Reloading for cheap?

Cowled_Wolfe · January 12, 2005, 03:45 PM

Hey guys, I've noticed that my new rifle uses ammo that costs more money than I'd like to spend... $20/60rds FMJ (7.5x55 Swiss).

This has finally inspired me to consider spending money... Which is a rare event for me. I'm debating buying the surpluss ammo at $20/60, but I'm also thinking about getting into reloading as an economic issue.

My main question is, can I get started relatively cheap (Sub-$100?)? Right now, I'm looking at the following gear:

Lee Aniversary Reloading kit with manual
Lee Case Length Guage and Shell Holder
I also anticipate making a tumbler from an old motor, a bowl, and some other odds and ends.

What I can't figure out is what specific dies I would need... IE, crimp die, neck sizer... I'd like to get as few as possible while still being able to reload.

Right now, I'm open to any suggestions... But I'd like to keep this thread hardware-oriented. As far as manuals, techniques, etc go, I'll be open for discussion on that a bit later.

TIA for any insights,
Wolfe.

m0ntels · January 12, 2005, 05:10 PM

Lee makes 2 die sets for the swiss that both use 2 dies.

This set does full length sizing:
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/625657

This one neck sizes only:
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/133719

I'm going to be getting the first, as I'd like another K31 or other S-R rifle in the future. Either die set along with the press kit and you will need the cutter and lock stud to use that case length trim guide. The die set comes with the shellholder you will need for the press. That should have you set to load then. Although not 100% neccessary, I'd scour ebay and gunbroker for a powder measure.

Randy

Cowled_Wolfe · January 12, 2005, 06:02 PM

Thanks for clearing the dies up for me... I guess the neck sizer would just be a redundancy then?

Btw, that aniversary kit has a measure, and the cutter/lock stud... So I think I'd be all set with it.

Dave R · January 12, 2005, 07:22 PM

Wolfe, a great way to get into a cheap tumbler is to shop at a Thrift store (Savers, Deseret Industries, etc.) for a rock tumbler or an ice cream maker. With the ice cream maker, you have to make sure it will operate sideways. Some designs will, some won't.

Until you get a tumbler, you can always clean the brass by hand. Use a rag that has some strength to it, and hot soapy water. I did that for a while.

One note on the K-31--it has a "short throat". That is, the rifling starts pretty soon after the neck of the bullet. Pay attention to the overall length listed in reloading manuals.

It might also help to do the "candle test." Load a bullet in a case with no primer or powder. Load it to the length you think you want. The hold the bullet in the yellow flame of a candle, rotating it to get it all sooty. then chamber it in the rifle. Look for uniform marks in the soot than indicate the bullet is contacting the rifling. If it is, you want to go a bit shorter.

It all depends on the bullet profile. Bullets that taper quickly can be loaded "longer" than bullets that carry their width farther forward.

A good treatise on reloading for the K-31 is found here. http://www.swissrifles.com/

Then go to Ammunition/Reloading/Reloading Swiss ammunition.

The rest of the forum is pretty good, too.

m0ntels · January 12, 2005, 08:06 PM

Neck sizing should be adequate with just a single rifle using these shells. Full length sizing dies can be adjusted to neck size only too though. Neck sizing is supposed to make the brass last longer too since you shouldnt have to trim it as much. Either way you cant really go wrong, though I'd get the full length sizing set just for the versatility. It's going on this month's Midway order for myself anyway. I love that rifle and need to be able to afford to shoot it too. Grafs has the best deal on brass I hear.

Randy

.45 Vet · January 13, 2005, 09:22 AM

http://www.factorysales.com their pricing is usually better than Lee or Midway...

mod70 · January 13, 2005, 08:37 PM

What diameter bullet does the 7.5 swiss use?

Also...where do you find boxer primed brass?

Thanks

m0ntels · January 13, 2005, 09:50 PM

The original has 2 diamaters on the same bullet, .308 and .310 i believe it tapers to, but you reload with a standard .308. Usually 165-175gr. The Swiss Rifle Forum and Website have mant loads and instructions given, as well as Parallax's forum too. I hear it's a bit tricky at first so they give lots of pointers.

Midway and Grafs both sell the brass. I think Graf's was alot cheaper IIRC.

Randy

Dave R · January 14, 2005, 04:17 PM

I have never heard of anyone use anything other than the standard .308 bullets for reloading the Swiss. That's why a reloaded Swiss should cost no more to shoot than a .308 or .30-06 or anything else.

mod70 · January 14, 2005, 07:19 PM

m0ntels,

Thanks for the brass tip...they do have good prices on the Swiss

m0ntels · January 14, 2005, 08:11 PM

Just dont buy the last of it...I havent ordered yet and next cheapest is Midway at about $1/shell.

Randy

only1asterisk · January 15, 2005, 03:29 AM

The first 7.5x55 rifles were made with .298-.300 bores. I behooves anyone messing with around with anything that started of as something other than a 1911 or K31 to make double sure before loading .308 bullets.

