1912 Norwegian Krag SAFE??

[jiminthecorner]

I have a "bubba'd" Norwegian Krag in 6.5x55 and would like to both shoot & hunt deer with it( maybe Moose too). Can I use commercial ammo or reload ?Is there anyone out there who hunts with the 6.5x55 in less than high pressure loads <45000PSI ?? any help for this second post would be appreciated JITC

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[Uncle Ray]

I have a "bubba'd" Norwegian Krag in 6.5x55 and would like to both shoot & hunt deer with it( maybe Moose too). Can I use commercial ammo or reload ?Is there anyone out there who hunts with the 6.5x55 in less than high pressure loads <45000PSI ?? any help for this second post would be appreciated JITC

Hi Jim,

Assuming that your barrel is in good condition, and the bolt, in fired position, does not show much movement when you grasp the bolt knob and try to move it back and forward; AND the forward locking lug shows no signs of cracks, then it is OK to use factory ammo. I use "Highland" 140gn sporting loads in my 1894 Steyr ex-Boer service rifle, as well as in my 1951 sporter. I think most gunshops nationaly would stock this brand. Norma, to my way of thinking, could be a little on the hot side. If you plan on putting quite a few rounds through your rifle, it may pay you then to reload. My favourite loads through my two Krags are :
35gns of 3031, Rem. 9 1/2 primer with 140gn RNFB proj. Another load is :-
15gns of 4759, Fed. LR primer, 150gn lead GC sized .264, with 2 grains dacron filler over load. seat bullet out to expose 2 grooves. Bullet lube used was "Rooster Red", but I find that a composition of 40% beeswax + 60% petroleum Jelly is as good as any. Another good load for game & target is 42gns of IMR 4350, or W760, behind the 140gn SP. To be on the safe side, reduce your starting loads by 10%, and check ease of extraction of the fired case, and signs of primer flattening as you increase your loads.
Best of luck !

[Beadwindow]

If you check out surplusrifle.com, they have an article about shooting reduced loads in the Norwegian Krag that might be of interest. They provide some really lame loads though, and I'm not expert enough to speculate on how much more powerful one can safely go (though I suspect that one can....).

[goldidig]

I have 3 Krags. Two dated 1915 and one 1917 and I have fired quite a bit of commercially loaded Norma, Privi Partisan, Hansen, Rano( and a few other brands I think, just can't place the names) as well as hundreds of handloads done with my little Lee handload kit. I have never had any problems whatsoever but the Norma stuff is hotter than all the rest. I only ever used the one box of that but had no issues. They're great little rifles.
Al

[jiminthecorner]

Thanks guys ,I'm Feeling better already. Love both the krag's smooth action AND the 6.5x55. A great combination for an old guy! Jim