k31 reloading...

[bender]

got a k31 coming, and I ordered a set of Lee dies for it. Unfortunately, I then started reading up on the k31 on surplusrifle.com...

according to that site, ONLY Redding dies size properly for the k31. Other dies size too small (for older schmidt-rubins), resulting in occasional misfires. Is this still true...? I'd like some input from THR members regarding this.

Thanks!

 

[cracked butt]

The lee dies willwork just fine.

The K-31 chambers are a little more generous around the shoulder than the 1911 chambers. If you attempt to partially resize the brass, you'll squeaze the shoulder down which will force it forward which will cause the brass to not chamber. You need to completely full length resize every time.

 

[GRIZ22]

The lee dies willwork just fine.

This makes two of the same answer. When I started loading for the K31 I saw the same rhing about shoulder angle or something. I discussed this with an experienced 7.5 Swiss reloader I now who shoots his K31 in vintage rifle matches with many places in the top 3. He had found no problem with Lee dies and he's been loading it a lot longer than most of us.

 

[db_tanker]

Add me to the group who has no issues with the 7.5 Swiss lee dies.

My K-31 loves my hand-loads.


D

 

[Blackfork]

K31 Loads

Not to hijack the thread, but can someone give the bullet they are using and the load data for a good K31 load?

 

[mpthole]

tagged for replies. I just picked up a set of Lee dies myself. My rifle club has a retired service rifle match every fall, which is always lots of fun! First year I shot it with a borrowed K31. This year I've finally got my own.

 

[vzenmn]

^
And I would like to know if anyone has had any experience with cheap pulled surplus m2 bullets with this round.

 

[bender]

On the same site (surplusrifle.com) I also read some info about bullet shapes, and contacting the leade...

Something about setting the bullet back slightly more so that it isn't chambered into the leade. Or using bullets with a longer pointier nose so that when chambered there would be a little space between the bullet and the leade...

The lee dies will work just fine.

that's good to know. I get all my info off the internet... but you know, many articles you read on the internet about your subject may have been written 5 years ago... or longer !! Things change, that's why I like to verify info on places like THR.

 

[Canuck-IL]

I think the consensus from the 5 or so Swiss rifle boards has been that the Lee dies work fine BUT work the brass more = shorter life for occ. very hard to find or expensive brass. If it's all for the same rifle, you could go to neck sizing.
/B

 

[bender]

I ordered one box of Norma brass (20). Dang!! Over $1 each...!

So I also ordered a couple boxes of Wolf 7.5 schmidt rubin, which is supposedly reloadable... Hope it's decent brass.

 

[Firehand]

Check the reloading section, search on '7.5 swiss' and you'll find a lot. Also, check swissrifles.com, they've got a reloading section.

Some people do report problems with Lee dies. I've been using them, mostly for cast-bullet practice loads, with no problems.

As to the neck-size vs. full-length, according the 'the' expert at swissrifles, since the straight-pull bolts don't have the 'camming' power of a turnbolt, you're better off full-length sizing every time. Also important is checking the case length, these rifles are picky about it.

One thing you can do for cases(also covered in the handloading section) is to form .284 Winchester brass; works nicely, and a LOT less expensive at this time than buying reloadable 7.5 brass, unless someone's now making it available at better prices.

 

[jerkface11]

The Lee dies work. I wouldn't say they work fine though. Sizing is EXTREMELY difficult with them. If you can live with that fine. If not sell them on ebay and buy the redding set. As for a bullet mine love 147gr pulldowns.

 

[fatelk]

I've tinkered with loading 7.5 for my K31 for several years now. I have a set of LEE dies that I use to form the brass from .284 Winchester.
I've always heard about the great accuracy of these rifles but haven't seen it from mine. Maybe I haven't found the right load yet.
I did notice that the LEE dies seemed to size the brass way down each time and I knew that couldn't be good for the brass. I bought an RCBS neck-sizer die through Midway. The way the brass fire-forms to the oversized K31 chamber, this neck-sizer die actually full length sizes the brass perfectly for my rifle!

Now I just need to try some more loads to see if I can get it to shoot like they are supposed to. The bore is perfect, the trigger is excellent, sights are good; must be the ammo.

 

[Slamfire]

I have Lee Dies. Set them up using a Sinclair Comparator since no one makes a 7.5 Cartridge Headspace gage. Also was unable to find a 7.5 rifle headspace gage. Basically I set the shoulders about .003” back so the round will always chamber. I had set up my dies using the close the bolt trick, and found after I had a comparator, that I was way off. Using a bolt to determine cartridge headspace is very inexact because of the lack of sensitivity.

I did some load development. IMR 4350 shot very well, I would recommend the 51.0 grain load as it approximates Swiss ammunition. The 52.0 grain load is for reference, and is above what I would recommend.

7.5 x 55 Swiss Model K-31

168 gr Nosler Match 51.0 gr AA4350 INDEP brass and primer OAL 2.850
22 Dec 01 T = 58 ° F
Ave Vel = 2536
Std Dev = 16
ES 45
Low 2510
High 2555
N= 9


22 Dec 01 T = 58 ° F
168 gr Nosler Match 52.0 gr AA4350 INDEP brass and primer OAL 2.850

Ave Vel = 2624
Std Dev = 28
ES 72
Low 2588
High 2660
N=5

 

[Jim K]

Firehand is correct. Those rifles have little seating or primary extraction power. Folks who load for the M1 rifle are familiar with the need to full length size, and reloading for the K31 or Model 1911 need to follow the same procedures as for a semi-auto rifle.

Jim

 

[bender]

after I posted this thread last night, I realized I should have put it in the Reloading forum. If a Mod can move it, I'd appreciate it...

 

[Dave R]

The Lee dies work. I wouldn't say they work fine though. Sizing is EXTREMELY difficult with them. If you can live with that fine.

I use .284Win brass, and it was really hard to resize them the first time, when I was reforming then to 7.5 Swiss specs. After that, if feels about like resizing .308.

've always heard about the great accuracy of these rifles but haven't seen it from mine. Maybe I haven't found the right load yet.

What bullet are you using? The GP-11 load uses a 175gr. bullet with a short ogive. If you're using a lighter, longer bullet, that may affect it.

That said, I use a 150gr. Sierra soft point over 43gr. H335, lit by a CCI large rifle magnum primer. Its not a one-hole load, but its inexpensive and it kills hogs well.

 

[Essex County]

I sprang for the Redding dies and I just plain like them. I have one set of Lee dies for 7.62X54R and they work OK. It's no comparison between the two brands. I tend to be quite frugal (read cheep) but I do prefer Redding. Have Fun..........Essex

 

[cracked butt]

tend to be quite frugal (read cheep) but I do prefer Redding.

Ditto.