Reloading GP11

timandkimandshea

timandkimandshea

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Hi there
Looking for info on reloading the GP11 ammo for my K31. Specifically issues I would have trouble with, ie Berdan primer, bullets, dies, sourcing dies and primers, whatever. I couldn't find anything with the search function. I am new to reloading, so any tips or helpful comments appreciated.
Thanks
Tim
 
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when you search for things, make sure to set the date it looks back to a year +.

Canada ammo has boxes of privi boxer primed, https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/20-round-box-of-prvi-7-5x55-swiss-174gr-fmj/ i've shot 2 boxes of it, but i don't shoot alot of rifle so i've only loaded it once.

i do have some gp11 brass as well i plan to convert to use berdan primers. i got the wrong ones from canada ammo meant for 7.62x39 hoping they would work but they are under powered, larger diameter (gp11 is .215" i got .217) and shorter in height.

i was able to get the primers to seat, but it's not the easiest thing in the world to do. they also seat deeper then normal, but i was able to fire them with my k31. budget shooter has 7.62x51 berdan primers which are the right height, but still .217 vs .215. http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=543&CategoryID=97
 
You cannot convert boxer to berdan priming. The anvil in berdan case in in the case not the primer. You can't safely go the other way either.
Loading Berdan primers is more trouble than it's worth. You need a special tool to pry out the old one and you can't get berdan primers easily. So make a few drawer pulls out of the berdan primed brass, throw the rest away and buy boxer primed brass. Epp's lists it.
Dies and a shell holder are likely a special order thing, but ask Epp's about that too.
How new are you? You have any equipment? If not, look into one of the beginner's kits. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. The RCBS kit runs about $500.
The most important thing about 7.5 x 55(aka 7.5 Swiss, 7.5 Schmidt-Rubin et al) is that it uses a .308" bullet. Don't even try to figure out why a cartridge is called what it is though. It'll give you brain damage.
 
You can convert berdan to boxer, and yes it can be done safely and effectively...albeit very time consuming.
http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums.yuku.com/topic/25275

The other options are (IMHO):

- get Privi boxer brass or ammo and then use the once fired after first use ( probably the least expensive option if you go brass only, but the ammo is around 23-24$ per 20 rounds).
- convert 284 Winchester brass (I haven't seen any around here)
- source Norma 7.5x55 boxer brass (expensive and hard to get).
 
Don't listen to sunray, he (i think he's a computer program for spaming) seems to think only by the book stuff can be done. If it's not in a book it's impossible to do.
 
Whatever you do don't throw away your GP11 brass....send it to me! :)

Get the Berdan primers from Budget, they work perfectly http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=543&CategoryID=97

I use the water method to deprime, check it out on youtube there's lots of examples. I bought a 5/16" steel rod from Home Depot and sanded it down just a tad to be a nice piston like fit through the neck. A good fit is key, or you'll just splash yourself. Others have suggested using old sizing rods. Anyway try out a few things and see what works for you. It's lots of fun.
 
timandkimandshea said:
Hi there
Looking for info on reloading the GP11 ammo for my K31. Specifically issues I would have trouble with, ie Berdan primer, bullets, dies, sourcing dies and primers, whatever. I couldn't find anything with the search function. I am new to reloading, so any tips or helpful comments appreciated.
Thanks
Tim
Click to expand...

Privi Boxer primer brass is the easiest option.

I do reload Berdan. Deprime with RCBS tool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGTvWNI43s&list=UUvcYmhxOzQwVgOFBfmB9psA

I am using RWS 5620 berdan primer for Gp11 brass. Have not tried the cheaper ones while I still have the RWS supply.


Dies: Have Lee, RCBS and Hornady 7.55x55 Swiss. Hornady is most used.

Bullets:
.308 diameter. I prefer 155gr to178/180gr.
 
When seating a .217" Berdan primer will the regular RCBS LR primer holder work or do you need one bigger?
 
I popped out a Berdan primer using shell holder /water and a small socket extension with wooden block underneath. It was too tight for the RCBS holder.Not a fan of anything Lee snd not certain there is enough metal to file the other larger?
 
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