303 british extractor?

[shjoe]

cruising ebay recently and noted a "krag 303 british extractor" for sale. I was unaware that there was such an item. couldn't find a mention in poyers book. were krags converted to 303 british? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Springfield...4/263668199566. thanks, john

[Dick Hosmer]

Since the same guy offers a Krag .308 bolt body, it's a fairly safe bet that he is as full of s**t as a Christmas goose!

[Parashooter]

Looks like a simple case of seller ignorance. Note their additional listing of "Springfield Armory 1898 Krag .308 Bolt Body" showing a normal 1898 bolt. (Later - I see Mr. Hosmer posted similar advice while I was preparing mine. "Simulpost"!)

Most US Krags will feed .303 British ammo and a stout turn of the bolt will "re-form" the .303 case to fit the .30-40 chamber. Firing .303 would be problematic due to slightly larger bullet diameter and ~15% higher pressure than .30-40 standards. Image below has some .303 cartridges successfully chambered (NOT fired) in a US M1898 Krag.

303inKrag.JPG

[shjoe]

great info parashooter and dick. I was thinking of getting a spare extractor. a would think that a 308 krag would be a single shot...

[Dick Hosmer]

I'm not sure why anyone would do that. The .30-40 can, without changing anything, be loaded SO close to (basic factory) .308 ballistics as to make any comparison meaningless.

[shjoe]

I am not sure why either, dick. 30-40 is an excellent hunting cartridge as is without having to push the envelope. if I ever needed anything heavier there is always my H&R buffalo classic in 45-70 or my eddystone 338-06. thank you for your insight. best, john

[Kragrifle]

What happens if you actually fire a 303 in a Krag???

[Dick Hosmer]

GUESSING, based on that story about the Krag which survived INCREDIBLE abuse with no locking lug - probably nothing, 99.9% of the time, but who wants to be the exception??

Thankfully, the ammo situation SEEMS to be getting better, if still a bit pricey. Cases which (segregated by rifle) do not require full-length resizing, are used for moderate loads, and which can be annealed if need be, will last a long time - certainly not "forever" but long enough to be a considerable economy, even at $1.50 (+/-) each, new.

[Ned Butts]

With the existence of over size bores you might find that SOME shoot quit well

[Dick Hosmer]

With the existence of over size bores you might find that SOME shoot quit well

True, but, I certainly wouldn't recommend it!!

Using .303 bullets, particularly cast ones, with light loads, in Krag cases, might not be too bad in a worn bore - but I believe the question envisioned a standard .303 service cartridge.

Of course, any such non-standard utilization should be approached VERY carefully.