New Krag

Sporterized and unofficial modified Krags
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Zac952
Posts: 159
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:37 am

New Krag

Post by Zac952 »

Just got a 1898 Krag sporter, 2nd krag for me, I mainly got it because I wanted the 1901 sight and handguard off of it. It had a peep sight so it was priced pretty low, after doing some research it was a pacific no drill peep sight! So I purchased the sporter, it had a cut down rifle stock and a 22 inch barrel with a 1903 band front sight.
I decided I liked my short rifle configuration a little better and as this rifle doesn't close on a field gauge and has sharp rifling I decided to swap stocks and the 1901 sight and handguard to build the correct short rifle. I removed the peep sight and installed the magazine cutoff from the other one also. So now I have a short rifle with a 1901 sight and proper headspace. Now this Saturday I'll take it out and see how it shoots!
Only question I have is what is the proper barrel diameter to hang a bayonet from? I have one on the way and may turn my barrel down if it is a good shooter, just for fun of being able to have a bayonet I guess. The blue bolt also seems out of place so I may use some bluing remover
Here are some pictures
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20210520_233550.jpg (340.12 KiB) Viewed 2151 times

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butlersrangers
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Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan

Re: New Krag

Post by butlersrangers »

Looks good 'Zac952'!
Since the barrel was likely stepped, to accept the 1903 'banded' front-sight, it may already be the right diameter for a Krag bayonet?
Best to wait and try it directly; there is more to fitting a bayonet than just barrel diameter.

The 1903 front-sight is tall. You may have to set the rear-sight to around 400 yards, when shooting at 50 yards.

Ned Butts
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Re: New Krag

Post by Ned Butts »

That is a nice configuration for a fun shooter and even a hunting rifle. Nice "save"

Zac952
Posts: 159
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:37 am

Re: New Krag

Post by Zac952 »

BR that is good to know, I wasn't sure on the proper front sight blade height and thought it looked a touch high, I think the sporter was used for hunting a good bit as I found some old pine needles throughout the stock and action and it had a decent amount of fair use through dings and dents on the stock, I may use it to hunt a deer this year if I can get an elk with my scoped 30-06 earlier in the season. Too much need for longer shots on elk to hunt one with open sights, but I do think it would be very cool to get it out hunting again.

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butlersrangers
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Re: New Krag

Post by butlersrangers »

Per Stokes - Kirk, a Bayonet can be useful for Hunting, with the ammo shortage and 'whatever'! :o
Attachments
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Zac952
Posts: 159
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:37 am

Re: New Krag

Post by Zac952 »

Just in case you need to get up close and personal with old griz!

Zac952
Posts: 159
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:37 am

Re: New Krag

Post by Zac952 »

Got it out shooting today and it shot great, was a rushed shoot so no target pictures but both my cast loads and jacketed loads all were on a 12x12 target standing at 50 yards, BR you were right about the front sight height, I had my peep adjusted to 300 yards and was hitting dead on at 50, with the rear sight down and the leaf left in that location it was also spot on at 50. Got my wife to load and shoot a few rounds from it so she could better understand the neatness of the rifle and design, not sure if she gets it although she did say how it loaded was cool, it's hard to get her shooting anything but her Remington 722 in 300 savage and than mostly just at game well hunting, she commented the sights were hard to see so she was just point shooting, and with her 3 rounds all within 4 inches of the bullseye it made my marksmanship seem dismal. But all and all a fun rifle to shoot, one of these days I'll lay down and get you guys a good target picture!

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butlersrangers
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Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan

Re: New Krag

Post by butlersrangers »

I am glad you and your wife enjoyed the 'new' Krag at the range!

todd444
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Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:56 pm
Location: windber, pa

Re: New Krag

Post by todd444 »

nice gun!!!!!!!!

your wife and i have same the problem, we don't like the rear sight!!!!!! so i ebayed up a redfield no drill 102 k aperture sight and they are fine. just ask the deer. :lol:
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Zac952
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Re: New Krag

Post by Zac952 »

Got out and shot a 10 shot group today at 100 yards sitting with my powder coated cast bullets
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Nice group for me with open sights,
Use this Load at your risk but it is as follows,
NOE 311221 copy of Lyman 311284 221gr powdercoated and waterquenched to about 20bhn
IMR 4227 18gr
Remington 9 1/2
Graf brass
OAL 3.025
Worked it up to 19gr and saw no accuracy change, no pressure signs, and a slight increase in recoil, so I settled at 18gr and that is safe and accurate in my rifle

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