Author Topic: 30-40 Krag Handi??? (Read 1379 times)

billy_56081 · « **on:** November 19, 2010, 02:13:34 PM »

I was in a local outdoors store today and they had an old Topper 158 in 30-40 Krag. It was in decent condition with a very light contour barrel. I do not think this was a factory chambering. 30-40 Krag was marked on the barrel, but it looked like the original stamp had been ground down and restamped. Was hard to pass for 125 dollars. Might have to go back.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2010, 02:51:44 PM »

Don't bother, I'll be there first thing in the AM...what was the name and address again?

CW

Spanky · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2010, 03:47:12 PM »

You best be quick CW... I'm on my way right now.

Spanky

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2010, 04:01:00 PM »

Most likely a Topper 30-30 rechambered to 30US.

Still, I'd buy it in a NY minute.

I bought my Topper 158 Hornet at Cabela's Glendale AZ. for $99.00.

Hey, they are out there. When you see one do not hesitate.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2010, 06:51:00 PM »

It appears by the stamp that it may have been a rechamber. Was the 30-40 ever a factory caliber?

briannmilewis · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2010, 07:29:42 PM »

I have thought for a while that a 30-40 rechamber of a 30-30 would be a nice addition to any Handi collection. Then I would get a 30-30 rechambered for a 307 Winchester. 30-30, 30-40, 307 - Three nice rifles, all with factory open sites, great brush and medium range guns. One each for my boys and one for me. One can dream...

GatCat · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2010, 08:19:26 PM »

No, the .30-40 Krag was never a factory barrel. Maybe 10 or so years ago, in the annual "Gun Digest" was an article about single shot rifles, and it mentioned that the H&R being re-chambered from .30-30 to the Krag was fairly common .
Mark

pastorp · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2010, 03:48:43 AM »

Hello all,

I once owned a contender carbine in 30/40 Krag. Nice round in a single shot rifle. Any rimed round is better IMO in a SS. The 303 british would be a interesting canadite as well.

Regards,

Goatwhiskers · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2010, 04:04:54 AM »

An idea would be to rechamber that beast to 30/40 Ackley Improved. One of the good things about the Ackley cartridges is reduced rearward thrust of the cartridge against the breech face. You don't have to load it hot. I have a Martini, Ackley barrel in that caliber that shoots a 180gr Hornady RN ahead of 49gr of H4831 at 2200fps that puts three at 100yds that you can cover with a dime. I carry one up the spout and a spare in my pocket that I have never needed. Goatwhiskers

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2010, 04:40:44 AM »

why not just use a 308 win barrel? Or cut a rim in it and use 307 Win cases if you want a rimmed case?
$:-\$

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2010, 10:45:19 AM »

WELL???........did you get it???

gomerdog · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2010, 11:23:10 AM »

Quote from: jeepmann1 on November 21, 2010, 04:40:44 AM

why not just use a 308 win barrel? Or cut a rim in it and use 307 Win cases if you want a rimmed case?
$:-\$

Why not do both? There is no need to justify to others what one does to a Handi barrel when it comes to rechambering. Be guilt free.

Tackleberry · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2010, 09:07:27 AM »

rechambered a .30-30 Handi rifle last year to .30-40 Krag and it's definitely a shooter. Took a doe with it last year too...If I did it again I would go the Ackley route..my other barrel for the receiver is a .22 Hornet....

gomerdog · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2010, 12:11:53 PM »

I'm have a 30/30 barrel at Wayne's now waiting to be rechambered, but not to an Ackley. Looking forward to playing around with it. Should be fun, but if it's a little frustrating at first, that would be okay too.

Ironically, I was also thinking of getting a Hornet barrel for the same receiver...just to see what all the fuss is about. I said I was just thinking about it, not that I that I would actually do it.

Spanky · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2010, 12:36:16 PM »

I've thought a few times about getting my 30-30 rechambered to 30-40 but it shoots so good I'm afraid to mess with it. Maybe I'll buy another 30-30 barrel for a rechamber project... if I can find one.
I've got a 22 hornet handi too... I wouldn't be without it... it's one of my best shooting rifles.

Spanky

Tackleberry · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2010, 01:02:28 PM »

my handi rifle originally camwe with the .22 hornet barrel...a good shooter, and one day, i'll get to hunt ground hogs with it. Then I found a .30-30 barrel for it on FLEABAY before they got stupid. I think I paid 75.00 for it. Reamed the chamber myself for the .30-40 Krag since I own two .30-40 Krag rifles and I wanted to see how much I could improve the round with a variety of .30 bullets. The only problem I had with the rechambering was getting the chamber smooth enough to effect proper ejection. I had modified the .30-30 barrel to extract, not eject, but then changed it back for the .30-40. I used a .30-40 shell and drilled it out and affixed a long threaded screw (number 6 or number

through it so I could chuck it in my portable drill. Coating the brass case with 320 grit compound and moving the shell in and out of the chamber polish up the chamber just great. Now, fired cases pop right out of the chamber when the action is opened. I also did the same thing to a balky 7mm-08 barrel I have (for my .22-250 frame).