7.5x55 ammo

[private_pile]

Anyone know where I can get 7.5x55 ammo for a schmidt-rubin? Preferably soft points, if they make them.

 

[(((Echo)))]

The easiest and cheapest is on your reloading machine. You can reform .284 Winchester brass if no 7.5mm brass is available. The cartridge uses .308 bullets so that selection is wide open.
The only loaded ammo I've seen for sale is/was FMJ military. Not a hunting round.

(E)

 

[private_pile]

So, .284 Winchester brass casings can be reformed to the 55mm swiss casing? Is that what you meant? And it can be fitted with a 7.62mm (.308)round and still be fired without problems?

The easiest and cheapest is on your reloading machine. You can reform .284 Winchester brass if no 7.5mm brass is available. The cartridge uses .308 bullets so that selection is wide open.
The only loaded ammo I've seen for sale is/was FMJ military. Not a hunting round.

(E)

 

[(((Echo)))]

The 7.5mm Swiss round is .308. You're not in any danger of screwing anything up, unless you have a 1889 model. Those have a .304 bore I believe. Casting is your friend there. All others are .308.
Yes on the reforming part. The .284 Win brass is a little smaller in the base, and the case length after forming is about ¼mm short, but it will cycle through fine. Thoroughly lube the case when forming. The first firing will finish forming it to your chamber .
I have gone this route, and it works just fine.

(E)

 

[private_pile]

Uh oh... I guess now's the time to tell you guys that it is the 1889 model.

 

[(((Echo)))]

First things first. Have you shot this rifle?
-If you haven't shot it but were planning on it, don't use GP11 ammo. Pressure's too high for the action to handle.
-If you haven't already, check the bore and chamber. I've heard of (and seen) these being converted to .30-30 Winchester.

(E)

 

[private_pile]

I have shot it. They were really old fmj's and looked similar to the 7.62 NATO so I would assume that it was the 7.5x55 round (there was no indication on the casing itself) - (I don't know what GP11 ammo is ). But this gun is all original, even the clip matches the serial number. So I doubt this guy would be silly enough to medel with it.

First things first. Have you shot this rifle?
-If you haven't shot it but were planning on it, don't use GP11 ammo. Pressure's too high for the action to handle.
-If you haven't already, check the bore and chamber. I've heard of (and seen) these being converted to .30-30 Winchester.

(E)

 

[Cocked&Locked]

OK, be aware that the later 7.5 swiss loading was about 12 000 psi higher in pressure rating then the first one. Your rifle (has the 10 round mag hanging out the bottom right?) was not designed to digest a steady (or indeed any) diet of the later rounds. You HAVE to hand load it. Find a good manual or check out swiss rifle sites..you will damage it using modern 7.5 swiss loads.

Oh, and i have seen all three models of this rifle converted to 30 30 as you can do so with a simple chamber reaming, to make a cheap and dirty hunting rifle. While yours is probably not, (the cases would have been blown out when they came out) it's always worth checking

 

[private_pile]

Geez. I'm learning so much about this rifle and I haven't even bought it yet!

This rifle has a shorter 5 round mag. But I've matched it based on appearance and some description to the model 1889 in the "Military Small Arms of the 21st Century" book. It looks the same, only just a 5 round mag. The owner says it's the 1886 model (which I don't think exists) so it must be the 1889.

Now, if I want to make this rifle a 30-30. Will I have to make the bore a bit larger, or just ream out the chamber? (I'll probably get a gunsmith to do it) And when that's done, I can from that point forward just go to the store and pick up a box of 30-30 and all will be well?

OK, be aware that the later 7.5 swiss loading was about 12 000 psi higher in pressure rating then the first one. Your rifle (has the 10 round mag hanging out the bottom right?) was not designed to digest a steady (or indeed any) diet of the later rounds. You HAVE to hand load it. Find a good manual or check out swiss rifle sites..you will damage it using modern 7.5 swiss loads.

