6mm Krag

[JKBeall]

Good morning,

I am new to the forum, new to reloading, and new to custom weapons. I have been the average hunter and shooter most of my life, but I finally have a little extra time and money to start getting into the finer details of shooting.

My first deer rifle was a sporterized 1898 30-40 Krag. I still love it, but always wanted to push it faster for longer range. The original action won't safely allow it. In my research I learned of the 30-40 AI. I found a lot of good info on this forum, and was debating between a Saimese Mauser or P14/17 action to build off of.

As I was searching gunbroker for actions, I stumbled onto a receiver/barrel combo for 6mm Krag built on a P14. Obviously, I bought it so I could see the details of it was built and if it functions properly. I was pleasantly surprised to see it looks pretty well built, and it appears to never been used after the built.

As I begin this journey, I am hoping one of you could help me out. I know I can order custom dies IF I have rounds to send the company. I currently have zero reloading equipment, much less what I need to neck down some 30-40 brass to 6mm.

Does anyone here still load this round, and if so, would you be willing to sell me a few cartridges so I can order reloading dies? Or sell me some dies if you have any you don't use? I appreciate any help. Thanks.

Jason

 

[3Ackleys]

Welcome!
I have been loading/shooting going on 5 decades, and I have not heard of the 6mm Krag before today. I would like to see a pic. of one if you get one. Sorry I can't help but good luck.

 

[JKBeall]

Thanks. Here are some of the pics of the P14 I bought, and one of the cartridge specs.

 

[358WCF]

The barrel says nothing about Ackley like your drawing does. Could it be just a plain old 6mm Krag? It might be best to get a chamber cast done to be sure exactly what you have. Brownell's sells the stuff. If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, a good gunsmith should be able to do it for you.

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I wonder if this is what you're looking for per your drawing?

6mm Ackley Krag Long

 

[abishai]

I would try to find brass first . It seems to be fairly scarce .

 

[XTR]

As noted, you need to get a chamber cast to see what you actually have, after you gather your stuff together you should be able to use 243 loading data ….Within reason. The 30US or 30-40 K has effectively the same capacity as a 308, which is the base case for the 243.

I have a Ruger #3 wearing #1 furniture with a long barrel that I shoot with cast bullets.

 

[JKBeall]

358WFC,

There was a Norwegian 6.5x55 Krag, but no 6mm Krag produced. Only thing I found was Ackley's design for the 6mm. Whoever installed the custom barrel marked it. A barrel cast would probably be best. I appreciate the idea and link.

I couldn't find info on a die set, but that looks like exactly what I need! I will reach out to them. Hopefully they can produce it without a round. Maybe they could use the chamber cast.

As far as brass, I have kept all my 30-40 casings over the years. I have enough to start, and will pick more up where and when I can.

 

[358WCF]

JK,

I realize there was never a factory 6mm Krag. Wildcatters have been plying their dreams almost since the 1st brass cartridge case was produced which is why I suggested a chamber cast.

There are no real standards for wildcats. Twenty thou here, a 15* change of angle, & forty thou there add up to a regular cluster coitus if you get the wrong tools. FWIW, there was also an Ackley short version of the 6mm Krag Improved. See pp 309 & 310 of Volume 1 of his "Handbook."

Welcome to the world of oddball cartridges from days of yore.

CH is good folks, but they were really busy last I talked to them... like a 7 or 8 month wait. Send them an email. They will get back to you.

 

[JKBeall]

I never realized I could have a one-of-one caliber, so I will definitely do a cast to verify.

I ordered both of Ackley's volumes to reference as a starting point. I should have them soon.

I sent them a message on their website. I am in no rush. I need to get a stock, mount and finish the stock, mount a scope, get equipment to reload, all while still working and doing the family thing. This will likely be a year or more process to get everything worked out and complete.

 

[clowdis]

If you do have a 6mm-Krag AI you can buy some Newlon dies and rent this reamer to make yourself some dies. https://4drentals.com/product/6mm-krag-long-ackley-improved/ They will be a little large for sizing at the case head but you can set the neck and shoulder back just fine (it headspaces off the rim) and shoot all you want.

 

[JKBeall]

Thanks for the link. If the cast shows it is the 6mm short version, I will be reaming it out to the Ackley Long version. More material on reloading and better velocity. Should be simpler to load as well.

Never considered reaming my own dies. I will keep it in mind if I can't find a ready made set.

 

[Zero333]

Knowing the twist rate would also help knowing what bullets you could fire.

I can run Quickload data for you once you have the twist rate figured out... Just PM me.

 

[JKBeall]

I did the tape and cleaning rod method a few times and it came out to a 10.25 or 10.5 twist rate. Probably a straight 1:10 because I'm not calibrated. Standard for the krag rounds.

 

[boltman13]

I inherited some old Shooters Digest Annual books from my father. I remember reading an article in one of them, but do not recall the author or the year of the Annual. They were all from the late 50's and early 60's. the author spoke highly of the accuracy he was getting, but I doubt it was comparable to today's accuracy standards. Good luck in your search.