30-40 Krag

GTNMUDY · June 4, 2020, 06:03 PM

My neighbor asked me a question about a old 30-40 Krag.

It belongs to his great grandfather and was asking about the grooves in the barrel.

He claims that their are only 2 groves for the rifling.

He ask me if that could be true.

I have looked on line and can not find any info on the rifling only the twist rate.

Thanks in advance..

tangolima · June 4, 2020, 06:13 PM

Looking down the bore and focus on the beginning of the riflings. Count the number of sharp edges. Divide that by 2 will give you number of grooves.

Professional method is to slug the bore or to have a chamber cast. A gunsmith can do that for a small fee.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Doc Hoy · June 4, 2020, 07:28 PM

... is relatively easy with the right sized lead bullet. Chamber casting is harder. Eutectic metals and such.

mehavey · June 4, 2020, 07:41 PM

4 grooves

mikejonestkd · June 4, 2020, 08:16 PM

My 1898 krag is 4 groove

FrankenMauser · June 4, 2020, 10:04 PM

I believe some DCM Krag carbines were rebuilt with re-profiled surplus 1903 Springfield barrels. (Most of which were 2-groove.)

Even if I didn't remember that tidbit (and even if it is mis-remembering), I still wouldn't doubt it.
The U.S. was messing with 2-groove (and even 1-groove) rifling for 50+ years.
I'd be quite surprised if someone was able to prove that there were never 2-groove Krags.

reloder56 · June 6, 2020, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

I believe some DCM Krag carbines were rebuilt with re-profiled surplus 1903 Springfield barrels. (Most of which were 2-groove.)

Even if I didn't remember that tidbit (and even if it is mis-remembering), I still wouldn't doubt it.
The U.S. was messing with 2-groove (and even 1-groove) rifling for 50+ years.
I'd be quite surprised if someone was able to prove that there were never 2-groove Krags.

FrankenMauser,
You're not mis-remembering. I've seen several U.S. Krag rifles that have been re-barreled with surplus 2 groove Remington 1903A3 barrels. All had cut down Krag stocks and had receivers drilled and tapped for commercial peep sights. They turn up from time to time at gun shows and farm auctions up here in WI.
Gary

GTNMUDY · June 7, 2020, 06:45 AM

Thanks guys.

If it is a 2 groove barrel does it need heavy bullets (180 + gr) to be accurate?

Jim Watson · June 7, 2020, 08:45 AM

Well, the Army shot 150 and 162 grain bullets in them. I don't know of anything that would make heavier bullets better unless it is the Krag throat length.

The two groove barrel is the same as the four groove barrel except they didn't cut two of the grooves, half the time saved on a Pratt and Whitney rifling machine. Groove depth and width are the same.

FrankenMauser · June 7, 2020, 03:54 PM

Shoot what you want.
Don't worry about the 'missing' grooves/lands.

June 4, 2020, 06:03 PM	#1
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	30-40 Krag My neighbor asked me a question about a old 30-40 Krag. It belongs to his great grandfather and was asking about the grooves in the barrel. He claims that their are only 2 groves for the rifling. He ask me if that could be true. I have looked on line and can not find any info on the rifling only the twist rate. Thanks in advance..

June 4, 2020, 07:28 PM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Slugging the bore... ... is relatively easy with the right sized lead bullet. Chamber casting is harder. Eutectic metals and such. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

June 4, 2020, 08:16 PM	#5
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	My 1898 krag is 4 groove __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

June 4, 2020, 10:04 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I believe some DCM Krag carbines were rebuilt with re-profiled surplus 1903 Springfield barrels. (Most of which were 2-groove.) Even if I didn't remember that tidbit (and even if it is mis-remembering), I still wouldn't doubt it. The U.S. was messing with 2-groove (and even 1-groove) rifling for 50+ years. I'd be quite surprised if someone was able to prove that there were never 2-groove Krags. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 7, 2020, 03:54 PM	#10
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Shoot what you want. Don't worry about the 'missing' grooves/lands. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 4, 2020, 06:13 PM	#2
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,816	Looking down the bore and focus on the beginning of the riflings. Count the number of sharp edges. Divide that by 2 will give you number of grooves. Professional method is to slug the bore or to have a chamber cast. A gunsmith can do that for a small fee. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

June 4, 2020, 07:41 PM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	4 grooves

June 7, 2020, 06:45 AM	#8
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	Thanks guys. If it is a 2 groove barrel does it need heavy bullets (180 + gr) to be accurate?

June 7, 2020, 08:45 AM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Well, the Army shot 150 and 162 grain bullets in them. I don't know of anything that would make heavier bullets better unless it is the Krag throat length. The two groove barrel is the same as the four groove barrel except they didn't cut two of the grooves, half the time saved on a Pratt and Whitney rifling machine. Groove depth and width are the same.