Grouchy Spike

Ah, the spire point!! From where can one acquire these? They should mate well with 7.5x55!

During a conversation about reloading for the Swiss K31 Marshal Willy reports that he was amazed at the gain in velocity using moly coated bullets. He coated 155 gr cast bullets with moly coat and gained 87 fps MV, from 1775 fps to 1862 fps. He used Lyman #2 lead in a Lee C3121552R mould, sized to 0.310" for a weight of 155 gr with GC, fired in a 7.5x55 Swiss using 22 gr IMR 4198 powder. That moly coating kit came from Buffalo Arms: http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=161040

I've been watching K31s on Gunbroker, and typically they sell for around $500. However, one sale almost cracked $1000 because the seller had thoroughly cleaned and lubed a K31, 'lightly' sanded the stock, applied a black coating to the blue parts, polished the unblued parts. And he had some range videos to attest to the accuracy. While his work didn't necessarily improve the accuracy, it did improve the eye appeal.

I posted last year about my experience with this caliber in the K31, and Happy Jack commented that he used Imperial Lube. I abandoned castor oil because it is labor intensive, switched to Dillon lube with great results - every case is sized to chamber every time. Were Wilson to make a case gauge for this caliber, that would make QC easier because it wouldn't be necessary to chamber -check every round. Here's the earlier link:http://www.sassnet.com/wildbunch/forum/index.php?topic=2090.0 When the cartridge doesn't full chamber, the operating rod protrudes slightly in it's channel in the bolt, and a loud click is heard when the trigger is pulled but the firing pin hasn't impacted the primer, maybe at the most a faint dent is put into the primer. Slamming the bolt fully forward and recocking the firing might work, but that may also jam the oversized cartridge into the chamber with a long recovery time. Better to eject that misfit and have extra ammo on hand. If this failure to fully chamber happens, it's time to back up to the sizing die. Check the cases in the K31 after sizing and trimming to TTL and before further processing them. If they don't easily chamber, either the case is not fully sized to the base or the shoulder set-back is off. The Redding sizing die for K31 reloads eliminated almost all problems and the Dillon lube provided the remaining solution. Chamber checking for QC is necessary. Other K31 shooters please jump on this and share your experience. Many others are buying and shooting these K31s.

Boggus I'm using 4.3 gr TB and a 125 gr bullet in 38 Spl. I am more temperature sensitive than the powder, but between 50F and 100F I've not noticed a difference. Below 50F I'm so cold IF I shoot that I don't notice the change in recoil. What's your load for warmer climates? I discovered my 1911 problem that occurred at the LA State WB Match last year and affected the recoil and operation of the slide. Someone, not mentioning any names :-[, emptied some 4064 or 2400 powder (don't remember which) from the Redding powder dispenser into the Trail Boss can after loading BAM ammo. That can of TB was then used in the powder dispenser on the 550B. Wasn't much contamination and it varied, but it was enough to dilute the TB to unhealthy low levels of pressure. I'm double checking my powder now! See you at TX State WB 2017?

Kid, I ran five rounds of 45 acp through a chrono today, loaded with 4.3 gr Trail Boss and a 230 gr bullet: 712; 702; 682; 698; 693 fps for PF of 163; 161; 156; 160; 159. With 4.5 gr Trail Boss the case will be just at capacity under the 230 gr bullet.

Apologies for missing the point! I watched one shooter try BP in his 1911 and he was fouling severely, but the 1911 was working well until it fouled. I did run those loads over my chrono and over a chrono at a state WB match, PF was 160. But considering your experience, I'll chrono again. At 4.5 gr TB the case was about capacity beneath the 230 gr. Did you compress the powder or were you using a lighter (shorter) bullet?

KR, if your 1911 fouls after 20 rounds of BP, it sounds like you'll be cleaning the chamber between mag changes in a WB match! I'd recommend use of a powder that doesn't inhibit the operation of the 1911 during a match, or at least during a stage. 4.3 gr Trail Boss with a 230 gr RN works well, and there are numerous other powders that will work equally as well if not better. I like the easy recoil of TB. And an overcharge is immediately obvious in the loading process!

http://www.sassnet.com/EoT/results.php

I learned in the school of hard knocks that seating and crimping should be done in separate operations to eliminate problems! Particularly on 45 acp. YMMV.

