What do I need to reload?

Mosin-Marauder · July 21, 2014, 02:04 PM

I want to start reloading for my K-31 (7.5x55 Swiss) I've got a pretty good idea on how everything works, but I dont know exactly what I need and or works best. My dad has a Powder Dispenser, Powder Measure, Case Trimmer, Tumbler, a Single Stage Press, and a Powder Trickler (Probably Some other stuff). I know I need Dies ( I plan to buy the RCBS 2 Die Set) Cases (Probably going to buy Privi Brass) Bullets (Gonna try these first http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-150-gr-FMJ-BT/) Powder (Still dont know what im gonna use, Maybe IMR 4064) and a shellholder. Am I missing anything vital? Is there anything wrong witht he components above? Im not sure what I need/if I need anything to trim cases. I'd also like some advice from you folks, as like I said, I'm very new to this. Anyway, thanks for any information you can provide.

wogpotter · July 21, 2014, 03:42 PM

Manuals.
Really, its not a snide answer.
Manuals (which he may have) will be your best friend when starting out as they have way more than just load data in them.
Oh & a notebook. Make notes starting right at the beginning so you have your information recorded for later on.

Mosin-Marauder · July 21, 2014, 06:58 PM

Is there any load data available for this bullet?
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog...roductId/26343
It was on sale and I decided I'd pick them up. If someone could share some load tables I would appreciate it.

Sevens · July 21, 2014, 10:38 PM

I would imagine your Dad also has some tool for priming cases, some folks do it with the single stage press, others buy a hand priming tool.

You'll also need a caliper to measure length - I really like a dial caliper, but a digital one works well also.

For load data and choosing a powder for a particular bullet, Hodgdon has the best web-accessible load data of any of the companies that deal in smokeless powder. You can use their resource at:
www.hodgdonreloading.com
to help you see what they offer for load data on different powders.

They don't list a 175 grain slug, but they do list data for a 180. You can safely use bullets of the same construction, but of a lighter weight, with published load data for a slightly heavier slug.

For 180gr slugs in that chambering, Hodgdon says that any of these will work:
H4831
H4350
H414
H380
BL-C(2)
H335
H4895

alanshaffer2000 · July 22, 2014, 12:58 AM

Youtube is a reloaders best friend. Start with these two...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObZJnydtJeU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5X6SdONa3g

Mosin-Marauder · July 22, 2014, 06:20 AM

Yes my dad has an auto primer and a set of dial calipers. Heck, he might even have some of those powders. I'll check out those videos too.

A400 Fan · July 22, 2014, 07:06 AM

I don't see a scale mentioned anywhere; you'll need one of them

g.willikers · July 22, 2014, 08:02 AM

Check with the Swiss shooting forums and blogs.
All the load experimentation has been done for you.
http://www.swissrifles.com/links.htm

Mosin-Marauder · July 22, 2014, 08:22 AM

Quote:

I don't see a scale mentioned anywhere; you'll need one of them

Mentioned it at the top, powder measure/scale.

Quote:

Check with the Swiss shooting forums and blogs.
All the load experimentation has been done for you.
http://www.swissrifles.com/links.htm

I've already looked at the load tables on that site, most of them are for the K-11, which is a longer action (I'm not sure why most of it is for that rifle, it's a lot less popular than the K-31). I'll either be using http://stevespages.com/page8c.htm or www.hodgdonreloading.com.

Mosin-Marauder · July 22, 2014, 10:21 AM

When I get my dies,could I set the bullet seating depth to that of GP11? How would I do so?
The load I have figured out at the moment is as follows:

Prvi Partisan 7.5x55 Cases
174 grain Boat Tail Hollow Point
42 gr. Of Hogdon 4350
Winchester LR primers

Dies
RCBS Full-Sizing 2 die set.

kilimanjaro · July 22, 2014, 10:46 AM

Don't get the RCBS dies to reload for the K31. They are formed for the 1911 Schmidt-Rubin chamber. Instead, get the Redding die set, specifically for K31.

To set your seating die, take a factory GP11 round, mike it for length as a check, then set in your shell holder. Raise the ram with the round, and turn your seat die adjustment until the top of the die makes contact with the bullet tip. Then lock it all down, you're good to go. Check the first few rounds for length.

Then chamber them and check in the rifle.

kilimanjaro · July 22, 2014, 10:51 AM

For the record, a powder good for 308 or 30-06 is fine for 7.5 Swiss, or any other original 30 caliber round. Don't copy the load, though. Use your manuals.

Mosin-Marauder · July 22, 2014, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the info. But all the reviews for the RCBS dies I've seen said they were using them for a K-31 and they worked well...? I mean, I'd like to not pay $40 more for the same thing, but if I absolutely need Redding dies I could probably get them.

kilimanjaro · July 22, 2014, 11:23 AM

You can use RCBS, you'll just work the brass more. Also, the Reddings require less force to work the press, it's a better die.

I've used both. Redding is sized for the GP11 round, RCBS for the GP90 predecessor. The shoulder is slightly different.

If money is an issue, use RCBS, you can replace them later on in life.

Using new brass, trimming won't be an issue for a few loads, with either die make.

