I worked up some RL-17 loads from Quick Load data today. QL predicted 2600 fps @ 42K, but QL is a bit enthusiastic W/RL-17

Started out W/44gr of RL-17 behind a Hornady FTX 160gr bullet seated for 3.075" OAL. The bullet was a bit shallow in the case but that OAL put it just .014" off the lands.

Worked my way up, getting so-so Mv consistancy. At 49.5gr I got my best Sd of 9.4 fps so I decided to put some on paper.

I set up a target @ 50 yds & shot a few groups dialing in the Pacific K-2 receiver sight. After I got it zeroed, I screwed in the .063" aperature & really concentrated on my sight picture. I was holding 6:00 @ the bottom of the 4" orange spot.



Hornady makes 2 different .308 160gr FTX bullets. This is the 30395 bullet intended for 30/30 Win. It has a recommended Mv envelope of 1800-2600 fps. The one for the 308 Marlin, 30396 ups the envelope about 200 fps & it has a more streamlined ogive shape. Aside from the lower Mv envelope, I chose the 30395 due to its blunter ogive that allowed the bullet to get close to the lands. Even W/the lower BC of .330, it should shoot + or - 3 1/2" out to about 250 yds W/the sights zeroed as they are. Looks like some effective Whiltetail/Black Bear medicine.

I might have to haul it up into my tri-pod stand that has a 240 yd shooting lane over a 15 acre cut-over area on my place. It was logged out in 2009 & I clear the shooting lanes every 2 years.

Great shooting and nice load worked up for the old Krag.
I've only loaded and shot 180 grain Sierra's out of my Krag, never thought to try lighter but I may try your load.
Do try to kill a deer with it, I'd love to hear the hunt report.
You have a picture of the rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Great shooting and nice load worked up for the old Krag.
I've only loaded and shot 180 grain Sierra's out of my Krag, never thought to try lighter but I may try your load.
Do try to kill a deer with it, I'd love to hear the hunt report.
You have a picture of the rifle?

That load predicts about 40K & 2600 fps in my chamber that has a 62.2gr H2O capacity from a fired case. Neck/partially sized cases have a capacity of 61.1gr H2O but isn't it the chamber size that determines pressure?

Quickload prediction for standard 58gr H2O case capacity is about 45K.

I'm restocking the rifle right now. I bought a '70 era Bishop monte carlo stock complete W/grip cap & white line spacers a few years back for $15. It had enough extra wood to replicate the cut down carbine stock that was on the rifle. It has a straight GI grip & buttplate W/the trap. The barrel has a screw boss dovetailed into the bottom for a forend screw. That eliminates the barrel band so the stock has a slim schnable forend.

Here's a thread about the rifle. It belonged to my dad.

http://www.kragcollectorsassoc...BB.pl?num=1411519322

Here are some PIX of the progress so far.