Swiss K31 Project w pictures

[Duster340]

Finally found some time to work on K31. Took quite a bit of fiddling, tweaking and fitting to get the action to sit in the stock properly and barrel free floating. Had to fab a steel block/shim like the original for the front action bolt.

Removed a lot of wood from the stock and it feels good with my cold weather hunting gear on.

Will be putting a Red Dot on the mount forward of the action. (PO drilled and tapped it for a scope without considering the top ejection.)

Not my best work, but good enough for a Bubba'd milsurp deer rifle

I got 6 tags to fill so it will be accompanying me along with my Bubba'd No4mk1 and unmolested K98.

Be well folks

 

[Random 8]

Looking good. Is that a Richards Micorfit stock?

I've done a lot of shooting with the K-31, both in dedicated Swiss matches where GP-11 ammo must be fired and in CMP Vintage bolt matches where I use my handloads. The dedicated K-31 sizer die by Redding is best IF you will be firing your ammo in different rifles. If you are only loading for one rifle, the inexpensive Lee FL set (G-11 specs) will work just fine, simply adjust the die upwards to "short size." When you're set correctly, you will size aprox 2/3 of the neck and give the contact point at the radius of the shoulders a very mild bump. In the K-31, this does require a firm bolt throw...you should be used to this firing a variety of milsurps.

The K-31 uses a shorter leade than other 7,5x55 chambered rifles. The COL listed in most manuals will be significantly long, rounds will not fully chamber, you'll have to set COL as appropriate for your rifle. Mine has a marked preference for 155 grain bullets over a medium charge of IMR 4064, 42.5gr. I settled on this charge as it zeros the elevation on my issue sights at 200 yards with this bullet. I did go warmer and got excellent consistency across the board, but I would consider this load more than sufficient for deer with a 150 SP substituted. Over a chrono, it was in the .300 Sav ballpark with mild recoil and superb groups. Varget and VN140 also worked well for me. You might consider a slightly slower powder than your 4895 or 3031, especially if heavier than 150gr bullets are in your future. 4064 is my go-to for all things milsurp.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Yours came out much prettier than mine. I went with a fairly basic solid walnut stock, receiver sight and slightly bobbed barrel.

I still have a second unmolested K31 in my milsurp collection that I treasure -- I started this almost 20 years back and it was my last bubba project. When it comes to shooting with tired aging eyes that receiver sight makes a big difference!

 

[Duster340]

Thanks for all the helpful information and insight Random8. Great stuff! I loaded up a few different test loads using the IMR3031 & 4895 I have on hand, w 165 gr PRVI SPBT, and PPU brass. Used my old Lee 4 hole turret & Lee dies. They are chambering and cycling fine. We see how they shoot.

I'll pick up some 4064 as I see many folks have good results with it.

Be well

 

[Duster340]

Yours came out much prettier than mine. I went with a fairly basic solid walnut stock, receiver sight and slightly bobbed barrel.

I still have a second unmolested K31 in my milsurp collection that I treasure -- I started this almost 20 years back and it was my last bubba project. When it comes to shooting with tired aging eyes that receiver sight makes a big difference!

View attachment 857867

I love that Dave! Looks friggin awesome. I'd be proud to own and hunt with it!

 

[Duster340]

Looking good. Is that a Richards Micorfit stock?

My brother said it was a Boyd. Though he's had it for years and wasn't certain.

 

[LoonWulf]

I'd guess it's a Richards, boyds dosent use a rollover comb.