30-40 Krag
11-19-2002, 08:54 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Daphne, AL
Posts: 425
RE: 30-40 Krag
I was given my grandfather's sporterized 30-40 a couple of years ago. I cleaned it up, replaced the firing pin and spring, and have shot it open sight. I am determined to take it a couple of times this year. I will take a doe if need be---but I am not real comfortable shooting open sight beyond 100 yards.
This one is a 1898 rifle. 30" barrel. The stock was cut down and it has no hand guard.
Hunker Hunter---I would be interested in hearing what kind of set up you have and any success stories. I never knew my grandfather---but I have a picture of him next to a 10 pt. that he took with this rifle. I would like to have one of myself to go beside that picture.
This one is a 1898 rifle. 30" barrel. The stock was cut down and it has no hand guard.
Hunker Hunter---I would be interested in hearing what kind of set up you have and any success stories. I never knew my grandfather---but I have a picture of him next to a 10 pt. that he took with this rifle. I would like to have one of myself to go beside that picture.
11-19-2002, 10:10 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Youngwood PA USA
Posts: 54
RE: 30-40 Krag
I got mine as a gift about 10 years ago from my Dad. See my Dad has one as well & he new I always liked his & wanted one some day. He's hunted with his every year for over 40 years. Both of ours we're cut down from thier original length & have western stocks on them. The original length on a 30-40 was really long & the stock extended out to the end of the barrel (too cumbersome for hunting IMO).
About 5 years ago I reworked the gun, I sanded & refinished the stock, & reblued the rifle, now I took it somewhere to be reblued & they said that the 30-40 can't be reblued with fire like normal, so I bought a rebluing kit that you rub into the steel & it worked really well & looks great. I then had the rifle drilled & tapped to mount a scope on it. When I had that done they had to order special rings & they were able to mount the scope just high enough to open the bolt & barely give me a sight & shot for the open sights if needed. But all in all I'm so glad I fixed it all up & put a scope on it, it looks great & is a great gun & probably the only deer rifle I'll ever use, just like my Dad. Now my Dad has never got his redone but guess what, I'm going to get his & redo it & surprise him for next season, can't wait.
As far as success stories, I have shot 2 bucks with my 30-40, an 8 pt, & a spike, both before I put the scope on. Both were 1 shot & down, the spike was in thick section of brush, but the 30-40 bullet zipped through it & put him down. Those are the only 2 deer I've shot at with this gun so I've never missed with it. I've been in a drought here ever since I put the scope on it I haven't seen a buck to shoot for 5 years. Hopefully this year that will change.
I recommend getting your grandfathers 30-40 redone, you won't regret it. Every time I meet a new hunter & they see mine their like what's that & after I show them how it works, they say that's cool, & you can see they wouldn't mind having one too. There's not too many of them out there anymore. Consider yourself fortunate.
Get your kids in the woods & off the streets !!
About 5 years ago I reworked the gun, I sanded & refinished the stock, & reblued the rifle, now I took it somewhere to be reblued & they said that the 30-40 can't be reblued with fire like normal, so I bought a rebluing kit that you rub into the steel & it worked really well & looks great. I then had the rifle drilled & tapped to mount a scope on it. When I had that done they had to order special rings & they were able to mount the scope just high enough to open the bolt & barely give me a sight & shot for the open sights if needed. But all in all I'm so glad I fixed it all up & put a scope on it, it looks great & is a great gun & probably the only deer rifle I'll ever use, just like my Dad. Now my Dad has never got his redone but guess what, I'm going to get his & redo it & surprise him for next season, can't wait.
As far as success stories, I have shot 2 bucks with my 30-40, an 8 pt, & a spike, both before I put the scope on. Both were 1 shot & down, the spike was in thick section of brush, but the 30-40 bullet zipped through it & put him down. Those are the only 2 deer I've shot at with this gun so I've never missed with it. I've been in a drought here ever since I put the scope on it I haven't seen a buck to shoot for 5 years. Hopefully this year that will change.
I recommend getting your grandfathers 30-40 redone, you won't regret it. Every time I meet a new hunter & they see mine their like what's that & after I show them how it works, they say that's cool, & you can see they wouldn't mind having one too. There's not too many of them out there anymore. Consider yourself fortunate.
Get your kids in the woods & off the streets !!
