I purchased this 'cut-down' model 1896 rifle from a Gentleman in Pennsylvania. It had a lovely American black walnut (shortened) stock with a nicely matching hand-guard. (I 'stretched' the wood that came with this Krag to restore a full length model 1896 rifle).

The 22 & 1/4 inch barrel on this clean action has a mint bore and the metal has a nice appearance. It screamed to be used!

I had a spare 'cut-down' model 1898 Italian walnut stock that was too short for 'stretching'. I fitted this stock to the model 1896 action and coupled it with a 'reshaped' 1903 Springfield barrel-band, that 'Bubba' messed up.

As it is, it shoots well and I like it. It shoots 168 grain Sierra Match-King reloads accurately, but, jams every time, when these 'spitzer' rounds are fed from the magazine. I likely will try a different Side-Plate to see if it makes a difference, or just go to a different projectile.

This Krag has a nice tight chamber and the cases fired in it will chamber, without resizing, in some model 1898 Krags, I like to shoot.

The model 1902 rear-sight on this 'cut-down' has the eye-piece, with ground corners, that Springfield made from discarded 1898 sights.
The recycled eye piece gives a nice sight picture with the 1903 Springfield front-sight and commercial blade. Lighting was great today (and I used 1-Power 'Readers' to sharpen the View)!

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Very nice br!  I'm not much on safe queens, would much rather have a rifle to carry and use.  I had to chuckle about using the reading glasses to "cheat", I'll have to try that.  (right in the middle of making a scout mount for a Bushnell TRS-25 for mine as I'd given up trying to see the sights.)

I cannot help but wonder about modifying a side plate with some kind of filler to facilitate allowing feed of bullets easily, other than the 311-284 RN type that it was designed for.  (JB Weld?)

Also thanks for posting that load info, as always, great thread!

Hamish - That is Not an optimal .30-40 load and I am not recommending it. There are better propellants for the Krag with the 168 grain Spitzer.

(It is convenient for me, because I have a lot of WW-748 propellant and 168 grain Match Kings. It's a decent load - I believe to be safe).

I do recommend trying weak 'Readers' (1X or 1&1/2X), that have 'safety lenses', to try and see fine sights more clearly.

FWIW - A few years back, I had cataract surgery and have close to 20/20 distant vision, but, need 2X Readers for reading. When I use 1X Readers, as shooting glasses, the sights are clear and the 'Bull' is only a bit blurred.

It is amazing how attractive even the simplilest of Krag sporters can be.