Found my CB Krag today - 1896

[Pentz]

I think my search for an unmodified CB Krag may be over [at least for the first one ].
Today at a small show I found an original 1896 sn 66928 (1897) with an 1898 bolt. It had been through Benicia but for the bolt iis otherwise unmodified. The bore is mirror bright with sharp corners to the lands and the leade is still sharp. It slugged to .3075 ahead of the throat and at the muzzle. I'm pretty much of a bore *hore so this sealed the deal. Sights appear to be the first series for the 1896.

Some pics attached. Comments and observations welcomed. I'm not familiar with the SRS is this worth pursuing? Hope to get it out Tuesday with some of my 311299s sized to .310 and .311 over 16-18 gr of 2400. Cheers...
DSC03180..jpgDSC03182..jpgDSC03185..jpgDSC03173..jpgDSC03195..jpg

[Pentz]

A few more

DSC03187..jpgDSC03191..jpgDSC03193..jpgDSC03177..jpg

[madsenshooter]

Hard to find a tight barrel, but there's a few of them out there. How about the bore diameter, the distance from the top of one land to the other, the usual .301 or smaller?

[Pentz]

Just below the muzzle it slugs .300-.301, but my Lyman manual caliper has wide bearing surfaces and I can't completely match the lands. The throat is a frog hair larger. Any trick for measuring the lands?

On a side note, would it be unethical to pursue a nice '96 bolt for this rifle?

[psteinmayer]

Very sweet looking ride, my man!!! It should perform amazing!!!

[madsenshooter]

Just below the muzzle it slugs .300-.301, but my Lyman manual caliper has wide bearing surfaces and I can't completely match the lands. The throat is a frog hair larger. Any trick for measuring the lands?

On a side note, would it be unethical to pursue a nice '96 bolt for this rifle?

Just to use the skinny portion of the caliper. Otherwise one would need a blade micrometer to get down into the rifling impressions. I think the bolt is fine as is, it's a reflection of the Benicia rebuild and part of the rifle's history.

[Dan Shapiro]

+1, it is what it is and has the stamp to prove it.

[Pentz]

Good tip on the caliper; I get .299. I misspoke earlier - was using my Lyman micrometer, not caliper. The slugging was done with 00 buck. Need to get some sinkers for a better bearing surface. Will drop the idea of changing bolts.

[madsenshooter]

Nice one. If you take it apart sometime, see if it has a star down around the barrel's P proofmark.

[Rick the Librarian]

I will have to show my ignorance for the world to see -- what's a "CB" Krag??