Picked up my K-31 Tuesday. Photos........

[Willbird]

I have the two earlier editions of the schmidt's, I keep telling myself I need the third...the middle aged one has been sporterised, and it has a jethro aperature on the rear sight blade.

I have some 284 brass because I use it to neck down to 6x284...funny things is folks also use the 7.5 swiss brass in rifles made for 284 based ctg. when all there was was w-w brass in 284 and norma was avail in the 7.5 swiss

My dad also drummed it home that the 7.5 swiss loaded with smokeless was used by them when the usa still issued the trapdoor and blackpowder loads.

Bill

[swheeler]

Yup, and that sharp shoulder makes them slow surps burn pretty good too!

[jethrow strait]

SWheeler, much obliged for the note on surplus powders in the K-31.

I was early into 7383, but haven't used it all that much since I found it best in condom loads in several calibers at c. 90% max. Your post jolted me into an awareness that the time is now, being as I plan on easing into cast with the shooort-throated K-31 and the fact that it just so dang hot here(109 in the shade today)that Alox begins to fail in rifles, til the rains come in mid-July. So, 7.5 Swiss with surplus powder and condoms is it!

Any load range suggestions in either 846 or 7383?

jethrow

[swheeler]

Jethrow: lot to lot variations in any of these powders can be very large, so start low and work up watching for signs of excessive pressure. With the 7383 I now use only standard primers- when using mag primers ext spreads open way up and pressures rise fast when just switching from standard primers- this powder is EXTREMELY easy to ignite- so with reduced loads use some form of filler to keep the powder positioned(prevent flashover)
150 gr Win power point
OEM LR mag primer
43.0 gr WC846=2610 approching max

200 gr Lee cast-.309 GC+ 1 poly wad
CCI 200 primer
35.0 gr IMR7383 (lot unspecified by supplier)=1820 fp

172 HORN fmjbt moly
CCI 250 primer
57.0 Olin WC860=2103 fps(this same load should be fine with the 200 gr cast) ES were low and accuracy was good

hope this helps
Scooter

[Pb head]

Yeah,I fell into the K-31 trap myself,bought one at the Big-5 in Bend. Not as pretty as Buckshots but this one has a beautiful bore and crown. I expect a lil proper wax and cleaning will go a long ways though. Now to gather the needed sundries and accoutrements. I have some .284 brass on hand already so thats not so big a deal,but which dies? Have any of you used the Lee Collet dies in this cal or a similar cartridge? Pro's~Con's? Just spring for the Pacesetters?
Another winding road to mil-surp satisfaction...maybe a separate category for next years NCBS? Straight Pull rifle?

I used the pacesetter dies at first but they oversized the brass to the point of getting split necks and the brass growing in length at a fast rate, some only lasted 3-4 loadings and I load light. When Lee came out with the collet dies in the Swiss I didn't waste no time in sending for a set at Midway. I get collet dies for every caliber rifle I have. Best thing since sliced bread, no lube and brass lasts forever. [Hint] If you want a harder bullet pull. chuck the mandrel in a drill and polish it down with emery paper until you get what you want. As far as bores and crowns go every K31 I've seen has had excellent ones along with the best trigger on any military rifle I've ever handled.

Pb head

[Four Fingers of Death]

I used the pacesetter dies at first but they oversized the brass to the point of getting split necks and the brass growing in length at a fast rate, some only lasted 3-4 loadings and I load light. When Lee came out with the collet dies in the Swiss I didn't waste no time in sending for a set at Midway. I get collet dies for every caliber rifle I have. Best thing since sliced bread, no lube and brass lasts forever. [Hint] If you want a harder bullet pull. chuck the mandrel in a drill and polish it down with emery paper until you get what you want. As far as bores and crowns go every K31 I've seen has had excellent ones along with the best trigger on any military rifle I've ever handled.

Pb head

I have just started using these. I have used Pacesetters (amongst others) with great success. I can't come to grips with the collet dies dead length boolit seater. I suppose I'll get used to it over time. I have bought the deluxe set with the FLS die as well. I have since been thinking about a Redding body die to be used in conjunction with the collet neck die. Anybody had any experience with this? Can I just drill out the neck size part of the fls die (sounds too easy don't it!).

