My 2018 New Year’s resolution was to make some improvements to my .30-40 Krag that I have used for deer hunting since I was 13 years old and to fine-tune my reloading. The rifle was sporterized in 1923 (shortened barrel, custom stock) and had a Lyman Alaskan scope that was one of the first models produced (ca. 1937). Although the scope was state-of-the-art for mid-20th century (the model was used as a sniper scope in WWII), it was lacking by today’s standards.
What didn’t I like? The objective lens was about the size of a dime so it didn’t help me in low light conditions, the reticle was a single post, and the scope was mounted so close to the receiver that I couldn’t remove the bolt without first removing the scope which meant every time I cleaned the gun I had to sight it in before I used it again.
But I decided in 2018 that was all going to change. I planned to refinish the stock and I purchased a tactical scope that could mount in front of the receiver. I was concerned how well a scope mounted 10-11” from my eye would perform. I mean I had been using this gun as described for decades with much success. But change can be good, right?
I started at 25 yds. It took seven shots to work my way to the bulls-eye!
The I took the target out to 100 yds and found that I had to adjust the scope a bit lower and more to the right.
Time to assess my accuracy. New target, same gun, same shooter. I seem to have adjusted right a bit too much.
After a few minor adjustments I was able to do this 1-inch group at 100 yds. I won’t win any marksmanship matches but this is more than sufficient for deer hunting in Pennsylvania.
Resolution completed and in plenty of time for deer season. But I wasn’t done. Another perhaps more important resolution was still on the list.
-Duane Diefenbach
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