Need opinions on 30-40 krag
- Thread starter rempel429
- Start date
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
I assume you know ammo is hard to find in Canada and it's not cheap when you do.
highlander
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newfoundland
I've got one.
Very nice rifles; the Krag action is buttery smooth, and the rifle is capable of very good accuracy. They are also getting harder to find now in decent shape. The only problem I see with them is getting one with a good barrel; usually the 6.5's and the 30-40's are well worn, so check out the barrel closely.
Besides the ammo being a bit pricey, I'd buy it.
Very nice rifles; the Krag action is buttery smooth, and the rifle is capable of very good accuracy. They are also getting harder to find now in decent shape. The only problem I see with them is getting one with a good barrel; usually the 6.5's and the 30-40's are well worn, so check out the barrel closely.
Besides the ammo being a bit pricey, I'd buy it.
Not concerned with ammo cost more interested in trying something different then a Mauser an enfield or a lever gun, all ready have a straight pull as well.
If I was concerned about cost I guess I could take up knitting, not like this is a cheap hobby anyway. Lol
If I was concerned about cost I guess I could take up knitting, not like this is a cheap hobby anyway. Lol
The Krag is an interesting and very well made firearm that has served the military in several countries, the amount of machining involved in making one would be cost prohibitive today. They have a very smooth action and the feed system is one of a kind, just open the side door, drop in the ammo and your ready to go. The only draw back to the Krag action is that it has only one locking lug, factory ammo is fine, if reloading you would have to stick to factory specs.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Don't get me wrong, they are great guns for the reasons already mentioned. I have 3 of them. A 30-40 Krag carbine, a 6.5X55 Norwegian carbine and a 6.5x54 sporter.
Of course original and higher condition can dictate a fairly high price for these rifles. But they are worth it in my opinion.
It's mostly condition that's holding me back at this point, all though that wasn't a problem with my ross, but that was an heirloom, so I'm familiar with projects and cost.
In the process of rebuilding the ross (to sporter condition) and a long lee (back to military) but just wondering if I want to take on another project too, are parts available and reasonable? Or hard to find?
In the process of rebuilding the ross (to sporter condition) and a long lee (back to military) but just wondering if I want to take on another project too, are parts available and reasonable? Or hard to find?
OP, parts for US made Krags are reasonably available. Boyds makes an after market stock. Different sites in the US have parts for sale as well. As far as ammo goes most 30-40 US Springfield made Krags I have loaded for have .311 diameter bores. When push comes to shove, yes this it heresy I know but I have done it on many an occasion, 303Brit brass will fire form easily in the chamber. The neck will be short but it will work.
One thing which makes all of the difference. You can purchase a 90% or better Springfield Krag mod 1898 including bayo in similar condition for under C$2000. A few years ago maybe a bit less because our dollar was on par or above the US dollar. But they do hold their value in collectable condition.
Chop the stock and knock 75% off the price of a complete correct piece. Condition, missing bits and pieces, rust, poor bore, galled screw heads, sight changes, cracks in stocks, missing hand guards etc and no matter the condition of the metal otherwise the price drops off dramatically.
Back in the 60s Krag carbines were offered in hardware stores like Marshal Wells, Army/Navy, SIR and through International Firearms in excellent condition for $12. I can remember the first one I bought in 1963 at the Marshal Wells store here in my small town. $12 and the manager of the store threw in a couple of boxes of surplus 303Brit. Those were the 48 round boxes as well. It was a gorgeous little carbine and looked great just the way it was to me. I threw on a 10 cent web sling to get by with the first fall and then a neighbor told me it was the wrong sling and gave me a surplus leather 1918 leather sling he had kicking around. I kept that rifle for years and ended up giving it to a friend. I never did shoot anything other than 303 Brit through it because even back then 30-40 commercial hunting ammo was next to impossible to find locally.
Without seeing the rifle you describe and from your extremely brief description it could cost you more to put the rifle back to its original state than you could purchase one that is already in good condition.
I don't like shooting my Krag because it is way to nice and no matter how hard I try, taking it to the range will happen, my fault or some nimrod that just has to pick it up and handle it without permission. So I make up a Martini action in 30-40 Krag. I really like the cartridge. When loaded to military specs it is the kissing cousin of the 303Brit.
Your call on this. Getting parts locally is like finding hen's teeth. Bringing up the parts from the US isn't to bad if you can find a way to bundle them all together so you aren't paying individual shipping charges/import/export charges.
Whatever it will be a labor of love that getting your money back from will be next to impossible.
One thing which makes all of the difference. You can purchase a 90% or better Springfield Krag mod 1898 including bayo in similar condition for under C$2000. A few years ago maybe a bit less because our dollar was on par or above the US dollar. But they do hold their value in collectable condition.
Chop the stock and knock 75% off the price of a complete correct piece. Condition, missing bits and pieces, rust, poor bore, galled screw heads, sight changes, cracks in stocks, missing hand guards etc and no matter the condition of the metal otherwise the price drops off dramatically.
Back in the 60s Krag carbines were offered in hardware stores like Marshal Wells, Army/Navy, SIR and through International Firearms in excellent condition for $12. I can remember the first one I bought in 1963 at the Marshal Wells store here in my small town. $12 and the manager of the store threw in a couple of boxes of surplus 303Brit. Those were the 48 round boxes as well. It was a gorgeous little carbine and looked great just the way it was to me. I threw on a 10 cent web sling to get by with the first fall and then a neighbor told me it was the wrong sling and gave me a surplus leather 1918 leather sling he had kicking around. I kept that rifle for years and ended up giving it to a friend. I never did shoot anything other than 303 Brit through it because even back then 30-40 commercial hunting ammo was next to impossible to find locally.
