30-40krag converted to 30-30

The barrel isn't an issue, but the bolt face would need to be reworked for sure. I imagine the feeding system would need some tweaking as well, the 30/40 is a lot larger than the 30/30.

Just reload for 30-40. If you have cases it would be the same price as a 30-30. Modifying it will cost you more and give you less. A simple Lee Loader with a powder scope will give you as good of ammo as buying a factory 30-30 load. Don't fix what ain't broken. Good luck and post a pick.

How many boxes worth of savings would it take to cover the gunsmithing and steel and trial and error?

It is infinitely easier to hand load for it. If you were thinking about switching cartridges on a Krag handloading wouldn’t be too much for you. Not for just one rifle. A Lee hand press and some few bits would get many rounds for a paltry investment.

Whoa. Just did some ammo shopping. That’s a pretty large difference. No bulk either. Oof.

Do you know anyone that loads? Rather, do you know any super nice, easy to pay, friends that load?

I handload because the stuff I like to shoot is expensive, for very little reason.
Just because it starts with a five the ammunition manufacturers think the per round price needs to start with a two instead of a “.”!
I can get the “.” back into the per round price, and still have Thor’s hammer loads, not just the cheapest go-bang fodder.

Maybe just a beater 30-30 to get more range time?
You could pay for it in eighteen boxes at $250, which would be about the same in ammo and that is less than the cost of just feeding the Krag, but you get another rifle!

I would know that my Krag was no longer the same and the shine would come off. I wouldn’t be able to change it.

I'm with the others. Better paths to take than trying to convert it. Not sure what your rifle is worth but you may spend $500+ to make a $1000 rifle into a $500 one.

Reloading or buying a 30-30 are much better options.

Scooter22 said:

Just reload for 30-40. If you have cases it would be the same price as a 30-30.

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You can use .303 British brass and full-length resize.

I tend to find rimmed cartridges the easiest to reload, and since you'd be shooting just one rifle in this chambering you could simply neck resize.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/ammunition_st_favortie_loads_hot_off_the_press_0910/99850

If you don't already reload, you could get your feet wet cheaply with one of the old Lee Loaders -- I got started with one of these in the early 1980s in 7.92x57. I think they've discontinued 30-40, but you can still find them on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Le...816162?hash=item1cf4b87f22:g:dccAAOSwNgZfeSPo

With one of these, a plastic mallet and the appropriate brass, powder, large rifle primers and .308 bullets, you can make a box of decent quality ammo in under an hour.

Grafs has some 30-40 brass on sale right now: https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/75149

Love my Krag just the way it is, pricey and hard to come by ammo and all. If I wanted less expensive ammo and .30-30 performance I would go out and buy a used lever action in that caliber. No way would I try to convert my Krag.

Ammo is the reason I don’t have a krag. The only reason. I came across a couple very reasonably priced and could have got them both at a discount, but ammo price just made it unrealistic. I reload, but I buy factory loads to shoot and get a feel for the gun and then reload that brass. 250 rounds is my minimum and at 13 boxes of ammo to get that minimum number, it just didn’t make sense. I would have been over $400 in ammo plus another $100 in tools and supplies to reload them. $500 in ammo for a $300 gun... pass, even when it’s $500 for ammo for 2 guns that cost a combined $500 I’m not doing it for a range toy.

Ive often wondered if it might be possible to make a cartridge adapter to fire .30 carbine from a Krag.....

A gunsmith should be able to make such an adapter from a .30 caliber barrel stub.

Actually, the same thing comes to mind when talking about .30-30.

The Krag is a fine old gun and the ammo isn’t too terrible as long as you don’t have to buy lots of it. It’s not a plinker unless you roll your own.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/75149

I don't think you would ever get 30-30 rounds to feed in the Krag.

I have 30-40 Cavalry Carbine and cost wise you are ruining the value of your rifle is you change it. I had to rebarrel mine because dirt dobbers built a next in barrel and front 6" of barrel was ruined before I got it. A friend rebarreled it for me and it shoots like a dream.

Where are you located?

AlexanderA said:

You can use .303 British brass and full-length resize.

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It buy ppu brass. It's cheap all things considered.
I used 308 dies that are turned out far enough to only size the neck until I found dies at a gun show.
1600 fps with a cast bullet is more fun than a 30-30.

Jerry M said:

A gunsmith should be able to make such an adapter from a .30 caliber barrel stub.

Actually, the same thing comes to mind when talking about .30-30.

Click to expand...

Either way. You're still stuck using a cleaning rod or screwdriver to remove the empties. It kind of ruins the fun.
Cost of one off machine work would but a lot of loaded Krag ammo.

Agree with what others have said, no way would this be cost effective. You'd be better off with a basic reloading setup.