Springfield 1898 rifle

[Bradu]

My dad was given this by a guy we coyote hunted with over twenty years ago and it looks like it is in good shape especially considering the age. I was looking at it today and I don't know that much about it so I figured I would ask here rather than google and get some bad information. For some reason I really want to shoot it even though it probably should just be left in the safe. I will take my camera with me next time I go over and take a couple pics to show the condition of it, the wood is pretty good shape and the metal has had some rust on it at one time but looks like it was just surface rust.

 

[garandman]

Sounds like an 1898 Krag Jorgensen. If so, it prolly shoots 30-40 Krag ammo.


See the top rifle...

 

[Bradu]

Yep, that's the one. We have an old box of ammo with just empties, I'm guessing the old guy used it when we coyote hunted.

 

[garandman]

You can buy and shoot the commercially loaded ammo in it.

 

[Bradu]

That's what I wanted to hear! I will get some ordered and take it out sometime and see how it shoots even though it looks like it will kick like a mule.

 

[garandman]

No worse than 30-06. A little less, I'd say....

 

[Bradu]

That won't be too bad then although looking at the steel butt pad it doesn't look too comfortable Really makes a guy appreciate what we have today but it really is a smooth action especially considering the age of it.

 

[mallrat]

I've always heard the Krag is a smooth action. I'd go for a slip on recoil pad for comfort, but I've probably gone soft.

 

[garandman]

The real pain shooting this rifle is the $2.00 / round for commercially loaded ammo.

 

[kraigWY]

You'd be surprised, the Krag doesn't kick that much. You'll also find it's about the smoothest action you'll find on a bolt action. If you load, don't load faster then 2000 FPS with the 220 bullet, you stand a chance of breaking the recoil lugs.

What sights do you have on yours. Mine have the 1901 sights and its pretty darn accurate.

 

[Bradu]

I'm not sure what the sights are on it, didn't know they had different styles back then. I don't really have any intentions of shooting it enough to reload for it but I would like to clean it up good and shoot it every once in a while.

 

[flylo]

One of my favorite old rifles & one of thevfew you can reload while keeping one loaded in the chamber ready to go. You can do that with the Johnson also.

 

[Former0302]

The 1898 Krag is a great rifle. Probably the fastest and smoothest bolt action ever designed. The .30/40 Krag is ballistically very similar to the .30-30 Winchester. In a full sized rifle, not too much kick at all. In a carbine, you'll feel it a little bit.

 

[samnev]

The 1898 Krag is a great rifle. Probably the fastest and smoothest bolt action ever designed. The .30/40 Krag is ballistically very similar to the .30-30 Winchester. In a full sized rifle, not too much kick at all. In a carbine, you'll feel it a little bit.

Agreed, great rifle and fun to shoot if you reload. I shoot mine with the Lyman 311291 cast bullet.