Swiss K31 vs Sweden M38 or M96

I love both guns and choosing between them is like choosing a favourite child.

The K31 is more interesting mechanically and has a bit better trigger.

The Swedish Mausers are a fair bit cheaper $600-800 vs. K31 prices around $800-1000
M96 long rifles are cheaper than the M38 carbines

6.5x55 is arguably a better cartridge overall. Less recoil, feels great to shoot, FLAT trajectory, and the fact new rifles are still made in the calibre.
6.5 Swede will also take every animal on this continent short of Polar bears, Grizzlies or larger moose... but note that this round has taken more Scandinavian moose than other other round. Any animal up to about 400-500lbs is well within the 6.5's capabilities.
7.5x55 is great, but it is effectively identical to .308 in performance, diameter, bullets etc.

I personally would edge the M38 carbine over the K31. M38 is cheaper, lighter, MUCH easier to source parts for, less recoil, more ammo choices available. Also much easier to do custom work if needed. Not only are Swede parts very available, but they're quite cheap too relative to other milsurps.
 
Both are great rifles, but long term both are obscure enough to warrant hand loading.
If the OP doesn't hand load, I'd recommend considering investing in it before either rifle.

If GP11 was still abundant and cheap, then the K31 is still a good buy, but it is is overpriced in today's market.
K11s are still sort of reasonably priced and the M38 / M96 can be had at reasonable costs if you do a bit of digging.


Picking only one now I'd say go with an M38 / M96, but a K11 and SFRC's S&B 50 round packs of 7.5x55 is also not too bad a deal.
 
I had an m38. Shouldn't have sold it. But I sold it to buy my first 6.5x55 hunting rifle, a nice m98 in a custom stock. Taken a pile of coyotes with cheap 100grn pills and two deer with 100grn partitions. Even bought a nice sportered m96 and run 156grn pills in that one. It's a great hunting round.

Now it has opened the door for more metric rounds. 7x57 and 8x57..
 
I've got a k11 and K31 and I've been slowly looking into Swedish rifles. Currently my only holdback is I've been using every piece of 6.5x55 brass I've found to reform into 7.5 French. If I bought a 6.5 rifle I'd need to double my brass supply; but based on the performance of the round I've seen from those old rifles I think it would be worth it
 
I can't speak for the others, but I have a K31 and I love it. Regularly use it for varmint control, even though I have many other newer rifles to do the job. There's just something so grounding about carrying an older rifle through the fields.
 
I have two K31's , one M96, and one M38 that is a 96 to 38 conversion. The96 outshoots the 38. Originally the 96 had a Soderin diopter on it. I loved it till my eyes got old. Now I have a scout scope on it with a no-drill mount that sits on the rear site. It shoots about 1.4 MOA off a benchrest with either Privi or SB factory ammo. The K31's are amazing ! I put no drill Swiss mounts on them. Original battle sights were superior to the Swede sights. Two stage trigger is better on the K31. You have a much better chance of getting an excellent bore with a K31 as their grease cleaning method left the barrels in excellent condition. I've handled about a dozen K31s in my time and all had excellent bores. With a 4x12 Leupold on them, both my K31s will shoot sub-MOA off the bench using GP11 ammo. I have a Tikka .243 and the K31s will almost match the accuracy of the Tikka. Both are great to own but I prefer the k31. I love the bulky chunky stocks on them. Fits my body perfect.
 
I have K31 and M38. It is difficult to say but i think i like M38 more and it is easy to buy ammo. Still have some supply of swiss ammo from Wholesale supply time.
 
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