the .30 US hadn't been introduced when the Sharps factory closed it's doors, I wouldn't think so.

BTW, for those still on active duty: Shiloh Salute to Our Troops is a continuing program.

[Blaine]

Great cartridge. I have a couple rifles chambered in it. IMO, the Sharps is not that good of a platform for it. That tiny hole makes for a heavy rifle, no matter what shortcuts (short round or half round barrel). I went saddle rifle (26" HRHO) in 40 cal and it still came out heavier than I wanted to lug up and down mountains.

Have you seen where they have the plans for a 1877 now? Keeps a heavy barrel for the target shooters, but shaves weight off in different places to compensate. 38-55, and 405 as well as 45-70 are absolutely in the running.....I'm about half saved up for a nice one, and when I decide the particulars, I'll bite.

[Griff]

I still think the .40-70 is a great cartridge. Or .40-65 Win., even the .40-50 Sharps would make a great smokeless round. My .40-90 uses about the same charge of 5744 as recommended for .45-70s with equivalent bullet weights. Not a punishing recoil. Especially in a 12 lb 1 oz rifle!

[Rusty]

My little old .30-30 handi rifle does a lot for me, but I have heard some are reaming them out to .30-40.
It sounds like what you're after is the Sharps though. How long is the wait now?

[Nazgul]

Bought an Uberti clone of a high wall in 30-30. Shot it with some 170 gr jacketed reloads and all were touching. Shows real promise for an accurate rifle. My intention is 180-200 gr cast load. Low cost/low recoil 200 yard plinker.

Don