Friend gave me a Krag action

[Mosin77]

What do I do with it? It’s in .30-40 and has the bolt, trigger, everything except a barrel and stock. Currently it’s sitting on my bookcase. I already have a Krag in original rifle configuration. And another sporter in 6.5x55. That one needs a sight. I’ve already got a ton of projects.

Do I …sell the action? Find a .30-40 barrel and stock and build a sporter? Anybody have the world’s coolest .38spl Krag action plinker? Keep the action on my shelf as a curiosity?

 

[LoonWulf]

If you don't have something you want to do with it, I'd suggest going ahead and getting rid of it.
Any way u look at it, its a project.
Projects are expensive and if you're not interested no point in spending money.

 

[Jim Watson]

.25 Krag or .22 Newton Krag varmint rifle.
.22 Stevens Pope Krag repro.
.219 Zipper target or varmint rifle (magazine housing delete)
.30 “cheat” 1903 Palma rifle with Pope (ish) barrel.

Assumes unlimited capabilities and/or budget.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I'd find a way to turn it into a .22lr single shot.

 

[Jim Watson]

My second choice. Stevens converted a number of Krags to .22 and maybe Springfield Armory did a few.

 

[Mosin77]

Interesting idea on the .22, this is why I knew it was a good move to ask you guys. I added it as a poll choice!

 

[troy fairweather]

Always wanted to build a 25 Ackley krag, would even look at a 6.5 version.

 

[AlexanderA]

What condition is it in? If it doesn't have holes for scopes, etc., drilled in it, someone might want to use it as a base for a military restoration project. The value of Krags in original configuration is only going up.

 

[Dr T]

My preference would be to keep it as a curio. Reason: The Krag is the smoothest bold action I have ever come across, and working the action is much more satisfying than worry beads. Also, the magazine is an ingenious bit of engineering (imagine a drop in speed loader). However, the action is a pretty weak design with one locking lug at the breech and another (?) on the bolt handle. And, at this point, the action is probably at least 125 years old.

I enjoy working the action, but always worry about actually firing something in my 1898 Springfield.

 

[.38 Special]

I think the Krag is a very useful action, as long as it isn't chambered for any sort of hot cartridge. For that matter, I think the long, heavy, slow softpoint in the .30-40 is a very effective and useful cartridge, at normal hunting ranges.

Additionally, the Krag action is not so rare or desirable that collectors get their hackles up (much) about refinishing them and/or turning them into somewhat more modern rifles.

If it was mine - and I had the money and desire - I would turn it into a tasteful sporter, with a walnut stock and a soft blue finish, and I'd be inclined to leave it in the stock chambering, or perhaps something like the 6.5x55. Here's Westley Richards' opinion...

A Rare and Unusual Westley Richards Magazine Rifle / The Explora - Premier Online Field Sports & Gun Journal

In 1893 a Swedish-Norwegian commission set out to develop the perfect military round and came up with a 6.5mm caliber bullet and a rimless

www.westleyrichards.com

 

[Slamfire]

The Norwegian's chambered their Krag's in 6.5 X 55, and the pressures of the service cartridge were a little warmer than the 30-40 Krag. The 6.5 Swede was a 44,000 psia load (3000 atmospheres), the Krag 40 kpsia. The 30-40 Krag has a 0.545 rim, the 6.5 X 55 a 0.480. American made 6.5 X55 cased have 0.470 rims.

Price out the cost of a new barrel, and stock. At least someone makes a scope base that fits on the barrel.

Sight Rails for .30-40 Krag Rifles

Ammunition & Sight Rails for .30-40 Krag Rifles, Krag scope mount, Krag scope rail

kraghaus.com

I was wondering how to scope a Krag. This looks like a solution.

Your costs to convert a stripped military action to a sporter will easily be over $1000.

And, you have pre 1900 metallurgy. Krags were known to crack the lug, I saw one at the range. I highly doubt you have a new action, old actions have old issues.

I purchased a blued Krag action at a gun show for $100 and it is still sitting in a box. One of those things were you get back home and realize that you bought a pig in a poke.