30-40 Krag

Guys, I have traditionally been a more modern, bolt/semi, short action, flat/fast shootin guy when it come to my rifles (with the exception of my .54 T/C Renegade which has killed more S. Tier NY/N. Tier Pa Whitetails than all my other rifles combined,) but lately I have begun to gain an interest in older military stuff. Esp. been reading up on 30-40 Krags, I ran accross one at a local shop the other day, seemed pretty nice with good rifling (expected dings, nick and blue wear), I have read that ya need to have the bolt checked for cracks due to the single locking lug...any other input?
Other question I have is what is one worth generally speaking, I mean I go on the gun sales sights and see 'em listed for $500 on up to crazy numbers, but this guy is aking $265...are these like tractors: people ask unrealistic numbers on the web but they really sell for less or am I missing something I shouldn't be?
I appreciate talking guns and their uses and such but didn't start this to get peoples opinions on what they think would be a better gun to buy...this is a "want" purchase not a need, I have .17 .22 .22mag,
.22 hornet .222 .223 .243 .244 6.5x55 7.62x39 7.62x54 30-30 7mm.08 .308 .9mm .38/.357 .44 .45long colt and .45-70 all available in rifle form for whatever specialty need I have, so not lookin' for the old "ya oughtta get (fill in here) instead 'cuz it'll do (fill in blank) better! Just input on 30-40 Krags! Thanks, Pete

I bought 30-40 Krag in the late 40's for $30.00 and shot a couple of deer with it. They had the smoothest bolt action of ANY rifle at the time. They were a good gun, the pre-runner of the 30-06. If it checks out AOK, I would buy it at that price.

fRED

For the price I'd say you can't go wrong. If it's still in full military dress with no missing parts, it's a steal. I paid almost twice that a few years back for a cut down rifle. Lovely rifle. Back in the day you could hardly give one away.

The bolt log can be checked with a a magnaflux system. As long as it got factory level or below loads, it's probably fine. Don't hotrod the 30-40, it does all it needs at factory levels.

Buy it. It's a both a piece of history and a functional, modern rifle. Slickest action of any bolt gun ever made.

Thanks guys! Appreciate it!

Pete: That's cheap for a Krag--they're beginning to be a bit hard to find as the newest specimens are around a hundred years old and the rifle's uniqueness and historical value ensure a ready collector's market. Is this one sporterized or in original shape? If original, it's worth considerably more, in part because this was a very popular rifle to sporterize, due to them being cheap and easily available at the time, firing a cartridge that is excellent for deer hunting. A couple of other thoughts--while they're a wonderful gun, ammo is becoming scarce--while no means unobtainable, it's not always easy to find and not cheap when you do find it. They're also a good candidate for handloading, allowing you to play with bullet weights and types to get the best accuracy as even when factory ammo is available, it's almost always limited to 180-grain jacketed soft points. If you have a chance to buy any with the gun, do so. Another thought is that they're not easily scoped--I had to fabricate a mount for one of mine that has a scope on it because nothing was available. The brass ejects straight up, much like an old-model Winchester 94, and therefore any scope has to be either side-offset or forward mounted. This may not be an issue--you may have no plans to scope it-but bear this in mind if you do. Still, scoped or not, they're a very nice piece of functional history, instantly recognizable because of their side-mounted magazine, and usually quite accurate--they're a perennial favorite in military matches, loaded with light cast bullet handloads.

I wish I could find one like that. If you are worried about the bolt take it to a competent gunsmith (I know they are rare) and have it checked out. To be honest I'd be much more worried about the headspace than a weak bolt. These rifles are more than 100 years old and who knows what ammunition has been used in them.

A good site to read information about them:


http://www.jouster.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?12-Krag-Rifle


Any question you could think of asking has probably been asked and answered on that site.

Thanks. I appreciate it...was very informative!

Tim, Yes it is original, going back this afternoon to check it out some more. If i buy it I would just be keeping it original, add it to my small but growing military collection. I doubt I would scope it, although I would probably hunt with it just to say I got a deer with it like I do most of my stuff. I have found a good source for brass, and will probably reload as there doen't seem to be much commercial stuff available with the heavier cast bullets it was designed for. I am not real concerned about velocity as a good portion of my deer hunting is done in woods and heavy brush anyway so a heavier slower bullet is fine. Hunting with it would only be a one time deal anyway just to say I did. I do most of my deer huntimg with my .54 Renegade Flintlock anyway, and if I'm in bigger open areas my Model 7 7mm08 is my go to. Mostly just be used for shooting and just to have! TY for the help i appreciate it! Pete

I like another poster said if in full military dress I would love it at that price as it is one of the few military rifles of that vintage I don't own.