My First Krag rifle

[butlersrangers]

Kerry49 - I am sorry this happened to you. I suspect your chamber was lengthened (reamed) for some VFW Post, so they could shoot .30-06 Blanks. This has happened to others with worse destruction to cases.

Whoever altered the chambers should have stamped their work - To Warn Others!

It looks like a candidate for a Criterion barrel! I would not fire it further!

[Kerry49]

Butlersrangers,
Ah ha! That's very interesting. I had begun to wonder if someone had tried to shoot 3006 in this since my formed cases kind of fit the 30 06 profile. If this was a past practice for blanks, that makes sense, considering the condition of the barrel. I'm much relieved. But I agree, my thoughts are leaning towards sending it to CMP to get rebarreled.
Thanks!

[butlersrangers]

Kerry49 - Your Krag probably did not put you in danger, but, it is definitely a destroyer of hard to find Brass. (BTW - That is some good Brass to suffer that kind of 'reforming', so well)!

You should contact the Seller and explore 'returning' it for a refund or a major 'price adjustment' to help pay for repairs. - IMHO. The Seller at least owes you an apology and a box of ammo!

[Sentryduty]

I am sorry this happened to you. I suspect your chamber was lengthened (reamed) for some VFW Post, so they could shoot .30-06 Blanks. This has happened to others with worse destruction to cases.

That makes complete sense, and if it has happened before to other rifles then that is probably the case here. It didn't seem right that someone would hotrod a Krag for wildcats, there are so many other actions that are more common candidates, and reaming for blank use did not even occur to me.

As I do not know Krags very well, is it right to guess that a .30-40 Krag action would not be safe to fire .30-06 ammunition in this action?

I suspect if .30-06 would work in a Krag the US government may not have bothered with the 1903 Springfield.

Again, interesting find, and serves as a personal reminder that I have to get some cerrsafe for casting new to me surplus guns, there are enough post service "modifications" to injure a shooter or damage a gun. Especially in the collector atmosphere where guns change hands and have never been shot by the previous owners, or worse yet, by someone that found a problem and is trying to pass it to someone else.

[butlersrangers]

Krags adapted to fire .30-06 Blanks (by Veterans groups) show up from time to time. (I am not sure how they managed extraction)?

.30-06 Ball cartridges were not the intent of these 'modified' Krag chambers! They were for 'Ceremonial Blank Firing'. (IMHO - these were done unofficially by local handymen and not an "official" modification). I guess no one thought that future generations would be shooting these old things!

.30-06 Ball cartridges would exceed the safe pressure limitations of the Krag's metallurgy.

In 1898, when Frankford Arsenal stepped up the velocity of the .30-40 cartridge's 220 grain projectile to 2,200 FPS, Krag Bolts began showing cracked lugs. The 'hot' ammo was taken out of service, the original loading was restored, and the rifles got new sights.

[browningautorifle]

is it possible your rifle has been rechambered for another cartridge other than .30-40 Krag?

Looks like a definite re-chamber, maybe a 30-06...improved? Like an Ackley? It's not a Krag anymore anyway, time to hunt out a barrel.

[Kerry49]

I wonder the same thing as butlersrangers, how did they extract the spent 3006 blank cartridge? I stuck a 3006 round in the chamber for yucks and in
IT went in and I could have closed the bolt( I did not attempt this!), but the extractor claw came no where near grabbing the rim. I think closing the bolt would have slightly deformed
The necked area. In any event my plan is to save up and send it to CMP for a rebarrel. Haven't dealt with them, so will need to jump through a few hoops it looks like. Need to find a CMP affiliate club to join in north central IN.

[browningautorifle]

If you keep an eye online, you'll see a barrel come up occasionally. There are individuals that would part out a rifle because the total for the parts may be more than an assembled rifle...still you need it changed. They're also commercially available new if you don't mind that route.

[Kerry49]

I'm not familiar with the Krag market. From a shooter vs collector perspective, does rebarreling with an old stock vs new CMP have any impact on the collectability and market value of my rifle? I planned to shoot it on rare occasions at a CMP vintage match as they come up locally. I have a couple of other rifles in that planned rotation, so it wouldn't be frequent. And I am just a novice in these competitions, so it's only a fun hobby for me. I'll check out the old stock availability. The problem will be finding a competent gunsmith in my area. I know an old fellow that has a shop, but not sure I would trust him to rebarrel my 116 year old Krag.

[browningautorifle]

Rebarreling isn't really magic but if you don't trust him then that says it all. Yes, it can be messed up if you don't know how or are careless. Changing anything on a collectible will adversely affect it's value, the purists don't care about a ratty barrel if it's the original. I care, but I'd just pass by a ratty barrel... If you can find an original barrel that matches for age and use it, you've done better than a new barrel or just any barrel. It boils down to whether you want it to be collectible and original or you want a great shooter. I had a carbine that had a sewer pipe but it was right so I just left it and sold it as was. Yes, you may be best to send it to the trusted and true CMP guys to do your work...