Krag Brass

Hello all, I'm a noob to this forum, and to owning a Krag (will take receipt of a '98 "carfle" when I finally get home), but I've seen a few folks asking when and where to find new brass aside from auctions. Powder Valley has some (Winchester) in stock right now...$22.50/50, $108/250, and I can't recall how much for 500, but they do have it-I just checked again 20-30 min ago.

Just thought I'd let some folks know if they needed any...I'll probably post more when I get home, since I can't take any pictures of any of my recent acquisitions out here in the sandbox...also wanted to say I've found a bunch of good info on this and Culver's site for milsurp rifles-I hope and surely will find more as time goes on and questions arise.

Take care all-Happy New Year

Hey Soldier,
Be safe and make it home in one piece. Thanks For Your Service. I hope the New Year is a Great one for You.......From a Retired Army 1SG....

When you see Krag brass available, snatch it up. I know Remington only makes seasonal runs of it and I think Winchester does as well. The Krag is one rifle that will make you want to handload:)

Also - thank you for you service!

Hey gents-Top, the appreciation is mutual, thanks kragluver for the support! I'm just a grease monkey AF guy turned desk jockey (someone's gotta lead my knuckledraggers!), so-thankfully no incoming where I am.

I'm pretty sure you're right on the seasonal runs...I reload for pretty much everything I shoot, so I'm sure the Krag will be no different :) Hodgdon's load database has some decent info, and I had my brother scan some pages out of his Hornady book for other ideas. I did manage to find some new mfr ammo from Able's made by HSM. I just went for the light loads since they were the least expensive and about the only thing available. I'll probably wind up shooting some lead out of it just to keep wear down. But, until I get casting stuff set up, I thought about going with 180grn flat base bullets, or maybe try some 168 or 175 grn selections from either Hornady or Sierra. Of course, I need to slug it first. Any recommendations y'all may have are more than welcome.

Thanks again y'all, hope to get on here with some pictures when I get home!

Sounds like you've read up on the need to slug you Krag. I shoot predominantly cast out of mine. I use the Lee C312-185 over 19 gr of SR4759. Its a very mild 200 yd target load and very accurate. For hunting loads, I've tried both the Hornady 180 gr and 220 gr RN bullets with better success from the 180 gr over 44 gr of IMR-4350. I have yet to try 3031 in the Krag, but it should provide good results.

I just loaded up another batch of .30-40 to try. My current best load is 32.5 grains of 4895 and Russian surplus .311 yellow tip bullets (about 182 grain). The frustrating thing is trying to find a load that both groups well AND hits POA. I sure wish the Krag sights were adjustable.

OMG, now you've done it! Someone will surely jump on here and tell you, you shouldn't use .311 bullets. That'll cause overpressure, use .308 bullets. Some people have no idea. They're the ones that doggedly go on shooting 4-5" groups at 100 yds using .308 bullets and figure that's as good it gets, or they're the ones that size cast bullets to .308 or .309, then wonder why they get leading. If you don't need a whole lot of windage, you can bend the front sight a little bit. I put a 6" Crescent wrench on mine and give them a little tweaking, opposite the direction you want the POI to move, it only takes a few thousandths to make a significant difference.

I tried a few different .308 loads and got big groups. I followed a suggestion to try some .310s I had and that cut the groups in half, without any pressure signs or problems. I might try a little sight bending, but I'm very hesitant to do it.

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I sure wish the Krag sights were adjustable.

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You must have one of the early model Krag rear sights that had no windage adjustment. The 1901 and 1902 sights are fully adjustable and great target range sights. However, I suspect that the sight you have would have been a much better battle sight.

Mine is an early 1892 rifle cut down to a carbine, with all the original sights. I will have to look into one of those later model sights.

