Author Topic: Sporterized 30-40 Krag (Read 3900 times)

JWP58 · « **on:** September 24, 2011, 01:00:38 PM »

I looking at a couple of sporterized 30-40 Krags that i'd like to buy (just one of them). I know this is a subjective question but what should i expect to pay for one of these? Take note that all are in kinda rough condition (worn bluing, surface rust, of course sporterized so not historically correct).

I just want one for a throwback hunting rifle, seems like a versatile cartridge that could be used for most N. America game (within range of course). It would be a conversation piece to say the least.

I dont really want to spend over 250.00. Should i just quit looking? Or is that ballpark of what i should expect to spend?

mannyrock · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2011, 04:16:24 PM »

The answer to your question depends totally on (i) the manner in which it was sporterized, and (ii) the quality of how it was sporterized.

I believe that for a $250 price, the only thing you would be able to buy would be a Krag that was really poorly done, such as the front of the stock sawed off in an odd manner, or one that had wood and metal in really terrible condition, or one that has had lots of different holes drilled in it for various scope mounts etc. In other words, junk.

The Krags have their faults, but they also have one of the smoothest bolt actions of any military rifle ever made. I would think that any you would find with a fairly nice sporter job will go for $350 and up.

Mannyrock

mauser98us · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2011, 04:53:16 PM »

What is gonna be hard is to find one with a decent bore.

hillbill · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2011, 05:14:15 PM »

Quote from: mauser98us on September 24, 2011, 04:53:16 PM

What is gonna be hard is to find one with a decent bore.

true dat! they are out there. but that cheap i dont think so.they also made them in 6.5x55, thats the ones im looking for!

mauser98us · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2011, 05:42:58 PM »

Norwegian krags are harder to find than 30-40's with good bores. Good luck my friend!

JWP58 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2011, 06:12:07 AM »

Well maybe i can get lucky! (that'd be a first lol)

I'm also interested in the british enfield....

Thanks for the replies guys..

mannyrock · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:39:20 AM »

JW,

Some more friendly advice. Don't waste your time collecting junk, just out of curiosity. Forget a Krag for now. For $250 or so, you should be able to find a pretty decent used Enfield in .303, with the flip up peep sight. They are really really nice shooting rifles.

If you buy junk, then you will soon be surrounded by junk. None of it will shoot worth a darn, and you will get really frustrated. Then, you won't be able to sell it, except for about half what you paid for it.

As for a sporterized Krag, you can take your time and peruse gunshows for the next ten years or so. Eventually you will find one, in decent shape, at a price you can afford. Taking your time to look for wish list rifles is one of the real joys of going to shows.

Regards,
Mannyrock

JWP58 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2011, 10:39:35 AM »

Well i'm still looking. I just hope if/when i get one chamber/bore are good enough to be a shooter/hunter.

edit: just found one thats in great condition, guy wants 350 for it.....i just might have to go for it...

Curtis · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:09:22 PM »

See pics of my Krag sporter in this thread: http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,227513.0.html

I bought her a few years ago from a good friend who let me have her for what he paid in 1990 ($200 even!!). I am a lucky man to have such friends!
Curtis

Captain Emo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:20:00 PM »

I saw one at my local gun store. I don't recall the price, but I will go there if you are still looking.

JWP58 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:23:43 PM »

Very nice!

I'm trying to decide what to do....

I plan on using this rifle, not just owning it. I just dont know if i'd be better off getting a marlin 30-30 for less. Cheaper gun, cheaper ammo.....just not as cool..lol.

I guess i could reload to offset the ammo cost.

How hard is it to rebarrel a Krag? And what stocks can i use to restock it (the one i'm almost about to buy has an original stock thats been cut down).

greenrivers · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:36:23 AM »

The Kraig is a lot more rifle than the 30-30 and would make a good all around rifle. It was my first "long range" rifle back in 1968 and with a Herters curly maple stock and 7 power Unertil Condor mounted on it, it was deadly accurate. I still have a soft spot for them, and have a hunting friend that uses nothing else.

mannyrock · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2011, 09:45:43 AM »

JWP,

Old Buddy, . . . if you are trying to decide between a .30-30 Marlin and a .30-.40 Krag, then you need to take a time out for a few weeks on this decision. You are comparing apples and oranges, they are totally different rounds with totally different strengths and weaknesses. The rifles are also totally different.

You can never go wrong with a .30-30 Marlin, if you keep your shots under 200 yards. There is a reason why the .30-30 Marlin 336 and Winchester 94s are the most popular rifles in America. They are like the F-150 and the Chevy C-10. They just plain work, and they hold their values very very well.

The .30-40 round is much more poweful, and much more expensive in factory ammo. The only reason to get the Krag is if you just love the Krag bolt action and can't live without it.

So, you have to ask yourself why you are buying the rifle to begin with. Is it to have something cheap, and effective and popular to shoot? Go with the Marlin. If it is because you love the history and action of the Krag, and are willing to put up with special factors regarding the round, then buy the Krag.

Although the .30-40 Krag is a good round, the common old .30-06 is better and is much cheaper in factory ammo , and you can get a good .30-06 bolt rifle for a fair price anywhere.

If you want to split the difference between the Krag and the .30-06, then go with your gut and get the .303 British Enfield. A great gun. But, good factory ammo can be expensive.

