Care and feeding of the Krag

[Niederlander]

I use .31 caliber balls to measure .30 caliber bores, and it's always worked fine.  Are you sure you measured the grooves?

[1961MJS]

I use .31 caliber balls to measure .30 caliber bores, and it's always worked fine.  Are you sure you measured the grooves?

I didn't really end up with grooves.  I can  see the rifling a the muzzle, but not on the round ball.  I can't see a bulge in the  barrel, but it got easier to push in the middle.  I need to clean more also.  The bore is still got powder residue, but no copper and only a little lead.  The balls are .310.

I think I'll try putting a smashed ball down first and another one after it.  I'm  not getting any lead in the groves.

Thanks

[Drydock]

Clean clean clean and clean some more.  Sounds to me like you have a tight spot somewhere, indicating a buildup of multiple layers of fouling, this is not uncommon, and usually found toward the breech end of the barrel.  This can be a long process with old military rifles.  Now you  have a pleasant task to see you thru the dark winter nights . . .

[Niederlander]

Yep, you might try plugging the breech end and pouring the bore full of Kroil or some sort of Hoppes No. 9 and letting it soak for a few days.  It will come clean eventually!

[Drydock]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/272019/break-free-foaming-bore-cleaning-solvent-3-oz-aerosol

A barrel can look nice and shiny, and still have a surprising amount of fouling!

[Niederlander]

Sure can!  It can take a while to get it out, but remember it took a hundred years to get it there, too. 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I spent the day putting some automotive cleaner called Sea Foam down the barrel.  I now have what appears to be rifling.  I've brushed the heck out of the barrel, whenever I quit brushing and run a patch, it comes out black.  But after running lead cleaner on the patches it eventually comes out clean.  Then when I brush again, I get another totally black patch.  I've quit for the night and the whole apartment smells funny, but the Sea Foam stuff doesn't have ammonia at least. 

I think I'll take a break and re-size the new Hornady brass I have. 

Later

[1961MJS]

Hi again

O.K. I fibbed, no sizing the new brass.  I did manage to get the new magazine spring and the ejector installed.  I need to take it completely apart and clean it up.  The Bolt appears to be as dirty as the barrel was.  This isn't a difficult rifle to work on, but things like the magazine aren't exactly intuitive.

Later

[1961MJS]

Hi
I took the bolt apart and got it put back together.  When the bolt is taken apart, the Safety lever moves 180 degrees.  When I get everything back in the bolt it only rotates 90 degrees.  I can't find any broken parts, dirt or anything to block the movement.

HELP!!!

[Drydock]

https://www.amazon.com/American-Rifle-Carbine-Collectors-Only®/dp/1882391314

[1961MJS]

Hi

I couldn't find the exact answer in the book, but Hickock45 has two videos with the Krag and his only rotates about 90 degrees. 

Happy New Year   

[Drydock]

It should rotate 180.  My suggestion would be to strip the bolt per instructions, then reassemble.  Hickok only chose to rotate his 90, as it is easier to flip off from that position.  I carry mine on the farm the same way.

[1961MJS]

It should rotate 180.  My suggestion would be to strip the bolt per instructions, then reassemble.  Hickok only chose to rotate his 90, as it is easier to flip off from that position.  I carry mine on the farm the same way.

Thanks

Does moving the safety from Side to Side involve pushing it in or out at all?  I cleaned what crud there was in the safety out and it moves from side to side with not in the bolt sleeve.  I don't want to force it too much.

Thanks again

[Drydock]

No, it should only rotate.  It may move in and out a little as it cams on the striker sleeve, but that's it.  Sometimes the camming surface can be deformed/burred, preventing rotation.

[Lord Eoin MacKenzie]

I can't cast the Bullets for my Krag.  Has anyone used the Oregon Trail Bullets in 30 cal? Which size?    I was thinking of the 180 to 220 gn. Thanks.

[1961MJS]

It should rotate 180.  My suggestion would be to strip the bolt per instructions, then reassemble.  Hickok only chose to rotate his 90, as it is easier to flip off from that position.  I carry mine on the farm the same way.

Been busy, but I did look at the bolt again and I have an idea what the problem is.  The Safety itself is clean because I could move it back and forth through 180 degrees when it wasn't attached to the bolt, that would mean that the bolt itself is the dirty part.  I hope to get back at it.

Thanks
Mike

[pony express]

I can't cast the Bullets for my Krag.  Has anyone used the Oregon Trail Bullets in 30 cal? Which size?    I was thinking of the 180 to 220 gn. Thanks.

They should be fine, as long as the diameter fits your bore. My Krag likes .310, doesn't like .308 or .309.

[Baltimore Ed]

My Krags also shoot .310, .308 do not work.

[Pitspitr]

I can't cast the Bullets for my Krag.  Has anyone used the Oregon Trail Bullets in 30 cal? Which size?    I was thinking of the 180 to 220 gn. Thanks.

I use the 220gr from High Plains Shooter Supply for steel targets and the 220 gr RN from Hornady or Sierra for Long Range

[1961MJS]

Hi

I'm not quite there yet on the Hornady's but is there any reason to crimp?  I didn't use the powder die to stretch out the case before I loaded it?  I've never crimped jacketed bullets on a bolt action.

Thanks