"JWWFM": Welcome to the KCA Forum. I'm sorry you are having magazine feed problems with both of your Model 1898 Krags. It is interesting that the same problem is being encountered on two rifles and with all types of ammo (RN & Spitzers, Factory and Re-loads). Since, you describe 'fiddling with the cut-off to get cartridges in position', I think your problem is not just concerning the last cartridge. I took the liberty of posting a response in another similar thread so that it appears near to this one. It may be helpful to you.

FWIW: I measured the OAL of two original Krag military rounds, Frankford Arsenal '98 (3.060") and Kynoch '99 (3.082"). I reload mainly 165grain and 168grain Spitzers to a maximum 3.087" OAL and have had no feed problems in my 1898 and 1899 Krags. (It does not appear you have a problem with your ammo).

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of being the custodian of 11 U.S. Krags and 1 Norwegian (a mixture of original and sporterized). I have had the good fortune of no broken or weak magazine-door/follower springs (a surprisingly rare event) or of blatant feeding problems.

I think the following are the most likely 'suspects':

1. Old dried grease and crud inhibiting the movement of the follower arm/carrier assembly or the single flat spring that powers it, while that spring also keeps tension on the magazine door.

2. Old crud or damage to the inside of the side-plate which prevents cartridges smoothly traveling up its inside radius. The side plate should be clean and fully seated against the receiver.

3. The possibility of Model 1896 parts (side-plate and/or follower/carrier assembly) on a Model 1898 action (Unlikely on both rifles, but, model 1896 parts are different and would likely cause feed issues).

4. The Magazine Spring is weak or broken. This is unlikely on both rifles. If the spring was broken, there would be no cartridge feed. A weak spring would be evidenced by 'wimpy' magazine-door action.

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