.30/40 Krag to 7.62x54

[Guest kcraig514]

Hey guys,

I've got a Springfield 1898 .30/40 Krag with a new barrel on it. The new barrel was bigger in diameter than the old one. The guy that put the barrel on also butchered the stock (sporterized?!?). This was done years ago when the rifle belonged to my dad. Could it be re-chambered to a less expensive round like 7.62x54 or any other caliber? I've been a machinist for 25 yrs and have a lathe, I'd just need to rent a reamer if this is possible. Thanks!

[xjsnake]

It's been done with an enfield

 

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=120&t=15606&sid=c2e43e100c812be6c1794c18699fc228

 

Might could be done to a Krag

[Guest kcraig514]

Another thing I just thought of is the overall length of the rounds. How do they compare? The Krag has a trap door type magazine and I know the rounds would have to be very close to the same length to work.

[Garufa]

The 30-40 case is about 5mm longer so that might be a problem. 

[DMark]

I think you would also have feeding issues out of the Krag's box magazine.

 

Also, 7.62x54R is a higher pressure round.

 

I would suggest a re-barrel to 30-40 Krag.

 

https://estore.thecmp.org/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=065CRI/3040R&item=&sfv=&cat=BAR&desc=&udc=&mct=&vndr=&ba=&pmin=&pmax=&note1=&note2=&note3=&note4=&note5=&max=

[Guest kcraig514]

Since the 7.62R is 5mm shorter than the .30/40, I suspect there would be no material to ream the chamber to fit the taper of the 7.62R casing without doing something serious like facing the barrel off to take up the 5mm. I have no idea how the barrel comes off (I'm guessing it's threaded (?) Anybody wanna trade for a Mosin?

[LngRngShtr]

What about rechambering to .30-30 Winchester ?  lower pressure more in line with a .30-40 I think  and pretty easy to reload for and a decent all around cartridge also rimmed

 

Also a .30-40 Krag is .308 and a 7.62x54R is .311  if by diameter you mean that the barrel is .311 you could run it as a .303 British or .303 Epps  also lower pressure vs. the 7.62x54R  and would still perform well

 

random thoughts,

   John

[DWARREN123]

I believe the receiver will not be strong enough to rechamber to 7.62X54R.

[Guest kcraig514]

What about rechambering to .30-30 Winchester ?  lower pressure more in line with a .30-40 I think  and pretty easy to reload for and a decent all around cartridge also rimmed

 

Also a .30-40 Krag is .308 and a 7.62x54R is .311  if by diameter you mean that the barrel is .311 you could run it as a .303 British or .303 Epps  also lower pressure vs. the 7.62x54R  and would still perform well

 

random thoughts,

   John

I assumed (my bad) by converting 7.62 to inches I got .30. So I thought both were the same diameter. When I stated the barrel diameter was bigger, I meant the outside diameter. I thinks that's why he butchered the stock.

[gregintenn]

I don't follow you. A 30-40 Krag should have a .308 bore diameter. What is the bore of the barrel on your rifle? Couldn't you just load 30-40 Krag cases with bullets of the proper diameter rather than rechambering?

[Guest kcraig514]

I'm looking to rechamber to a 7.62x54R because the ammo is cheaper.

[Guest kcraig514]

I think I'll just put down a couple hundred for a Mosin.

[gregintenn]

I'd just trade it for a Mosin.

[DMark]

I don't think the lugs on the Krag bolt will handle 7.62x54R