Another Bucket List Gun (Pic Heavy)

BigBore44 · May 29, 2019

So I’ve always wanted a Krag. Not an original. I have 2 of those already. But a nice older sporterized one. One that was done well but not so pretty that I wouldn’t want to hunt with it. And I finally found it. 1898 action. Older Douglas barrel. Redfield receiver sight. Nice custom stock with very well done checkering with a few character marks. In, of course, 30-40 Krag. One of my favorite cartridges. Outdated or obsolete be damned.

I’ll get it in a few days. I’m really hoping it’s a decent shooter. I already load 30-40 so I’ve got plenty of powder bullet combinations to try. Not going to push the envelope on high end loads. Krag actions weren’t built for that. Just something that shoots accurately. There’s just something about the Krag’s magazine and how smooth their actions are. I’ve loved them since I held my first one.

BigBore44 · May 29, 2019

And a few more....

someguy2800 · May 29, 2019

nice rifle

troy fairweather · May 29, 2019

Nice rifle, I like me a krag. Don't see many of those Redfield peeps around here. Hope she shoots good.

BigBore44 · May 29, 2019

LRDGCO said:
I have one, pictured in my Avatar, that was put into a Bishop stock - late 1950s?. Not nearly as nice as yours. It's my favorite rifle to shoot by far. I'm a big 30-40 fan - have a Krag, Krag sporter, Ruger No. 3, and "Browning" 1895.

Nice is relative. Some might not like the checkering or the cheek rest. Yours looks pretty nice to me! I’m not sure how they made the actions so smooth. Especially for a military rifle. But even if they got everything else wrong, they got THAT part right.

Just couldn’t pass it up for $460

troy fairweather · May 29, 2019

I like the krag with a side scope mount. They are nice and balanced in the krag and you still have sights. With a nice 4x.

Alaskan Ironworker · May 29, 2019

Love that checkering

Legionnaire · May 29, 2019

Yes, very nice. Good score.

bannockburn · May 29, 2019

BigBore44

There’s just something about the Krag’s magazine and how smooth their actions are. I’ve loved them since I held my first one.

That's the same way I felt about the Krag! Always wanted the carbine version to go with the rifle I already had. A friend of my Dad's gave me one some years ago that had been a drill/parade rifle. A heavily varnished wood stock along with bright chrome plating on all of the metal parts, while doing nothing for it's looks, probably served a greater purpose in preserving the wood and metal parts.

I lightly sanded the wood until I had removed all of the varnish then I restained it according to a formula my Dad's friend gave me to closely resemble the original finish. The chromed parts I stripped myself by soaking them in Hoppe's No.9 solvent. Sent the gun out to be blued and reassembled everything when I got it back.

There is nothing quite like a Krag!

Whiterook808 · May 29, 2019

Nice rifle. I have one with a Fajen stock, but not as nice as yours. It was tapped for scope rings, so I found some and put a vintage Weaver scope on it. The scope mounts over the action, so it does not eject properly. Still a cool gun. Good find!

Nature Boy · May 29, 2019

When I see “bucket list gun” and “pic heavy” in the thread title I can’t click on it fast enough.

Looks like it was well cared for. Makes me want to go find a rabid dog to shoot

Scooter22 · May 29, 2019

Thats very nice. I don't mind seeing quality sporterized milsurps instead of hack jobs. I'm surprised I've never ended up with a Krag. A local gun dealer and friend has one of the largest Krag collections. His info has been put in books.

BigBore44 · May 29, 2019

Scooter22 said:
Thats very nice. I don't mind seeing quality sporterized milsurps instead of hack jobs. I'm surprised I've never ended up with a Krag. A local gun dealer and friend has one of the largest Krag collections. His info has been put in books.

