home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- In the 1880's. the U.S. began looking for a
- replacement for the .45-70 Government cartridge.
- In 1892, it introduced the .30-40 Krag with the
- new Krag-Jorgensen bolt-action rifle.
-
- The .30-40 Krag was limited to a chamber
- pressure of 40,000 c.u.p., over 20% below that of
- the .308 Winchester, which shares the same case
- powder capacity. Because the .308's chamber
- pressures may exceed 50,000 c.u.p, the same
- powder volume may house like amounts of
- slower-burning magnum-type powders, yielding a
- 300-400 fps edge with a 150-grain bullet.
-
- In 1903, the .30-40 was replaced by the
- .30-03, which had ballistics at or above the
- .308, but required a larger case to achieve it.
- Three years later, the .30-03 begat the legendary
- .30-06.
-
- The .30-40 held great interest in the
- civilian market. The DCM made surplus Krag
- rifles readily available in the 1920's, and it's
- ballistics are quite adequate for up to deer-size
- game. To be certain, it's heyday has passed, as
- they are rarely encountered "in the woods"
- anymore, but are frequently seen at gun shows.
-