Swiss K31

dak0ta · April 20, 2013, 11:08 AM

Hi,

Any of you guys reload and hunt with one in stock condition using irons? Are the irons and action conductive for hunting/general purpose use?

nathan · April 20, 2013, 11:10 AM

It s a nice rig to have with the power similar to .308.

dak0ta · April 20, 2013, 11:44 AM

From what I read, it's actually more powerful than the .308 due to an increased case capacity. You get like an extra 100 FPS in 174 and 150 gr loads. Essentially it's 7.62x55 as you can use .30 cal bullets, which puts it in between 7.62x51 and 7.62x63 (30-06).

Any idea where to find published load data or is it all on the internet?

nathan · April 20, 2013, 12:10 PM

You re right. I have sighted mine with factory Hornady 174 gr SP at 100 yds on sandbag rest. It grouped 1.5 inch. The nice thing was , it hit an inch high with rear sight set at 100 meters. It practically was dead on perfect for what i need on closed in shots.

But the tightest groups were the GP11 surplus at 1.25 inch groups at 100 yds. These were all open sight benchrest shooting. I was speechless to say the least . The Swiss know how to make accurate rifles. I know i cannot duplicate those groups as that was three yrs ago but knowing the gun is capable is enough reassurance it s a keeper. Only accurate rifles are interesting as the saying goes, the K31 tops the list.

dak0ta · April 20, 2013, 12:24 PM

Have you taken yours hunting?

dvdcrr · April 20, 2013, 12:33 PM

I like to hunt with mine. I was using Hornady ammo. I would get to where you can hit at 200 and you will be set. It works well. 165 gr. Ammo is what I used I think.

nathan · April 20, 2013, 12:44 PM

Correction, i checked the ammo box and it says, 165 gr BTSP. I got these way back from Sportsmanguide . I havent used mine yet in real hunting .

Looking forward to.

To think of it, the K 31s are like accurate sniper rifles but with open sights. Only limited by the shooter' s skills .

snakeman · April 20, 2013, 01:40 PM

They make a good hunting rifle.

jolly roger · April 20, 2013, 02:21 PM

LOVE my K31. Has shot MOA before with GP11 ammo with irons when I do my part...that GP11 is some good stuff.

nathan · April 20, 2013, 05:35 PM

The GP11 ammo is worth getting when they show up. Its worth every round and every pull of the trigger.

meanmrmustard · April 20, 2013, 08:25 PM

For hunting, the Hornady soft points in 165 gr. are murder on deer.

sixgunner455 · April 21, 2013, 12:00 AM

I love mine. I was at the range with it today, in fact. Our range has steel from 200-600 yards. 400, it was no problem. 570, the wind was kicking them off a bit, and I had to compensate for not really being quite 600 and long for the 500 yard sight setting. 605, I had the wind doped, and smacked it a couple of times.

This was from prone, slinged in, unsupported. This rifle is a real shooter, with a great two stage trigger.

It is heavy, though. I doubt I'll be hunting with it here. We hike all day, sometimes, and put in some serious mileage to find animals. A six to seven pound rifle (or AR carbine in the woods) makes more sense for most areas around here. If I were stand hunting, I'd probably not own another rifle to hunt with. What would be the point? My K31 was built in 1934, and shoots the GP11 like custom loaded match ammo. I paid 80 bucks for it.

Steve in PA · April 21, 2013, 01:01 PM

I have a hunting load for my K31, although I have not actually hunted with it yet. As far as accuracy goes, the K31 is amazingly accurate. I'd have to say the K31 runs neck and neck with my 1903A3 for shooting at 100 yards with open sights, and aging eyes!

jpwilly · April 21, 2013, 07:40 PM

Had a nice K31 a couple years ago but alas I'm a leftie the the straight pull didn't work out for me. Very well built rifles that can shot! Didn't want to spend the money to make it left hand drive.

ironhat · April 21, 2013, 08:00 PM

It was nice to read this thread. I was getting ready to sell mine and I don't even have the cosmoline off of it yet. I got it before I got disabled and it's a real chore to get to the range, now - and I no longer hunt... anything. But, it's good to hear that it shoots well so, I just might save it for the grandkids! Thanks all.

schnarrgj · April 21, 2013, 10:14 PM

Have used mine for deer for a number of years. The longest one was a nice doe at 200 yards. The closest was 10 yards. With a rifle as accurate as the Swiss, if you do your job, it will put the bullet where it belongs. I use the 165 gr Hornady interlock stock number 3040 with 45gr of imr 4064. Very accurate in my rifle at just below 2600fps not a max load. YMMV As with all net loads, be sure to work up to them. Two years ago my SIL took his first deer with the K31.

