A friend/dealer bought 150 +/- guns from an estate. He had two old Krags that were even NOT close to being original. (I'm still looking for that elusive "reasonably priced" 30/40 Krag in original condition)...

Well, he offered me the better of the two rifles for $150.00 I just had to bite. So I brought it home. It has a "Jana" (Japanese) 4x scope (side mount), the stock is pretty good and the bore was decent. Worth (IMHO) $150.00 to take to the range and enjoy my first experience shooting a 30/40 Krag.

Well darn if this rifle (now carbine) doesn't shoot!

Here's the target from 100 yards. (I started at 25 yards) I had an old box of 180gr Winchester Silver-Tips (given to me when I bought the rifle) and the gun shot great with this 1960's vintage ammo!

I saved three rounds and may just whack a doe with this rifle/carbine!!

Bob




My two Savage Rifles...Model(s) 111 and a lefty Model 110...not too bad huh? The Model 111 (.243) was purchased 14 years ago for my son to use...it's killed an easy 50 deer! I loan it to every new hunter (young or old) who I introduce to deer hunting. I shot one shot...could NOT see the impact on the target....drove up and had to get CLOSE to see it was dead center in the bull...I put the gun away. Just use Remington factory ammo.

The lefty Model 110, my 25.06, is just as deadly. Two shots from 100 yards and it went back in the case. I use my reloads for this gun. Last season I shot a doe at 200 yards (the longest shot I'd ever taken) and drilled the heart. It's a very accurate rifle.

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Great shooting, a 4 legged varmint doesn't stand a chance if you do your part....
on another note, my CID Lt at work has (or had) a 30/40 Krag Carbine, all original IIRC, he was going to sell, don't know if he sold it yet, if not I will PM you the details tomorrow

Thanks sheriffoconee.

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Hi: Sometimes the "Ugly Ones" will be a surprise. Many centuries ago I traded a Spanish Star 9mm pistol for a reblued U.S. Springfield Model 1903 (reddish receiver). The previous owner had added a "Bishop Semi-Finished" sporter stock and a RedField 2.5 scope. Trip to the range discovered 1 1/4" groups using GI military ball ammo at 100 yards!

Wow jimmyj,
Sounds like the previous owner got that 1911 all "warmed" up for you!!!

Nice.

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Those old sporterized .30-40 Krags often shoot good. I have a side mount for this one but have not used it.

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C & L

If you find that magic stash let me know. i've been looking for a good one for a while now, and they seem to fall into two categories: Junk and costing a fortune. Oh well, maybe someday.

In the mean time, I may just have to keep an eye out for a sporterized one that I can just have fun with.

C&L...very nice gun! Great photos!!

I'd sure love to find a "stash" of nice old Krags! I do not seem to find any at all that have not been messed with!

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Hi Bob, Send me a PM. My buddy has a 1896 Krag that is an original carbine with a scarce stock that once had a saddle ring on it. Back in the day someone expertly fit it with a Climbin' Lyman peep sight that uses the slot in the stock where the saddle ring was mounted, so there was no mods done to the receiver or stock. Could easily be put back to original I'd think with the addition of stock rear sight. I can send you some pics and info if you'd like, Shoo

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"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"

Thanks Shoo....PM incoming.

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Very nice score on the Krag. I've always liked those rifles, had one years ago but alas, went for other things. Those nice sporter Krags do show up occasionally. Several were at the last Fort Osage Muzzleloader trade fair.

If you think sporterized Krags are scarce, try finding one that's still all original!!

Of course I can see why they were sporterized: a 30 inch barrel and all that wood was pretty awkward to carry around in the hunting woods, and often the outcome of the hunt determined whether the kids would go to bed hungry that night.

Thanks W.G.

I hope I will find a nice original rifle one day...a shooter!

Bob

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"Onward thru the Fog"

Guys go after a Swedish mauser in 6,5mm Swede. There great for deer and easy on the body very light recoil. They also shoot moose and reindeer with the 6,5mm in Europe.

30/40 is a good caliber . It's also one of the cartridges that really benefit from being Ackley Improved . Was my paternal Grandpa's favorite hunting rifle . Seen that old man make shots with open sights that most hunters these days couldn't make with a scope . Like an '03 Springfield , if bore & headspace are good she'll shoot just fine .

Krag rifle or carbine is a good hunting rifle. My brother had one. Bore was not great, but it worked well. Recently found and bought a Krag rifle ... sporterized ... on the Classifieds. Dates to about 1902. Only need one hand guard and a upper band and it will be fully restored! The bore is mirror bright ... like brand new! Just itching to get it sighted in and head for the woods. Sincerely. bruce.

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Right about when the movie "The Rough Riders" came out I finally found a Krag that I could live with. And I have squinted down the bore of many Krags. Found this one in a little hole in the wall gun show just as I was getting ready to go home.

Asked if I could check it out and dealer said ok. Took the bolt out and it had the best bore I've seen in years. How much?? $180 I'll take it, Darn near broke my wrist getting the wallet out and counting out the money.

Shot great with Remington Core Lokt 180 grain round nosed bullets.That was over 30 years ago. Someone chopped the barrel to 25" and put a ramp sporting type front sight, and left the military sight which is both adjustable for windage and elevation. Cartouche on the side of the stock is stamped 1903 so that makes the old girl 118 years young. Frank