"To shoot, or not to shoot, that is the question"

[Rick the Librarian]

I stripped and did some cleaning of the 1899 carbine I described below and took a good look at the barrel. The bore is excellent, as are the internals. However, the outside has quite a bit of pitting with some "chunks" looking like 3/32" deep (although I have no way to measure.

While it IS my decision and I put NO "burden" on anybody on the forum, but what do you think? Shoot or not shoot? Or if I shoot, just light loads?

http://www.fototime.com/40C8C536CF21745/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/329C7C8E6E30C89/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/6B041CEFDDD0F4A/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/4207335E09858B6/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/A419F66BED1E841/standard.jpg

(Again, apologies for the hasty pictures!)

[Griff Murphey]

I shoot loads which are typically about 3 to 5 grains below starting loads in my Krags because they shoot well and I see no reason to work those old guns harder than that. Plus, recoil is pleasant. I would shoot your gun with any of my loads.

Save your brass, save some powder, save your shoulder.

Pushing it for Elk, that is a game I will leave to others....

[Rick the Librarian]

I'm just wondering if the barrel can take it. I have developed some very light loads, using six grains of Red Dot, which produces about the kick of a 22 Magnum, if that.

[Pentz]

I'd have to wonder what the condition of the barrel/receiver threading is like. Personally, I'd not shoot it. Nothing to gain, possibly some to lose.

[Rick the Librarian]

You're probably right - it is tempting, given the condition of the bore and the internals. But, on the other hand, I given the same information countless times in regards to low numbered M1903s - why take the chance when there are other rifles at hand with which there is no question of safety.

[sdkrag]

I would use the truck tire test meathod if the urge absolutly overcomes you.

[sdkrag]

Should have been method.

[Rick the Librarian]

As I said above, I may try it with the light load I described above, but I don't think I'll use anything "full" on it.

[jon_norstog]

Rick,

There's way more American steel there than there is pitting. I'd shoot that piece, yeah maybe start out with the truck tire "meathod" but work up to a light load that shoots well - something in the range of a 32-40 velocity and bullet weight. And I would defiantly take it to the range and show it off to all and sundry.


jn

[gnoahhh]

For what it's worth, I had a carbine 30+ years ago that was rusted as badly as this one, and I shot the heck out of it. Doesn't make it right though.

[Mark Daiute]

Send it to me and I'll fire it!

[madsenshooter]

I would too, in Hatcher's notebook the General tells of turning down an 03 barrel until it was only 1/16" thick over the chamber area, actually about where the neck/shoulder junction would be, and that held with three service rounds. A 75,000psi proof round blew it out though. This Krag barrel, though deeply pitted has a lot more thickness than 1/16" left. Having said that, I believe however that the Krag barrel is a softer steel than other rifle barrels. I see a lot of reports of ringed chambers or barrels on the web, one of them mine, caused by using too much of compressible filler.

[Mark Daiute]

I had an 1892 with a barrel about like that one that I shot a fair amount. Unfortunately the bore in mine was marginal at best. It had been sporterized and I wish I still had it with what I know now. Funny thing is, I never thought to question the safety of firing it.

God looks after drunkards and fools.

[Irish Rob]

This question comes up in the British Militaria Forum a lot with old Martinis and Sniders. Are the pits deeper than a sight dovetail? Would you shoot a barrel with a dovetail cut in it?

[Beachbumbob]

This question comes up in the British Militaria Forum a lot with old Martinis and Sniders. Are the pits deeper than a sight dovetail? Would you shoot a barrel with a dovetail cut in it?

Well said and straight to the point!

[Rick the Librarian]

I'll start out with those light loads I mentioned earlier and go from there.

[gnoahhh]

This question comes up in the British Militaria Forum a lot with old Martinis and Sniders. Are the pits deeper than a sight dovetail? Would you shoot a barrel with a dovetail cut in it?

Not to mention a barrel with drilled and tapped sight holes.

[BradW]

As mentioned, I've seen more than a few sporter krags with dovetail cuts for sporting sights deeper than pitting, I wouldn't give it a thought.

[Rick the Librarian]

I wondered, if perhaps the corrosion and pitting might have weakened the barrel. Always best to be careful in situations like these.

[Johnny P]

If you have Hatcher's Notebook, he tells of turning a 1903 Springfield barrel down to 1/8" wall thickness and firing it with both regular and high pressure cartridges with no ill effects. He turned the barrel down to 1/16"over the chamber and fired it with regular service loads with no ill effects. He then fired a 75,000 pound proof load in it, and it blew a chunk out of the chamber area. A pretty good indication of the strength of military barrels.