reload swiss 7.5 x 55

I've had no problem. Also used cast bullets sized .309 with good results.

That's all I ever used.

I only use 0.308 bullets as well. I get great results, too.

Many K31's have short throats and require a shorter OAL, depending on the bullet. For example, with Hornady's 165 SP (#3040) 2.85" is about the maximum OAL for that bullet in my particular rifle, but with Nosler's 155 HPBT (#53155), I can go out to .2880" The surplus GP11 174 gr. FMJ ammo is longer but the profile of the bullet is long and thin.

Hornady 150gr FMJBT works very well. Load it to 2.850" OAL

It's a crying shame that gorgeous GP11 brass isn't Boxer primed.....

You're right about that. I looked into reloading it, then after seeing the different techniques people were using, decided it just wasn't worth it so I give mine to a friend who uses it. The GP11 is one gorgeous round and I love the way it comes packed.

If you don't use .308 what are you going to use? There's no such thing as a 7.5mm bullet.

Laphroaig

tcoz said:

Hornady 150gr FMJBT works very well. Load it to 2.850" OAL

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+1 This bullet has worked very, very well in my K-31's providing near match grade accuracy.

Just a typical group with this bullet:



I also fired a group with this bullet at 600 yds., but for the life of me can't find the picture.

I've actually used cast bullets far more than jacketed have spent a couple of years competing in our local reduced course High Power matches.

If you're looking for a hunting bullet, the Remington 165 gr. SPCL shoots very well in K-31's from what I've read.

35W

35 Whelen, a lot of people call that bullet garbage, junk and their favorite line is "you get what you pay for" but I've always said that for my purposes, especially since I'm limited to a 100 yd range, the bullet shoots as well as any non match grade bullet I've used. I'm surprised that you said you've used it all the way out to 600. What kind of groups did you get at that distance?
I also use the Hornady 55gr FMJBT in my 5.56 with great results. Anybody who uses these bullets might want to check Monmouth Brass. They have the best price I've been able to find on them.

BTW, I can't help but notice that you're using diopters on your K31. I can't really justify spending $400+ for "iron sights", but the more I see results like yours, the more i'm thinking I might want to put them on my Christmas list. I shot a 3" group yesterday with a Mojo rear sight and the standard front blade but I'd never be able to approach groups like yours.

I have 2 K31's.. A 6X leupold rifleman sits on one and a Swiss diopter on the other. The price of the latter was tough to swallow at first but I haven't regretted it. Both rifles are good shooters. Since the range I go to no longer allows FMJ rifle ammo, I rely on my handloads.

Anybody have a recommendation for cast bullets for K31's? Specifically, a good mold for these rifles. I have two K31's and love shooting them.

How about 168gr Sierra Match Kings? I have a bunch of those and 7.5x55 dies, and some boxer brass, just haven't tried making any yet. Any powder suggestions? Got a good selection of rifle powders.

FWIW - I have an AR500 steel plate that I like shooting with my rifles, and the GP11 rounds out of my K31's are the only ammo that has knocked that plate up and over the pipe, multiple times! That stuff hits like a sledgehammer!

First cast bullet I tried was the RCBS 150-grain flatnose gas-check they have for .30-30, over 16.0 of 2400; fed with no problems, and shot nicely. Also tried the Lee 155-grain spitzer, worked nicely.

I'm usually only able to shoot out to 100 yards, so for a general practice bullet both of those worked pretty well.

Tejano_UT said:

I have 2 K31's.. A 6X leupold rifleman sits on one and a Swiss diopter on the other. The price of the latter was tough to swallow at first but I haven't regretted it. Both rifles are good shooters. Since the range I go to no longer allows FMJ rifle ammo, I rely on my handloads.

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I've only always used plated bullets for pistol and FMJ for rifle so I'm pretty naive past that point. What kind of bullets do you use/can I use? I'm not interested in casting and I'm not a fan of shooting cast indoors but I suppose outdoors might be different. I'm always interested in ways to reduce handloading costs.

How about 168gr Sierra Match Kings? I have a bunch of those and 7.5x55 dies, and some boxer brass, just haven't tried making any yet. Any powder suggestions?

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I've used 168 MK's with IMR4350 with good success. I've also tried Re17, which is supposed to be close to the powder used in GP11, with similar results.

Laphroaig

The Berger 175gr VLD is supposed to be the bullet that most closely matches the GP11 bullet.

Regarding cast bullets, the Lyman 311672 is a nice bullet that fits the throats to K-31's well. NOE makes a mould that was designed specifically for K-31's, mould number 311-180- FN. Another odd duck I found that shot lights out was from an NEI mould that casts a 155 gr. plain base flat nose. I only ran the bullet about 1000 fps but used it in High Power competition and had the AR boys scratching their heads. I've fired bullets from this mould and the NOE extensively and ultimately earned an Expert rifleman classification from the NRA.

Regarding GP-11 the first time I fired in on my 600 yd. target, which is made of 5/16" diamond plate steel, I was stunned to see that some of the bullets completely penetrated the target!

35W

35 Whelen said:

Regarding GP-11 the first time I fired in on my 600 yd. target, which is made of 5/16" diamond plate steel, I was stunned to see that some of the bullets completely penetrated the target!

35W

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The cupro-nickel jacket isn't officially considered AP, but it acts like it. Most indoor ranges don't allow its use.

Perhaps an oddball question - but has anybody loaded this cartridge with .308 Armor Piercing bullets? Got a buncha those too.

If you want to try plated, X-Treme makes a 150-grain plated for .308 that should work nicely

Firehand, being a plated bullet you'd have to keep the velocity below 1500 for sure and maybe below 1200. I don't know how accurate it would be in the K31. Anybody tried it?

Ron, yes. You need you some.

35 Whelen:
Impressive grouping. I just picked up two K31's and am/was looking for some lighter loads for the short lines. I have an ample supply of RL15, and I had purchased 400 140 Nosler Comp BTHP tips. I believe I'll use your recipe as my starting point and move up from there with some group testing. Thanks for your post. Clint