I figured cast would be a much better way to go. I have done a little research with the Krag as I find it's a fascinating design-to me anyway-but, then again, I'm rather intrigued by pretty much any milsurp rifle...especially U.S. rifles. I do handload for several calibers (probably about 25), so using lead in rifles won't be much of an adjustment other than having to flare the mouth of the case. I'll very likely purchase Lyman's 49th reloading manual since I know it has a TON of cast load profiles in there. I also read several places about a fella named C.E. Harris and "The Load" and the "Universal Load." Those sounded like great ways for me to pass the time at my local range.

The Krag isn't the only thing I'll take possession of upon my return. I'll also get to fondle a 1944 Savage Enfield, a CMP Garand (5.8M rcvr, SA, Service Grade), Springfield 1903 (1944 HS rebarrel), two Mosins (1943 Sako M39 and 1939 Tula 91/30), and a K31 :D

Needless to say, I can't wait. If I can make this work correctly, I'll put up a couple of pictures of the "carfle"

These are some pics my Dad sent after he picked up the rifle (unbeknownst to me at the time-what a guy, right?) If I've gathered info correctly, the sights are 1901 style, and that stock may be an aftermarket, or at least sanded. I couldn't see any cartouches anywhere, it's also been refinished, and probably not shot for quite some time judging by the haze rust inside the receiver. But, whoever cut it down did a decent job with the front sight from what I can tell, and turned this into a nice handy little carbine. I'll be overjoyed to take it home

tx,

that's a pretty decent looking shooter. The Krag round doesn't really need all that barrel, but you've got that nice front sight, why waste it by cutting down the barrel?

Youtake that out and shoot it, you're gonna want to go hunting. No way 'round that.

Good luck!

jn

For anyone interested, I just ordered Krag brass from chestnutridge.com. It was $22.95 + shipping for 50, new Winchester.

Hi,
If you have problems whit 308 bullets you can try Lapua D166, 200 grains FMJBT, 309,5 diameter.
Try it if your barrel is oversized,it often happen in old Krags,it is a good idea to ceeck with precision the bore diameter between the grooves before to use it.
D166 is perfect for my krag 1898 that is a bit "large" in the bore,it is incredible the precision at 100 meters, very easily five shoots in one inch.
IMR 4350 is a very good choise,but I use Viht. N150 that is more easy to find in Italy, 39 grains are good for my Krag,no overpressure and no flat primers, about 2100 feet at the muzzle.
I want to remind that not all the rifles are similar, if you want to try please start 4/5 grains less and observe your brass.(the primers must not be flat !)
I have had very good results in competitions whit the D166.
I also think that 311 bullets are to much larger and can be dangerous for the rifle and for the shooter, however before to use an oversized bullet on a rifle it need absolutely
to ceeck the bore diameter.
GOOD SHOOT.

Well isn't that something? You're all missing it aren't you? Pictures of that front sight, taken from the side, would be really useful.

I'll be darned but that is very likely the receiver/barrel assembly of an 1898 carbine. So, yes, that truly would be a Carfle instead of a Rifbine.

Hello,
I want to correct myself, I would to say five shoots in two inches, I am used to think in centimeters, so I have done a mistake, sorry...

Hello,
I want to correct myself, I would to say five shoots in two inches, I am used to think in centimeters, so I have done a mistake, sorry...

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Originally Posted by 5MadFarmers

Well isn't that something? You're all missing it aren't you? Pictures of that front sight, taken from the side, would be really useful.

I'll be darned but that is very likely the receiver/barrel assembly of an 1898 carbine. So, yes, that truly would be a Carfle instead of a Rifbine.

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Well,

I sure missed it. Is it worth "restoring?"

jn

---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 5MadFarmers

Well isn't that something? You're all missing it aren't you? Pictures of that front sight, taken from the side, would be really useful.

I'll be darned but that is very likely the receiver/barrel assembly of an 1898 carbine. So, yes, that truly would be a Carfle instead of a Rifbine.

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Well,

I sure missed it. Is it worth "restoring?"

jn