New to me rifle? MAYBE!

[badgeredd]

Just got back from a local gunshop and found way too may toys for my budget.
BUT on the upside I found 2 rifles that really interest me and are within my meager budget. The first is a 30-40 Krag with an excellent core that has been mildly sporterized. The second is a Remington 7X57R Rolling block which seems to be original and has a very good bore.

My quandry is which is the most desireable for cast bullets?

Anyone have thoughts on it and why?

[Bullshop]

30/40 long neck, rim. Lots a boolit designs!
blessings
BIC/BS

[badgeredd]

30/40 long neck, rim. Lots a boolit designs!
blessings
BIC/BS

And I thank you again sir!

[Bret4207]

Yeah, the Krag. I had a RB 7x57. Real whomper with a 175 RN. Lousy bore.

[badgeredd]

Thanks BRET4207

[StrawHat]

Make that three votes for the Krag.

[45 2.1]

That 7mm RB is a joy to shoot at 200 yds or so, very accurate with the right load also.

[Razor]

my $.02....

Remington 7x57mm RB !!!


Razor

[Buckshot]

..............Of the 2 the Krag would be the better of the 2 for the reasons Bullshop brought up first. However, the Rem RB would be more my style, so if it was me with the choice I'd go for it. But again, the best for cast boolits would be the Krag. Something else about the Rem RB's in 7mm is that as a rule they will have very generous chamber neck ID's.

I have one, a Rem M1897, and 2 friends both with the the M1902's. While all 3 shoot very well, the boolit selection is slim. Secondly all 3 produce fired cases with necks large enough after firing to almost allow a 30 boolit to pass through. The Krag will give you MUCH more choice in boolits. From the Lee Soup Can @ 113grs to the Lyman 311284 @ close to 220 gs. And that mould was made FOR the 30-40 Krag.

.................Buckshot

[35 Whelen]

I'd get the Krag for two reasons: 1) As someone said, a rim and a long neck, and 2) .30 caliber moulds, gas checks and sizers are very common.
35W

[Johnw...ski]

The Krag to shoot but I sure would like that rolling block for a furture project.

John

[NVcurmudgeon]

What Bullshop and Buckshot said. Also, everybody should have a Krag to apppreciate the design and workmanship on days when it's too nasty to go to the range.

[Bret4207]

If there was any way I'd get both. Memories of my RB have been running through my mind. Mine was a cut down with about a 20" barrel. The ball of flame from the barrel was impressive. Wish I had that old gun now.

[jlb300]

Krag, because my grandfather had one and I couldnt afford it at his estate auction. I always liked that one.

[badgeredd]

Well all,
You've convinced me. The Krag will be first and I think I'll lay away the RB. Heck, only one life to live!!!!!!!!!! AND THANKS in a big way to you all.

[jdhenry]

Krag, because my grandfather had one and I couldnt afford it at his estate auction. I always liked that one.

Your the grandson and they didn't give it to you?? nice family, I have one like that, My dad passed. Then my step-mom had a garage sale and didn't even bother to tell me till 2 years later when I asked about dad's guns:mad:

Back on topic I'd go with the Krag great shooting rifle:)

[Buckshot]

..............You DID notice I hope how all of use were mightily restraining ourselves in a fit of maturity from saying, "GET BOTH"! That is until Bret4207 blew it and posted what we all were thinking.

We were all trying to be soooooooooo good and grown up. Well, there's always ONE in the crowd :-)

................Buckshot

[Bret4207]

I know, I know! I tried, but I kept recalling that RB and what was awesome recoil to a 13 year old and the super impressive ball of flame!!!! That 10 lb trigger and lousy sights added to the anticipation of seeing if I actually hit my mark. Thats is if it didn't catch fire! :bigsmyl2:

I willingly throw myself on my sword!:mrgreen:

[MtGun44]

I have had and seen excellent accy with the old 7x57 RBs, using the Hornady
175Rn jacketed, like 1-2" at 100 yds with the stock sights.

I recommend neck sizing with a Lee collet die for the RB since the chambers
are so oversized. This is because the RB has near zero camming on closing. If
you have another 7x57, make sure not to mix the brass. If you FL size for the
RBs you will get case separations very early, like 2-3 reloads. If you neck size
with the Lee collet, brass life is much better.

I wish I could find a reasonable condition Krag at a decent price, I'll just keep
looking.

I go with the other guys that say - buy both! Each is a cool old rifle, and a bit
hard to locate with a good bore at a good price. You may wait years to find
another if you pass them up.

Bill

[badgeredd]

Yeah I noticed MOST of you are doing very well at self restraint (like I am?!!!!??). Thanks all for your input. Hopefully I'll be posting a pic of the 30-40 soon.

[jlb300]

jdhenry
I feel for you my brother. My uncle has power of atterny and many are not happy with his decisions. I did manage however to buy from that auction the very gun that I shot my first whitetail deer with. It is a 98, 8 mm Mauser. 1943 Orbendorf very good condition. I had to pay market price due to it being an advertized auction and that brought many interested buyers . The 30-40 krag went for 860.00 and I had already given 350.00 for the mauser and didnt have the funds for the krag. I had asked my uncle for it before the auction and was unsucessful in that. I still have a bad taste over that.

[jlb300]

Badgeredd
I wish you luck with them both ......If you go that route. I amsure you will love them both for what they each are