Swampman · April 21, 2013, 10:24 PM

I've killed a few hogs with my 1934 built K31, although it's really too long and heavy for the areas I generally hunt. All of my killing with the rifle has been with 150 grain Combined Technology Partition Gold bullets loaded over a healthy charge of Varget.

Keep in mind that most Reloading manuals will give overall lengths that are WAY too long. The short throat of the K31 is designed specifically for the very long ogive of the GP11 bullet. I don't have my data in front of me right now, so I can't give an actual length, but suffice it to say that my handloads looked a bit odd due to the small amount of bullet protruding from the case mouth. Another thing to keep in mind is that ammo loaded for best accuracy in one K31 may not fit into another. My experience has been that the newer the rifle, the shorter the throat. Ammo loaded for my 1934 Model won't chamber in my sons 1947 rifle and ammo that cycles perfectly in the 1947 won't fully enter the chamber of my 1952.
The only hunting projectile that I've loaded that looks "normal" is the Berger 168 grain VLD Hunting bullet.

This thread might be of interest, I was asking about the experience of other hunters with the Prvi Partizan 174 grain SP on deer.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=681278

PGT · April 21, 2013, 10:24 PM

I've got two of them and two cases of GP11. Nice guns for sure.....I took one down yesterday and I was impressed with the design of even little things like the shape of the wood screws.

inclinebench · April 22, 2013, 10:34 AM

I killed four deer this past season with a K31. It is now my primary deer gun. I am always impressed with the exit wounds, and the gun is spot on.

dak0ta · April 22, 2013, 11:20 AM

Do you guys think the supply has dried up and prices will rise?

Also, which do you guys prefer, walnut or beech? I've seen really nice examples of both, and the blonde beech ones look pretty cool. Walnut is always preferable, but in terms of build quality and construction, do the beech ones live up to hard use? Also are they significantly lighter in weight?

Swampman · April 23, 2013, 12:17 AM

@dakOta
I don't know about beech, but according to Fred at freds14stocks, birch is far superior to walnut in every way, except possibly appearance.

http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/faq.asp?ITEM=1

PGT · April 23, 2013, 12:23 AM

I doubt we'll see any more imports. What's here is here. Samco Global has some examples with cracked stocks for a reasonable price. I have a Boyd's repro stock and handguard in walnut (85% inletted) but decided I'm going to just leave the pair I have as-is.

rondog · April 23, 2013, 12:52 AM

I have two with walnut stocks, and slings & bayonets for both. I like to shoot 'em, but I have so many guns that want to go play it's hard to get enough range time with any of them. Never hunted yet, and it won't likely be a K31 when I do. But I still love them! They're awesome rifles.

Anybody know how to date them by s/n?

dak0ta · April 23, 2013, 02:02 AM

Birch is strong, but what about beech? I don't they used birch stock on the K31?

rondog · April 23, 2013, 02:33 AM

AFAIK, it's birch on the K31's, not beech. Beech has the white "maggots" in the woodgrain, birch doesn't. I just prefer walnut myself.

April 20, 2013, 11:08 AM	#1
dak0ta Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Posts: 1,654	Swiss K31 Hi, Any of you guys reload and hunt with one in stock condition using irons? Are the irons and action conductive for hunting/general purpose use? __________________ Norinco 1911A1C\|Mossberg 500A\|Remington 870\|Savage MkII\|Marlin 30AS\|BSA CF2\|Savage 99C\|HVA 640

April 20, 2013, 11:44 AM	#3
dak0ta Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Posts: 1,654	From what I read, it's actually more powerful than the .308 due to an increased case capacity. You get like an extra 100 FPS in 174 and 150 gr loads. Essentially it's 7.62x55 as you can use .30 cal bullets, which puts it in between 7.62x51 and 7.62x63 (30-06). Any idea where to find published load data or is it all on the internet? __________________ Norinco 1911A1C\|Mossberg 500A\|Remington 870\|Savage MkII\|Marlin 30AS\|BSA CF2\|Savage 99C\|HVA 640

April 20, 2013, 12:24 PM	#5
dak0ta Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Posts: 1,654	Have you taken yours hunting? __________________ Norinco 1911A1C\|Mossberg 500A\|Remington 870\|Savage MkII\|Marlin 30AS\|BSA CF2\|Savage 99C\|HVA 640

April 20, 2013, 01:40 PM	#8
snakeman Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,981	They make a good hunting rifle. __________________ Freedom is given to those willing to fight to obtain it.

April 20, 2013, 08:25 PM	#11
meanmrmustard Member Join Date: June 14, 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,626	For hunting, the Hornady soft points in 165 gr. are murder on deer. __________________ Why, oh why, didn't I take the blue pill...

April 20, 2013, 11:10 AM	#2
nathan Member Join Date: February 4, 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,026	It s a nice rig to have with the power similar to .308.

