The evolution of this sporter is sad and some here may think what it eventually has become even adds to that in a way.... It was 2007 and browsing a LGS I came across this cut down Model 1898 - the first Krag I had even seen.  Knew of them and wasn't looking for one but was definitely attracted to it. The legendary buttery smooth action and the clean condition with not a speck of rust on it - in fact, all the metal and wood was still covered with cosmoline - had me going back over to handle it for the fourth time when over my shoulder I heard "You can have it for $50 off the tag." So with that the rifle and a box of Remington ammo followed me home that day.

To say this rifle had been butchered would be an understatement. This Bubba's middle name must have also been Bubba! The forestock had recently been cut off with a grinding wheel WHILE STILL ATTACHED TO THE BARREL!!! There were deep nicks cut into the sides and bottom of the barrel and the end of the now shortened stock still had the grooves around it to prove it.

The barrel had been cut to 24" and a banded sight base was literally hammered onto the end of it. There was no crown to speak of so I wasn't surprised the bullets all keyholed at 50yds but I was just checking the overall function with a few rounds to gauge what I had. 

I didn't want to put much into it including the cost and permanence of drilling and tapping holes in the receiver so attached a Williams receiver sight and front base to it with JB Weld. I decided to cut the barrel an additional 2.5" behind the battered front sight base to 20" because I liked the handling of that length in the woods with various carbines I owned. I filed the muzzle as flat as I could get it and used a RCBS chamfering tool to clean up the crown and it shot surprisingly well with jacketed and cast (311284 and Lee 309-200-R) and even round balls even though the first 8" or so of barrel was pretty much shot out. 

This is what it looked like at that point.

That looks like a nice woods walking carbine. Nicely done.  It is always encouraging to hear that a rough looking bore can still shoot. It gives me hope for mine. Thanks for sharing.

Here's a closeup of the Rice sight and a few more views.

Any Krag spoter with the cartouche intact is great in my book! The main consideration is how it shoots and if you like it. You have resurrected a bad Krag into a nice one. Great job and thanks for sharing!

Finally took this rifle with the new Criterion barrel to the range yesterday and the bolt wouldn't close on a round. When I first tried the bolt on receiving the rifle after blueing the bolt closed hard initially on an empty chamber but loosened up after a few tries so figured it was just the blueing in the lug recess increasing tolerances slightly.

I compared this bolt with the the bolt from 407052 I posted in the Military section and extractors and their reference to the bolt ends look identical.  I tried the bolt from this one in 407052 and there was no issue but when I tried the 407052 bolt in this rifle it wouldn't close on the empty chamber.  I put about as much pressure on the bolt as with the initial try with the original bolt which finally worked in but didn't want to force it any more than that with this bolt.

The extractor lines up with the cut and bolt closes on an empty chamber. The relationship of case rim to extractor cut looks to be about the same on both rifles so there appears to be enough space for the extractor to jump  the rim but isn't happening.

Checked an old thread on Criterion barrel headspacing that had a nice close up of a case in the chamber but the barrel was not attached so was of minimal help.

I would hate to have send it back if there is something I'm overlooking so any insight or suggestions to check something else is appreciated. I can take pictures later today when I have more natural light. Anything particular views that might be helpful?

The bolt does not close on an empty case. The case rim as well as dummies are contacting the barrel face as did loaded rounds of two different OALs yesterday. With rifle on a stand in bright light I can see the bolt face initially stops about 3/32" (<1/8 but > 1/16) from the case about the same as with 407052 and then dropping the bolt handle about 1/4" as the lug begins to cam the bolt face forward it is contacting the case and stops there.   

The same case inserted  in 407052 is about even with the receiver back edge and with this rifle it is set in about 1/16" from back of receiver edge which is the only difference I can see.

There has been debate on whether Criterion barrels are short chambered or not. On this one the case appears to enter the chamber completely so would that not happen with a short chamber?

Did the bolt close before the bluing with or without a case? The bluing should not alter the head space or metal to metal fits. My first thought is a deposit of bluing salts or polishing compound that has hardened and causing interference. I would use something like a plastic toothpick and pick in the locking lug recess, the extractor cut area and shoulder/rim areas where the case would seat.

If you sent "it off for installation of a 22" Criterion barrel" did you check the chambering when it first came back? As stated the blueing its self would not cause this unless there is residue of some kind in one of the recesses. If nothing is physically stopping the bolt from closing then this could be on the installer.