Norwegian Sporter Krag

[BM1455]

Just a basic question since I'm not familiar with Norwegian Krag sights, are the sights loose in any way? Does the rear sight hold its adjustment in windage and elevation?

A while back I had trouble with one of my Krags stringing vertically. Turns out the elevation adjustment was slipping with each shot. ::)

That should not be an issue that I could see. They are firmy attached and any adjustments are mechanical and crisp. There is a windage adjustment but it is done with a special armorers took and is somewhat fixed if you do not have the tool. Mine seems dead on for windage so no reason to mess with it.

[Parashooter]

Come on, those loads don't even come close to normal working pressure. Of course the brass isn't expanding enough to seal! The primers are backed out because pressure never gets high enough - and because your cases are too short (head-shoulder) to fit the chamber, giving the same result as if the rifle had excess headspace (which itprobably doesn't).



You need to get pressure a lot closer to normal for your cases to expand fully, not to mention providing sufficient load density for consistent ignition and accuracy. Your 32.5 grain load gives only about 70% load density. If you want to shoot reduced-velocity loads with those pricey bullets, use a faster powder designed for good ignition and combustion at low density - one that will also develop enough pressure to expand cases.

Sample QuickLoad estimates:

Cartridge: 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser & Norwegian Krag (Pmax 3800 bar, 55114 psi)
Bullet: .264, 140, Sierra SPBT 1730
Cartridge O.A.L.: 3.150"
Barrel Length: 24.0"
Powder: Varget

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi
-25.0 63 30.00 2089 1357 26482
-22.5 65 31.00 2148 1434 28389
-20.0 67 32.00 2206 1513 30414
-17.5 69 33.00 2264 1594 32560
-15.0 71 34.00 2321 1675 34835
-12.5 73 35.00 2378 1758 37245
-10.0 75 36.00 2434 1842 39797
-07.5 77 37.00 2490 1927 42500
-05.0 80 38.00 2545 2013 45360
-02.5 82 39.00 2599 2100 48388

Pressure figures are in psi (CIP piezo) - not CUP.

[Thomassen]

Thanks, Parashooter, that's the info I was hoping for. I started with the 31.6 and 32.5 loads to be on the safe(r) side. 31.6 was the lowest starting load im my Sierra manual. I was thinking about bumping up to 35 or 36 grains based on my results yesterday.

[Parashooter]

You're welcome. Now I have a question - what language is the word "Norskie" from? In English, it's "Norwegian". In Norwegian, it's "Norsk". Polish "norweski". Russian is "[ch1085][ch1086][ch1088][ch1074][ch1077][ch1078][ch1089][ch1082][ch1080][ch1081]". Can't find Norskie anywhere. What is it?

[BM1455]

With all the discussion of Krags needing lower pressur loads on the internet this is the exact thing I have been woried about. Too low a load. This is potentialy every bit as dangerous as hot loads and people are not expecting issues because they followed the instructions of under loading for Krags....
I'm glad we figured it out though because it will show folks that both ends of the spectrum are important to watch.

[Parashooter]

With all the discussion of Krags needing lower pressur loads on the internet this is the exact thing I have been woried about. . .

If we believe even half the doomsday warnings on the internet, that's about twice as much as we should.

CIP Pmax for the 6.5x55 is 3800 bar, the same as or less than many other military smokeless rifle cartridges of the pre-98 era, including the 7x57 ('93 Mauser), 7.65x53 ('89 Mauser) and 8x57J ('88 Commission). I'm confident a sound Norwegian Krag will handle ammunition loaded to pressure that is safe in the Swedish '94 and '96 Mausers and I've seen no good engineering reason to believe the Norwegian Krag is any less robust than its contemporaries. Given the Krag's breech design and the safety-lug function provided by the bolt handle root, it's likely to handle overpressure and case failure better than the pre-98 Mausers (which generally lack a third "safety" lug).

That much said, it's true that the Model 1912 Krag incorporated action strength enhancements apparently adopted to address shortcomings experienced or perceived in earlier Norwegian Krags.

[BM1455]

With all the discussion of Krags needing lower pressur loads on the internet this is the exact thing I have been woried about. . .

If we believe even half the doomsday warnings on the internet, that's about twice as much as we should.

CIP Pmax for the 6.5x55 is 3800 bar, the same as or less than many other military smokeless rifle cartridges of the pre-98 era, including the 7x57 ('93 Mauser), 7.65x53 ('89 Mauser) and 8x57J ('88 Commission). I'm confident a sound Norwegian Krag will handle ammunition loaded to pressure that is safe in the Swedish '94 and '96 Mausers and I've seen no good engineering reason to believe the Norwegian Krag is any less robust than its contemporaries. Given the Krag's breech design and the safety-lug function provided by the bolt handle root, it's likely to handle overpressure and case failure better than the pre-98 Mausers (which generally lack a third "safety" lug).

That much said, it's true that the Model 1912 Krag incorporated action strength enhancements apparently adopted to address shortcomings experienced or perceived in earlier Norwegian Krags.

Parashooter makes a good point. The M1912 Krags have a stronger/ better receiver design than the earlier Norwegian Krags. Also, post WW-I Nor. Krags have improved metel quality. The extra safety lugs that the Norwegian Krags have (that the American Krags do not have) makes them generaly safer than US Krags. You still do not want to hot rod any loads and many modern factory 6.5x55 loads today are hotter than they used to be so stick to milder Privi loads if you do not hand load. Still, it is far better to hand load for these guns.
The issue that you need to remember is the bolt on the Nor Krags can stretch if abused and when the rear lug/ bolt handle becomes the primary lug it becomes dangerous.

[madsenshooter]

Too low a load can invite a pressure excursion, especially in old rifles that have long and perhaps rough throats. Things go ok as the bullet leaves the case, then when it hits the rough throat it acts as an obstruction greatly increasing the pressure despite the small amount of powder, in some cases ruining the weapon. Quite a few Swedish mausers have been damaged by someone trying to take it easy on the old iron. It happens with low charges of both slow and medium burn rate powders. There's just not enough initial oomph to keep the bullet moving through the rough throat or bore.

[Thomassen]

Parashooter - Norskie (alternative spelling - Norsky, Norski) A term of endearment used for Americans of Norwegian decent by their friends of Polish decent. Often heard in and around Windsor, CT during the late 1960s and early 70s. Also used in and around Hamilton and Wenham, MA during the mid to late 1970s. Definition also found at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/norski :)

[Thomassen]

Looks like I might have a problem. Cleaned the rifle today and noticed what looks like a curved line like a fingernail on the under side of the bolt near the bolt lug. Pretty sure this is a cracked bolt. Here's a pic. It' the best I could get. I've thought about replacing it if I can find another 1912 bolt body. Then there is the inevitable head-spacing questions. Oh, the perils of loving old firearms. :-?