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Sometime back, I saw a Krag (Krag-Jorgensen?) at a local haunt. Butchered is the only way to describe it, sporterized is way too nice a word for the job that was done. Barrel cut down, forearm cut back, possibly d&t (I don't recall), etc. Fairly standard sporterizing job, just poorly executed IMO(and I'm a guy that isn't bothered by much. I LIKE the craftsmanship on AK's fer crying out loud! ).
Anyway, it's been on my mind recently. It was either $299 or $399 but I'm wondering if it's worth taking another look at if it's still there. If the bore is any good, I was thinking maybe redoing the work into something closer (or at least classier than what a previous owner did) to what one might have been sporterized into back when they were plentiful.
Anything special about them I should be aware of? Price range I should even consider assuming no rust, pitting, good bore, etc?
Thanks!
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
There's still sporter Krags out there for $175 on up. I passed up a beauty for $275 a couple years ago that I'm still kicking myself over.
$299 is way to much for a butchered Krag.
Watch the auction sites. I've seen some really good sporters go for under $300.
I always wondered why so many Krags got sporterized until I shot one. Smoothest
darned actions I've ever come across!
jb
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
I've read where Krag's suffered from stress cracks around the locking lug on the bolt. I've never shot one myself, but would sure love to have one. I think the magazine is one of the neatest out there.
I believe the main limiting factor for chambering choices is going to be getting the thing to feed. IIRC, they can work with 303 Brit, 30-30 and 444 Marlin. There may be others.
A nice sporterised Krag can be had for under $400. Basic Krags can be found easily for under $250. If you want a different caliber hold out for a norwegian Krag in 6.5 X 55. The receiver is machined a little different than the American ones.
The feed issue occured to me in the middle of the night. Then I thought how much fun it would be if it could be made to feed .22H. Throw 20-25 Hornet rounds in there and have fun!
I'll keep an eye out but I'll probably pass unless it's a screaming deal (like under a C note for a complete, well kept rifle ) since I've got .303, .30-30 and .444 covered in either actual caliber or something similar.
Heck, since I didn't sell my spare Cadet after all (local buyer backed out and then I just couldn't bear to relist it ) I need to do something with it before thinking of anymore projects.
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
These were $5 CMP rifles. They were about the only thing available during and after WWII and most were purchased for the specific purpose of deer and other big game hunting. So, it was only natural that they were cut down to make em more handy. And many were given aperture sights as the issue sights were rather fine - great for target shooting but not too great for hunting.
I have one that my dad gave me that came to him from his Uncle Wally. Uncle Wally removed the end hardware and cut the stock back to just ahead of the barrel band but didn't hack the barrel thank God. Probably because he was too cheap It was his deer rifle though. I also have a nice 1917 Colt that traveled this route, so I can't be too hard on Uncle Wally!
It is seldom you will find a Krag with a pristine bore. You will find many with a shootable bore though. The groove diamter is all over the place on these rifles running from .308 to .316 with .3095 being the most common. One of mine run (first year production) runs .312 and the other (1901) production runs .3095. It is common to find these rifles with the bores loaded with metal fouling from years gone by. Krag rifles are wonderful for cast bullets. Good old 311282 was designed for the Krag and is still a good choice.
I am currently building a Krag sporter around a 1902 action and a new 03A3 barrel set back and recambered to 30-40.
I guess I'm too much of a trusting soul. I bought it sight unseen for $300
When it showed up I was less than thrilled. It was your standard "sporter" job. One side of the stock had been heavily sanded, disproportionally so. I also noted that the last 12-14" of barrel had no rifling in it. So... I cut the barrel back as far as the law would allow, and put a $70 NECG (gulp) front sight on it, and ended up with what you see there. The barrel has hints of rifling... you can tell where it once was. I've never shot it past 50 yards, but it gives tennis ball sized groups with the one and only load tried. I took it hunting once, and it's been propped up in the corner of the room ever since.
).
) I need to do something with it before thinking of anymore projects.
It was his deer rifle though. I also have a nice 1917 Colt that traveled this route, so I can't be too hard on Uncle Wally!
So... I cut the barrel back as far as the law would allow, and put a $70 NECG (gulp) front sight on it, and ended up with what you see there. The barrel has hints of rifling... you can tell where it once was. 
I've never shot it past 50 yards, but it gives tennis ball sized groups with the one and only load tried. I took it hunting once, and it's been propped up in the corner of the room ever since.