My 2nd Krag

[butlersrangers]

Make sure that the fine rivet, that holds the follower to the carrier-arm, is totally flush and not sticking out a bit and dragging.

There were changes to the follower and carrier-arm during model 1898 Krag production to improve feeding of the last round.

Not all of these assemblies are the same.

[ssgross]

Make sure that the fine rivet, that holds the follower to the carrier-arm, is totally flush and not sticking out a bit and dragging.

That was my first thought. And the geometry of the tip is certainly different.

There were changes to the follower and carrier-arm during model 1898 Krag production to improve feeding of the last round.
Not all of these assemblies are the same.

I found that out the hard way! Good thing they are still cheap enough grab a couple. I re-worked this one good enough to get to the range this week or next.

[ssgross]

We did it! I had my doubts considering how the stock fitting went, but it shot to spec and then some. I happened to drive out of state to visit family, and took the rifle along to show my brother-in-law. We put 50 rounds through it to break in the barrel, and had multiple groups at 100 yards with 4-6 rounds touching. It was a bit windy today at the farm, which made the performance all the more amazing. We'll get it back out soon in my usual controlled environment and put it through its paces proper.

[browningautorifle]

Well, it looks mighty fine...shoots too.

[Daan Kemp]

Handsome rifle!

[ssgross]

My loads were the hornady 220gr round noses over imr4064. Ill look up the charge weight when I get home to my logbook, but I know they were at 1750fps. I haven't played with the load at all. It was my starting load for my original krag, and did so well I didn't bother to continue any others. Nice and mild. Ill likely work it up further when I move to longer distances.

[ssgross]

Closing the loop on this. I had the rear sight off to make a cross reference between the graduations and my drop chart for this load, so it took me a few sight adjustments to get back on paper.
The rifle performs a bit better than my original krag...sighters marked. After the 5th round hit the X ring...I kept going. The vertical stringing is all on me. I have to use a 6 o'clock "sliver of white" hold in the low lighting, and I have to use a grey target because the black backstop makes it impossible to see holes, with the range cameras or scopes, on a black background.


The load is Winchester brass, Rem. No 9 1/2 large rifle primers, Hornady 220 grain round nose seated to the cannelure (no crimp) over 37.2 grains IMR 4064.
Curiously, the load gave an average of 1750fps with std. dev. 15 in the original Krag, and in this rifle produced 1911fps with 14 std. dev.
I bet the group will tighten up a bit more on paper as the barrel continues to wear in.