30-40 Krag; opinions?

tokguy

tokguy

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I was at a small gun show this weekend and one of the vendors had a 30-40 krag; carbine I'm guessing, for sale.
It definitely had a nice feel, even though the stock was rougher. Point-ability I suppose would be a good term. The bore even seemed decent.
Really are they the Red-headed stepchild everyone makes them out to be?
Discussed it with the vendor and he was of the opinion it's just below a .303 british in power.
Now it's a single lug design, I'm aware of it's limitations.
Yep, it got it's a-s handed to it be the spanish using 7 x 57 mausers in Cuba.
But is it a capable enough 200-300 yd deer rifle?
 
Fine old moose gun. Nice thing is that you can still get 220-grain slugs for it. Those of us with .303s have to use what the American factories will sell us: 150s and 180s.... nd our LMs are sighted for 215s!

Krag feels good in the hands and points well.

They have but the single lug, yes, but they also use the bolt-handle root for safety. With apropriate loads, no reason they shouldn't still be out there in the field.

Only thing I can think of is be very careful removing the bolt: extractors are slightly less common than chicken-teeth.

Sounds like a fun old rifle.

Go get 'em!
.
 
I would say the .30/40 Krag is about the same as the .303 British for power. Anything the .303 will kill would be just as dead if shot with a .30/40 Krag. You will find the Krag action to be super smooth probably owing to that single locking lug.
 
Have handled a few and really like them, just haven't been in the situation to ever buy them. If you're looking for another caliber to load for I'd say you'll like the gun and the caliber. In my mind, it's a little like the 303's earlier family member. Similar in many aspects, but reflecting older ideas of a heavier slower bullet, so the trade off leaves you with a cartridge that is similar in effect.
 
The US Krag was a very popular rifle for 'sporterization' 75 years ago. Many, many deer, moose and elk wound up in a pot due to the .30-40. Out of favour because a) it's rimmed and b) nobody has made rifles for it in generations (OK, I think the Ruger No 1 was some years ago, but...)

If the bore was OK, I'd buy it in a flash.
 
tokguy said:
I was at a small gun show this weekend and one of the vendors had a 30-40 krag; carbine I'm guessing, for sale.
It definitely had a nice feel, even though the stock was rougher. Point-ability I suppose would be a good term. The bore even seemed decent.
Really are they the Red-headed stepchild everyone makes them out to be?
Discussed it with the vendor and he was of the opinion it's just below a .303 british in power.
Now it's a single lug design, I'm aware of it's limitations.
Yep, it got it's a-s handed to it be the spanish using 7 x 57 mausers in Cuba.
But is it a capable enough 200-300 yd deer rifle?
Click to expand...

I enjoy the two I have ... :)

Guns & Ammo Video Reviewhttp://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=34839

Model 1898 Krag Rifle (Mfg by Springfield in 1899)

Model 1899 Krag Carbine (Mfg by Springfield in 1901)

Regards,
Doug
 
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