The 30-40 Krag: A Historic Cartridge with Enduring Legacy
The 30-40 Krag, also known as the .30 Army or .30 Government, holds a prominent place in the annals of military and shooting history. Introduced in the late 19th century, this cartridge was the first small-bore, smokeless powder round adopted by the United States military, marking a significant transition from the large-bore, black powder cartridges that had been the norm. Origins and Development The 30-40 Krag was officially adopted by the U.S. Army in 1892, alongside the Krag-Jørgensen rifle, a Norwegian design that won the Army's selection trials. The Krag-Jørgensen rifle featured a unique side-loading magazine and a smooth, easy-to-operate bolt action, which, coupled with the new cartridge, represented a significant advancement in infantry firepower. The cartridge itself was groundbreaking for its time. It was designed with a rimmed case and initially loaded with a 220-grain round-nose bullet, propelled by smokeless powder, which was a novel technology then. The original load...