K31 proven loads

[DW58]

Hello all,
I have a K31 from 1950.
So far i have only put Privi ready-made through it, i now have dies, Privi 174gr bullet heads and a kilo of Vhit N140.
Do you have any recommendations as too loads?
In the future i would like to shoot cast bullets through it also, any ideas with regards to which mould and powder would be appropriate?

Thanks, Jon.

Herewith Vihtavuori 7.5x55mm loading data with loads for N140. In all honesty I'd go for a better quality bullet than Prvi Partizan to exploit the accuracy of the K31, perhaps the Hornady 178gr A-Max?

[kennyc]

Hello all,
I have a K31 from 1950.
So far i have only put Privi ready-made through it, i now have dies, Privi 174gr bullet heads and a kilo of Vhit N140.
Do you have any recommendations as too loads?
In the future i would like to shoot cast bullets through it also, any ideas with regards to which mould and powder would be appropriate?

Thanks, Jon.

Herewith Vihtavuori 7.5x55mm loading data with loads for N140. In all honesty I'd go for a better quality bullet than Prvi Partizan to exploit the accuracy of the K31, perhaps the Hornady 178gr A-Max?

the PPU head is dimensionally a copy of the GP11 bullet, if you go to the AMax you will need to adjust the OAL of the round to avoid jamming the bullet into the rifling, personally I doubt that many can shoot well enough with iron sights to see the benefit of more than doubling the bullet cost.
as to N140 I used it until I changed to TR140 and found 40grn was a mild load that could be used to 600 yds, (usual warnings as to my rifle v yours!) I load to COAL based on an average COAL of PPU factory ammo.
this load in my rifle requires me to aim dead centre of the target as opposed to the factory which you aim at the bottom of the target (at 600 yrds) so I would assume it is slower, but still accurate enough for Government work

[DW58]

Clearly it's your choice, but PPU aren't exactly known for the quality of their components and I very much doubt that their supposed copy of the Swiss GP11 bullet matches it in either quality or consistency. Despite hand-loading for all of my other rifles, if I could get GP11 at a fair price similar to that obtainable in Europe, I wouldn't hand-load for my K31 such is the quality of the Swiss issue ammo, but as we are held to ransom by the one and only source* that I know of at present in the UK, it's out of the question

I was fortunate enough to pick up 400 178gr A-Max bullets cheaply in an RFD's closing down sale, but I'd still prefer to buy quality at normal price. I'll be shooting my K31 with both iron sights and optics.

Obviously, with almost 30 years hand-loading experience, I'll be working up my own loads based upon the powder manufacturer's recommended figures.


* Unless anyone can advise me of another UK source for GP11 at a reasonable price.

[kennyc]

to be honest, the general cost of components and factory ammo is such, that the cost of GP11 is no longer that expensive I am in two minds as to whether to buy GP11 abroad when I go away in a couple of weeks.

[DW58]

I have the opportunity to buy GP11 very cheaply in Luxembourg, but how to (a) get it into the UK and; (b) get it onto my FAC?

[kennyc]

I have the opportunity to buy GP11 very cheaply in Luxembourg, but how to (a) get it into the UK and; (b) get it onto my FAC?

I am going through there, would appreciate an address, as to getting it onto your FAC I would assume you would have to pick it up personally and add it yourself, as I have heard anecdotal stories that customs are not interested in doing that for you?

[DW58]

Speaking as a retired Customs Officer it's not something I've ever come across.

I see several problems:

• Getting the European dealer to sell the ammo to you in the first place.
• As already discussed - getting it entered/entering it onto your UK FAC
• Persuading UK Customs to allow you to bring it into the country - bear in mind you would need to declare it (EU purchase or no) because it is a restricted/licensed item.
• Ammunition is a restricted item on both aircraft and car ferries AFAIK.

I have long considered this matter and to date have not come up with a viable solution. The only option I see at present is making an arrangement with an RFD who has an Open Import License (many do) to accept a shipment of ammo on your behalf, but it ain't going to be cheap, hence I have already discounted this option.

I'll PM you some links.

[kennyc]

I have seen some threads on this subject, this was the first I came across,I do know you have to declare firearms or ammunition at the tunnel so I am sure it is ok to carry it through there , in fact here is their rules.

[DW58]

You're getting me interested now - what a good excuse to go and visit my pal Tom and drink marvellous Lëtzeburgisch beer.

[jsangel]

Thank you everyone.

I used to only buy the best for my shooting using mainly Lapua components in my 6.5x55 Steyr Prohunter along with Nosler BT`s.
Now I have a 2 1/2 year old son and another who is only 16 weeks old. Pretty much all my disposable income goes on family these days. Sigh...
on the bright side i have had great success with my 6.5x55 at up to 600 yards using my now 7 year old Lapua brass and S&B 140gr FMJ bullets that i picked up for £10 a 100 pushed by reloader 19 as that was the only powder close to H4350 that i could get!

The K31 is to be my main club rifle because i can get Vhit N140 at £50 a kilo, Privi was cheapish to obtain brass and Privi bullets are the closest match at a sensible price.
I will probably use it for hunting a little with Lapua Mega 180gr bullets.

Vhit seems to be more readily available at the moment and in kilo quantities works out more economic than other brands. Hopefully i will standardize on Vhit N140 and N150/160 and possibly something quicker as i would like a LBR and lever action in the future.

Any way, thanks for the info.. I was thinking that 40gr would be about right, though i will start low and work up for accuracy.