Oh, and i have seen all three models of this rifle converted to 30 30 as you can do so with a simple chamber reaming, to make a cheap and dirty hunting rifle. While yours is probably not, (the cases would have been blown out when they came out) it's always worth checking

 

[(((Echo)))]

The rifles:

Schmidt-Rubin 1889
Barrel Length - 30.7 inches: 3-groove, RH, concentric rifling, 1 in 10.63
Overall Length - 51.25 inches
Weight - 10.69lbs empty
Action - Schmidt-Rubin Straight Pull
Caliber - 7.5x53.5 Swiss (GP90 & GP 90/03)
7.5x54.5 Swiss (GP90/23)
Capacity - 12 round detachable box magazine
Sights - Quadrant sight graduated to 2000m

Schmidt-Rubin 1896/11 Rifle
Barrel Length - 30.7 inches: 4-groove, RH, concentric rifling, 1 in 10.63"
(approx 6000 96/11s had a twist rate of 1 in 9")
Overall Length - 51.2 inches
Weight - 9.94lbs empty
Action - Schmidt-Rubin Straight Pull
Caliber - 7.5x55 Swiss (GP11)
Capacity - 6 round detachable box magazine
Sights - Tangent-leaf sight graduated to 2000m

Schmidt-Rubin 1911 Rifle
Barrel Length - 30.7 inches: 4-groove, RH, concentric rifling, 1 in 10.63"
(S/Ns 350001 to 365000 had a twist rate of 1 in 9")
Overall Length - 51.5 inches
Weight - 10.03lbs empty
Action - Schmidt-Rubin Straight Pull
Caliber - 7.5x55 Swiss (GP11)
Capacity - 6 round detachable box magazine
Sights - Tangent-leaf sight graduated to 2000m

Schmidt-Rubin 1911 Carbine
Barrel Length - 23.3 inches: 4-groove, RH, concentric rifling, 1 in 10.63
Overall Length - 43.6 inches
Weight - 8.85lbs empty
Action - Schmidt-Rubin Straight Pull
Caliber - 7.5x55 Swiss (GP11)
Capacity - 6 round detachable box magazine
Sights - Tangent-leaf sight graduated to 1500m


The ammo:

GP90 & GP90/03

GP90/23

GP11

The GP90 ammo generates around 37,000psi, while the GP11 ammo is 45,500psi.

(E)

 

[(((Echo)))]

Compare these to the rifle you've shot.

Any of the ones with the caliber 7.5x55mm (GP11) is OK to continue shooting as is. If you indeed do have an original 1889, reload for it. It'd be worth more should you decide to sell it. Just my $.02

(E)

 

[royce]

If the one you are buying is the 1889 model, I have reloaded for it myself. I currently own one myself, and I enjoy using it very much. I have purchased brass from ellwood epps in ontario, (7.5x55) and I use .308 220 gr. rnd nose hornady. Follow the reloading instructions for the 30-40 Krag and you will be just fine.

 

[private_pile]

I was definitely using the GP11 (based on the picture Echo submitted). And the rifle was either the 1896/11 or the 1911 rifle. If this helps at all, the serial number is: 442### +

I'd like to use this as a hunting rifle and would prefer to not alter the original design. The accuracy is incredible and I like the way you work the bolt.. as ugly as it is. So any way I can safely get soft points through this thing is my goal, while preserving the amazing accuracy of course! If I can use the 55mm swiss casing with a .308 bullet, then that's what I'll do!

 

[Aaron Neville]

For gp11, check "shooting edge", here on CGN

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362596

 

[(((Echo)))]

From the partial serial #, you have a 1911 Infantry model (third rifle down) made around 1917. It's chambered for GP11 ammo.
It can be reloaded using standard .308 bullets, dies for the cartridge are available from several companies. Have at 'er

(E)

 

[private_pile]

Cool! Then I might just buy it after all! Thanks a lot for all your help guys. Lots of people on CGN tend to give an answer that has nothing to do with the question. You guys were a real help!