I have two Krags that need a barrel swap, good barrel to good action and less than good barrel to less than good action. But I do not have an action wrench for the Krag can anyone tell me what you are using??
Have not found any information on a wrench so far.

There's not too much to the Krag action as far as strength to clamp on to. Plus they are hardened (casehardened) quite deep, done the same as the Low# 03 Springfields.

Though many have been rebbl'd by simply using a common bbl wrench with opposing 1/2 round cut-outs to fit over the top and bottom of the recv'r ring (closely) and then clamping down hard on the ring.
Turning the bbl off that way can be done. You hope there is no slipping of the wrench on the recv'r ring. There is no feature on the ring,,perfectly round, to use as a 'key' to help secure the wrench in place.

There are (were?) a couple of commercial bbl wrench jaws around. Actually a one piece wrench piece of steel.

A hole in one end allows the recv'r ring to slip thru.
Remember to slide it onto the bbl and down onto the recv'r before putting the bbl in the bbl vise!. Sounds stupid,,but,,,,,,

Then a substantial lug or block just beneath it on the back side (towards the breech) fits snug upon the vast flat that is the bottom of the Krag recv'r behind the round recv'r ring.
That lug engaging the recv'r flat prevents the wrench block from turning.

The bbl is set up in the bbl vise.
The opposite end of the wrench block usually has a milled channel on one side to attach one of those extra large cresent wrenches I'm guessing for leverage to turn the recv'r off.
Some others or home-made wrench blocks may take a bolt on 1/2 of a normal action wrench or other method of leverage.

The nice thing about this type of action wrench is that you don't squeeze the recv'r ring down in the wrench and there's no chance of the thing slipping on the recv'r.

I've done them both ways and using a slip on wrench with the lug is a lot easier. I had made one from aluminum when I finally smartened up and it worked just fine.

The bbl may still slip,,but that's always the way it is!

I found this pic of a commercially made one. Don't know if it's still available

Is there a chance you might be able to provide some measurements on the one you have. I can cut one on the mill really easy if that is all there is to it.

If you are gonna make one, measure the ring diameter and set a boring head up to that. Offset the cut in the wrench head about .050 give or take so you have some crush, lash it up and unscrew it. Increase the ring diameter dimension on your head .010 for some sticky note clearance and you wont mess up the finish.
Krags breech up on an inner shoulder. Just a FYI

I have found the Krags that I have worked on varied quite a bit year to year. So much so that a wrench I made to fit one, was not even close to fitting another. It really is best to measure up the receiver and make one to fit.

Decided not to share Rolland?

It sounds like you did similar to what I did, I made a round section with a key to lock into the bottom of the receiver.

I have found by the time you clamp on any round portion of a receiver you start to fight yourself, a physical key, is a big help. On something as thin and as hard as the Krag, this is all the more relavent.

I could not get the photos to post other than really big. I will try again as soon as I figure out this new computer programing arrrrrrrggg

Try it again

I cut it out of some 4140 I had left over from another project thought I might heat treat it but it worked on the first barrel. It slips over the ring and keys in the slot under the action. I used a rather tight slip fit not enough to have to force in on but with virtually no side play or wobbly and fits snug into the slot. one side is cut a little longer to clear the loading gate pin.

Dang you guys.

I have most of a Krag 1898 carbine metal, with a bad barrel, I have been eyeballing it for over a year, I hear it calling to me from time to time.
The hang up has been a Receiver wrench, and how to make one, as well as making something up for a front guard screw.

Now you have me thinking of building up a 35 Krag.
I have the brass, and a RCBS 35-250-SP mold as well as a NOE copy of Lyman's 3589

As if I need more projects, LOL.

JW

JW
I will loan you this one if that will speed things up for you.