6.5 X 55 Krag ? What the Hell ?????

Skylark 4

Skylark 4

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Eston Saskachawan (2 hours south West of Saskatoon
On holidays in Ontario, so stopped into local gun shop, All the normal stuff but they have a 30-40 Krag marked 6.5 X 55. Ok, somebody tell me this is a screw up on somebodys part. All matching #'s with a sportsterized stock. May pick it up just cuz. Chamber cast will tell the truth for sure.


Ken
 
The Krag originated in Norway I think. Swedes used them for a while chambered in 6.5x55 before switching to the Mauser in 1896. I've seen a couple 6.5 Krags in a cut down sporter configuration in the last few years. Somebody please correct me if I'm giving out incorrect information about the origins here.

Also Ken
 
I don't know that 6.5 X 55 is that much rarer.
Seems like it's about par on the EE as far as 30-40 vs 6.5 X 55.
The only thing that makes me a tad leary is the 6,5 X 55 is pretty hot for the Krag action IMO.
Awesome round and a silky smooth rifle; just dont know if they work well together
30-40 is common in the US but up here it's pretty rare.
 
Old Outlaw said:
Norway made a number of 6.5X55 Krag rifles. You say 30-40 Krag. Is it marked 30-40 Krag or just 6.5X55. Or both? If only marked 6.5X55 it is much rarer to find.
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Actually the Norwegians recommended the 6.5X55 in their studies. Sweden also adopted it based on the Norwegian "Rifle Committee of 1891". Who had recommended that the future Norwegian Infantry Rifle be chambered for a cartridge of 6.5mm calibre. The recommendation was also accepted by the Swedish. Source is "Crown Jewels." Norway did build Krag rifles in 6.5X55. An original is Super expensive.
 
Norway built 6.5x55 Krag rifles until after WW2.

It was their standard military rifle for almost 60 years.

And yes, they are smooth and slick, even the many-times-rebuilt-from-parts ones like mine, a 1918 Kongsberg.

Recognise them easily by the Crowned K on the Receiver Ring, date below.
 
Skylark 4 said:
On holidays in Ontario, so stopped into local gun shop, All the normal stuff but they have a 30-40 Krag marked 6.5 X 55. Ok, somebody tell me this is a screw up on somebodys part. All matching #'s with a sportsterized stock. May pick it up just cuz. Chamber cast will tell the truth for sure.


Ken
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What indication did you have that the rifle was a 30-40 Krag? The Krag was made in both calibres so are you assuming that it was originally a 30-40 calibre one or do you have a lot of experience with the Krag rifles?

U.S. Krag rifles are generally marked "U.S. Springfield Armory" on the left hand receiver wall, and Norwegian Krags have a marking and date on top of the receiver ring.
 
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Strictly FYI, there are also DANISH Krags, built from 1889 to the end of War 2.

Basic rifle was the Infantry Rifle Model 1889: Fodfolksgevaer 89.

In Danish Service it was always called the "'89 Rifle", never the "Krag". Ask an old Danish soldier about his "Krag" and he doesn't know what you are talking about, but he will wax loquacious regarding his trusty old "'89".

Danish Krags were in 8x58R and the Magazine opened to the FRONT.
 
buffdog said:
What indication did you have that the rifle was a 30-40 Krag? The Krag was made in both calibres so are you assuming that it was originally a 30-40 calibre one or do you have a lot of experience with the Krag rifles?
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I think this fella is making the same mistake I did the first time I came across a 6.5 Krag. Fortunately the gentleman behind the counter enlightened me a bit, I'd only heard of the US version before that.
 
Old Outlaw said:
Thanks smellie and Buff for helping with support. Buff, I am slowly but surely catching up with you on Swedes. LOL
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I must admit that you are getting pretty close, but every time you get two, I get three.;) You really have gotten quite a nice assortment of them in the past three years. And, to think, before these, you were fond of the (GASP :sok2) SKS!
 
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Norway and Sweden were united until 1905, so both using the 6.5x55mm would not be unusual.
Denmark, Norway and Sweden were united at one time, the 3 crowns used in Swedish markings is a hold over from that time.
 
I have a Norwegian krag in 6.5x55 made in 1903, super smooth action and is a joy to shoot, I also have 2 Swedish mausers, a 1900 and a 1906 Carl gustafs, I reload for both and I do load them very differently, reduced loads for the krag and lighter than modern loads for the swedes. If it was a good price go back and buy it they are great you just have to load your own rounds as factory ammo may be too hot for it.
 
gyped said:
I have a Norwegian krag in 6.5x55 made in 1903, super smooth action and is a joy to shoot, I also have 2 Swedish mausers, a 1900 and a 1906 Carl gustafs, I reload for both and I do load them very differently, reduced loads for the krag and lighter than modern loads for the swedes. If it was a good price go back and buy it they are great you just have to load your own rounds as factory ammo may be too hot for it.
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I also have Swedes. Very cool to find a Krag chambered here in that round, especially since the US Krags are the usual ones we see around. @gyped, I have a CG 1901 M96 and a Husky M38, what projectile have you settled on using and what do you find is your most accurate recipe if you don't mind me asking. I too reload. I just loaded up some rounds with Hybrid 100v, CCI LR primer, Remington brass. I am loading using 40gr of H100v, and Hornady's Interlock 140gr soft point flat base with good effect. The projectile though, has since been suspended from production by Hornady. I may have to find a different projectile to load up.
 
"...a screw up on somebody's part..." No such thing in Ontario. Just aak our civil servants. snicker.
"...Chamber cast will tell..." Easier to slug the barrel.
"...common in the US..." Not as much as you'd think. Ammo and brass is decidedly scarce. Only loaded 'seasonly' by Remington and Winchester according to Midway. No mention of what season that may be.
 
Prvi makes a ton of ammo for the 6.5x55. Manufactured brass to the actual specs. Unlike Remington and Winchester with smaller heads.
Usually 1/2 the price and much more accurate. If you have Prvi ammo in Canada, try some of it.
 
Old Outlaw said:
Prvi makes a ton of ammo for the 6.5x55. Manufactured brass to the actual specs. Unlike Remington and Winchester with smaller heads. Usually 1/2 the price and much more accurate. If you have Prvi ammo in Canada, try some of it.
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prvi is available up here and it is accurate. The brass is better quality. I have prvi brass for each of the calibres that I shoot.
 
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