Thanks to all of you at THR I was able to decide on my first rifle, going with a k31 purchased at AIM surplus. All I need now is to find a good online store to buy the 7.5 round, wondering if you had any suggestions on what the best type is. All who have replied to my posts have been a lot of help, thanks again.
Thanks, and K31 ammo
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Jackal
Member
Well, about all you will currently find online will be the Wolf Gold line ammo. The GP11 surplus seems to have dried up at the moment and who knows, maybe for good.
Privi Partizan and Wolf Gold I think are made by the same company in Serbia so get what ever is available. Privi is usually cheaper and was 9.75 a box at aim last time I was on their site. Then there is Hornady but its about 30 bucks a box. And at some point you WILL probably find your self reloading unless your a rich doctor or something so check out Midway and graff and sons for supplies (Lee equipment is the cheapest and works well).
I bought my k31 a few weeks ago and it is indeed a nice rifle and has out shot every other rifle I own.
I bought my k31 a few weeks ago and it is indeed a nice rifle and has out shot every other rifle I own.
Firehand
Member
The surplus ammo still available has gone through the roof on price most places. There was only so much for the Swiss to sell.
I've heard good reports on the Wolf Gold and Privi Partizan ammo, and I believe both are reloadable cases. Ammoman.com, AIM might have them, sometimes Sportsmansguide.com has good prices on ammo.
If you decide to reload, you can reform .284 Winchester cases to use in the 7.5 Swiss. Though I imagine reloadable cases will become a bit less costly.
I've heard good reports on the Wolf Gold and Privi Partizan ammo, and I believe both are reloadable cases. Ammoman.com, AIM might have them, sometimes Sportsmansguide.com has good prices on ammo.
If you decide to reload, you can reform .284 Winchester cases to use in the 7.5 Swiss. Though I imagine reloadable cases will become a bit less costly.
270Win
Member
Buying Wolf Gold or Prvi Partizan (same ammo, different label?) and then reloading the ensuing empty cases seems like the best method of late.
Supposedly... I have heard at gun shows, gun shops, and the range that there are simply masses and masses of GP11 stockpiled in Switzerland that are "on their way." Whether they are waiting to clear customs... or for the Swiss to OK the whole thing... or for some other unknown factor, I don't know. But I don't think we've seen the end of that fantastic GP11.
If you're lucky, you can still find a Big Black Brick of it at gunshows, if you go VERY early on the first day and ask specifically for it. Prices are about $170 or so now, depending on the dealer. I've seen as high as $225, and it was long gone by the time I got there.
Supposedly... I have heard at gun shows, gun shops, and the range that there are simply masses and masses of GP11 stockpiled in Switzerland that are "on their way." Whether they are waiting to clear customs... or for the Swiss to OK the whole thing... or for some other unknown factor, I don't know. But I don't think we've seen the end of that fantastic GP11.
If you're lucky, you can still find a Big Black Brick of it at gunshows, if you go VERY early on the first day and ask specifically for it. Prices are about $170 or so now, depending on the dealer. I've seen as high as $225, and it was long gone by the time I got there.
BADUNAME13
Member
.35 Remington can also be resized saposadly...
El Tejon
Member
Firehand, ummm, the Swiss have billions upon billions of 7.5. Their mountain fortifications almost collapsed because of the weight of all the ammo they were cranking out during WWII.
The question is whether the feds will allow it in or the Switzers burned it to appease EU blissninnies.
The question is whether the feds will allow it in or the Switzers burned it to appease EU blissninnies.
Firehand
Member
There may be Billions and Billions[/Carl Sagan] in Switzerland, but there seems to be damn little still floating around here. And prices for it, last time I saw some, were bloody awful.
I'm wondering if it's related to the UN effort to have any milsurp stuff destroyed rather than fall into the hands of us nasty Americans.
I'm wondering if it's related to the UN effort to have any milsurp stuff destroyed rather than fall into the hands of us nasty Americans.
mpmarty
Member
The only safe substitute for reloadable 7.5x55 swiss brass is .284 Winchester. Do not try to use 35 Remington, it isn't even close and the pressure levels that round was designed for would make it unsafe even if it would somehow stretch and grow to fit the chamber. The .284 is actually a better case for the K31 than the boxer primed stuff from europe as its design working pressure is several thousand pounds per square inch higher than the swiss and so has stronger walls. Reduce listed charges 10% and work up using a mike to measure head expansion, back off at .001" as you've gone a little too far. You may notice difficult extraction as you get near max loads as there is little or no primary extraction leverage in the K31 or any other straight pull rifle for that matter.
El Tejon
Member
Firehand, gotcha. The market, if allowed to operate by UN and federal blissninnies, will correct this current problem.
jagdpanzer347
Member
The guys up at AIM have been working on bringing in more GP11 for several months now. From what I gather, the main thing holding up the transaction has been bickering over price.
