The Krag Came Home Today

[cpt dan blodgett]

Hit the range again today with the light 4350 load.  Using the V sight the groups were not as good as yesterday but 5 -6 inches is probably good at 100.  Actually shot better at 200 as the groups were in the 9 0 10 inch range vs the linear 10 - 12 inch range.

Must be canting the rifle a little in prone as I shoot about 3 or 4 inches to the right of the bench groups.  Sling is a little to short to use a hasty sling for support.

Both sitting and prone much improved over yesterday.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Noticed that the front band holding the sling was loose and had slid forward a couple of inches.  That may have affected the groups on saturday.  Tightened it up, should now stay where it belongs.  Will see if next trip to range I get better groups.

Watched the Rough Riders tonight for motivation.  To bad they don't mention the 6th infantry in the attack.

Did manage to hone the hole in my Krag Bayonet to fit the new barrel.

[Lastchip]

Whoa! What a beautiful Krag, the wood looks fantastic. Do you have any pictures of the rifle before the trip to the gun smith? And if I may ask, who did the rehab on the stock?
 
A proud looking '98, my compliments
David
Lastchip

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[cpt dan blodgett]

No I do not have any pictures.  The rifle actually looked the same.  The guy I got it from had all the bluing done with the excption of the receiver.  He also put on the new boyds stock.  I probably rather hastily had the barrel replaced with I could not get 30 30 bullets to hit a 25 yard target.  Perhaps .311 gas checked 303 bullets would have worked.

Saber River did a great job installing and rebluing the new criterion barrel I bought from DCM.  Guess 111 years of rust made getting the old barrel off a chore.

In anycase I now have a new shiny 111 year old rifle.  Calling it a 1901 due to the 1901 sight.  Really do not know when it was orginally made.

The current sling purchased off ebay is something like 62  inches long vs the 66 inch standard and is not long enough to wrap around my arm to use as a hasty sling or sling diagonally across my back.  Have ordered a 72 incher from world war supply

[Charles Isaac]

That sure is a fine looking rifle Cap'n Dan!

How about this one-got 'er all messed up!

[Niederlander]

You going to fix that one, Charles?

[Charles Isaac]

I fixed it, but still haven't put any stain and linseed on it.

[cpt dan blodgett]

A little accuraglas and you will be back in business.

Becareful who you buttstroke.

[Lastchip]

Cpt Dan@ Thanks for the info, it is a handsome rifle. Looking forward to your range report, I’m sure she’ll treat you good.

This past weekend, I  joined the Brotherhood of the Krag. When I stumbled upon a lovely Model 98 rifle that followed me home.  If the Serial number charts found on the Internet are accurate, she is of 1903 vintage.

As for a sling for my new girl, I followed Drydock’s link to the Mills web sling offered by WPG and ordered one, but thanks for the lead to the WWS website, looks like a great resource.

[cpt dan blodgett]

The web sling is really probably a better choice, certainly allows for finer adjustment

[cpt dan blodgett]

Received the WWS sling today.  Pro's and cons vs the sling purchased of ebay previously.
The ebay procured sling has thicker leather but is 64 inches log, too short to use as a hasty sling to support firing.

WWS is plenty long at 72 inches but can still be tightened just fine for parade adjustment.  Offers plenty of slack to use as a hasty sling.  Keepers seem to be a little on the small side but you can get the sling installed properly.  
Easiest way to install with the tight keepers
Start with hooks pointed to muzzle and rifle.
Thread long end thru keeper, then sling swivel on butt
When threading sling thru keepers always keep the splice on keeper towards rifle.
Thread back thru keeper
Slide on the front keeper
Thread sling thru front swivel
Thread back thru front keeper
Thread between two layers of leather in bottom keeper
Thread over and thru bottom swivel  install button
Adjust sling hook in desired holes slide front keeper down onto hook.

While probably not significant sling is marked with Rock Island Armory Stamp
When I talked to the guy at WWS was told they sent an original sling to the manufacture to be replicated in detail.

Having never seen an original rock island 1887 sling cannot vouch for authenticity of the reproduction.

[Pitspitr]

I'll have to get mine out and look at it.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Forgot to mention the WWS sling is a dark brown vs a kinda pale brown greyish tan of the Ebay sling.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Well the gods are conspiring against me.  Yesterday, set up a match at Ben Avery, plan was to get in some reasonably serious practice at 300 yards with the Krag, after we finished setting up.  The range folks were working on the end berm about 20 yards to the right of the place we set our Quigley bucket.  So I could not shoot.  Today, during the actual long range match, the other shooters were kind enough to let me get a few shots in.  Was able to get windage right, at the 300 yard sight setting I am a little low.  Only had time for 4 shots kinda bracketed the target trying the old Kaintuck windage for elevation.

Think I need to move the sight slightly forward to get where I can take a good 6 O'clock and hit the target.