1898 Krag Action

[RCK]

I have a complete, correct, 1898 action with trigger guard and guard screws. It is in very good condition with about 90% original finish. What would be a fair price for this action on todays market?

[Dick Hosmer]

That's hard to say. Appeal/demand is probably going to be low, because building a rifle from parts is extremely expensive.

But, now that brand new barrels are available, some hunter might want to build up a backup gun without caring about investing in all the extra bits needed to make a military-looking specimen. I'd suggest you monitor Gunbroker and make comparisons, noting what is getting bids (and at what price) and what isn't.

[jon_norstog]

One year when I was feeling rich I had a custom rifle built up on a Krag action. The 'smith charged me $140 for the action, which was gathering dust in his shop. I had the lunchbox and side cover color case hardened and he cut a tapered octagonal barrel for the rifle. Plus he found a premium-grade piece of wood already inlet and roughed-out. The whole thing came to about $1200. (He really liked Krags. he said, "everyone likes a Krag.")

jn

[Pentz]

I'm with you, Jon. "Just for 'because'" is the best (I was going to say 'bestus' but Parashooter may be reading) reason I can think of. I've been thinking of a Krag built up with a round-to-octagon barrel myself. The action and barrel are easy; the stock may be the challenge. And there is the issue of money....

[13Echo]

I recently bought an 1898 action much like you describe for $160. It's being given a 20" barrel and a full length stock with a receiver sight for my "walking about woods and hog" rifle. What's need got to do with it anyway?

Jerry Liles

[psteinmayer]

Last time I was at the CMP North Store, I saw a couple 1898 barreled receivers for around $50 each. The Barrels fit the proverbial "Sewer Pipe" classification... but would be a great leaping off point for a similar build up. Maybe next time I'm there, I'll see what's on the rack!

[Pentz]

Has anyone made a dedicated cast-shooting rifle from a Krag action - Modern barrel, fancy stock and scope? I think the stock may be the difficult part to get.

[psteinmayer]

My cutoff sporter is what I am going to use. The stock is not a purpose built "Bench Rest" stock... but rather a sporting stock - I'm going to make that work. I mounted a Kraghaus scope rail and a long-eye-relief scope. I should probably take a picture of it with the scope mounted, but here's a couple of it in it's previous life as a hunting rifle.

[Pentz]

I may mount the Kraghaus atop my '96 for grins. See how she shoots when I can bear down on the target!

[madsenshooter]

I have the makings, just haven't put them together. Got an already drilled and tapped for a Weaver mount receiver, a heavy Wilson 6 groove barrel that is threaded and partially chambered, and an old stock that someone carved benchrest thick. Alternatively, I have a stock blank that would wind up more a sporter, but still heavy.

[psteinmayer]

Here are a few pictures of my cutoff sporter with the Kraghaus mount and scope. The mount uses the rear sight holes and screws... and I had to (carefully) drill and tap a third hole for the rear screw. I used a 6x32 taper head stainless machine screw.

[Kragrifle]

Careful there, I think that qualifies as an assault rifle in Maryland!

[psteinmayer]

LOL Krag... You got that right!

[Pentz]

I wonder what the Colonel would have thought of this iteration of his scout rifle? I think it looks better than my GSR. Now I'm on the hunt for a Krag that is beyond redemption.