Hi I have a 1898 krag rifle and am having issues chambering rounds from the magazine it jams but will chamber the round if you tap the bolt with your hand . I did replace the stock due to the original being in very bad shape I have been told that if the side plate is loose it will do this I have the screw as tight as it will go but it appears to still be loose. Could this be my problem?

'Msopher117' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

The Krag side-plate has to be properly seated or it can cause feed problems.

(Usually an 1898 Krag Action has to be removed from the Stock to fully remove or replace the side-plate, because of the closeness of the Stock in that area).

However, you can try lightly tapping the rear area of your side-plate with a small plastic mallet to see if it seats more fully and then snug up the screw. You can visibly see when the plate is tight against the side of the receiver. The screw should tighten fully, easily.

Are these Spitzer or Round Nosed bullets?  Some Krags seem to have problems feeding Spitzer (pointed) bullets.  Other Krags seem to feed them just fine.  My Krags will feed them, but only if the case is crimped in the bullet cannelure.  Otherwise, the bullet will telescope into the case neck and the case will jam cockeyed in the chamber.

Also, if the magazine cutoff is not in place, the rim of the round being fed can catch in the slot that the cutoff's stud normally resides in.  And, not any sideplate will fit, there are some minor differences in the lip at the front.

Msopher,
There are 2 ways I could interpret the side plate being loose. 1 the screw is not pulling the plate flush with the receiver. (Something is binding and preventing the sideplate from seating, but the screw is bearing on the side plate)
2 the screw is tight but the side plate rattles.
(the screw is bottoming out before it reaches the sideplate.
Each way will have its own fix.