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I was just googling "Krag sporter" to see what I would find and an low and behold, top of the list: an old thread from 2011. A couple of nice sporters, and a lot of missing photos but still worth a spin threw the thread for anyone that wants. Most of you probably posted on it.
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=215394&page=1

i suppose I like the Krag because of the history, how well made they are, and because they are such an interesting mechanism. There is a genius in the design that I just have to admire. I also suspect it was the most carefully machined, fitted, and finished firearm the US ever issued. It's not the greatest bolt action of its day but it certainly is an interesting one and it has a Cool factor that's hard to deny.

Jerry Liles

I must jump in as another Krag enthusiast. I'm not all that much of a great hunter, but I have a '96, probably a Bannerman conversion, that I have carried for a lot of miles and just love it. Mine has a Redfield "no drill" receiver sight that is great for snap shooting.

There are tens of thousands of used Krags in "sporter" configuration, worked on by the great masters on the high end (few & pricey) to Bubba in the basement on the low end (plentiful & in the $200-$400 range).

There are 3 slightly different types of US-made Krag actions.

1. Those marked with the year only (no "Model") are either 1892s or 1892s with some 1896 modifications.

2. The Model 1896 has a slot machined into the rear of the right side of the action. It makes a little box to hold the bolt handle. The 1896 would be my 1st choice. Just a little classier.

3. Model 1898. Marked as such. The little box to hold the bolt handle was eliminated.

Many Krags are great cast bullet rifles. The bore has to be good and the bullet needs to be a thou or two over groove diameter. The critical part is the chamber neck. The neck must be big enough to allow you to smoothly chamber a case with the proper diameter cast bullet.

If you find one that appears to be in some sort of military condition, leave it for the collectors of such things.

Waterman, have no fear, I will not be mucking up a military-configured rifle. I'm looking for stock lines that a pleasing and a rifle that handles well. The rifles that you guys have been talking about all these years, custom conversions, are what I'm after. The rifle I want can be used hard, but so long as it was well cared for, and has a lot of miles left in her, I'll be okay.

It will be a fun hunt and I'm sure in need of one. The turkeys have been beating me badly this year, so maybe I can bag a rifle instead.

I'm going to look at 1903 and Krags and hold out for one that suits my fancy as it stands without further customizing. Cracked stocks and the like are okay. I can work with those, but I'm not looking for cherry rifle, nor an absolute beater. It's one of those, I'll know it when I see it sort of deals.

It is amazing how much better looking Krags have become in the last few days, since PhyDoc suggested I consider Krags, and Jerry and the rest of you have campaigned for them on this thread. Still got a ways to go though

Brent, when looking at Krags and 03s, hold the rifle lovingly, close your eyes and work the bolt a couple of times. Your fingers will tell you which one to buy.

Some Krags have cracked bolts. What you look for is a crack behind the locking lug. No need to go into magnafluxing or such. Either you can see it or you can't. To me, chip out of the rim or collar around the bolt face is not a big deal, just evidence of abuse. The crack in the bolt should knock about $80 to $100 off the purchase price, but it should not be a deal-breaker. Replacement bolts are pretty easy to find.

When looking at a lot of Krags, my left thumb gets sore from pulling up on the extractor just before you turn the bolt handle to remove the bolt. I have taken to using the handle of an old toothbrush to lift the extractor.

Also, be on the lookout for conversions to .22 LR. They are rare but they do exist. I have played extensively with one that was turned into a pretty nice sporter. They look almost like every other Krag. If you find one, be sure to let it distract you.

How about a Lee-Metford/Lee-Enfield? A classic as well, and the .303 actually came out as a BP round (as a temporary 'provisinary' load, but still had a number of colonial conflicts fought with it).

And "bubbulated" Lee Enfields are easier to find and fix than decent Krags. The rounds are about identical except for the ease of finding Krag .308 vs. SMLE .311 jacketed bullets, obviously not an issue if you're rolling your own lead bullets.

If a person doesn't have a Krag sporter and shoot lead bullets through it, he is missing one of the great pleasures of being a rifleman. Last fall I acquired a Model 1898 redone by a 1910 era home guncraftsman. He grafted on a pistol grip almost undetectably, checkered the pistol grip and under the fore arm in a flat pattern (it pointed up beautifully), added a steel grip cap and mounted the windage adjustable Lyman #34. Mike Petrov told me it was one of the best of its sort he had seen.I have been shooting it this Spring a lot, and predictably it likes the Ideal 308284, less so 308274. The Yankee version of Sam Squib's 169 gr. SP (aka 311413) does very well at 1,450 fps. 308280 is all over the target. I've got a lot of 30 cal. molds and hope by the end of the summer to try 3081-200 and 3082-165 as well as 308223 170 and a couple of other Walter Hudson's designs.
I always liked to use a black 2.5 inch bull with a six o'clock hold and have no trouble getting 1.5 inch groups with the 308284 at a hundred, but at 64 I may have to try a four inch bull this year.
I have another economy grade Krag sporter that shoots 311291 under an inch most days. It's been in my battery for 35 years and has a Redfield receiver sight

k1902 - Can you post some pictures of our rifle? Sounds very nice and I'm a sucker for bolt on pistol grips on some singleshots.

Oh yes. I'd like to see too. I'm also very interested in your cast bullet loads. Alloy, lube, propellent, charge, etc.

Jerry Liles