Congratluations, Boggus! Well earned and well deserved!

4.3 Grains Trail Boss, 230 gr LRN, Federal LP Primers, various cases,= 700 fps, PF 161 as chrono'd by CVV at 2014 State WB Match.

For the reloaders of the 7.5x55 cartridge for K31 carbines - if sizing is difficult at the base of the cartridge, try Castor Oil as a lube. Every case mouth is brushed with a bore brush, swabbed out with an alcohol-soaked patch; every case is wiped down with an alcohol soaked rag before lubing. Then I'll spray Hornady One Shot into the case mouths before beginning the CO lube process. I'm using a Redding FL sizing die to resize 7.5x55 for a K31, recommended by several on the Swiss Rifle forum. When I switched to Castor Oil from Hornady One Shot aerosol, sizing became much easier with the Redding die. And surprisingly little CO is needed. Dip one finger into the neck of the CO bottle, smear a bit on thumb and two fingers and rub each case body. If you can see a run of CO on the case, you have over-lubed. I'm not having any more problems with slightly oversize cartridge bases (and failure to chamber completely) as I did when using a Lee FL die. Maybe the CO would have solved the problem with the Lee FL sizer, but I'm not backing up to check that. On the case necks, a quick rub with fingers barely sticky with CO is sufficient, otherwise case necks can be dented. And after sizing, a complete wipe down of the case with an alcohol-soaked rag is needed. Prior to expanding the case mouth with the Lyman M-Die (thanks to suggestions by Garrison Joe and Boggus Deal), I'll use dip the case neck into Redding Imperial Dry Neck Lube, then wipe it off after the bullet is seated and lightly crimped. Every loaded cartridge is cycled through a K31 chamber after reloading is finished, feeling for any resistance which would prevent complete chambering. Maybe this is extra anal and labor intensive, but all of my ammo chambers without a problem.

Jackeroo, Dusty Boddams put me on to Norm Purcella in NM. I don't know what he offers in 7mm. Service is prompt, bullets are OK. Call or write: npurcella56@gmail.com or phone at 575-625-2825 In the 7.5x55 Swiss for a K31 carbine, I use 15 gr Trail Boss with a 168 gr GC at 1500 fps. I tried TB in the 30-06 but it didn't shoot as tight a group as did IMR 4064 (32.0 - 32.5) pushing the same bullet about 1600 fps. Trail Boss makes the K31 spit like a mad cat, no recoil, no muzzle jump.

I plan to be there for WB match, BAMM, and RO school. Side matches too. If this match is similar to the 2014 match, it will be challenging without being overpowering, and great fun. Looking forward to it. OK, Lone Dog - it's time to belly up to the bar!

7.5 x 55 Swiss K-31: I've arrived! After climbing the learning curve, aka 'load development', I can now hit the metal 16" circle target at 200 yds consistently with the K31 using 15.0 gr Trail Boss in 7.5x55 cartridge with a 0.310" 168 gr GC by Norm Purcella. That's almost a full case of TB for 1500 fps, so no more velocity is available with this powder and bullet weight. The Redding FL sizer and (thanks to advice by Garrison Joe and Boggus Deal) the Lyman M die, coupled with stringent quality control on bullets, TTL, seating depth and COL, delivers some consistent performance. And did I mention that I chamber check EVERY round after reloading? From you purveyors of the fine Swiss K31 carbine, what are your loads? And next is the Mosin Nagant. Does anybody have any recipes to share? Any experience with accuracy?

Garand, you are so right, and I saw a 'universal' recipe for Red Dot too. I didn't have any Unique or Red Dot, only Trail Boss, 4064, and 2400 for rifle. 15.0 gr Trail Boss and a 168 gr GC for 7.5x55 K31 offered softer recoil, less 'crack' than 4064, so I tend to use the TB. The K31 spits like an angry cat with this load. But recoil and noise with 32.5 gr 4064 and a 168 gr GC in 30-06 was not objectionable. With the 03A3 the groups tightened up to minimum with this load. I will likely try the 2400 in a 7.62x54R MN directly.

