First Krag - 1898 Ceremonial Rifle

[mtoms]

Being rather frugal, and on a pretty tight self imposed vintage rifle budget, I find myself acquiring rifles that are, shall we say, less appealing to most collectors - and often in need of work or restoration.

Always wanted a US Krag but have not been willing to pony up the going rate for a nice one and I really don't want a sporter - too many folks chasing too few parts to restore them.

So when this homely example appeared for sale on another forum for 1/4 the going rate for nice ones I couldn't resist.

Seller described the bore as rough but with strong rifling so I had hopes it would be a decent shooter. He even went so far as to strip the black and yellow paint coats from the stock prior to shipping. Safety was missing but everything else was there including the acceptance cartouche and firing proof.

I slugged the muzzle this last weekend and measured a .310 bore so I loaded up some .311 Sierra 180 gr pro hunters that have performed well in my enfields and Finnish Mosins. After some experimentation I found a mild 33.5 gr charge of 4064 in reformed 303 HXP brass matched the sight curve pretty well. Bore is indeed heavily frosted (pitted) from one end to the other but with strong rifling - appears to have digested more corrosive blanks in it's history without proper cleaning than ball cartridges.

Have only fired a couple of dozen rounds so far but since I was not expecting great groups I've been quite please with the initial groups.

100 yds



200 yds




I have found a guy experienced in deplating and refinishing these ceremonial rifles but I'm still torn on whether to leave it in it's current state or restore the finish. There was no question in my mind regarding stripping the ugly paint from the nice walnut stock but the metal refinishing is a harder decision. If I do restore the metal I would have about $575 in it. I would welcome opinions on whether or not to restore the metal.

Regards
Marty

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[browningautorifle]

I'm sure I remember seeing or hearing of it on another forum, the paint color reminds me... I'd go ahead and remove the chrome, it looks OK after. Then a bit of hand polish and blue I'd think...Professional hot blue, but you can do the polishing. The bore should get cleaner every time you shoot. Thanks for showing us after the tease on the other thread. I'd have bought it too.

[mtoms]

I'm sure I remember seeing or hearing of it on another forum, the paint color reminds me... I'd go ahead and remove the chrome, it looks OK after. Then a bit of hand polish and blue I'd think...Professional hot blue, but you can do the polishing. The bore should get cleaner every time you shoot. Thanks for showing us after the tease on the other thread. I'd have bought it too.

Thanks for the input. Yes I posted it on gunboards and the consensus there was leave it as is - the chrome is part of it's history. I can see both points of view - I'll mull it over a while before I decide.

[Doco overboard]

Maybe you could see the look of surprise through the finish on somebodies face after you light it off a few times. I wouldn't let the desire to get a "real nice one" rush me to judgement to quickly. I think its pretty decent as is even though finish in my view may only be confidence inspiring in some respects. You have exactly opposite a dilemma as a lot of others face, looks like it shoots and operates pretty fairly well.

[Doco overboard]

Maybe you could see the look of surprise through the finish on somebodies face after you light it off a few times. I wouldn't let the desire to get a "real nice one" rush me to judgement to quickly. I think its pretty decent as is even though finish in my view may only be confidence inspiring in some respects. You have exactly opposite a dilemma as a lot of others face, looks like it shoots and operates pretty fairly well.

I would only now just worry about getting the safety and the sight knob chromed to match the rest.

[mtoms]

Ok, finally a dead calm afternoon to see what "ole ugly" can really do.

Fired 5 shot groups 100 yds. First I tried 5 180 gr
.308 core lokt roundnose - maybe I measured the .310 bore incorrectly. This group was 6" at 100 yds but no keyholes. Beginning to wonder if maybe I just got lucky with those good initial 3 shot groups last weekend with the .311 180 gr pro hunters. Maybe I'm gonna need a new criterion barrel. The original is indeed heavily frosted an tears patches pretty bad.

So - load up 5 pro hunters and carefully squeeze them off.

Looked thru the sporting scope and couldn't control a huge grin - damn 4 grouped under 2" - all 5 under 3".

Look out CMP match next month! If I can figure out how to load the magazine fast enough for the rapid fire prone.

[browningautorifle]

maybe I measured the .310 bore incorrectly

Shoots just fine though. I'd not change the barrel... Just for the record, use a buckshot ball and tap fit through the bore. It needs to be about .32 cal. Then measure carefully with a dial caliper. That will give final answer. Don't be buying a new Criterion though...

[mtoms]

Shoots just fine though. I'd not change the barrel... Just for the record, use a buckshot ball and tap fit through the bore. It needs to be about .32 cal. Then measure carefully with a dial caliper. That will give final answer. Don't be buying a new Criterion though...

I used a lead fishing sinker but it was too large to go all the way thru - could only get the first 3/4" of the muzzle, but I could see the throat looked good so I figured the muzzle was most important.

[browningautorifle]

too large to go all the way thru

Try coming from the back. Put the muzzle down and tap-tap with the nylon hammer and a good steel .30 cal rod. Straight blows and it should pass a cleanish bore. Pick it up at the last tap to fall clear.

[mtoms]

[QUOTE=browningautorifle;389533]Try coming from the back. Put the muzzle down and tap

Hmm...this bore is far from what I would call clean. Heavily frosted and tears cleaning patches. I'm amazed it is shooting as well as it does.