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Ammo for 1898 Springfield 30-40 Krag ?

ArmchairBronco2
I recently inherited an 1898 Springfield 30-40 Krag that my Granddad lovingly "sporterized" back in The Great Depression.

I'm no expert, but I would grade the gun as Excellent. It has been well cared for over the years without any blemishes on the bbl, stock, bolt, or bore.

I'd like to know whether I can use modern 30-40 Krag shells in this old gun. I've seen various auctions for both vintage and modern 30-40 Krag ammo, but what's the best (and safest) approach for me if I want to do some target shooting with this gun?

Also, what steps (other than cleaning the gun) should I take once I have tracked down the appropriate ammo for this 1898 Springfield?
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The Krag isn't noted for having a particularly strong action, as compared to the Mauser M 98.

    I would take it to a "COMPETENT" gunsmith and have him inspect, headspace and test fire the rifle for safety sake.

    At this late date no telling what Grandpa did or did not do, when he Bubaed the Krag.

    At the very least if you don't want to spend money on a gunsmith, take it out to a gravel pit and tie it down in a old tire. Fire it by pulling on a string tied to the trigger while your behind a rock, out of harms way. Fire a assortment of ammo, make sure it holds together.

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  • ArmchairBronco2
    I think I'd rather pay a gunsmith to check it over and do the deed.

    My step-brother told me that he fired the gun several times -- that would have been more than 25 years ago. Growing up as a kid, we cut our teeth on a Mossberg .410 bolt action shotgun (either the Model 83D or the 183D, with interchangeable chokes -- not sure which one). Back then, the Springfield was "forbidden fruit". We were allowed to hold it and clean it (which we did each time we cleaned the Mossberg after shooting ground squirrels out at the lake). But we were never given permission as kids to shoot the 30-40.

    It's funny: now (all these years later) I've got the Springfield, and I'll take the best care of it I can. The sporterized modifications that Granddad made are beautiful. And if I can find the right ammo (ideally a lighter, modern load just to play it safe), I can even go out and shoot it whenever I want.

    But the gun I *really* want is that old Mossberg bolt action .410 shotgun. Alas, it's nowhere to be found.
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  • richbug
    All the factory ammo out there for the Krag is going to be safe for it assuming that the rifle it in good mechanical shape. SAMMI pressures for are at 40,000 CUP, when most modern cartridges are in the 50-60,000 range. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if the factory ammo from Rem and win are in the 30-35,000 range for liability purposes.

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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  • Ross
    If Grandpa forbade your use of the gun, you might want to look carefully at the bolt at the rear of the locking lug with a good glass. He may not have told you the whole story. The crack is the most common failure of a Krag. I've seen two or three of them, and two of them had been used anyway. One was simply undetected, the other had been brazed.
    None of them had resulted in a kaboom.
    Cheers from Darkest California,
    Ross
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  • ATF
    Get it checked out and enjoy it.I have two and love them both. [^]

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    When a worm wants to relax,does he go fishing? "And remember a wet dog doesn't fly at night" ATF,Eagle Guns
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  • ArmchairBronco2
    Granddad forbade the use of the Krag because it was simply too much gun for any of the 7 grandkids to handle. We all learned how to shoot the .410 Mossberg between the ages of 7 to 12, but it's unlikely that any of us could have fired the Krag without ending up on our rear ends.

    The .410 was a staple of our frequent trips to "The Lake", and under Granddad's careful supervision we used it to clear varmints off his 1-acre lot outside of town and to shoot beer cans (Schlitz, Colt 45, Hamms, and Old Milwaukee to name just a few) off of painted white fence posts. But the Springfield 30-40 Krag remained forever locked up in the gun cabinet downstairs.

    Nevertheless, I'll take your advice and have a qualified gunsmith give the gun a once-over.
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  • TWalker
    I too, have a Krag sporter. Mine is a 1892 version and has as slick an action as I've ever worked. Modern factory ammo will work fine in your Krag, that's the action it's designed for. Probably will be 180 grain bullets. I looked for it first in a couple gun shops. Found some at over $20/box. Then I called all the old hardware stores around the area. I ended up with 8 boxes of relatively old ammo (10-25 years) One store was very happy to UNLOAD all that unsold ammo on someone. I got all 8 boxes for $50. I'm sure you will enjoy your Krag, it's a good shooting rifle that doesn't kick much but has plenty of power. The only difficult thing about a Krag is learning how to remove and replace the bolt. I love watching my friends try to figure it out. Enjoy shooting yours. They are a pleasure to own and the history behind your particular rifle is priceless.

    "Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
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  • modoc
    One NOTE.That rifle wasn't Bubba'd it was grand dad ed.A whole lot of difference. Too bad some people can't see the forest for the trees.To them,if it isn't mint, it is sh-t.Hafta feel sorry for them.

    BILL
    KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.BUT NOT HOT.....single action S&Ws are keepers
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  • gruntled
    Removing & replacing the bolt is not nearly as hard as taking the bolt apart (easy) & putting it back together. (That's the hard part.)
    I would much rather have modern ammo than old ones. I bought two boxes very cheaply that are head-stamped .30 government. The first two I fired split the cases so I don't even want to pull the bullets & use the cases. I wonder if they have any value to cartridge collectors?
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