Grandpa's old rifle

[Ryridesmotox]

Pretty sure he got this thing from a barrel at Sears in like 1950 for $18.

I wish he didn't sporterize it though. It looks like it would have been in decent shape, even though it hasn't been maintained much over the last 120 years or so. Seems to be a 1902 or 1903 production based on serial range (depending on the source I found).

I wanted to take it back to all original, but seeing as the receiver has been drilled for the redfield aperture sight, I suppose I should just shoot it and not feel too guilty.

 

[hino895]

Yep clean it up and shoot it.
Those 30/40s are a hoot to shoot.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Lucky bastard!!!!

Enjoy!! In the pantheon of Krag Butchery.... sight holes are nothing!

Put some grub screw plugs in and shoot it!

sirhr

 

[Ryridesmotox]

Lucky bastard!!!!

Enjoy!! In the pantheon of Krag Butchery.... sight holes are nothing!

Put some grub screw plugs in and shoot it!

sirhr

Do you think it is critical to have screws in there? Like for safety purposes?

Yep clean it up and shoot it.
Those 30/40s are a hoot to shoot.

Yea I'm going to get done dies for it and reload some nice easy loads for it


Speaking of that, anyone know a good recipe for 30-40?

I have noticed that this is seriously the smoothest action ever and an excellent trigger. That single lug lock up let it down, but its smooth as a stripper's bare ass

 

[JohnK454]

Wonderful shooters! A caseful of WC872 under a Lyman 311284 works wonderfully well.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

The screws are not going to do anything for safety. It is plenty safe. The screws are for aesthetics.
Beautiful rifle!
Cheers
Sirhr

 

[Foul Mike]

I have 2 of these rifles. One is shorter than the other and has the peep sight on it and was an Uncles rifle. He did all of the butchering on the stock and drilling and tapping. He was not good at either woodworking or sight mounting.

The longer one is in fine original shape as far as metal goes but Jesus wept when the stock got "Sporterized"
The butchering and add on pieces on the original stock would make anyone cry. It is the ugliest thing I own.

I wish I could find an original stock and related metal parts to restore it. It would be nice then.

If anyone knows where to find those parts I would like to know as the barrel and action are in very fine shape, still has the original sights.

It is a shame what those Old Farts did to these rifles but at the time Popular Mechanics, etc. had a lot of articles such as, "How to Sporterize your 30/40 Krag" and all of them followed along, and they were cheap back then.

I would love to restore the good one I have got. It does shoot really fine and the metal is in good condition.