April 20, 2013, 12:10 PM	#4
nathan Member Join Date: February 4, 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,026	You re right. I have sighted mine with factory Hornady 174 gr SP at 100 yds on sandbag rest. It grouped 1.5 inch. The nice thing was , it hit an inch high with rear sight set at 100 meters. It practically was dead on perfect for what i need on closed in shots. But the tightest groups were the GP11 surplus at 1.25 inch groups at 100 yds. These were all open sight benchrest shooting. I was speechless to say the least . The Swiss know how to make accurate rifles. I know i cannot duplicate those groups as that was three yrs ago but knowing the gun is capable is enough reassurance it s a keeper. Only accurate rifles are interesting as the saying goes, the K31 tops the list.

April 20, 2013, 12:33 PM	#6
dvdcrr Member Join Date: November 24, 2012 Posts: 213	I like to hunt with mine. I was using Hornady ammo. I would get to where you can hit at 200 and you will be set. It works well. 165 gr. Ammo is what I used I think.

April 20, 2013, 12:44 PM	#7
nathan Member Join Date: February 4, 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,026	Correction, i checked the ammo box and it says, 165 gr BTSP. I got these way back from Sportsmanguide . I havent used mine yet in real hunting . Looking forward to. To think of it, the K 31s are like accurate sniper rifles but with open sights. Only limited by the shooter' s skills .

April 20, 2013, 02:21 PM	#9
jolly roger Member Join Date: May 3, 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	LOVE my K31. Has shot MOA before with GP11 ammo with irons when I do my part...that GP11 is some good stuff.

April 20, 2013, 05:35 PM	#10
nathan Member Join Date: February 4, 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,026	The GP11 ammo is worth getting when they show up. Its worth every round and every pull of the trigger.

April 21, 2013, 12:00 AM	#12
sixgunner455 Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 2,549	I love mine. I was at the range with it today, in fact. Our range has steel from 200-600 yards. 400, it was no problem. 570, the wind was kicking them off a bit, and I had to compensate for not really being quite 600 and long for the 500 yard sight setting. 605, I had the wind doped, and smacked it a couple of times. This was from prone, slinged in, unsupported. This rifle is a real shooter, with a great two stage trigger. It is heavy, though. I doubt I'll be hunting with it here. We hike all day, sometimes, and put in some serious mileage to find animals. A six to seven pound rifle (or AR carbine in the woods) makes more sense for most areas around here. If I were stand hunting, I'd probably not own another rifle to hunt with. What would be the point? My K31 was built in 1934, and shoots the GP11 like custom loaded match ammo. I paid 80 bucks for it. __________________ Life is too short to hunt with an ugly dog. - me If you can't hit a snake at 20 feet with a 12 gauge, you ain't gonna hit a dove, either. -McGunner

April 21, 2013, 01:01 PM	#13
Steve in PA Member Join Date: December 29, 2002 Location: NE PA Posts: 2,347	I have a hunting load for my K31, although I have not actually hunted with it yet. As far as accuracy goes, the K31 is amazingly accurate. I'd have to say the K31 runs neck and neck with my 1903A3 for shooting at 100 yards with open sights, and aging eyes! __________________ "The Marines I have seen around the world have, the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps." Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945

April 21, 2013, 07:40 PM	#14
jpwilly Member Join Date: August 10, 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 3,824	Had a nice K31 a couple years ago but alas I'm a leftie the the straight pull didn't work out for me. Very well built rifles that can shot! Didn't want to spend the money to make it left hand drive.

April 21, 2013, 08:00 PM	#15
ironhat Member Join Date: August 16, 2004 Location: South-central PA Posts: 78	It was nice to read this thread. I was getting ready to sell mine and I don't even have the cosmoline off of it yet. I got it before I got disabled and it's a real chore to get to the range, now - and I no longer hunt... anything. But, it's good to hear that it shoots well so, I just might save it for the grandkids! Thanks all.

April 21, 2013, 10:14 PM	#16
schnarrgj Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Saint Peters, MO Posts: 152	Have used mine for deer for a number of years. The longest one was a nice doe at 200 yards. The closest was 10 yards. With a rifle as accurate as the Swiss, if you do your job, it will put the bullet where it belongs. I use the 165 gr Hornady interlock stock number 3040 with 45gr of imr 4064. Very accurate in my rifle at just below 2600fps not a max load. YMMV As with all net loads, be sure to work up to them. Two years ago my SIL took his first deer with the K31. __________________ Once, I was young and stupid. Now that I am no longer young-----