-jagd
-jagd
silverlance
Member
is there a handloading (not press) kit for 7.5? and does anyone know where i can find a berdan decapper?
Firehand
Member
Lee and RCBS make dies for 7.5 Swiss. RCBS makes a Berdan decapping tool, don't know what the price is now; I lucked out and found a guy at a show selling one cheap. Check Midwayusa.com and grafs.com, one or the other ought to have the dies and decapper. For that matter, check Evilbay, never can tell what'll show up there.
Big problem with the Swiss cases is I can't find anyone selling the Berdan primers. So until I can, I've been using reformed .284 cases.
Big problem with the Swiss cases is I can't find anyone selling the Berdan primers. So until I can, I've been using reformed .284 cases.
PotatoJudge
Member
I think Lee used to make a Lee Loader for the 7.5 Swiss, but I can't find any on ebay right now.
Alert! Authenticate the existence of the proof mark on your K-31 prior to using modern-day pressure loads. These rifles were proof fired and marked as such to a level of 65,000 CUP (copper under pressure).
I also have heard that the .284 Winchester is the best alternative for reloads. However, everything I have read has suggested not pressing one's luck with the 65,000 proof CUP. For my part, I will limit my reloads to not more than 52,000 to 55,000 CUP, or less if I witness signs of pressure.
I also have heard that the .284 Winchester is the best alternative for reloads. However, everything I have read has suggested not pressing one's luck with the 65,000 proof CUP. For my part, I will limit my reloads to not more than 52,000 to 55,000 CUP, or less if I witness signs of pressure.
Davo
Member
You made a fine choice, and as the years go by you will appreciate it more and more. GP11 ammo is more expenisve but the way to go with this round. You may be able to reload for about the same price with bulk components.
Let us know if its a birch or walnut stock, and if youve got a tag under the buttplate!
Doc is the max 65000 CUP or PSI? I agree with not pushing your luck on reloads.
Let us know if its a birch or walnut stock, and if youve got a tag under the buttplate!
Doc is the max 65000 CUP or PSI? I agree with not pushing your luck on reloads.
Specifically it is: 65,000 P.S.I.C.U.P
Most people describe it as 65,000 pounds per square inch, chamber under pressure. However, the proper wording is copper under pressure. They use copper billets that deform at predetermined amounts of pressure, i.e. 65,000.
Hope that helps.
Doc2005
Most people describe it as 65,000 pounds per square inch, chamber under pressure. However, the proper wording is copper under pressure. They use copper billets that deform at predetermined amounts of pressure, i.e. 65,000.
Hope that helps.
Doc2005
mpmarty
Member
OK< back off a bit here. CUP stands for Copper Units of Pressure and used to be a SAAMI standard. No more, now all pressure measurements are done on transducer devices. Be that as it may, 44,000 psi, CUP or whatever you like is the maximum average working pressure for the GP11 round and it was 36,000 psi, CUP or whatever for the 1896 Swiss 7.5x55 with the rear locking lugs. The K31 is a fine rifle but the casehead is unsupported and overpressure loads will rupture the brass case and destroy both you and the rifle. There is no SAAMI pressure limit for the 7.5x55 as it is not a standard US cartridge. Go to Hornady website as they now market a commercial cartridge for this K31 and will answer any questions you may have relative to operating pressures, chamber dimensions, and so forth. Be careful.
65,000 proof mark looks like an upper cased "E" crunched together with an upper cased "P". Just a minute, I'll get the quote and an internet site for you...pause):
"The completely assembled weapon is subjected to numerous inspections, as well as a proof test which involves the firing of two cartridges loaded to give a chamber pressure of about 65,000 pounds per square inch. This corresponds to a pressure approximately 40 percent greater than normal. After this test the stamp “Beschuss-Probe” is applied to the top of the receiver. The sign reads '(€P)'."
Copied from the following website at 7:17 p.m., Thu., March 22, 2007: http://swissriflewebsite.com/
Good luck.
Doc2005
"The completely assembled weapon is subjected to numerous inspections, as well as a proof test which involves the firing of two cartridges loaded to give a chamber pressure of about 65,000 pounds per square inch. This corresponds to a pressure approximately 40 percent greater than normal. After this test the stamp “Beschuss-Probe” is applied to the top of the receiver. The sign reads '(€P)'."
Copied from the following website at 7:17 p.m., Thu., March 22, 2007: http://swissriflewebsite.com/
Good luck.
Doc2005
silverlance
Member
okay ill go look for the dies.
... What PSI or CUP is GP11? is it under 65K?
... What PSI or CUP is GP11? is it under 65K?
Davo
Member
Yes silverlance, gp11 is at around 42-45K I believe. The K31 was designed to work with gp11 ammo, and they are a great combo. The gp11 load is pretty close to what the US military uses for its match round.
As a rough guide, this round will match most velocities obtainable with the .308, per given bullet weight.
As a rough guide, this round will match most velocities obtainable with the .308, per given bullet weight.
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