Which brand of dies for 7.5x55 GP11

mosinmaster

mosinmaster

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Hi,

I was wondering which dies I need to get to reload for my K31 that shoots GP11 7.5x55 Swiss. Redding, Hornady, Lee, or RCBS?
 
I was doing some research online, and it appears that Hornady and Redding make their dies cut for GP11 specs while RCBS/Lee are cut for the 1911 Rifle specs. Others say this argument is crap quoting that although RCBS/Lee work the brass harder, it still works as long as OAL of the case is taken into account. Now my question is, how hard is it to determine the proper OAL for my K31? Is it worth the hassle or should I just dish out the extra money for a Redding set?
 
RCBS/Lee dies are correct for resizing brass back to GP11 specifications and are suitable for any 7.5x55mm rifle. The Redding die set is specific to the K31 chamber and Hornady makes both standard and K31 dies.

Both the 1911 rifle and the K31 use the exact same GP11 factory ammo. You don't need a special sizing die for K31s, but the K31 die might work the brass a little less, which may or may not translate into longer case life.
 
That's what I wanted to hear. :) So basically RCBS/LEE dies will resize the brass to a smaller size that will fit all swiss rifles, basically pushing the shoulder back more. Now the next question is: RCBS vs Lee?
 
I just bought a set of Redding dies, but have yet to find any brass to start loading for my K-31. I have found that I like the Reddings the best out of Lee, RCBS, and Lyman. They just seem to work a bit better and be a bit better finished.

Mark
 
tjhaile said:
RCBS/Lee dies are correct for resizing brass back to GP11 specifications and are suitable for any 7.5x55mm rifle. The Redding die set is specific to the K31 chamber and Hornady makes both standard and K31 dies.

Both the 1911 rifle and the K31 use the exact same GP11 factory ammo. You don't need a special sizing die for K31s, but the K31 die might work the brass a little less, which may or may not translate into longer case life.
Click to expand...

+2

This sums it up rather well.

I've used both the RCBS and the Redding full length die sets. In the end, I sold off the Redding set, and I use the RCBS set when resizing my fired GP11 brass. As stated above, the case life is short. about 5 reloads then a major case head separation. But I find that the GP11 brass works better then the NNY stuff.

Sticker
 
Sticker said:
+2

This sums it up rather well.

I've used both the RCBS and the Redding full length die sets. In the end, I sold off the Redding set, and I use the RCBS set when resizing my fired GP11 brass. As stated above, the case life is short. about 5 reloads then a major case head separation. But I find that the GP11 brass works better then the NNY stuff.

Sticker
Click to expand...

How do you de-prime the berdan primers? With the RCBS tool?
 
Howdy

I know a chap that uses the RCBS tool, his prefered method, but I like the hydraulic method. Made a steel rod with it's diameter the same as the inside diameter of the mouth of a fired case. Fill the case with water, place the rod over the mouth of the case and swat the rod with a hammer to drive the rod into the mouth opening and out will pop the primer. You'll get a bit wet doing it this way, but it's cheap.

Sticker
 
And, a question regarding reloading GP11 cases that are berdan primed. Can you remove the decapping pin on the RCBS/Lee/Redding dies when resizing the GP11 brass? Or do you just adjust it so the height is high enough to clear hitting the anvil? So do you recommend getting RCBS or Lee for reloading boxer and berdan cases?
 
Howdy

You'll find the source of Berdan primers in this thread: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4689337#post4689337

I do prefer RCBS dies over Lee. The only Lee dies I have are their factory crimp dies and their 577/450 martini henry dies. But even then, I don't use their resizing die, I made my own for doing the necks only.The only complaint I have with RCBS is their locking ring. On my rifle dies I replace them with Hornady locking rings.

Just remove the decaping pin from the expander. Don't worry about the three little crimp dents on the case head, they don't interfere when seating the new primer.

Sticker
 
Hi,

I was wondering what equipment I need to buy before I start reloading this round. I'm using my friend's Rockchucker, powders, bullets etc.

Here's a list of what I'm thinking of buying to feed my K-31 rifle:

RCBS or Lee 2 die set FL
Lee Factory Crimp Die
Lee Case Trimming Gauge in 7.5x55 Swiss
284 Winchester Brass to be reformed

Is there anything missing or isn't required on this list?

Regarding the case trimming, will Lee products fit a RCBS case trimmer? Also, how much trimming will be required after reforming 284 Win brass?

Lastly, does anybody know where I can get some 7.5 Swiss Brass instead?
 
mosinmaster said:
Here's a list of what I'm thinking of buying to feed my K-31 rifle:

RCBS or Lee 2 die set FL
Lee Factory Crimp Die
Lee Case Trimming Gauge in 7.5x55 Swiss
284 Winchester Brass to be reformed

Is there anything missing or isn't required on this list?

Regarding the case trimming, will Lee products fit a RCBS case trimmer? Also, how much trimming will be required after reforming 284 Win brass?

Lastly, does anybody know where I can get some 7.5 Swiss Brass instead?
Click to expand...

You don't need the factory crimp die, no crimping is necessary. No idea on the trimming required. My Hornady manual gives a max brass length of 2.170" for .284 and 2.189" for 7.5x55. The .284 shoulder does need to be moved and re-angled a bit, though, based on the dimensions from Hornady. You will probably not have to trim at all based on the lengths above.

I have been trying to find brass for a while now with no success. I missed out on Tradex's batch early this year and there is nothing else around I can find. I am holding out on using .284 brass because I don't like the rebated rim compared to the correct rim diameter on true 7.5x55 brass.


Mark
 
I couldn't kind any brass when I started reloading for my K31 so I went the .284 route. No problems at all. The brass resizes fine (with proper amount of lube) and there's no trimming involved. I believe the brass comes out .010-.015" short. Won't even notice. I use Lee dies to reload as well.

(E) :cool:
 
I decided to get the Redding K-31 dies. However, in terms of a shellholder, which brand would work best with the Redding dies and a RCBS Rockchucker? RCBS or Redding? And which numbers do I get?
 
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