Mannyrock

JWP58 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 27, 2011, 11:37:00 AM »

I think i'm going to go with the Krag. Im wanting a "throwback" type rifle to hunt with this year. No scopes, old cartridge (antique to some), nostalgic. I think the Krag delivers on that, plus i keep reading how wonderful they are. I do admire the 30wcf, and i'm sure i'll own another some day (still regret selling my first 336) but i think i'll spend the extra hundred bucks on the Krag (which i would spend on toys for the 336...)

I think i'll also make it a project after deer season. Reblue, classy sporter stock...ect.

Thanks guys, looks like i'll be getting a lee hand reloading kit too...

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2011, 06:52:54 AM »

There is also the option of getting a NEF Handirifle in .30-30 and reaming the chamber to .30-40...

You'll like the Lee hand press. Sit at the kitchen table making ammo, and the whole reloading outfit can go into an attache case behind the couch when you aren't. Get a set of dippers also and a beam scale and you are in business!

-WH-

JWP58 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2011, 11:14:13 AM »

Just an opinion question here...

How crazy would i be to have a Krag parkerized or duracoated? Or would i just be better off trying to reblue it with the brownells cold blue stuff?

Curtis · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2011, 02:32:04 PM »

JWP it is good that you mentioned rebarreling, especially if you plan to use jacketed hunting bullets in the Krag. Mine has the original 1900 barrel and it slugs about .312 if I remember right. It shoots the 200 grain round nose ok (three to four inch groups with open sights) but doesn't seem to like the 180 spire points. I didn't try anything lighter. Also it feeds the round nose bullets more reliably than spire points. I may rebarrel sometime in the future.
Curtis

JWP58 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2011, 04:29:20 PM »

Ya i've been looking at bullets. I too am going to try 180 and 220 round nose bullets (cant remember the manf. maybe hornady or remington).

The guy thats selling me the rifle said it will shoot solid 1-1.5" groups at 50yds. Which isnt too bad. BUT i have a feeling the reason for that is its been rebarreled with a 1903 springfield barrel (it as a band at the end of the barrel where the front sight is..its also 22") That doesnt bother me, since i'm not looking for period correct piece.

Where would one find a replacement barrel? (forgive me, i'm new to all this gunsmith stuff..i'm used to AR's where its plug and play lol)

hillbill · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2011, 04:47:28 PM »

if its shooting 1.5 inch groups at 50 yrds with iron sights i really dont think id be puttin a new barrel on it.jus go with it dude and see what happens.

JWP58 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2011, 12:15:00 PM »

Well i bought it today. Bore and chamber look good, i think its going to be a shooter!

I'm definitely going to refinish it. Its an 1898 model. Came with a redfield rear peep sight. Should do a number on some hogs and deer this fall.

hillbill · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2011, 12:58:27 PM »

well shoot sounds like yu did good! and with a peep already installed!dont forget pics!

JWP58 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2011, 03:08:56 PM »

A mannlicher stock would look nice....

I think im going to use Oxpho Blue to reblue it.

JWP58 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 02, 2011, 03:10:10 PM »

Thats kinda what i'm going for. Kinda euro-classy, with a swedish optic...

Does anyone know where i can find rear sight screws? I've found a picatinny mount that sit where the original rear sight would. And since i'd kinda like to put an aimpoint micro in a scout location, i think it would work great. I just need screws. Or i'm going to have to re thread the holes...

Curtis · « **Reply #23 on:** October 02, 2011, 03:16:33 PM »

JWP the Redfield peep is what mine has on it as well. I like it.
Curtis

billy_56081 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 07, 2011, 04:21:54 PM »

The Krag, while not the strongest action, has to be one of the smoothest. The action darn near cycles itself.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #25 on:** October 23, 2011, 09:48:46 AM »

Some years ago I came across a sporterized Krag at a small gun show for $200. It was professionally sporterized with a very fine Bishop stock nicely carved and a Redfield receiver sight. I should have pulled my wallet and bought it right then but I walked over to my buddy to show it to him and when we walked back another guy was in the process of paying for it.
I would second the vote for the .303 Enfield as a rifle of similar vintage in the under $250 price range. It's a very similar cartridge, generally loaded a bit hotter, there is still milsurp ammo available for cheap plinking and a variety of factory loads. Lots of Enfields also have rotten bores but many are very good. If you ever want to add a scope the Enfield is a better choice for that as well.

tdoor · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2011, 07:51:57 AM »

JWP58 If you restock that Krag I would like a shot at the old stock tdoor4570@bresnan.net

tacklebury · « **Reply #27 on:** October 25, 2011, 12:54:54 PM »

Quote from: tdoor on October 25, 2011, 07:51:57 AM

JWP58 If you restock that Krag I would like a shot at the old stock tdoor4570@bresnan.net

Don't know if you are aware, but these are available from Boyd's:
http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Replacement-Stocks-for-US-KRAG-s/121.htm

tdoor · « **Reply #28 on:** October 25, 2011, 02:49:58 PM »

I know they are avail. but I like the looks of the one in the pics so do you mind and don't butt in tacklebury

tacklebury · « **Reply #29 on:** October 25, 2011, 03:57:09 PM »

Umm tdoor I was simply trying to help. Sorry if it bothered you.