Without seeing the rifle you describe and from your extremely brief description it could cost you more to put the rifle back to its original state than you could purchase one that is already in good condition.
I don't like shooting my Krag because it is way to nice and no matter how hard I try, taking it to the range will happen, my fault or some nimrod that just has to pick it up and handle it without permission. So I make up a Martini action in 30-40 Krag. I really like the cartridge. When loaded to military specs it is the kissing cousin of the 303Brit.
Your call on this. Getting parts locally is like finding hen's teeth. Bringing up the parts from the US isn't to bad if you can find a way to bundle them all together so you aren't paying individual shipping charges/import/export charges.
Whatever it will be a labor of love that getting your money back from will be next to impossible.
Thanks for the help guys, my sister lives in the states so parts I guess wouldn't be a problem...
Now I have a lot of thinking to do....
Bearhunter, thanks for the info as well, I've purchased a few rifles that were in bad shape knowing full well they cost more to fix then they would be worth, but then what else would I do in my spare time, and most likely the wife will be selling them after I'm gone any way so technically they're priceless to me, and on that note then someone else may net a usable but not original rifle that would have otherwise languished in a corner or closet somewhere
Now I have a lot of thinking to do....
Bearhunter, thanks for the info as well, I've purchased a few rifles that were in bad shape knowing full well they cost more to fix then they would be worth, but then what else would I do in my spare time, and most likely the wife will be selling them after I'm gone any way so technically they're priceless to me, and on that note then someone else may net a usable but not original rifle that would have otherwise languished in a corner or closet somewhere
I saw a sporter krag at a couple of gun shows and got me thinking that I might eventually pick up one. The only time I ever saw 30-40 krag ammo was a box of Remington for $45 at the recent Brandon gun show. If you reload I always see Lee 30-40 dies at wholesale sports.
I've a sportered Springfield armoury manufactured Krag, it's awesome
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Slicker than Catsh*t on a linoleum floor. Tired old rifle, but a great bore.
You can fireform 303 British if you are in a bind as Bearhunter said. There was some already reloaded in a big ass lot of brass I'd acquired. Waters said that it's a reloaders dream with the long neck as well. He thought it was a fine elk rifle if ( like so many ) it's limitations were acknowledged.
Slicker than Catsh*t on a linoleum floor. Tired old rifle, but a great bore.
You can fireform 303 British if you are in a bind as Bearhunter said. There was some already reloaded in a big ass lot of brass I'd acquired. Waters said that it's a reloaders dream with the long neck as well. He thought it was a fine elk rifle if ( like so many ) it's limitations were acknowledged.
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The Factory ammo may be cheaper, but I'm surprised that anything can be reloaded cheaper than a .30 Caliber. Load data for a 30-40 Krag is commonplace and it's a startlingly easy round to reload.
I have a 6.5 x 55 BTW, good round...better when you can ramp it up like it ought to be. As a Milquetoast round, why bother?
Milquetoast ??? Who you callin MILQUETOAST?
I also shoot Sweed mausers in that caliber and win a few competitions. So it does well for me. Now, 5.56. That's a milquetoast round.Milquetoast ??? Who you callin MILQUETOAST?
Smiling on this end too, but you don't run the racy ones through it do you? Downloading a 6.5 x 55 is like downloading a 30-06; kinda defeats the whole point of the big round doesn't it?
I don't compete myself. I shot fairly often and do OK, but no accolades to brag of. Just have fun.
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I have my Dad's 30-40 (including the $5.00 bill of sale) that he bought in the late 1940s. It was sporterized when he bought it and had been used by a guide near Powassan on the French River.
Ten years ago I was in the US and got measured at Beretta on their try gun and had the stock extended to fit me - I have 38.5" arms and am 6'4"
It needed a new sling so I bought a Carlos Hathcock Sling in the correct length for me from Turner Saddlery
http://www.mcssl.com/store/turnersaddleryinc/catalog/product/a4a3e19be76a43678a5186467b9ebc8b
Ammunition - When my father bought the Krag it came with 5 rounds, he took one test shot, went deer hunting and returned with 3 deer and one unspent round. i moved to BC in the 1980's and travelled the province for vacation and holidays.
I made a a habit of stopping in small towns and visiting the old hardware stores - if they had the wooden floor and the old wooden storage bins I knew i was in luck pretty well all the time. I was pretty successful in acquiring an ample supply of 30-40 ammunition, sometimes for as little as $3.50 a box. The old price was still on the box and the store owner was always pleased to clear out old ammunition that he had held in inventory for decades.
It is in excellent condition and I have never had a desire to buy a more modern rifle.
The action is a joy to experience.
Ten years ago I was in the US and got measured at Beretta on their try gun and had the stock extended to fit me - I have 38.5" arms and am 6'4"
It needed a new sling so I bought a Carlos Hathcock Sling in the correct length for me from Turner Saddlery
http://www.mcssl.com/store/turnersaddleryinc/catalog/product/a4a3e19be76a43678a5186467b9ebc8b
Ammunition - When my father bought the Krag it came with 5 rounds, he took one test shot, went deer hunting and returned with 3 deer and one unspent round. i moved to BC in the 1980's and travelled the province for vacation and holidays.
I made a a habit of stopping in small towns and visiting the old hardware stores - if they had the wooden floor and the old wooden storage bins I knew i was in luck pretty well all the time. I was pretty successful in acquiring an ample supply of 30-40 ammunition, sometimes for as little as $3.50 a box. The old price was still on the box and the store owner was always pleased to clear out old ammunition that he had held in inventory for decades.
It is in excellent condition and I have never had a desire to buy a more modern rifle.
The action is a joy to experience.
