Springfield M1898

H

HenryTheNoodle

New member
I was gifted one of these today - great looking rifle, made in 1901 based on the serial number. I'd really like to see if/how it shoots - I assume it will, everything looks good but it needs a cleaning.

I'm going to look for the field strip guide. But any other thoughts or comments before I go dive into this?

Also - I know nothing of the 30-40 caliber. Is that all this will shoot or will anything else work? I can't seem to find much by way of Krag ammo.
 
A Krag in unmolested condition can fetch north of $1000 from a collector.

Your best bet for ammo is to reload.
 
Damn. I'm not a reloader...and this isn't going to be for sale. I'll probably get 'er cleaned up, buy a little ammo for the fun of it, then keep it in the safe for posterity.
 
I have to ask, why field stirp it? This gun has survived for a 110 years without being tinkered with, so why be the first to bugger up the screws? Some people (me included in my youth) just cant leave a good thing alone. As for the caliber, the Krags sights were regulated to fire 220 grain roundnosed bullets at 2000 fps. With my Krags a dose of IMR 4350 can safely launch a 220 grain bullet at 2000 fps and I get 1 hole 5 shot groups at 50 yards on a regular basis. The machining work on the Krags is fabulous, it is said but I cant confirm, that there was more machining operation in the construction of the rear sight of the Krag, than there is in the entire building of a modern gun.
 
The reason for strip is just to clean it fully - the darn thing hasn't seen a drop of cleaner in probably 20+ years - it's been in storage that long. Maybe I'd be better off taking it to a pro ;) The last thing I want to do is mess it up - I'm not an experience rifle guy.

Thanks for all the tips guys, the build on this rifle is simply fantastic.
 
Cheaper than Dirt (unless there is an ammo shortage) has Bitterroot Valley .30-40 for $20.

Everyone told me to clean the front lug area with some bore cleaner and then examine it under a good light with a strong magnifying glass to look for any signs of cracking. Some even suggested dye-penetrant or magna-fluxing it.
 
Try Ammo Engine, you pretty much found everything already but it puts it in one place for you.

Love the Krag, I've got an 1896 got a sporter myself, I reload and I've picked up as well a Lee 200 grain RN cast boolit mould for it as well. I was looking for a 220 grain mould but decided to go with the more afforadable Lee moulds to start with.
 
Congratulations on the Krag. My grandfather and father hunted with them and I picked up mine when I was 16. Luckily, I inherited all their rifles and so I have 3 Krags along with a bunch of other rifles.

You will find that the 30-40 is about the same as the 7,62x54R as far as power. Ammo for it is getting more and more difficult to attain, so I would suggest getting some inexpensive reloading equipment. It will save you money in the long run plus you wont have to go shopping around trying to find the ammo.

I have yet to run across a Krag that wasnt smooth and sweet to fire. Although they are a bit heavy in military form, they make excellent deer rifles. The 3 that I have all shoot 1-2 MOA.

Although originally designed to fire 220gr RN. The Krags seem to like the 180gr loaded with IMR 4350 the best.......just a personal observation on my 3.
 
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