11-19-2002, 10:23 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Newburgh N.Y. USA
Posts: 59
RE: 30-40 Krag
I bought my 1892 Krag in 1955,when sporterizing military rifles was the usual thing to do.Although it would be a prized collector piece,I chopped the barrel to 21 inch,reconfigured the stock,and installed a Weaver scope.
It was the smartest move that I ever made.It became my favorite firearm,and still is.For hunting Woodland Whitetails,it is as good as any,and better then most.
Today,opting to sporterize a Krag is a big decision to make.Money can be lost by changing anything from the origional.But you can consider this.Over the years,I've bought a 1903 Springfield Sporter and a Remington 700 270 for deer hunting.Both of them were very fine rifles,both were tack drivers,and both are gone,now.I still use the Krag.
Frank
It was the smartest move that I ever made.It became my favorite firearm,and still is.For hunting Woodland Whitetails,it is as good as any,and better then most.
Today,opting to sporterize a Krag is a big decision to make.Money can be lost by changing anything from the origional.But you can consider this.Over the years,I've bought a 1903 Springfield Sporter and a Remington 700 270 for deer hunting.Both of them were very fine rifles,both were tack drivers,and both are gone,now.I still use the Krag.
Frank
11-20-2002, 05:51 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: dedham massachusetts USA
Posts: 1,361
RE: 30-40 Krag
seems to be a fine caliber. i met a guy through my buddie up in maine. he was leaving to move to florida and was selling his. I wish i offered to buy it from him. <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
but he had it sporterized with a fixed X3 scope on it. like the way the internal magazine sits to the side.
he has took several bear and one big moose ( saw it on tape ) at 250yds. two shots both in the lungs.
too bad the only one i have seen used was one but it was in a lever action in 30-40krag.
but he had it sporterized with a fixed X3 scope on it. like the way the internal magazine sits to the side.
he has took several bear and one big moose ( saw it on tape ) at 250yds. two shots both in the lungs.
too bad the only one i have seen used was one but it was in a lever action in 30-40krag.
11-25-2002, 09:26 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Youngwood PA USA
Posts: 54
RE: 30-40 Krag
I went out to shoot my 30-40 Krag on this past weekend to get it ready for the opening of rifle season here in PA. & I love that sound the Krag makes, no other gun quite sounds like that. It has a sound when it's fired that is distinguishable from any other gun. Can't wait till next week.
Thank you for your posts.
Get your kids in the woods & off the streets !!
Thank you for your posts.
Get your kids in the woods & off the streets !!
12-07-2002, 07:32 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: sarona wi USA
Posts: 163
RE: 30-40 Krag
Hunter
you might want to try to find out if he wants that done
look up what that gun may be worth. sum are in the $12000. range
my dad had one & was given to my brother. I was taught how to shoot with that gun. got my first buck with that gun a few years after that I shoot a doe a about 350 yards to descibe the distictive sound that these gun made my other brother was 3 mile away & when he got back he ask me what I got I ask how he know I shoot, he said there's only one gun that makes that sound & told me how many shots I toke
we had that gun pro. redone for him when he was shot in a domestic dispuit, he had to retire afer that . now I think I'am going to see if I can find one I do like that gun
good idea thou on getting it redone
Greg
you might want to try to find out if he wants that done
look up what that gun may be worth. sum are in the $12000. range
my dad had one & was given to my brother. I was taught how to shoot with that gun. got my first buck with that gun a few years after that I shoot a doe a about 350 yards to descibe the distictive sound that these gun made my other brother was 3 mile away & when he got back he ask me what I got I ask how he know I shoot, he said there's only one gun that makes that sound & told me how many shots I toke
we had that gun pro. redone for him when he was shot in a domestic dispuit, he had to retire afer that . now I think I'am going to see if I can find one I do like that gun
good idea thou on getting it redone
Greg
12-07-2002, 11:59 AM
#8
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
Posts: 6,270
RE: 30-40 Krag
I shoot the 30/40 Krag ammo in a Ruger No. 3, so my experience is a little different than if I were limited to loading it for a Krag, but I have found it to be very accurate, even with factory ammo. In addition, in the Ruger, it can be loaded to exceed the power of the .308, and almost as good as a .30/'06. Actually, as good as all factory '06 ammo except the Fed. Hi-En. & Horn. Light Magnums!! The .30/40 is a GREAT cartridge!!
Keep yore powder dry!!
Keep yore powder dry!!