T. O'Heir · July 23, 2014, 03:39 PM

"...How would I do so?..." Hi. You need to read your manual. All that kind of stuff is there
"...load data available for this bullet..." Load for the weight, not who made the bullet. Use 180 grain data. 5 grains won't matter.
There are a couple loads on Reloader's nest though. One for a 174 using Vihtavuori N150. The other for a 175 using Win 748.

July 21, 2014, 02:04 PM	#1
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	What do I need to reload? I want to start reloading for my K-31 (7.5x55 Swiss) I've got a pretty good idea on how everything works, but I dont know exactly what I need and or works best. My dad has a Powder Dispenser, Powder Measure, Case Trimmer, Tumbler, a Single Stage Press, and a Powder Trickler (Probably Some other stuff). I know I need Dies ( I plan to buy the RCBS 2 Die Set) Cases (Probably going to buy Privi Brass) Bullets (Gonna try these first http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-150-gr-FMJ-BT/) Powder (Still dont know what im gonna use, Maybe IMR 4064) and a shellholder. Am I missing anything vital? Is there anything wrong witht he components above? Im not sure what I need/if I need anything to trim cases. I'd also like some advice from you folks, as like I said, I'm very new to this. Anyway, thanks for any information you can provide. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

July 21, 2014, 03:42 PM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Manuals. Really, its not a snide answer. Manuals (which he may have) will be your best friend when starting out as they have way more than just load data in them. Oh & a notebook. Make notes starting right at the beginning so you have your information recorded for later on. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

July 21, 2014, 06:58 PM	#3
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	Is there any load data available for this bullet? https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog...roductId/26343 It was on sale and I decided I'd pick them up. If someone could share some load tables I would appreciate it. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

July 21, 2014, 10:38 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I would imagine your Dad also has some tool for priming cases, some folks do it with the single stage press, others buy a hand priming tool. You'll also need a caliper to measure length - I really like a dial caliper, but a digital one works well also. For load data and choosing a powder for a particular bullet, Hodgdon has the best web-accessible load data of any of the companies that deal in smokeless powder. You can use their resource at: www.hodgdonreloading.com to help you see what they offer for load data on different powders. They don't list a 175 grain slug, but they do list data for a 180. You can safely use bullets of the same construction, but of a lighter weight, with published load data for a slightly heavier slug. For 180gr slugs in that chambering, Hodgdon says that any of these will work: H4831 H4350 H414 H380 BL-C(2) H335 H4895 __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

July 22, 2014, 06:20 AM	#6
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	Yes my dad has an auto primer and a set of dial calipers. Heck, he might even have some of those powders. I'll check out those videos too. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

July 22, 2014, 12:58 AM	#5
alanshaffer2000 Junior Member Join Date: July 4, 2014 Posts: 10	Youtube is a reloaders best friend. Start with these two... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObZJnydtJeU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5X6SdONa3g

July 22, 2014, 07:06 AM	#7
A400 Fan Junior member Join Date: June 17, 2014 Posts: 242	I don't see a scale mentioned anywhere; you'll need one of them

July 22, 2014, 08:02 AM	#8
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Check with the Swiss shooting forums and blogs. All the load experimentation has been done for you. http://www.swissrifles.com/links.htm __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 22, 2014, 10:21 AM	#10
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	When I get my dies,could I set the bullet seating depth to that of GP11? How would I do so? The load I have figured out at the moment is as follows: Prvi Partisan 7.5x55 Cases 174 grain Boat Tail Hollow Point 42 gr. Of Hogdon 4350 Winchester LR primers Dies RCBS Full-Sizing 2 die set. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

July 22, 2014, 10:46 AM	#11
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Don't get the RCBS dies to reload for the K31. They are formed for the 1911 Schmidt-Rubin chamber. Instead, get the Redding die set, specifically for K31. To set your seating die, take a factory GP11 round, mike it for length as a check, then set in your shell holder. Raise the ram with the round, and turn your seat die adjustment until the top of the die makes contact with the bullet tip. Then lock it all down, you're good to go. Check the first few rounds for length. Then chamber them and check in the rifle.

July 22, 2014, 10:51 AM	#12
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	For the record, a powder good for 308 or 30-06 is fine for 7.5 Swiss, or any other original 30 caliber round. Don't copy the load, though. Use your manuals.

July 22, 2014, 10:57 AM	#13
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	Thanks for the info. But all the reviews for the RCBS dies I've seen said they were using them for a K-31 and they worked well...? I mean, I'd like to not pay $40 more for the same thing, but if I absolutely need Redding dies I could probably get them. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman Last edited by Mosin-Marauder; July 22, 2014 at 11:05 AM.

July 22, 2014, 11:23 AM	#14
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	You can use RCBS, you'll just work the brass more. Also, the Reddings require less force to work the press, it's a better die. I've used both. Redding is sized for the GP11 round, RCBS for the GP90 predecessor. The shoulder is slightly different. If money is an issue, use RCBS, you can replace them later on in life. Using new brass, trimming won't be an issue for a few loads, with either die make.

July 23, 2014, 03:39 PM	#15
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...How would I do so?..." Hi. You need to read your manual. All that kind of stuff is there "...load data available for this bullet..." Load for the weight, not who made the bullet. Use 180 grain data. 5 grains won't matter. There are a couple loads on Reloader's nest though. One for a 174 using Vihtavuori N150. The other for a 175 using Win 748. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!