Problem with chambering new brass

[butlersrangers]

Some thing is wrong. (IMHO - Short chamber or chamber obstruction likely).

A picture of your barrel breech might help.

Case-Shoulder on picture 'zac-2' looks normal for new brass.
In photo 'zac-1' the shoulder has been reshaped.

FWIW - New brass will normally fit into a Krag chamber with no resistance.

[Zac952]

I will take a picture as soon as I get home, on a 12 hour plus day so it may be late this evening, I appreciate all the help so far and hopefully a picture of the chamber will give more insight

[Zac952]

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these are some pictures of the chamber

[butlersrangers]

Extractor cut looks correct for a Krag barrel. The extractor-cut and notch in receiver flange may be a 'hair' out of alignment. This suggests possibility barrel was a bit over-tightened or metal was removed from breech face.

Nice job on chamber photos. There could be residue or something hiding in the 'shoulder area'.

It would be revealing to see if loaded factory rounds will chamber without resistance.

[FredC]

BR, good catch on the clocking. That would not affect the rim head space one bit. As much room is given for the shoulder in a normal chambering I do not think that little bit of a mismatch is the issue. If it was the shoulder would be in full contact not just where the shoulder and neck meet. The photos were pretty good but a bore scope is needed to see what is really going on in there. It is something strange not your usual list of possibilities.

[butlersrangers]

'Zac962' - When you have a chance, take off your rear-sight and stock. Slide your handguard forward, toward the muzzle, to relieve the pressure of the spring-clips. Take the hand-guard off of the barrel near the muzzle.

Look for the "P" and index-line, those marks should be present on an original Krag barrel. They were put on barrels by Springfield Armory during the manufacturing process.

[FredC]

I would also measure the distance from the receiver to the first sight screw hole. Should be exactly 3 5/16 to the center. If it is .1 off then the barrel has been shortened on the chamber end all kinds of crazy possibilities are in view. The first one I think of is someone stuck a random 30 caliber reamer in there to approximate the correct shoulder clearance (not headspace in this case) and that is why the angle is wrong on the shoulder.

I am getting ahead of myself here, but do let us know if you have that 3 5/16 length.

Civilians have had these Krags for about 100 years now, that is a long time to have potentially been messed with by Bubbas. Or maybe generations of Bubbas.

[Zac952]

Alright so from reciever to the center of the first sight hole is 3.315 on my calipers so that should be about right, also I have the pictures of the p marking and the alignment line. Also it has what I believe to be an 1896 sight which as far as I know would be incorrect for an 1898 with serial number 477xxx so I'm not sure if that gives more insight or not.

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[butlersrangers]

'Zac952' - Thanks for answering our questions and the additional photos.

Your barrel is an original Krag barrel and properly indexed. The rear-sight holes are correctly placed.

A receiver serial number, in the 477XXX range, would have been assembled as a model 1898 rifle with a 30 inch barrel and model 1901 or 1902 rear sight.

We have not seen photos of your assembled 'short rifle'. It would be interesting to see photos of the complete Krag, but especially, the fit of the front barrel-band and stock tip.

I agree with your conclusion that this Krag is a likely Stokes Kirk creation.

The apparent 'short chamber' ???

If it were mine, I would soak the chamber shoulder area overnight by 'packing' it with cleaning patches wet with Hoppe's #9, Kroil, carburetor cleaner, or denatured alcohol.
The next day, I would take a section of cleaning rod with a .45 caliber bronze bore brush and 'chuck' the rod in my electric hand-drill.
I would 'burnish' the inside of the chamber with the spinning bronze brush and more solvent, clean the chamber, and examine the chamber with bright light.
If all looks good, I would try another new cartridge case for fit.

FWIW - One of your chamber photos appeared to reveal a bit of pitting or corrosion in the chamber.

Attached: Page from Stokes-Kirk catalog, sights and hand-guards would vary - no one has ever figured out reference to supposed "Navy Style".

[Zac952]

Thank you guys for all the help, I will soak it and brush it out and let you know how it goes, I have some cerrosafe on order so I'll do a chamber casting if nothing else and go from there.
Here are some pictures of the rifle, it is a cool configuration although not original, it was my first step into millsurp rifles and in a another year or two I may be looking at getting another Krag, they are very cool rifles.