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 25 New member with a Krag project. (Read 13478 times)
milsurpshooter
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New member with a Krag project.
Feb 25th, 2018 at 1:47am
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Hello from North Georgia.
I just recently picked up my first Krag.  It's an 1898 sporter in the form of a school/constabulary short rifle.  It's in need of some "restoration" in order to be fully functional.  Since I'm new to the Krag, I hope the members will not mind if I ask a few questions during this process.

- milsurpshooter
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #1 - Feb 25th, 2018 at 3:33am
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'milsurpshooter' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

Members here are very good at providing help and sharing knowledge and experience.
  
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psteinmayer
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #2 - Feb 25th, 2018 at 5:03pm
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Milsurpshooter...  Welcome to the forum, and to the wonderful world of Krags!

Hows about posting some pictures so we can enjoy.  Pictures will definitely help you get good information.
  
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milsurpshooter
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #3 - Feb 26th, 2018 at 6:43pm
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My sporterized Krag is very similar to one that was just posted about in a different thread a few days ago.  Hopefully the pics will show up as attachments (I will add better pics once it's cleaned up).  I will need to add a front sight and replace the bolt which has had the firing pin tip cut and bolt face welded.  Other than a small crack in the heel of the stock and a generous amount of patina, I found it to be in rather great shape.
Some initial questions....
1.  Did Krag front sights fit into a dovetail cut on the barrel or were they just silver soldered/brazed onto the barrel contour?
2.  Should a new bolt need to be fitted in order to headspace correctly?  Can I use my Brit .303 headspace gauges to check for proper fit?
Thank you in advance,
- milsurpshooter
« Last Edit: Feb 26th, 2018 at 11:14pm by milsurpshooter »  
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Parashooter
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #4 - Feb 26th, 2018 at 7:31pm
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Original Krag front sight studs were dovetailed and brazed.

(You need to Login to view media files and links)

New bolt is likely to fit OK if made for 1898 or 1899 model. See (You need to Login to view media files and links) .

Headspace specs are largely the same as .303 British -
.064" "GO",
.067" "NO GO" (useful for fitting new barrels only),
.070" commercial "FIELD",
.074" UK military "FIELD REJECT".

A common amateur mistake is getting upset if used parts accept the .067" "NO GO" or .070" "FIELD". Given the general high quality of modern brass cases, .074" seems a reasonable and practical upper limit unless a new barrel is being fitted.

See (You need to Login to view media files and links) for an explanation, written for L-E .303's but applicable to Krag .30/40.
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #5 - Feb 26th, 2018 at 8:34pm
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I love 'Parashooters' Krag front-sight picture. It shows to perfection the detail of the original Springfield work!

'Milsurpshooter" - How long is your Krag's 'cut-down' barrel (measured with cleaning rod from muzzle to 'closed' bolt-face)?

If it were mine, I would make a simulation of a Board of Ordnance and Fortifications rifle (26 inch barrel) or a 'School Rifle' (22 inch barrel). Probably, a mock School Rifle/Philippine Constabulary rifle.

FWIW - I just have one 'knock-off' head-space gauge. A .073" - Field Gauge.  I feel comfort when a Krag's bolt does not close on it. It is also kinder to the Brass.

Check your Chamber very carefully to make sure someone didn't auger it out to take some kind of 'Blank'.

It is interesting that someone 'DEWAT'ed the bolt to make it non-firing???

Getting a good buy on a complete bolt on ebay is probably your best bet. Grandpa's Gun Parts, in the KCA 'Classifieds', has 'New-Old Stock'
model 1898 Bolts for $55, but, you would still have to come up with a Firing-Pin.

Have Fun you have a nice project there. It should make a good 'Shooter'.
  
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milsurpshooter
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #6 - Feb 26th, 2018 at 11:11pm
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butlersrangers wrote on Feb 26th, 2018 at 8:34pm:
Check your Chamber very carefully to make sure someone didn't auger it out to take some kind of 'Blank'.

It is interesting that someone 'DEWAT'ed the bolt to make it non-firing???
.


Yes, I was wondering that myself.  Especially when the rest of the firearm looks to be in really good shape.  I am familiar with doing chamber casts using Cerrosafe.  So, it looks like this one may be worth the effort.  But how would a blank firing chamber's dimensions differ?
- milsurpshooter
  
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FredC
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #7 - Feb 26th, 2018 at 11:25pm
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Apparently some were reamed to fire 30-06 blanks, when 30/40 blanks became harder to come by. Hopefully they quit with the bolt and firing pin.
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #8 - Feb 27th, 2018 at 12:11am
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A couple of years back, a KCA Member had a Krag that came from a 'VFW' Post. When he fired a .30-40 cartridge in it, he discovered the chamber had been altered for a 'Blank' or Something. (Photo of Cartridge Case attached)!

An experienced eye, familiar with U.S. Krags, would probably spot such a chamber alteration. Look for crude machining or Drill 'chatter marks'.
  
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kerry49
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #9 - Feb 27th, 2018 at 2:02am
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I had the same problem with an 1898 Krag rifle (1900) I bought on gunbroker. Case split at the neck and body reformed to 3006. Nice rifle for a nice priCe, I thought. Had it rebarreled with a gi barrel I found on eBay. So $250 later I now have a shootable rifle. Still cleaning the bore out though .
Kerry
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #10 - Feb 27th, 2018 at 2:50am
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'kerry49' - A pair of good looking rifles there!

I have a towel like that .... and a Jorgensen bathing suit.

Do you always take your rifles to the Beach?
  
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kerry49
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #11 - Feb 27th, 2018 at 2:53am
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Thanks. The m1917 is a Danish return.
  
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milsurpshooter
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #12 - Mar 2nd, 2018 at 1:14am
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A few more questions if y'all dont mind.
I ordered a "good used" bolt and I already own .303 headspace gauges.  The bolt will not close on a field gauge if the gauge is set off center.  But the bolt will close on a field gauge when it's set dead center on the bolt face.  Is the .08mm difference in rim diameter causing this discrepancy or is it failing the field gauge?
The bolt appears to be in very good condition except for a "milling" mark behind the lug. Is this groove indeed a normal mark made during production?
Anything else from the pics that should be of concern?
Thanks in advance,
- milsurpshooter
  
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milsurpshooter
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #13 - Mar 2nd, 2018 at 1:19am
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More pics
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: New member with a Krag project.
Reply #14 - Mar 2nd, 2018 at 4:31am
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'Milsurpshooter'  - Your pictures are quite blurry. The bolt concerns me. It appears the lug may have develeloped a crack and been welded.

I would replace that bolt. It does not look OK to me.

A chamber cast would be a good idea.
« Last Edit: Mar 2nd, 2018 at 2:10pm by butlersrangers »  
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