Does anyone reload for the Schmidt-Rubin, 7.5 X 55?

A friend of mine has a K-31 and would like to start loading for it.

So far I have learned that:

1. Looks like they use .30 cal bullets (?).

2. Brass can be formed from .284 Windchester. Not sure how to how to expand the neck after it is run through the 7.5X55 die. (Cream of wheat and about 10 grains of fast powder?)

3. There seems to be two versions of the dies. One for the older Schmidt-Ruben with smaller diameter and one with slightly more generous diameter for the K-31 with "looser" chamber. How can I be sure of getting the correct die set?

4. The Brass is similar to the 30-06 in case capacity (a few grains less) I think that powders that work well in the -06 would be a good starting point. (RL-15, RL-19, IMR4350)

5. Loading data- I have both Speer and Nosler manuals, but neither has the S-R. I don't plan to load too hot, just plinking/target loads.

6. As the straight pull action is similar to a pump, we plan to full length resize.

Any thoughts, or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I have been reloading for the K-31 for the past 3 years. Here is what I can tell you!

1. .308 bullets are the correct diameter
2. re-15 is a great powder with 168 gr. match bullets.
3. .284 brass can easily be formed by just running it through a full length 7.5 x 55 die.
4. you must be very cogniscent of your cartridge A.O.L. (see reloading info at swissrifles.com) read everything on this site about reloading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Sierra and Hodgdon have reloading data for the 7.5 x 55 swiss.
6. Do not load the swiss to the same pressure as the 30-06 even though the case capacity is similar. The straight pull bolt does not have the camming power of a turn bolt.

my favorite load is:
1. 168 gr. Nosler, Sierra or Prvi match bullet, Prvi 7.5 x 55 brass, CCi 200 primer, 45.5 grains RE-15. Cronographs at 2625 fps.

Other loads can be found at swissrifles.com along with tips for accurizing.

A/C:
Hornady dies for the K-31 are recommended. Don't mess with reforming .284 -- you can get perfectly good virgin 7.5 Swiss brass from Graf and Sons. IMR 4064 is another fine powder.
You can find a vast trove of K-31 information at the links here:
http://www.swissrifles.com/links.htm#forums

Ac Guy; I shoot and load for the K31 in 7.5x55 Swiss. The first brass I used was WW284, it works fine and I still have it, then Grafs had brass available about 3-4 years ago, I bought 100 with the correct headstamp for about the same as I paid for 50 WW284, both are good brass. I use Lee reloading dies and have had no problem with them, brass seems to have very good life. I think Redding makes different dies for K31 and S-R 89-96/11-1911 because of different chamber sizes. When I first got it I shot WW150pp bulk .308 bullets and surplus WC846 powder, loaded to about 2600fps and was quite accurate with the original sights. I now shoot mostly cast bullets in it and it makes for a fun gun to shoot, kids just love it. I bought mine locally at sporting goods store for 89.00(beech stock), wish I would have bought a couple, nice rifles.
Hornady and Lee have load data, probably a couple more too.

I started with Hornady dies only to find they FL sized too much. I then learned that they were reamed to 1911 chamber dimensions and that Redding made larger K31 sizing dies. I ordered one of these and all is fine since. As already said, bullet diameter is .308 and my petload is the Sierra 168 MK / N 140 / 45.0 (it shoots < .75 MOA from my 2 scoped K31).

Beech stock, anno 1955


Walnut stock, anno 1938 P (= privatized rifle)
NB ; : both rifles were accurized, following the advice given at the Swiss rifles website mentioned above.

Thanks for the input.

I see that Hornady makes two die sets, one for the older S-R, and one for the K31.

I always check distance to the lands with any new rifle/bullet combination.

CH4D makes resizing dies that are correct for the K-31, be sure to specify the K-32 chamber. Excellent quality and cheaper than most others. I shot a K-31 in Military Rifle benchrest competion with excellet results using 135 Gr Bergers and a lot of H4831SC. Use the redding compition shellholders to just allow the CH4D die to push back the sholder about .002" and you will be amazed at how well a K-31 will shoot.