1892 Krag Rifle Identification

[Jeremy T Garner]

Oh well I got a great buy on my 1898 rifle for 600 out the door in full military with a sling. I can't complain too much. I under paid for one and over paid for one lol! It all evens out I suppose

[Parashooter]

A Model '92 in original condition can be a high-value item. One that's had the '96 alterations generates about the same market interest as a common Model '96. A low serial is cool, but few buyers will pay more.

Just my opinion. If you're happy with the purchase, that's all you need!

[psteinmayer]

Agreed. In the end, a Krag is always worth what someone is willing to pay. You have a beautiful low-numbered Krag there... now go get ready to shoot it in the Roosevelt Match!

[Dick Hosmer]

In my opinion, you did not overpay for a low three-digit specimen. That's a very nice rifle, even if altered. Now, you didn't get a steal, either, as that is pretty much full current high-retail, and you were wise to hammer the seller as $2499 would have been too much!

Will be interested to see if the stock has a rod channel filler (I'm betting it will) but the flat butt with no trap will only be found on unaltered stocks. The late 1892s (like my 20196, which was never altered) had the curved plate from new, but no trap. This "intermediate" butt-plate style (also used on the fabled Cadet rifles) is not often seen.

[Jeremy T Garner]

Thank you guys! And thank you Mr. Hosmer. A friend of mine named Brock who is both on this site and jouster speaks very highly of you! I knew I didn't steal it by any means lol! But 2499 was insane and they had sat on the rifle for nearly 2 years and for some reason that early serial number and how clean the rifle was made me want it pretty badly. As my same friend Brock says, "I didn't overpay...I bought too early" ;)

[Jeremy T Garner]

Fed Ex had tried to deliver my rifle yesterday but my wife was out shopping for our 4 month old and I was at work. Should have a few more additional photos on Monday.

[psteinmayer]

Looking forward to them! By the way, I sent you an email on the Roosevelt Match.

[Jeremy T Garner]

I just read that actually! I spent most of the day sorting through a 500 plus firearm collection so I've been a little busy. I really want to attend! I've actually began some preliminary load development for it as well. Any tips on what worked well for your rifles? I really want to use a 220 gr projectile. Thoughts on a cast lead bullet instead of the Hornady 220gr SP? I really am wanting to create something as close to the original .30 Army loading. Unless of course you have a recommendation that would perform better at longer distances?

[Jeremy T Garner]

Lol, well I answered my own query by reading in the reloading section of the forum! Go figure... I must have ate too many paint chips as a kid ;) I actually also saw your review on Midway in regards to it as well. I will follow your loading of the Hornady 220 RN SP with 40gr of IMR 4350 (CCI Magnum primer). I considered the Sierra Pro Hunter as well based on the G1 BC being marginally better by a mere .010 (.310 to .300). However based on your success with that load I will be using it as well now. What to you set the Overall length to 3.00? I've seen guys go anywhere from 3.00 to 3.08 depending on the loading manual.

[psteinmayer]

If you use the Hornady 220 gr RN (or the Sierra for that matter), set the bullet depth to the cannelure and you'll have the proper standard length. Be sure to trim your brass to the correct length (I use a LEE 30-40 Krag case length trimmer here... pretty much fool proof).

Just a word though about trying to duplicate other's successes... not all Krags like the same food. The standard 220 gr RN/40.0 grains of 4350 is the go-to round... but many other shooters have great success with other loads. If the standard load works well for you, then stick with it, but you may find that your Krag likes a different bullet than mine, and that's ok too! Most of us find success by trial and error with our Krags. I've tried many different rounds in my 98, but ultimately, I'm stubborn... and I DO like shooting the 220 because it does work well for me. LOL

As far as cast goes, there are others that can speak volumes in that regards. I do shoot cast out of my cutoff sporter, and I get incredible results, but the bullets are actually provided to me by Bob (Madsenshooter), who got me started shooting cast. I use that Krag for benchrest Cast Boolit matches. Bob is a great source of info for Cast shooting!

I look forward to shooting with you this summer, and I'll look for your email and provide you more info on the match there.

Paul