April 21, 2013, 10:24 PM	#17
Swampman Member Join Date: October 15, 2011 Location: The Bayous of East Texas Posts: 390	I've killed a few hogs with my 1934 built K31, although it's really too long and heavy for the areas I generally hunt. All of my killing with the rifle has been with 150 grain Combined Technology Partition Gold bullets loaded over a healthy charge of Varget. Keep in mind that most Reloading manuals will give overall lengths that are WAY too long. The short throat of the K31 is designed specifically for the very long ogive of the GP11 bullet. I don't have my data in front of me right now, so I can't give an actual length, but suffice it to say that my handloads looked a bit odd due to the small amount of bullet protruding from the case mouth. Another thing to keep in mind is that ammo loaded for best accuracy in one K31 may not fit into another. My experience has been that the newer the rifle, the shorter the throat. Ammo loaded for my 1934 Model won't chamber in my sons 1947 rifle and ammo that cycles perfectly in the 1947 won't fully enter the chamber of my 1952. The only hunting projectile that I've loaded that looks "normal" is the Berger 168 grain VLD Hunting bullet. This thread might be of interest, I was asking about the experience of other hunters with the Prvi Partizan 174 grain SP on deer. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=681278 __________________ "The state tends to expand in proportion to its means of existence and to live beyond its means, and these are, in the last analysis, nothing but the substance of the people. Woe to the people that cannot limit the sphere of action of the state! Freedom, private enterprise, wealth, happiness, independence, personal dignity, all vanish" -- Frederic Bastiat

April 21, 2013, 10:24 PM	#18
PGT Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 290	I've got two of them and two cases of GP11. Nice guns for sure.....I took one down yesterday and I was impressed with the design of even little things like the shape of the wood screws. __________________ 9mm: Sig Mk25TB \| Tanfoglio Witness Elite \| Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Carry \| Beretta 92FS in Inox Swiss K31 Karabiner and a bunch of 22LR Assault Weapons

April 22, 2013, 10:34 AM	#19
inclinebench Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Nice place Posts: 245	I killed four deer this past season with a K31. It is now my primary deer gun. I am always impressed with the exit wounds, and the gun is spot on.

April 22, 2013, 11:20 AM	#20
dak0ta Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Posts: 1,654	Do you guys think the supply has dried up and prices will rise? Also, which do you guys prefer, walnut or beech? I've seen really nice examples of both, and the blonde beech ones look pretty cool. Walnut is always preferable, but in terms of build quality and construction, do the beech ones live up to hard use? Also are they significantly lighter in weight? __________________ Norinco 1911A1C\|Mossberg 500A\|Remington 870\|Savage MkII\|Marlin 30AS\|BSA CF2\|Savage 99C\|HVA 640

April 23, 2013, 12:17 AM	#21
Swampman Member Join Date: October 15, 2011 Location: The Bayous of East Texas Posts: 390	@dakOta I don't know about beech, but according to Fred at freds14stocks, birch is far superior to walnut in every way, except possibly appearance. http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/faq.asp?ITEM=1 __________________ "The state tends to expand in proportion to its means of existence and to live beyond its means, and these are, in the last analysis, nothing but the substance of the people. Woe to the people that cannot limit the sphere of action of the state! Freedom, private enterprise, wealth, happiness, independence, personal dignity, all vanish" -- Frederic Bastiat

April 23, 2013, 12:23 AM	#22
PGT Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 290	I doubt we'll see any more imports. What's here is here. Samco Global has some examples with cracked stocks for a reasonable price. I have a Boyd's repro stock and handguard in walnut (85% inletted) but decided I'm going to just leave the pair I have as-is. __________________ 9mm: Sig Mk25TB \| Tanfoglio Witness Elite \| Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Carry \| Beretta 92FS in Inox Swiss K31 Karabiner and a bunch of 22LR Assault Weapons

April 23, 2013, 12:52 AM	#23
rondog Member Join Date: June 29, 2007 Location: Commurado Posts: 4,791	I have two with walnut stocks, and slings & bayonets for both. I like to shoot 'em, but I have so many guns that want to go play it's hard to get enough range time with any of them. Never hunted yet, and it won't likely be a K31 when I do. But I still love them! They're awesome rifles. Anybody know how to date them by s/n? __________________ Ever feel like the world's a tuxedo, and you're a pair of brown shoes? - George Gobel

April 23, 2013, 02:02 AM	#24
dak0ta Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Posts: 1,654	Birch is strong, but what about beech? I don't they used birch stock on the K31? __________________ Norinco 1911A1C\|Mossberg 500A\|Remington 870\|Savage MkII\|Marlin 30AS\|BSA CF2\|Savage 99C\|HVA 640

April 23, 2013, 02:33 AM	#25
rondog Member Join Date: June 29, 2007 Location: Commurado Posts: 4,791	AFAIK, it's birch on the K31's, not beech. Beech has the white "maggots" in the woodgrain, birch doesn't. I just prefer walnut myself. __________________ Ever feel like the world's a tuxedo, and you're a pair of brown shoes? - George Gobel