Krag Collectors Association Forum

How tight should the band be on the barrel ? Almost got it where I want it

That's looking good. Krag barrel-band fits close, but, not tight or binding.

I got it to slide all the way on the forearm with the band screw started. But can tighten it up some. I would say it's tight on the barrel and forearm.

The band has to fit tight enough to not loosen with recoil. You don't have the through pin rifle stocks have just in front of the band to help keep the band from sliding. With the new Criterion barrel I have on my sporter the band is now a bit loose than before and I still have the through pin. I have to file down the sling tab to get a tighter fit before shooting it.

If the band tightly 'binds' your barrel, it can cause accuracy problems as the barrel heats and expands.
It is desirable to have a 'paper thin' clearance between the barrel and the band.

If you create a shallow 'recess' around the stock, for the band to fit into when clamped, the 'recess' will retain the band and prevent it from shifting forward during sustained firing. The band should firmly clamp the wood.

(The barrel-band retention on original Krag rifles was a 'pin' through the stock and on carbines the band-spring).

That's exactly what I needed to know.

Here's the finished product. Haven't shot it yet but hopefully soon.

Barrel-band looks good!

With a scope like that on a Krag, it should be a tack driver!

Good job. Enjoy blasting away.

Nice looking rifle you put together. I have a`98 sporter that must have been worked on many years ago that has the same scope mount and an old Lyman 4x. You can tell that it must have been used for hunting a lot with the dings and scratches on the stock but I will never refinish it. I have refinished many stocks an what I do on them is to go over the stock with 0000 steel wool to take the gloss off of it and give it more of a vintage look.