30-40 krag

[DiggerDirect]

Hi, I recently inherited my dads 30-40 krag carbine, its a model 1898 and a really nice gun, albeit 'old'.

I know he shot it, he took it deer hunting many times, my question is about the ammo, cleaning out his gun room we didn't find any for this one, alot of empty brass but no loaded rounds (altho there is still much to go through) I've been doing some research on it and they seem to be a popular rifle, most say comparable to or slightly more than a 30-30, alittle less than a 308, I never paid much attention to dads reloading and dont know squat about it, are factory rounds available for this rifle? If so, what brand/weight would be best for hunting whitetail deer?

I would like to use it hunting, atleast occasionally, rather than have it become a wall hanger.

[duckidaho]

Remington and Winchester both make 180 gr. factory loads.

[kawalekm]

Hello DD
Congratulations on your Dad's rifle. Sorry though about the circumstances in which you recieved it. You can buy loaded ammo for it on-line, here are two venues, though both are out of stock at the moment.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/66194-5.html
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=248306

You might also call around to your local hunting shops to see if anyone has any in stock. Now is not a good time to be trying to buy ammunition; the stocks of just about every caliber are depleted, and the Krag is not usually a sale item anyway.

Save that empty brass. From your post, it sounds like your Dad was a reloader, so you might already have all the tools to make your own ammo. If so, I'm sure your Dad had some reloading books you can study, then you'll eventually be able to make the same ammo that he once did.
Good luck to you,
Michael

[hunter63]

Sorry to hear about your dad.
Congrats on the rifle, nothing seems to keep their/our memories like taking an 'ol gun hunting.
He would be proud and hunting with you!
THe listed sites are a good sources, also watch local shops, and gun shows.
Look into the reloading end of it too.......also fun.

[DiggerDirect]

Thanks all you guys for the posts, :) I will file those links and keep checking back on them, maybe place an order now if they will back order it just to get in line for some.
I usually always have plenty of ammo on hand, rifle, shotgun, Bpowder & balls and didn't realize just how much of a 'shortage' there is out there right now. Today checking traps I ran into a couple deer hunters and they were telling me what a time they have had gettin ammo lately, hec even 12 gauge slugs in these parts have gotten scarce and are goin upwards of 6 dollars a box! (of 5). I haven't bought any in a few years but pretty sure I paid 1.99 at Dick's Sporting goods last time, glad I bought 20 boxes!
One fella told me the local Walmart wouldn't sell him 9mm ammo because he doesn't have a pistol permit and are getting real testy on selling any ammo to a person unless you jump through a half dozen hoops & barrels. Wonder whats up with that.

Dad has a ton of reloading books, alot of notes, ect. ect. and I'm thinking It'll make good winter reading studying up on the subject.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Al

[flatwater]

My story with the 30/40 starts back with my grandfather who bought it used. Then my Dad got it and handed it down to me. Smoothest gun I ever had. I did a 300 yard shot with it (lucky) most were in the 100 or less yards. Mine had an off set scope. The hard part for me was shooting it because I am left handed. There was not a place that sold ammo that didn't have at least one box for the 30/40

[gunsmoke]

The .30-40 Krag is one of the great old crtridges. While both Remington and Winchester catalog a load the production runs are limited to once a year and in number its just a matter of the size of the market.

I'm very sorry for your loss, I lost my Dad almost 8 years ago.

I'm sure the Krag will allow you to make some new memories with his rifle. It is definitely worth working with and hunting with, I hope you enjoy using it and handloading for it. With the right bullet and bullet placement it is plenty enough gun for anything in North America. Remember it uses .308 diameter bullets so any of the bullets for the .30-30 .308 .30-06 can be loaded on the Krag.

[Mr.B]

I'm not sure how much you know about the Krag. But heres a link you can follow with some info on the rifle and how to take it apart.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/uskragrifle/index.asp

-B