Krag-Jørgensen Rifle/Carbine and Swede M94/14 Question

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Krag-Jørgensen Rifle/Carbine and Swede M94/14 Question

Hello!

I am looking forward to taking out my 1906 dated Krag sporter in 6.5X55 Swedish soon... however I have come across an issue. The only ammo I have is 6.5X55 Swedish made by Federal and it is commercial hunting ammo. I understand, with one locking lug, that the Krag does not have sufficient strength in the model that this year falls into, in order to safely shoot commercial ammunition. Is this true? Can anyone advise? I keep running into suggestions that the Krag is not able to withstand such ammunition.

If worse comes, I will just have to save the whole box for my 6.5X55 Swede. On that note, here is my second question: How does one site in for the M94/14? Mine has a matching original rear and front site. Suggestions helpful!

Thanks in advance,
Yours,
Drachenblut
 
Drach, that is a good question. The 6.5x55 commercial offerings in North America, used to be loaded in deference to the Swede Mauser actions. With the Remington, Winchester and Ruger offerings things may have changed but I really doubt it. I have fired the Federal red box out of a Norwegian Krag and all seemed well.
Google the ammunition by maker and check out the pressures it's loaded to.

The Norwegians, used to load their 6.5x55 to 3800+bars (55,000psi) they had some Ka booms. Then they loaded down to 3100 bars (45,000 psi) then again, to 2800 bars (41,000psi)

The US Krag was loaded with ammunition that gave 40,000 psi. They tried to boost velocities after running up against the Mausers in 7x57 by 200fps, the new load increased the pressure by appx 3000 psi. They started getting cracked locking lugs. This isn't a great situation if the lugs give way but PO Ackley did tests on Krags, where he ground the single locking lug completely off the bolt and fired the rifle. The bolt handle, acts as an emergency lug. After close to 100 rounds of commercial factory 30-40 loads the bolt was still functioning and there weren't any mishaps.

The Krag actions were designed to take a steady diet of 40,000 psi (2800 bars). That's what they should be fed.

If you buy European ammunition, make sure it is marked for use in the Krag. In Europe the onus is on the user to know how strong his rifle is.

Most European ammunition for the 6.5x55, is loaded to around 45,000 psi (3100 bars). The Norma offerings are loaded anywhere from 41.000psi to 55,000 psi. Like I said, over there they expect you to know and understand the tolerances of your particular rifle.

If that sporter, happens to be a carbine, as most in Canada are, there is a ray of light on the horizon if you are looking for replacement wood. Google norwayspares.com, supposedly they have all of the necessary bits and pieces to refurb these old girls. The big problem with most of them, is that they have pitted bores. They are also interesting in that many of them bear waffenampts, left overs from the German occupation during WWII.
 
Hmmm... I will look to see what the pressure loading is. I know I have fired my Krag with around 39,000 PSI without issue.

Thanks for the reminder Andy. Just to be safe, I will not shoot the Federal in the Krag, and just my 1898 Swede Carbine.

As for the norwayspares, there is apparently some gent on Gunboards named that who sells krag parts, is this who you meant to look up?
 
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