Loading for 7.5x55 swiss

[powdergun]

I am very new to this round so if some of you folks could share a little info that would be greatly appreciated; ( for a K31 )

1) Can I use 30 cal bullets ? ( .308 vs .306) I have read it will work. If not is there a Canadian source for 7.5 cal ?

2) Does anyone use IMR 4064 and if so what load ?

Thanks in advance

 

[firebat]

.308 bullets work great, I use 168 SMK over VV N140. Any 308 powders should work just fine in this cartridge. Just make sure that you figure out actual OAL for the bullet you are planning to use because K31s usually have short throats.

 

[mmattockx]

I am very new to this round so if some of you folks could share a little info that would be greatly appreciated; ( for a K31 )

1) Can I use 30 cal bullets ? ( .308 vs .306) I have read it will work. If not is there a Canadian source for 7.5 cal ?
2) Does anyone use IMR 4064 and if so what load ?

Thanks in advance

Yes and yes. Every reloading manual will have loads using 4064 for 7.5x55, along with Hodgdon's website. I have had good performance with middle level loads of 4064 and both 150gr and 168gr bullets in my K31.

Mark

 

[bearhunter]

The 7.5x55 case is a very good design.

It is just very slightly better in many ways than the 7.62x51. Not enough to encourage anyone to go to the expense and effort to build or rechamber an existing rifle.

When it's utilized in a modern, strong, bolt action rifle, it will easily duplicate 30-06 loads with bullets up to 180 grains. The 30-06 gets the edge with heavier bullets.

The 7.5x55 is short enough to fit into short actions with 150-165 grain bullets, and generates 2-4% more velocity, depending on the rifle

It's a very efficient cartridge.

As to the OP's question.

Slug the bore on your rifle.

These are very well made, mass produced military rifles. Tolerances were followed very closely but there are some variations in bore diameters.

I've had them with both tight and loose bores.

All of them, even the Cadet rifles shoot 30 cal (308) diameter bullets well.

I've measured at least a couple dozen bores of Swiss Cadet, M1896/ M1911/ K31 rifles, they are possibly the most consistent of any other milsurp s I've measured, between rifles, including the Swede M96 and variants.

 

[powdergun]

I have looked at the manuals I have and also the hodgdon site and have not found any info for IMR 4064 but I did track down this info

150 to 155 gr bullets 35.5 - 44.5 gr
165 to 168 gr bullets 33.7 - 45.8 gr
175 to 180 gr bullets 34.2 - 42.6 gr

Do these numbers sound reasonable ? I always want to do my due dillegence with internet info.

 

[mbogo3]

K31 load .....use at own risk safe in my gun .... 6X Leupold 150gr Win- PPSP / 44gr IMR 4895/Fed 210/Privi brass OAL 2.893" 3 shot group at 100 yards .652"

 

[RVG_Don]

I've tried a number of the loads from here with great results including a 4064 load
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/theswissriflesdotcommessageboard/7-5x55-load-tables-t9041-s10.html

 

[big bear]

K31 load .....use at own risk safe in my gun .... 6X Leupold 150gr Win- PPSP / 44gr IMR 4895/Fed 210/Privi brass OAL 2.893" 3 shot group at 100 yards .652"

Very impressive.

 

[bearhunter]

I have looked at the manuals I have and also the hodgdon site and have not found any info for IMR 4064 but I did track down this info

150 to 155 gr bullets 35.5 - 44.5 gr

165 to 168 gr bullets 33.7 - 45.8 gr

175 to 180 gr bullets 34.2 - 42.6 gr

Do these numbers sound reasonable ? I always want to do my due dillegence with internet info.

Those loads look good for the K31 and 1911. The K31 rifles I've shot seem to shoot the best consistent accuracy with 165 grain bullets, just below the maximum listed loads.

 

[bearhunter]

K31 load .....use at own risk safe in my gun .... 6X Leupold 150gr Win- PPSP / 44gr IMR 4895/Fed 210/Privi brass OAL 2.893" 3 shot group at 100 yards .652"

Very impressive.

These rifles are very accurate, if they have good bores with tight throats and sharp leades, in good bedding.

Your groups are well beyond the capabilities of most I've shot or seen in the hands of very capable people.

 

[DiMP]

For plinking out to 200 yards using my K11 (all I've stretched out with this rifle so far) I've had luck with the cheap CamPro 147gr FMJ over 40.0gr of IMR4064. No issue hitting 12" steel at those ranges using the iron sights

 

[mmattockx]

I have looked at the manuals I have and also the hodgdon site and have not found any info for IMR 4064 but I did track down this info

150 to 155 gr bullets 35.5 - 44.5 gr
165 to 168 gr bullets 33.7 - 45.8 gr
175 to 180 gr bullets 34.2 - 42.6 gr

Do these numbers sound reasonable ? I always want to do my due dillegence with internet info.

7.5x55 from Hornady 7th Ed.:

Mark

 

[bearhunter]

mm, keep in mind Hornady is very unlikely to print loads which would be unsafe in weaker actions, such as the 1896 or Cadet rifles.

The loads show there will likely cove the whole spectrum of the Swiss straight pull rifles.

This isn't an uncommon practice.

It's quite common for these manuals to cater to the weaker actions so many of them were chambered for, especially with century old cartridge designs.

7x57, 30-06, 270win, 257rob, 280win, and the list goes on.

The OP can easily use the loads from the manual you posted, good on you.

 

[mmattockx]

mm, keep in mind Hornady is very unlikely to print loads which would be unsafe in weaker actions, such as the 1896 or Cadet rifles.

On the first page they say the loads are safe only in the 1896/11, 1911 and K31 actions. I agree lots of published data is soft in deference to older actions. I have several rifles in 6.5x55 and it is the same as the others you mention.

Mark