Lee Loader

I started building up loads for a 1934 vintage K31 when I bought the rifle a couple of years back. I have tried several bullets ranging from 130 to 175 grains and several powders. I know the rifle is capable of better accuracy but I haven't found the groove yet. Today I am going to start working up a load with Varget and 150 grain Hornady SP. The military round GP11 was very different being a 174 grain spire point with a pronounced boat tail. The Hornady is a flat base bullet. I pretty much duplicated the military round with a 175 grain bullet but I couldn't get it to perform well. Will see if I can get it to work better with the lighter bullet.

Were you able to find data for Varget in the Swiss?

Make smoke,

I have not found a published load for Varget in the Swiss. I have resorted to using the 308 win loads as an initial beginning to create a load. The case capacity of the 308 is approximately 12% less than the 7.5 and the published max pressure Varget load in the 308 (47 grains) is near 60k psi. Predicted pressure with Quick Load for that charge in the Swiss is 40,111 psi. CIP max for Swiss is 55,114 psi. I have used 39 grains of Varget with a 178 grain A-Max in the Swiss. Quick Load predicted 31,084 psi and 2,248 fps for that load. I realized a bit less than that velocity. Recoil was mild. I will be starting at 44 grains with a predicted pressure of 33,860 and 2,532 fps. I also looked at published loads for VV N150 in the Swiss. It has a similar burn rate as Varget. For the 150 grain bullet the start load with that powder is 46.8 grains. I am confident I am well below maximum pressure for the calibre and rifle. The K31 is a strong action but I plan to always stay comfortably below maximum.

Right now I've put together some loads using H4895 with some old Winchester 147 gr FMJ that I bought years ago to use in the M1. They worked fine in it as I believe that was the original intent. I don't shoot the Garand as much as I used to (got tired of chasing brass) so I've got bunches to play with in the Swiss and the Moison. Using Hodgdon's loads for a 150 grain soft point I've started with minimum loads and hope to test at the range tomorrow if the weather co-operates.

Make smoke,

Well, the weather Thursday sort of co-operated and I was able to check my starting load of 40.4 grains H4895 and a WW 147 grain FMJ.
First three at 50 yards didn't look too bad, then the sweat started to get into my eyes and the blankety deer flies made their presence known. At that point I closed up shop cleaned the guns and headed for lunch and A/C. Do believe I'll play some more with this combination.

Make smoke,

The load results look real good.

Ranch Dog wrote:The load results look real good.

Thanks, I was happy will see what happens when I stretch to 100 yards.

and... thanks for the link to that photo editor

Make smoke,

You're welcome!

Man, I've got to buy a Swiss K-31 or something that chambers 7.5mm. I keep hearing how awesome this round, and this straight-pull rifle is!

Thanks for posting your data.

Adam Lee

Mine is the long rifle, luv the sight radius .

I wish I'd picked up a K31 when they were affordable, around here when you see one it's pricey.

Make smoke,