Aloha all,

Was wondering if anyone knows of anyone in Hawaii who could either resleeve or rebarrel an antique rifle for me. I picked up a Springfield M1898 .30-40 Krag that is about 120 years old. Everything is in decent shape except the barrels rifling has worn completely out of it. Currently you’d be lucky to hit the broad side of a barn with it at point blank range. I’d like to get it resleeved to keep it as original as possible but I found a source for a new barrel and would need a gunsmith to do the barrel swap and timing set up for it. Mahalo ahead of time for your input.

John Perreira?

On Oahu?  If so, check out Wayne at Pacific Custom Rifles.  He's done great work on my rifles and I think he should be able to help.  The hesitation there is the classic nature of your rifle, but I would think no problemo.

There are likely others on Oahu as well, but not sure if they are still active. 

It’s an old gun but there doesn’t seem to be any records tying it to any historical event other than it’s age. I’d like to be able to enjoy it at the range which is why I want to fix it. Currently the grouping is measured in yards at 100 yard targets because there is no rifiling left so the bullets tumble after leaving the barrel since they have no twist applied to them.  Repairing it would likely add more value to it at this point rather than decreasing it.

It’s an old gun but there doesn’t seem to be any records tying it to any historical event other than it’s age. I’d like to be able to enjoy it at the range which is why I want to fix it. Currently the grouping is measured in yards at 100 yard targets because there is no rifiling left so the bullets tumble after leaving the barrel since they have no twist applied to them.  Repairing it would likely add more value to it at this point rather than decreasing it.

Sounds like an interesting project to get a classic rifle shooting well again.  John P as mentioned above is also a good resource as well. 

Good luck!  Maybe I'll get around to loading for my 1903 and Garand soon. 

I would try to get a hold of the seller on this site (below) to determine the state of his barrel (says it's rusty). His offer price for the same model rifle is over a grand, but the production year is not specified.

https://www.guns.com/firearms/rifles/bolt-action/springfield-armory-1898-krag-30-40-krag-bolt-action-4-1-rounds-22-barrel-used?p=265011

Then get an estimate from a local gunsmith to get a ballpark figure for replacing the barrel on your rifle. His schedule will probably be so loaded with jobs that he might not get at it for years. In the end, having to choose between repair vs. replacement is not easy. I go through with this daily with respect to vintage electronic equipment.

If the new barrel is truly 'new' it might be short chambered, so the gunsmith would need a 30-40 finish reamer, which is not common.  The reamer would run about $200.  If it's a new take-off barrel, should be GTG as long as it head spaces to your bolt.

Aloha all,

Was wondering if anyone knows of anyone in Hawaii who could either resleeve or rebarrel an antique rifle for me. I picked up a Springfield M1898 .30-40 Krag that is about 120 years old. Everything is in decent shape except the barrels rifling has worn completely out of it. Currently you’d be lucky to hit the broad side of a barn with it at point blank range. I’d like to get it resleeved to keep it as original as possible but I found a source for a new barrel and would need a gunsmith to do the barrel swap and timing set up for it. Mahalo ahead of time for your input.

Did you slug and mic groove diameter?   I ask because a rough barrel might do well with larger sized cast bullets.   Have a 03A3 with a rough/pitted barrel that shoots good with .311 sized cast.   Maybe you could be shooting your rifle while waiting for your replacement barrel and gunsmith.   I have a nicely bubba'd Krag btw, finding brass wasn't easy.   Casting for it was and I can help you with that if you want.

Lihikai,

I can get a new barrel unblued for about $300. The rifle in the listing you shared has been sporterized so the barrel is too short.

Oldmose,

I don’t have the supplies to slug the barrel. It looks a bit rough as they never lined or plated these barrels back in the day. I loaded ammo with .308 soft points that were 180 grain and measured the IMR powder with a Frankfort Arsenal digital scale using the measures for the Lee reloading book.  I was thinking sleeving it would act more like a modern chrome lining. I had the rifle on a stand when I shot it and the rounds pretty much went everywhere but where I wanted. I assume the barrel is just game over.

It's good to know the bore of any "new" milsurp to start out with the right diameter bulllet.  Could be your Krag will shoot with .310 or larger jacketed bullets.  I'm not advising you to try without knowing it's groove diameter.   I have soft lead bullets so can slug your bore for you.  Also can give you some cast to try.  Let me know. 

I put the 03A3 smith corona for sale on a table at the gun show.  People looked down the barrel, told me it's rough and passed.  I did find a smith corona barrel later.  Still have it on the sideline.  The rifle shoots 2 1/2 inch, 100 yard groups with my cast.  Good enough for me.  If the group size changes then I'll think about swapping barrels.   Why did I buy the stupid rifle in the first place?  Had a type C stock on it; wanted one bad enough.