.30-40 Krag (.30 Army)

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Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

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.30-40 Krag (.30 Army): At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Rifle
Primer Type Large Rifle
Used For Military, Hunting
Case Design Rimmed, Bottleneck
Year Introduced 1892

.30-40 Krag (.30 Army): At a Glance: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • First smokeless powder cartridge adopted by the US military
  • Adequate for medium to large game hunting
  • Moderate recoil compared to larger calibers
  • Historical significance in US military history
  • Still available for vintage firearms and collectors

Cons

  • Obsolete for modern military use
  • Limited availability of ammunition
  • Less powerful than modern .30 caliber cartridges
  • Not as flat-shooting as newer designs
  • Fewer firearm options compared to more popular calibers

.30-40 Krag (.30 Army): A Historical American Cartridge

The .30-40 Krag, also known as the .30 Army, was the first smokeless powder cartridge adopted by the United States military. It was used in the Krag–Jørgensen rifle, which served as the U.S. service rifle from 1892 to 1903. The .30-40 Krag played a significant role in American military history and later became popular among civilian hunters for its effectiveness on medium to large game.

History and Development

The .30-40 Krag was developed in the early 1890s as part of the U.S. Army's modernization efforts. It was designed to replace the older .45-70 Government cartridge, offering improved ballistics and range. The cartridge was officially adopted in 1892 along with the Krag-Jørgensen rifle.

The designation '.30-40' refers to the .30 caliber bullet and the standard load of 40 grains of smokeless powder. This nomenclature was common at the time, though it differs from modern naming conventions. The cartridge featured a rimmed case, which was suitable for the Krag-Jørgensen's magazine design but would later prove to be a limitation.

The .30-40 Krag saw its first major combat use during the Spanish-American War of 1898. While it performed well, the war also exposed some limitations of both the cartridge and the Krag-Jørgensen rifle when compared to the Spanish Mauser rifles and their 7x57mm cartridge.

In military service, the .30-40 Krag was relatively short-lived. It was replaced by the .30-03 (and soon after, the .30-06 Springfield) with the adoption of the M1903 Springfield rifle in 1903. However, the cartridge remained in use for training and in some reserve units for several more years.

Despite its brief military career, the .30-40 Krag found a second life in the civilian market. It became popular among hunters, particularly for deer and elk. The cartridge's moderate recoil, combined with its effectiveness at medium ranges, made it well-suited for North American big game hunting.

Today, while no longer in mainstream use, the .30-40 Krag maintains a following among collectors and enthusiasts. It represents an important transition in American military small arms, bridging the gap between black powder and modern smokeless powder cartridges.

Timeline of .30-40 Krag (.30 Army):

Year Event
1970s-Present The .30-40 Krag remains in limited production for collectors and vintage firearm enthusiasts.
1930s-1960s The .30-40 Krag continues to see use in civilian hunting, particularly for deer and elk.
1903 The .30-40 Krag is officially replaced by the .30-03 (soon after, the .30-06 Springfield) in U.S. military service.
1898 The .30-40 Krag sees its first major combat use in the Spanish-American War.
1892 The U.S. Army officially adopts the .30-40 Krag cartridge along with the Krag-Jørgensen rifle.
1890 Development of the .30-40 Krag begins as part of U.S. Army modernization efforts.

.30-40 Krag Performance

The .30-40 Krag offers moderate performance characteristics that were revolutionary for its time and remain effective for certain applications today:

Characteristic Performance
Bullet Diameter .308 inches (7.82mm)
Standard .30 caliber
Bullet Weight 180-220 grains
Most common loadings
Muzzle Velocity 2000-2200 fps
Varies based on bullet weight and powder charge
Muzzle Energy 1600-2000 ft-lbs
Sufficient for medium to large game
Effective Range 500-600 yards
For military use; shorter for hunting applications

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.30-40 Krag (.30 Army): Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Military/Combat 0-800 Effective for long-range engagements, used in the Spanish-American War
Hunting (Medium to Large Game) 0-500 Suitable for deer, elk, and similar-sized game
Target Shooting 0-1000 Capable of long-range accuracy with proper loads

Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) is known for its accuracy and power at longer ranges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for .30-40 Krag (.30 Army)

The .30-40 Krag (.30 Army)'s performance profile makes it suitable for several applications:

Military and Historical Significance
  • First smokeless powder cartridge adopted by the U.S. military in 1892
  • Used in the Krag-Jørgensen rifle during the Spanish-American War
  • Served as the U.S. service rifle cartridge until 1903
Hunting
  • Effective for medium to large game hunting
  • Suitable for deer, elk, and similar-sized animals
  • Offers good accuracy and stopping power at typical hunting ranges
Target Shooting and Competition
  • Used in vintage military rifle competitions
  • Capable of good accuracy at long ranges
  • Popular among collectors and historical firearm enthusiasts
Collecting
  • Highly sought after by collectors of military firearms
  • Represents an important era in U.S. military small arms development
  • Ammunition still manufactured by some specialty companies

Caliber Comparisons

To understand the .30-40 Krag's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.30-40 Krag vs. .30-30 Winchester ▼

.30-40 Krag vs. .30-06 Springfield ▼

.30-40 Krag vs. 7.62x54mmR ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 100-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density of .30-40 Krag (.30 Army)

The .30-40 Krag, also known as .30 Army, was the first smokeless powder cartridge adopted by the United States military. This table shows the sectional density for common bullet weights used in this cartridge.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.30-40 Krag 220 0.331
.30-40 Krag 180 0.271
.30-40 Krag 165 0.248

Note: The .30-40 Krag was the U.S. service rifle cartridge from 1892 to 1903. Its sectional density values indicate good penetration potential, especially with heavier bullets. The cartridge's performance was considered excellent for its time, though it was eventually superseded by the .30-03 and later the .30-06 Springfield.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) cartridge?

A: The .30-40 Krag, also known as .30 Army, is a cartridge developed in 1892 for the U.S. Army. It was the first smokeless powder cartridge adopted by the U.S. military and was used in the Krag-Jørgensen rifle.

Q: What are the ballistic characteristics of the .30-40 Krag?

A: The .30-40 Krag typically fires a 220-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,000 feet per second, generating approximately 1,954 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.

Q: Is the .30-40 Krag still in use today?

A: While no longer used by the military, the .30-40 Krag remains popular among collectors and some hunters. Modern ammunition is still manufactured by a few companies, though it's not as widely available as more contemporary cartridges.

Q: How does the .30-40 Krag compare to modern hunting cartridges?

A: The .30-40 Krag is less powerful than many modern hunting cartridges. However, it's still capable of taking medium-sized game at moderate ranges. Its performance is similar to the .30-30 Winchester, which is still popular for deer hunting in wooded areas.

Q: What rifles were chambered for the .30-40 Krag?

A: The primary rifle chambered for the .30-40 Krag was the Krag-Jørgensen, used by the U.S. military from 1892 to 1903. After its military service, some sporting rifles were also produced in this caliber, including models by Winchester and Remington.