K31 reloading questions

[bender]

I'm a new k31 shooter, have shot a couple boxes of Wolf Gold ammo, but that's it. Great rifle, accurate, I love it so far !

Anyway, I have ordered the Redding die set. I think I read somewhere that it is recommended to FL size the cases, not simply to only neck-size... Is that true? I also ordered the Lee FC die.

I intend to shoot the same bullets I shoot in my US 30-06 rifles (Hornady 150gr FMJ). How many reloads should I expect the cases to last for? I usually load on the light side of medium loads.

What powders do you guys have good luck with? I have 3 reloading manuals, and I have looked in each one for powders. I jotted down a couple of powders, but I don't remember which ones they were (I'm at work now )

 

[telecaster1981]

Hey Bender,

Good call on getting a K31! I've been reloading for mine about 8 months now and it will make a marked difference in accuracy, as if it wasn't accurate enough.

Seems like a couple powders of choice are H-4064 & Varget, although I've been using H-4895 behind 175gr Sierra Match Kings lately with impressive results.

Also, you should get a long service life out of the Wolf Gold brass. Although it's not Norma brass in terms of quality, I find it to be rather consitent and a good value. In fact, the first cartridge I started reloading for is 8x57 Mauser, using Wolf Gold brass. I'm still using some of the pieces of brass I started with and that's been over a year...no idea how many firings, but it would have to be a bunch! Just be sure to anneal the case necks every 4-5 firings though! Oh, and after you've fired those cases 15-20 or so times, just watch for loose primer pockets...then you can toss them! OR there's a primer pocket tightener you can get from MidwayUSA.

I've also heard that 7.5x55 swiss should be FL sized instead of just neck sized but I didn't know that when I ordered my Lee Collet Sizer Die set last November...and those reloads work just fine. Only thing is, you have to be deliberate about closing the bolt since there is more resistance, but the Lee collet dies work as advertised!

Ben

 

[Canuck-IL]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=284354
and references therein...
/Bryan

 

[bender]

doh !! I searched on "K31" appearing in thread titles in the Handloading forum... but that thread didn't come up. Only some old thread from a few years ago...

 

[dcloco]

If you have one K31, neck sizing is fine. Have to full length size about every 3rd/4th/5th load, depending on how hot your loads are.

The 284 Winchester brass is a little better brass than Privi/Wolf or other European brands...and lasts a little longer.

 

[CMcDermott]

The straight pull action of the K31 doesn't have as much camming power to force a round into the chamber as more typical turn bolt actions. So if the case is just the tiniest bit too big, you won't be able to get the bolt to close properly. This is also why K31 chambers are large compared to the GP11 ammo they were made to fire - the Swiss army wanted the extra clearance for reliability in dirty combat conditions.