1898 Springfield Krag as a hunting rifle? (pics)

[Vern Humphrey]

The .30-40 was an American version of an 8mm rimmed cartridge originally developed in Switzerland, and adapted for the Danish Krag-Jorgensen rifle. We also adopted the rifle -- in 1892. This was the first smokeless powder cartridge developed in the US (and we only modified an existing design.)

The old "two-number" system meant caliber, followed by the weight of the black powder charge in grains (there are 7,000 grains in a pound.) Sometimes a third number was added -- the weight of the bullet in grains. For example, .45-70-405, which was the .45 caliber black powder cartridge the .30-40 replaced. It held 70 grains of black powder and shot a .45 caliber, 405 grain bullet.

With smokeless powder, this system was obsolete (there being different kinds of smokless powder, with different characteristics.) The cartridge was officially the .30 US Army. But because it was loaded with about 40 grains of powder, civilians started calling it the .30-40 and the name stuck.

 

[Preacherman]

There is a Krag Collectors Association - see here. The Parallax Curio & Relic Forums are also worth searching - see here.

 

[Ironbarr]

Vern/Preacher...

Thanks - hit the nail just right.

As in other posts recently, I'm fronting for an old shipmate just cranking up after a previous life. Been trying to get him to at least browse THR if not join in. Retired Navy Warrant Officer - you know those crusty old souls.

I'm just a couple years ahead of him with this firearms thing... he doesn't know it but this is the dim-sighted leading the blind.

I tried to find some background pages re ammo, the ones I've read I've already lost. Darn it, I have to simplify my life - too many distractions... honey-doos, et al. With Spring coming that nasty four-letter word (WORK) cranks up hard for the "Yards and Docks".

Thanks again.
-Andy

 

[Lone Star]

Ironbar-

.30 caliber round powered with 40 grains of smokeless powder.

The Krag is no mystery. Most major gun books, especially those on US martial arms, cover them.

A remodeled one was a favorite of the late Larry Koller, author of, "Shots at Whitetails" and other classic hunting books. The latest edition of that title even shows Koller's son and his dad's old Krag.

It would be specious to infer that the .30/40 will outkill the .30/06 because it uses a 220-grain bullet. The .30/06 can also use that weight, and it was quite popular in Alaska and Africa at one time. (Someone mentioned that in a post here.)

Finally, the .303 British is actually more powerful than the .30/40. Modern sporting loads in .303 run 2540 FPS with a 180-grain bullet. Most .303's are also newer than the Krags, which were discontinued when the M1903 Springfield was adopted. So, the .303 will usually have better metallurgy, especially in the No. 4 and No. 5 rifles.

Lone Star

 

[Mornard]

Davek,

ReRead ReadyontheRight and Schrompf's replys and everyone else who said keep and shoot it. And then go out and do so mightily. Once you get used to this beautiful rifle and learn how to hit with it, you'll forget about needing anything else. One tip for affordable ammo - I get most of mine at gun shows - I walk the aisles, looking for the guys with shoeboxes of ammo for sale. I can usually score a box or two for $10 a box. This is a great and beautiful rifle.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

My great-grandfather, Marion Grant Ashcraft, who died in the 1940's, hunted elk, deer and pronghorn with an 1895 Winchester in 30-40 Krag. There are still stories around about his prowess with that "long range Krag".

I think at least part of the equation was the rifleman.

Oh, and though I'm no great fan of engraving (I'm an engraver by trade, and I've seen enough of it. ), that is one beautiful rifle.

 

[Mannlicher]

If the rifle has been checked out, and found to be in good mechanical condition, by all means, take it afield.
.30/40 Krag has proven through the years to be an effective hunting round. A 150 grain Sierra Game King at 2700 fps is a great deer, or black bear round.
If it were mine, I would have a nice old Weaver or Lyman scope mounted.

 

[Cosmoline]

Re. heavy bullets. My bet is you will find that the old Krag rifles cope much better with big RN 220 grainers than any modern .30'06. Try some and see. When you've got crossbow bolts like that, velocity doesn't matter as much. The Krag at one time had a very good rep as a big game rifle.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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It would be specious to infer that the .30/40 will outkill the .30/06 because it uses a 220-grain bullet. The .30/06 can also use that weight, and it was quite popular in Alaska and Africa at one time.
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But far more hunters used a 150-grain bullet in the .30-06, and it was a long time before hunting and shooting magazines stopped printing stories about "bullet failure" -- because it was a long time before light, high-velocity bullets were reliable under all conditions.

The old 220-grain, leaving the muzzle at 2,000 fps, was a reliable killer.

 

[Preacherman]

I took a deer last season with my still-in-military-guise Krag 1898, using the Winchester 180gr. loads. Worked just fine, and I'll take it out again next season.

 

[seeker_two]

davek: Don't you dare change a thing on that Krag....

It's a part of American history....

It's a tribute to a quality gunsmith....

It's a legacy passed from grandfather to grandson...

...and it's a pretty good rifle as is.

I'd put at least 100 rounds through it toward targets at 100 & 200 yds before even thinking about a scope. Get a feel for how it shoots.

You have a gentleman's hunting rifle. If you need a cheap zombie-hunting rifle, get a Savage...

 

[davek]

Well this thread came back from the dead!

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided that I'm going to keep it and shoot it as is.

If I need something with a scope, I'll just get something else.

Still haven't been able to get it to the range yet though. Soon as I do, I'll let you all know how it went.

 

[mete]

The Krag-Jorgensen was in fact a Norwegian not Danish design. The Norwegian army used the same rifle in 6.5x55....The cartridge was loaded with smokeless powder (not 40 grains of powder) but it was the equivalent of 40 grains of black powder so they called it the 30-40 Krag and also the .30 US Army. It's a fine deer/black bear cartridge and also successful on elk with the 220 grain bullet.