David

January 12, 2005, 03:45 PM	#1
Cowled_Wolfe Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Washington... Land of the apple, and the apple maggot! Posts: 803	Reloading for cheap? Hey guys, I've noticed that my new rifle uses ammo that costs more money than I'd like to spend... $20/60rds FMJ (7.5x55 Swiss). This has finally inspired me to consider spending money... Which is a rare event for me. I'm debating buying the surpluss ammo at $20/60, but I'm also thinking about getting into reloading as an economic issue. My main question is, can I get started relatively cheap (Sub-$100?)? Right now, I'm looking at the following gear: Lee Aniversary Reloading kit with manual Lee Case Length Guage and Shell Holder I also anticipate making a tumbler from an old motor, a bowl, and some other odds and ends. What I can't figure out is what specific dies I would need... IE, crimp die, neck sizer... I'd like to get as few as possible while still being able to reload. Right now, I'm open to any suggestions... But I'd like to keep this thread hardware-oriented. As far as manuals, techniques, etc go, I'll be open for discussion on that a bit later. TIA for any insights, Wolfe. __________________ [Your ad could be here! Call 555-0122 for details.] (\__/) (='.'=)This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into (")_(")your signature to help him gain world domination.

January 12, 2005, 06:02 PM	#3
Cowled_Wolfe Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Washington... Land of the apple, and the apple maggot! Posts: 803	Thanks for clearing the dies up for me... I guess the neck sizer would just be a redundancy then? Btw, that aniversary kit has a measure, and the cutter/lock stud... So I think I'd be all set with it. __________________ [Your ad could be here! Call 555-0122 for details.] (\__/) (='.'=)This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into (")_(")your signature to help him gain world domination.

January 12, 2005, 07:22 PM	#4
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Wolfe, a great way to get into a cheap tumbler is to shop at a Thrift store (Savers, Deseret Industries, etc.) for a rock tumbler or an ice cream maker. With the ice cream maker, you have to make sure it will operate sideways. Some designs will, some won't. Until you get a tumbler, you can always clean the brass by hand. Use a rag that has some strength to it, and hot soapy water. I did that for a while. One note on the K-31--it has a "short throat". That is, the rifling starts pretty soon after the neck of the bullet. Pay attention to the overall length listed in reloading manuals. It might also help to do the "candle test." Load a bullet in a case with no primer or powder. Load it to the length you think you want. The hold the bullet in the yellow flame of a candle, rotating it to get it all sooty. then chamber it in the rifle. Look for uniform marks in the soot than indicate the bullet is contacting the rifling. If it is, you want to go a bit shorter. It all depends on the bullet profile. Bullets that taper quickly can be loaded "longer" than bullets that carry their width farther forward. A good treatise on reloading for the K-31 is found here. http://www.swissrifles.com/ Then go to Ammunition/Reloading/Reloading Swiss ammunition. The rest of the forum is pretty good, too. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

January 13, 2005, 09:22 AM	#6
.45 Vet Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Western Penn. Posts: 387	Try these folks for Lee products http://www.factorysales.com their pricing is usually better than Lee or Midway... __________________ For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known...

January 13, 2005, 08:37 PM	#7
mod70 Junior Member Join Date: December 24, 2004 Posts: 10	Bullet diameter What diameter bullet does the 7.5 swiss use? Also...where do you find boxer primed brass? Thanks

January 12, 2005, 05:10 PM	#2
m0ntels Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2004 Location: Perkasie, PA Posts: 263	Lee makes 2 die sets for the swiss that both use 2 dies. This set does full length sizing: http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/625657 This one neck sizes only: http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/133719 I'm going to be getting the first, as I'd like another K31 or other S-R rifle in the future. Either die set along with the press kit and you will need the cutter and lock stud to use that case length trim guide. The die set comes with the shellholder you will need for the press. That should have you set to load then. Although not 100% neccessary, I'd scour ebay and gunbroker for a powder measure. Randy

January 12, 2005, 08:06 PM	#5
m0ntels Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2004 Location: Perkasie, PA Posts: 263	Neck sizing should be adequate with just a single rifle using these shells. Full length sizing dies can be adjusted to neck size only too though. Neck sizing is supposed to make the brass last longer too since you shouldnt have to trim it as much. Either way you cant really go wrong, though I'd get the full length sizing set just for the versatility. It's going on this month's Midway order for myself anyway. I love that rifle and need to be able to afford to shoot it too. Grafs has the best deal on brass I hear. Randy

January 13, 2005, 09:50 PM	#8
m0ntels Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2004 Location: Perkasie, PA Posts: 263	The original has 2 diamaters on the same bullet, .308 and .310 i believe it tapers to, but you reload with a standard .308. Usually 165-175gr. The Swiss Rifle Forum and Website have mant loads and instructions given, as well as Parallax's forum too. I hear it's a bit tricky at first so they give lots of pointers. Midway and Grafs both sell the brass. I think Graf's was alot cheaper IIRC. Randy

January 14, 2005, 04:17 PM	#9
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I have never heard of anyone use anything other than the standard .308 bullets for reloading the Swiss. That's why a reloaded Swiss should cost no more to shoot than a .308 or .30-06 or anything else. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

January 14, 2005, 07:19 PM	#10
mod70 Junior Member Join Date: December 24, 2004 Posts: 10	Graf's m0ntels, Thanks for the brass tip...they do have good prices on the Swiss

January 14, 2005, 08:11 PM	#11
m0ntels Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2004 Location: Perkasie, PA Posts: 263	Just dont buy the last of it...I havent ordered yet and next cheapest is Midway at about $1/shell. Randy

January 15, 2005, 03:29 AM	#12
only1asterisk Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Posts: 31	The first 7.5x55 rifles were made with .298-.300 bores. I behooves anyone messing with around with anything that started of as something other than a 1911 or K31 to make double sure before loading .308 bullets. David