You guys have a great forum here. My dad just gave me his Sporterized 1898 Krag (#430759) w/ 22" bbl which was his deer rifle. His father bought it in the '30s in the general store where my dad grew up in central Pennsylvania. It's a very small town that still doesn't even have a stop light.
I'm excited to get this rifle up and running. I don't think it's been shot in 30 years. This rifle wasn't maintained as I would have and there is some surface rust which I've cleaned up. To start, I did a complete take down and cleaning. The firing pin spring and the trigger spring looked like either old-timey car grease or motor oil had been used to lube them. Next I focused on the barrel, which was very dirty. Despite using all my best tricks (my son and I have cleaned up and modified several 8mm Mausers over the years) I simply could not get the barrel clean. I was about to despair when a friend recommended Sweets 7.62 and that did the trick. I then reassembled the rifle and laser bore sighted it.
I've also worked up four hand loads for it using IMR 3031. I've had very good luck with this powder for the Mauser rounds (and .223, actually) which I can generally get into 2-3" groups with the Mausers at 100 yards if I do my part. All bullets are Hornady:
H 110 grn V-Max w/ 38.7 grains 3031
H 165 grn BTSP w/ 37 grains 3031
H 168 grn A-Max w/ 37 grains 3031
H 220 grn RN w/ 28.7 grains 3031
I'll chronograph these when I shoot them and post the results. This is just an initial SWAG and for the powder charge I simply split the min and max. Once I settle on an accurate round, I'll work up loads with just that bullet. This rifle will be for shooting paper and recreation. (I like the Mausers too much for hunting.
) So thanks for hosting such a great discussion forum for Krags. I especially appreciate the hand loading section. Any insights on my particular rifle would be most welcome, especially which model of Redfield peep this is. I believe the manufacture year was 1900. Some pics attached.
Very Respectfully - Porter
