'Ambrose' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.
For the virtues you mention: accuracy, power, and pleasant recoil, the .30-40 Krag is not obsolete. However, with only approximately 1/2 million rifles ever chambered for it, there is certainly not the demand enjoyed by many other cartridges.
IMHO - the .30-40 Krag has kind of a 'cult' following and most who use it probably reload and enjoy antique military arms.
There are lots of rumors as to whether the .30-40 ammo and brass will continue to be made by Remington and Winchester. In the recent past it appears to have been made on a seasonal basis.
It is easy to make workable .30-40 brass from '.303 British' cartridges cases. That is the route many Krag enthusiasts will take if .30-40 brass is 'out of stock'.
I recommend that you make friends with a 'Reloader', who would be willing to reload your cases for you or with you.
However, you may wish to reconsider your view on 'Reloading' and start learning about it. It is a lot of fun, stretches your 'shooting dollars', and is affordable. (About $100 will get you a basic LEE single-stage press, Dies, and powder scale).
I find the Krag, like most bolt actions, very easy to clean. It takes about 15 minutes with Hoppe's #9, a 36 inch cleaning rod, .30 cal. bronze brush, a jag, and probably six cleaning patches. Powder residue from most appropriate loads cleans very easily.
|