Swiss K31 Project w pictures

Yes the 7.5 x 55 is very similar to the .308 Win, and should kill all kinds of stuff well. It does use .308 bullets.

Duster340 said:

Any tips, tricks, words of caution unique to the K31?

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One thing that I would recommend is to measure the length to the lands in your rifle. That dimension seems to be quite variable in these rifles. Also, the K31 has a wider chamber than the 1911 7.5 x 55 rifles. Redding makes a K31 specific sizing die that many recommend. I get along fine with my standard RCBS.

Duster340 said:

K31 Hunting experiences?

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I did set up one of mine a couple of years ago to hunt deer, but never fired a shot. I mounted a scope with a Swiss Products clamp on base. One thing I didn't like was the decocking ring safety which was hard to access under the scope, especially when wearing gloves. I like still hunting, and feared that if I got a quick shot that might be a problem.

Duster340 said:

Will be reloading for it and it looks like components are available. Assuming. 308 bullets? I'll need to look at my manuals, but hope to develop hunting loads using IMR 4895 or 3031

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I'm sure you can get either of those powders to work with a .308 bullet. I've loaded 165 gr. Match Bullets and some 180 gr. round noses I had laying around. Many use slower powders like Re17 or 4350. Check out the Swiss Rifles Message Board:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/theswissriflesdotcommessageboard/

They have a reloading tips forum and a wealth of other information about these rifles.

Looking forward to seeing it finished and hearing how it shoots.

The k31 surplus ammo is actually .307 so good luck finding those bullets short of sizing down a .308... but everyone seems to use . 308 bullets anyway

K31 will work great for deer hunting. I took one whitetail buck with mine, and carried it in the field elk hunting before.
It can be a tad heavy compared to modern hunting bolt actions, but they often shoot much better than other surplus bolt actions of the era. The straight pull is unique, and the heft of the rifle makes it enjoyable to shoot a lot.
The swiss didn't use corrosive ammo with those, so that is a plus. The surplus ammo when available is very good, but not really cheap.

I wish I still had mine. I bought one when they were cheap, and got an offer too good to refuse. Ammo is not always easy to find locally, but with reloading and the internet its no big deal.

It looks like your going to scope it. If so you'll need to devise some sort of shell deflector if your scope sits directly above the action. These eject straight up and back. Should make a real nice hunting rig.

My buddy can testify that the K31 is excellent for deer, assuming the critters are polite enough to wander near his tree stand.

I have killed a few deer with the K31. I used open sights. I used the Hornady 165 gr. load. It was brown box Hornady ammo. Seems to hit them like a hammer.
I used the open sights. The open sights on a K31 are excellent. At that time I just didn't know or care about scoping the rifle.
They do seem to eject straight up, I learned not lower it below your face and shuck the bolt if you like your teeth.

If I had my K31 apart on the granite countertop my wife would tear me a new one. I killed a wood chuck with mine last year. He was digging a hole in my dad's pole barn under one of the poles. Got him on the run and he tumbled into the high grass where he remains to this day. I bet you will find it accurate and reliable.

dh1633pm

I was thinking the very same thing! It's her kitchen and my basement (for the most part)!

I really like you project ! My cherry K31 has Swiss Diopter sights which I am allowed to shoot in Swiss rifle club military matches because of my age , I've only shot GP11 ammo out of it, but am sure it would be a great hunting round with good SP bullets. Mine is Sub MOA accurate with GP11 and the diopter sights in good light.

Duster340

[Funny stuff... but I'm up here solo for turkey season and working on the cabin and property for the season. What she don't know won't hurt her LOL./

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That gave me a really good laugh! When she does find out (and trust me, she will somehow), it will be more like "what she does know is going to hurt you!"

I would suggest deleting these photos from your camera or phone and not looking at THR on your computer when she's around! Just playing it safe my friend!

Duster340

Good advice.... what K31?.... what project?

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That's good; really very good! Gun...what gun?

The swiss products clamp on side mount i had worked well and is solid if you want to mount a scope. It is offset to the top eject, and holds zero well.

ScrapMetalSlug said:

The swiss products clamp on side mount i had worked well and is solid if you want to mount a scope. It is offset to the top eject, and holds zero well.

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I have one too and really like it!

I have a K-31 and find it to be an excellent rifle. I didn’t scope my rifle, but might get one of the clamp-on mounts somewhere down the line.

I’ve had great accuracy with both 150 and 165 grain bullets. I also use the RCBS die set. Very, very accurate rifle.

20 posts in and no one complained about desecrating a collectable.
I hope you get it together and shooting great.
To me a well done Sporter is cooler than a original military rifle.

I would touch a hair on my K31. There are those that I wouldn't mind hacking up a bit to bend it to my will (desire). But not my K31. I won't preach to those who do. I appreciate them adding to the value of mine.

Love my K31. Accurate. & well-made.

I bought the clamp-on scope and set it up with an old Redfield 2-7x widefield, but it is not hard to shoot sub-MOA with milsurp and the open sights.

If you are going to handload, make sure you get a die set specifically for the K31.