6.5x55 krag is it safe

[NC_DAVE]

I read recently after getting a 6.5x55 krag from a family member, that the older rifles cannot Handle the pressure of the new rounds. This rifle has been sporterized by a family member with new barrel, stock, trigger and sights. The action has either been moded or is completely new. Is there away to know if this rifle will handle the pressure of newer rounds.

If it will only work with lower pressured ammo any suggestions?

[MountainRaven]

Take it to a gunsmith. One familiar with Krags, especially one familiar with Norwegian Krags.

There is really nothing that any of us can tell you over the internet about whether or not your rifle can take a particular level of pressure with any sort of certainty.

[rdc0000]

IMO you are going to need to hand load for that rifle. You should NOT shoot modern factory 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser ammunition in that rifle as it does not have the safety features of an 1896 Mauser. They are nice rifles.

Also, google is your friend click here.

[NC_DAVE]

Double tap

[NC_DAVE]

I was also given the impression that this rifle may have been put together with a Swedish Mauser and a Norwegian krag is that even possible?

I almost thought this maybe so because of the year stamped 1918.

[rdc0000]

No it's a Norwegian Krag. The 6.5x55 used for the Norwegian Krag was a lower powered round than the 6.5x55 used for the Swedish Mauser. The cartridge was jointly developed by Sweden and Norway. That might be where the misinfo came from.

It is a fine rifle that is over 90 years old and needs to be treated with care and not shot with ammunition not designed for it. You will need to do some research. I suggest the Krag collectors forum, they will give you the best advise.

If you were an experienced hand loader, I could give you direction to safely create loads that would work in your rifle safely.

[NC_DAVE]

Thanks for the advise, I have a friend who reloads and may be able to talk him into making a few for me.

From my research it seems as though the Nor. Krag is suggested to be kept at 46000 psi or 40000 psi for safe chamber pressure. However it used to be set at 55000 psi. unfortunate all the commerical ammo compaines I have called have said there 6.5x55 swed is at 55000 psi. So the search continues....

[rdc0000]

Speer manual has data for 94 Mauser and Krag at 45,000 psi.

[NC_DAVE]

I read that Norma (Swedish company) made some ammo that was safe for a Krag, but this was my response to my email. I thought I would share for somebody elses future refernece. I found the last paragraphy to be very informative.

Also I spoke to someone at HSM today who said his company was in the process of making ammo safe for 6.5x55, 30-40, and 45-70, and long colt. He told me there has been a growing demand for these types of loads latley.

But no company I have checked with carries ammo with low enough pressure. Still waiting on a few.



Dear Sir

Norma has loaded 6,5x55 to old ’c41,000PSI) pressures for the Krag at odd intervals- notably during WWII – Ammunition for these is packed in brown waxed paper pakages of 10 rounds are are FMJ type only. The only exception is ammunition supplied to the Norwegian resistance during WWII which was in civilian packaging. All of this ammo is corrosively primed and uses Berdan primers- in many cases the powder has begun to degrade. I would not fire any Pre 1947 Norwegian or Swedish ammo.



As loaded by Norma all 6,5x55 Ammo is safe for use in any of the Mauser rifles and is loaded to an operating pressure of Approx 51,000psi (We use mega Pascals for pressure). It isn’t suitable for use in the Krag rifles.



If you wish to shoot your old Krag, handloading is the only option I am afraid. NB- The priming used up to 1947 used mercury, Potassium Chlorate and glass- on firing the glass was very erosive on the throat and the KClO3 turns into KCl (same properties as table salt- extremely hydroscopic) and the mercury was more corrosive than even the KCl – what this means for you is- check the throat (lead) before firing! Modern boxer primers do not give as good ignition as the old military primers and there is a much slower build up of pressure with today’s cases, primers and powder…all a recipe for the bullet to stick in the throat. If it just hesitates, you’ll blow a primer and possibly bend the bolt on a Krag. If it sticks, the barrel blows – even at 40,000PSI.



You need to use a magnum primer and an easy to ignite powder like Vihtavouri N160 or IMR 4350





Dr Don Heath D.Sc.
Manager Technical Support
Norma Precision AB
S 670 40
Åmotfors
Sweden

[J-Dub]

I'd shoot it and not worry about it. People always act like the Krag was made of playdoh....its not. Forget the wives tales of locking lugs shearing off and sending the bolt into the face of the shooter....I doubt it ever happened.

I would love to have a 6.5swede krag. Had a 30-40 and it was a fun rifle.