First Post! Ammo for Swiss K11

[theriflespeaks1863]

Hi all,

I'm one of the new guys here. Name's Chris. Hope I'm welcome here at THR.
I am a history buff by trade, if you will, and since I could hunt and shoot I have discovered my passion for military firearms. Right now, that collection consists of a reproduction 1863 Richmond Rifle-musket and a 1942 Izzy 91/30; I have named them Sarah and Tonya, respectively.
However, I am looking to add a new rifle to my collection, and right now the Swiss K11 looks very attractive (will be talking to my parents on this as a possible gift from 'Santa'...). However, I am confused as to the appropriate ammunition for this gun:

1: Will the K11 action, which is somewhat different from the K31, as I understand it, use the same loads for the K31? Do I need lower power ammunition, or are currently available factory rounds appropriate?

2: For target shooting- will GP-11 work safely in this weapon, and if so, can anyone comment on its performance?

3: For Hunting- what options do I have for soft-point ammunition in the commercial ammunition sense?

As a side note, I should inform you all that I do not have the option of handloading- I am, unfortunately, a broke college freshman and have limited funds at best. I know that reloading does save you money in the long run, but the amount of start-up capital it requires does not bode well for my checkbook; for that matter, I don't shoot anywhere near enough to justify it. In other words, this option is sadly closed to me.

Thanks for all of your help, ladies and gentlemen; I hope to hear from you soon.

-Chris

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Oops...

I just realized this post might be better in rifle country...
Mods, feel free to move this if you find doing so to be appropriate.

Thanks,

-Chris

 

[bandit7.5]

welcome

If you are getting a true short K11 the GP11 is the ammo to use. I used it in my Gew 1911 with amazing accuracy. Since reloading is not at present an
option, GP11 is the best way to go.

 

[Owen Sparks]

In your current condition of penury you might seriously look into getting a rifle in .22 long rifle that you can actually afford to shoot. This will give you something money can't buy, SKILL. Practically everyone has a .22, even men with very extensive gun collections.

 

[bandit7.5]

welcome

If you are getting a true short K11 the GP11 is the ammo to use. I used it in my Gew 1911 with amazing accuracy. Since reloading is not at present an
option, GP11 is the best way to go. As or hunting I do not know if PRVI loads
Hunting rounds,soft points. GP11 is not reloadable without berdan primers,:banghead::bangheadPITA) whereas PRIV uses boxer primers.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Thanks for the advice!

Hi all,

Wow, I did not expect such quick responses at all hours of the night! I thought I kept strange hours at college... (as I am home on break).

Thanks, bandit 7.5 for your reccomendation on the GP-11. In response to you question as to whether I was getting a 'true short K11,' I do believe so. There are two types currently available at JG Sales, one of which is the older long rifle model. The other, I think, is a K11. Here's the link:

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/rifles/swiss-rifles/p/swiss-1911-7-5mm-swiss-carbine-straight-pull-rifle%2C-used%2C-overall-very-good-condition-/cPath/209_474/products_id/5900

(Hopefully that link works...)

According to the website, Wolf Gold has 7.5x55mm soft point, which would be appropriate. I'll check around for others...

Owen Sparks- advice well taken! I've been shooting a lot of .22 lately, out of my father's Savage/Anschutz 141, and my big rifles see less range time than this rifle for sure! The little squirrel gun is always such a pleasure to shoot- I keep it in good shape. It is, as you say, excellent for developing Skill. Some of it has already paid off, as I shoot regularly in competition with my rifle musket. The Mosin and this possible K11 are more like hobbies...

Thanks again,

-Chris

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

If your heart is set on that K11, you buy that K11. The GP11 ammunition was brought around FOR that rifle, IIRC. You can't go wrong with that.

HOWEVER! That's just me. I have a .22 lr, and that's what I LEARNED to shoot with, and was my first rifle (My first firearm ever shot was an AR-15). It is wise to be able to shoot properly before sinking money into a rifle that uses expensive (kinda) ammunition.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

LJ- nothing is certain yet, but I just wanted to make sure I had everything straightened out with this gun before I pursued it any further and possiby ended up with a rifle I couldn't shoot. Hence, the queries about ammunition. Now that I know that modern ammunition is safe for this rifle, I feel more comfortable in pursuing it as a purchase.

As for what you and Owen have both mentioned with regard to the .22LR, that is advice heartily accepted! I am constantly shooting my .22LR whenever my schedule allows, and I take it with me every time I go to the range, and use it as a warm-up gun before I break out the heavy artillery. Understand, I am not new to the shooting game (but you guys certainly have years and years more experience than I)- I have been hunting since I was 12, and before that my father was teaching me how to shoot with a pellet gun. My dad is an excellent marksman by himself, but he is very humble about it, and I can never get him to admit it.... Oh, Dad...

Since then, I have become involved with the ACWSA, which is a competition organization that focuses on civil war weaponry, mainly the rifle musket. In a match not too long ago, I won 3rd place in the Class II rifle musket division, which uses bullseye targets shot offhand at 50 yards. Some of dad's teachings and practice has paid off, I guess.

Anyway, thanks for all of your advice, gentlemen! I appreciate it!

Good day to you all,

-Chris

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

And a good day to you! Hope you figure out what's best for yourself! We can only guide you so far, the rest is on you.

 

[forshoes]

Check out:
http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/directory

There are several knowledgeable people there than can answer all of your questions.

 

[35 Whelen]

Chris:
I've never owned a K-11, but have owned 8-10 different K-31's and at one time had five. I'm down to three now. Workmanship and accuracy are nothing short of amazing.
It's my understanding that the K-11's are just about as good as the K-31's.

The GP-11 ammunition is phenominally accurate. I handload and my best handloads are no more accurate than GP-11. At Samco Global yu can buy GP-11 for about 50¢ per round and it's worth every penny. I wish I had 50 cases of the stuff!
I used GP-11 to shoot this 600 yard target:


That target was fired on from prone, open (aperture) sights, with only a sling for support. As you can see, 5 of my shots were in the 10-ring and it's only 12" in diameter. Wonderful ammunition. Prvi make s 174 gr. SP that should be fine for hunting.

The Swiss Rifle Website has a wealth of info on these rifles as well as good forums.

Good luck!

35W

 

[Red October]

I have both a K11 and a K31. They both fire GP11 fine, and the Wolf Gold previously mentioned is a good choice if you plan to reload later on. (It also shoots fine in both of mine.)
If you decide on the K11, I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

To all who have replied, thanks for all your help! I am in all of your debts, for sure! Man, you all are going to cost me money...

35 Whelen, that is some first class shooting! Thanks for showing me that target. It makes me even more eager to try out these rifles and the ammo...

Thanks again, everyone, for all the help.

Cheers,

-Chris