I agree. I would never take a complete milsurp barreled action and sporterize one. I would rather restore it back to original condition. But one that’s already been done and done well? Absolutely. To me they’re no different than a custom Remington 700 or Winchester 70. Requires the same talent. You should consider getting one. Original or otherwise. They’re just fun, unique rifles. Who is this friend? I’d be interested in reading up on him.

Armored farmer · May 29, 2019

Whew, yeah!
I like!

BigBore44 · May 29, 2019

Does anyone know how to tell who made the stock?

troy fairweather · May 29, 2019

it could be marked in the barrel channel, by the recoil lug, and under the butt pad. i alway check under the butt plate, i have found some cool things before.

Hookeye · May 29, 2019

Very cool rifle! Theres a rough one at my LGS. If it looked half as good as the OP's itd be at my house. Id like to pop a buck w one just to show the 6.5 Creed fanboys

jmr40 · May 29, 2019

Looks like the rifle Lee Marvin used in the 1981 movie "Death Hunt"

Hookeye · May 29, 2019

Leatherwood Outdoors on Youtube has a guy hunting w a Krag.

troy fairweather · May 29, 2019

Hookeye said:
Leatherwood Outdoors on Youtube has a guy hunting w a Krag.

i don't know i think that deer was a payed actor lol. the way it just stops in perfect sight is cool.

JeffG · May 29, 2019

BigBore44 said:
So I’ve always wanted a Krag. Not an original. I have 2 of those already. But a nice older sporterized one. One that was done well but not so pretty that I wouldn’t want to hunt with it. And I finally found it. 1898 action. Older Douglas barrel. Redfield receiver sight. Nice custom stock with very well done checkering with a few character marks. In, of course, 30-40 Krag. One of my favorite cartridges. Outdated or obsolete be damned.

I’ll get it in a few days. I’m really hoping it’s a decent shooter. I already load 30-40 so I’ve got plenty of powder bullet combinations to try. Not going to push the envelope on high end loads. Krag actions weren’t built for that. Just something that shoots accurately. There’s just something about the Krag’s magazine and how smooth their actions are. I’ve loved them since I held my first one.

What a sweetheart! Nice score!

Scooter22 · May 29, 2019

BigBore44 said:
I agree. I would never take a complete milsurp barreled action and sporterize one. I would rather restore it back to original condition. But one that’s already been done and done well? Absolutely. To me they’re no different than a custom Remington 700 or Winchester 70. Requires the same talent. You should consider getting one. Original or otherwise. They’re just fun, unique rifles. Who is this friend? I’d be interested in reading up on him.

I don't want to post his name. He has several 100s of them of all years, models and variations. It's like a mini museum plus he has a lot of other rare milsurps. I don't remember what books and articles he's has contributed to as I don't follow Krags. I'll ask him next time I stop over but he showed me the publications. He is a member and his name is here.:http://kragcollectorsassociation.org/
His Great grandfather fought in the Spanish/American war. He liked Krags and bought them when they were cheap surplus. Like 5,10, 20 bucks each. He said everyone wanted Springfield's but he knew Krags would be collectable.

Creed Bennett · May 30, 2019

I’m rarely a fan of sporterized military rifles but that is very tasteful done and I’d love to have one done up like yours. The Krag rifle is one that has always eluded me but maybe someday.

theotherwaldo · May 30, 2019

My poor '98 Krag has a grafted-on pistol grip and a side-mounted Weaver K-4. I replaced the butt pad, which appeared to have some white-sidewall-tires in its ancestry. Much nicer now, even though a butt pad is kinda redundant for this round.
Another problem, Bubba found that the scope's front bell actually touched the chamber swell of the barrel, so he got out the die grinder and took a few thousandths off of the top of the chamber swell.
Still safe to shoot, but UGLY!
I like yours - much nicer!

Corpral_Agarn · May 30, 2019

I have always wanted a Krag, too.

The whole action design has fascinated me since I discovered the rifle.

My great grandfather used one as a deer rifle for years.

Another Bucket List Gun (Pic Heavy)

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