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Firearms >> Sporterized and unofficial modified Krags >> Cartridges will not load from magazine
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Message started by thos96 on Dec 19th, 2017 at 1:46am

Title: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by thos96 on Dec 19th, 2017 at 1:46am
I just got this nice sporterized Krag (s/n 44xxxx). It has a 22 in barrel, Redfield sight, recoil pad. The magazine cutoff was removed to install the sight. I tried to run some cartridges with 185 gr Sierra round nose bullets through it, but the bolt will not close. Any ideas?
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Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by butlersrangers on Dec 19th, 2017 at 2:04am
Is there part of a separated case stuck in the chamber?

Check if a loaded round can be loaded directly into the chamber (bypassing the magazine system).

p.s. - Your Krag's cocking-piece knob has been oddly altered.

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by madsenshooter on Dec 19th, 2017 at 3:17am
Sometimes you need to put a small piece of metal that is shaped like the shaft of a magazine cutoff behind the Redfield sight.  A friend of mine had a piece of drill rod of the proper diameter that he shaped and used.  The rims manage to snag on the empty slot that is in the upper part of the magazine on some Redfield equipped rifles.  BR you have a good pic of where the cutoff shaft fits into the scheme of things?

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by psteinmayer on Dec 19th, 2017 at 2:14pm
The first thing that leapt to mind was a piece of case stuck in the chamber, until I read Madsen's response.  Since Thos96 wasn't clear whether it was closing while stripping from the mag well, or closing in the chamber, I'm inclined to agree with Madsenshooter (I never did experience this with my Redfield equipped sporter - some do and some don't).

Otherwise... nice looking sporter.  Should be a great hunting rifle!

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by thos96 on Dec 19th, 2017 at 3:53pm
The chamber is clear - I can single load a round just fine. The problem is when I try to chamber a round from the magazine. The bolt goes forward a little, then stops. I found that if I pull the bolt back and then push really hard, then the round will feed and chamber. Afterwards, I opened the bolt and looked towards the side plate and I could see a thin line of what looks like brass. I have new Hornady cases - could the rim diameter be too large?

Yes, the machined off knob on the bolt makes it hard to disassemble it.

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by Parashooter on Dec 19th, 2017 at 5:41pm

madsenshooter wrote on Dec 19th, 2017 at 3:17am:
Sometimes you need to put a small piece of metal that is shaped like the shaft of a magazine cutoff behind the Redfield sight.  A friend of mine had a piece of drill rod of the proper diameter that he shaped and used.  The rims manage to snag on the empty slot that is in the upper part of the magazine on some Redfield equipped rifles.  BR you have a good pic of where the cutoff shaft fits into the scheme of things?

Picture below shows where cutoff shaft fits in the slot referenced above. For proper magazine feed, this slot must be filled with a half-round shaft shaped flush with contour of receiver. Any gaps or steps can catch cartridge rims during feed.

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Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by butlersrangers on Dec 19th, 2017 at 10:37pm
Two pictures showing: 1. The cut-off tip blocking the magazine feed. 2. The cut-off tip allowing the feed of cartridges.

As others have stated, if there is nothing in the cut-off slot, it causes a roughness in the feed of cartridges.
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Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by butlersrangers on Dec 19th, 2017 at 10:47pm
The older Redfield instructions advised 'throwing away' the cut-off. In time, it was appreciated that this caused issues with cartridge feed.

Rather then ruin an original cut-off lever, a replacement shaft can be made from a suitable size Nail, filed to shape.


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Redfield-williams_013.JPG ( 91 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by thos96 on Dec 20th, 2017 at 1:29am
thanks, that's the help I was looking for.

I shot a 3/4 in group (4 shots) at an indoor range (25 yds) today. It should shoot well enough for what I want. :)

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by psteinmayer on Dec 22nd, 2017 at 12:20pm
Mystery Solved! 

You should find that your Krag will prove accurate at distances of over 100 yards, which makes it very desirable for hunting!  Enjoy!

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by Culpeper on Dec 22nd, 2017 at 9:15pm
I think I have one of those redfield sights on one of my Krags.  I'll have to check next time I am in the northern West hemisphere.

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by thos96 on Dec 27th, 2017 at 5:43pm
I bought a reproduction cutoff from Numrich and used JB Weld to glue in just the rod end. It feeds just fine now. I guess cartridge rims must catch on the machined recess for the cutoff in the magazine. Thanks!!

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by FredC on Dec 27th, 2017 at 10:45pm

thos96 wrote on Dec 27th, 2017 at 5:43pm:
I guess cartridge rims must catch on the machined recess for the cutoff in the magazine. Thanks!!

When the rims catch on the machined recess it chews up the brass also. Hope you are planning on reusing the brass, if not save it for a rainy day or pass it. We did go through a rainy couple of years when brass and ammo were almost unobotainum.  <-- that is a highly technical term not found in dictionaries otherwise I would have spelled it correctly.

Title: Re: Cartridges will not load from magazine
Post by butlersrangers on Dec 27th, 2017 at 10:46pm
'thos96' - As British 'Horse People' say: "Well done you!"

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