Also trying to decide between a Meecham seated and a Redding seater for my straight cases (38, 44, 375 Win and 45/70), I suppose you could include the 9mm and 38 Stupor as well. Dang whatever I want to do, it costs big bucks.

Mick.

[Pb head]

I seen something on another site that could explain why I had trouble with FL dies for the Swiss. Seems that the K31's have a little bigger chamber then the 1911 rifle and the dies are sized for the 1911's. It was also mentioned that Redding makes dies for both but you have to ask.

Pb head

[alamogunr]

Graf's has been out of "their" 7.5 x 55 brass for ages.

Their latest catalog that came in May(I get the dealer catalog because of the C&R) had 7.5 x 55 brass. I think it was Czech(sp?). I got a circular before the catalog came and ordered a good supply. I just bought some Norma virgin(?) on Ebay. Remains to be seen if it is as described.
John

[45nut]

What are you guys doing for stripper clips? The Big 5 I got my rifle from had not a one.
I saw some advertised in the Shotgun News at Sarco. 10 clips for like $34.95.

Any of you interested if I ask them for a bulk price?

[Buckshot]

.............AT $3.50 each for strippers, I think I'll do without, thank you very much . Now if they were down around $.25 each I'd go for a few of'em.

.................Buckshot

[jh45gun]

Yea I just push em in my K31 mag just like I do my Mausers and Mosins and they load up just fine.

[Shepherd2]

I've bought most of my K31 chargers (strippers) at gun shows for about $1.00 each. I've seen some a $5.00 also. I think Tennessee Gun Parts has some at 10 for $12 a while ago.

Everybody ought to have at least one just to try out the slickest stripper ever made.

[LowPE]

I just bought 6 more stipper clips for $5 at a gun show. GP-11 amm was as low as $22 per 60 and as high as $36 depending on the vendor. The supply of K-31's seem to be drying up, as a friend bought the last one at the show for $95 when just 3 months ago there were literally one hundred or more.

[C1PNR]

Just got an email newsletter from TGP today and they have them in several flavors: one each; 4 each; and (I think) 12 each.

You'll have to check their web site as I'm on a different computer and don't have access to my email.

I did buy one some time ago and I agree, they work slick!

[Buckshot]

............Faxed Graf and Son and order last night, and then mid morning I called to confirm and/or check to see what might NOT be available on the order. Amongst the goodies and for the 7.5 Swiss was a set of Lee Pacemaker dies (in stock), a collet die for the same (in stock), and a factory crimp die (no got).

Well heck, but I can still make ammo. The Win 284 brass (no got), and naturally no idea about their own 7.5 Swiss brass availability. According to Willy @ Graf's, Winchester will NOT be making any more 284 brass till SOMETIME in 2006. Carumba! But maybe the Graf's 7.5 will come in before then? Didn't even think to ask about Norma brass. Plum fergot.

Called Midway to check for 284 Winchester brass. Nope, all out.

So if anyone should happen to have say 20 cases, new/used, of whatever headstamp, they'd be willing to part with for a price plus shipping, lemme know. I will gratefully fire off some U.S. Federal Reserve IOU's in your direction.

..............Buckshot

[StarMetal]

Buckshot

Wideners reloading in TN has the Win 284 brass for $17.70 plus shipping.

Joe

[Buckshot]

Buckshot

Wideners reloading in TN has the Win 284 brass for $17.70 plus shipping.

Joe

.............Thanks Joe. I'll get with them tomorrow! I'll assume that's for possibly 30-50 pieces?

............Buckshot

[StarMetal]

That's 50 pieces

Joe

[jethrow strait]

Buckshot, been down this road just a week ago----got 284 Win brass from both Lock Stock & Barrel in Nebraska and Natchez---it's all priced in the $34-36 per hun range. jethrow

[StarMetal]

Natchez doesn't have it, out of stock like most other places. Lock and stock shows it in stock.

Joe