Greetings Desert Pete, and welcome to the WB forums. BAMM is explained in the rules at the top of the WB Wire. BAMM uses any military bolt action rifle (or clone) issued up to the end of WW2, unmodified externally, cartridges loaded with lead bullets. Using gas checks, about 1700+ fps, slower if one wants less recoil. The match is a side match, may be only the rifle, or may include a 1911 and a shotgun. All kinds of old military rifles appear - Mausers, Krags, Springfields, Arisakas, Lee Enfields, K31s, Mosin Nagants, etc. If you have the opportunity to visit a BAM Match, I encourage you to do so. And if the offer is made for you to shoot a few rounds, even better!. Careful though, you could be hooked!

I can attest that the 1917 loaded with the same 45 acp load as my 1911 (4.3 gr Trail Boss and a 230 gr bullet, PF = 161), is way more rowdy than the 1911! I backed off to 3.5 gr TB and a 230 gr bullet for the 1917. While that is manageable, I'd load lighter bullets for the 1917 if I had some handy. But shooting the 1917 is a hoot!

Boggus Deal and Garrison Joe, I'm a total convert to 'M' Dies! Thanks for the advice and recommendations. One of the Texas cowboys recommended 170 gr rnfp w/gc for 30-06 using 18.5 gr 2400..1725fps....very good group at 100 yds. I found another article by C.E. Harris with recipes for 2400 Powder, including a "Universal Load" for many .30 caliber military cartridges: 16 gr 2400 with bullet weights common for the caliber. Read more here before starting this: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article YMMV

TB, congratulations! You'll know that you are addicted to WB when you'd prefer to shoot a 1911 instead of a sixgun. There is more fun yet to come. Bolt Action Military Matches coult be the next addiction, particularly if there is time to include a 1911 (or 1917) and a 1897 SG!

Gonna write that down and tape it to a buttstock! Seems more simple in interpretation and application to say ‘no case spent or live can be left in a discarded weapon without penalty’ or some such. 6/10/15 The more I think about this rule the more I consider it unnecessary and complicated, subject to interpretation. Why is it necessary? Would we be as well served if no rounds, live or spent, could be left anywhere in a long gun?

Garrison Joe, I have M dies but haven't used them. I've been using the Lee case mouth expanding die. Am I overlooking some benefit here?

I began reloading 7.5x55 with a set of Lee dies, and had four cases that wouldn't fully chamber. Investigation revealed that I hadn't removed all of the 'spring' in a Redding T7 turret press. I screwed down the FL sizing die a bit more and mostly eliminated that problem but I did learn to check all resized and trimmed cases IN THE CHAMBER, and then again after reloading. A cartridge gauge would be a handy tool to have here. The next challenge occurred when trying to seat the bullet just off the lands. The 170 gr GC Sil bullet from Norm Purcella has a OAL of 0.998" and a bearing surface which is about 0.357" long. New PPU cases are mostly 2.180" OAL with some at 2.183". I trimmed the cases to 2.166" max OAL so that the finished cartridge would have a length no greater than 2.795". At 2.800" the bullet would be slightly marked by the lands. The case length of 2.166" allows just half a red hair of bullet bearing surface above the case mouth. I don't know whether this bullet is a true secant ogive shape as best would fit the K31 chamber. It looks more like a tangent ogive, but I'm not so smart about that. Reading that the Redding dies for 7.5 x 55 are sized for the K31 chamber, I now have two Redding sizer dies - a FL and a NeckSizer. About half of my match loads were done using the Redding FL die, along with a Lee Expander, Seater, and Factory Crimp die. The first half were done with the Lee FL sizer. In the final QC chamber check by my dedicated associate, three cartridges apparently escaped the check as they chambered with difficulty during a match. In the chamber check, the bolt should close easily, without tapping it. I visited the range with loads of 13, 14, and 15 gr Trail Boss and 30 gr of 4064. Up to 100 meters the 15 gr TB grouped well at about 1525 fps as did 14 gr TB at about 1485 fps. At 200 meters, the TB didn't do so well and the 30 gr 4064 was superior. More work is needed with a chrono as these were one or two shot measurements, and also with 4064 loads. There is no muzzle jump with loads of 15 gr TB and a 170 gr bullet.

Congratulations, Long Dog! Do some serious practice with that TRP and bring it to the TX State WB Match on September 19th. Let's do some shooting. Do you have a bolt action military rifle to accompany it? There is likely to be a Bolt Action Military Match again this year.