Die recommendation for K31? Redding or Hornady?

[gishooter]

Good morning,
I want to start reloading for my three K-31s as I'm getting low on factory GP11.
Naturally I want to load cast in them. Been loading cast in .30 caliber rifles for a while without issues so no question regarding casting or load data. Plenty of information already out there.

I have mostly RCBS reloading dies with a few Redding dies that I've used for years.
Doing my research shows the two most suitably dies for the K-31 is the Redding and the Hornady die sets.
During my search, I came across a post that suggests substituting a seating stem and sleeve for the .303 British (the Hornady die set) in order to accommodate a cast bullet.

Anybody else having success with this technique?
As the threads are multiple years old, anybody have experience with recent production Hornady or Redding dies in 7.5 Swiss for their K-31s?


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?111477-Hornady-K31-specific-dies-sizing-results

[Leadmad]

I have got some 7.5 x 55 Hornady dies sitting quietly in a USPS warehouse and looking forward to them arriving they are the K-31 specific set,Im also shooting cast with My K-31 with great results so will be interesting to see how the Seating dies work with my cast bullets now that you have highlighted the point about the seating stem & sleeve, In the meantime Ive been using the Lee collet die sizer with cast bullets only and have had no issues with chambering the cases even after 8-9 loadings,

Cheers

[gishooter]

I'd be curious to hear how the Hornady dies work for you. I'm sure others would be also.

[madsenshooter]

I have a K31 specific die set from C&H. It sizes a fired case such a small amount, I almost don't have to use lube! Of course, I do, since I hate stuck cases.

[35 Whelen]

I've used RCBS, Redding and the Lee collet die. The Lee is really easy on brass, the other tow, didn't really see any difference. Take your pick.

35W

[Winger Ed.]

I got a few set of the new generation Hornady's with the sleeve, and they're OK.
But nothing works for me as well as barely feeling the boolit start into the case,
then lowering it back down and look to be double sure its going in straight.

[smithnframe]

Anything but Hornady!

[1Hawkeye]

I'm using the RCBS with cast bullets, lyman 311359 & lee 309-170 in my k31 with no problems other than that the rounds will not chamber in my 96/11. Apparently the k31's chamber is larger at the shoulder then the earlier models so one needs to keep that in mind if your going to load for others besides the k31.

[Kraschenbirn]

Hawkeye...I'm also using RCBS dies and loading for both a K31 AND a 96/11. To date, I haven't had any issue with rounds not chambering in the 96/11. However, I only neck size (Privi brass) and don't try to interchange cases between the two rifles.

Bill

[lead collector]

Cant speak on other rifle models, but the RCBS works great in my 1954 K31.
Unlike other rifles that I shoot lead in, and just neck size, I full length resize, for the K31, as I dont want to have to jam the bolt handle forward and possibly bend a part that might be difficult to find a replacement for.
I figure if I ever by a different model, I will shop for a different set of dies made for that model.

Was having issues with my bullets being too large in the nose area. Bought a 30- 165 SIL mold from RCBS and am pretty happy.
While the nose casts a little larger than was advertised, a .303 nose, .312 body, with 50 - 50 Linotype / COWW Mix. When sized to .309, and properly seated it just engraves the bullet about .001 on each side of the nose.
I just now got my scope mounted, and have tried 50 or so rounds. At 50 yards, 5 shots go into about 5/8 inch with an occasional flyer, with 17 grs of 2400. I think it can do better, and if the weather is good, later in the week, I will try another load, and then out to 100 yards. I am in hope that it will stay about 1 inch at 100 yards, when I get everything right. Maybe that is too much to expect, but you have to have a dream..

[Adam Helmer]

My dozen or so of Swiss rifles are OK with my RCBS dies and the Lyman 311467 and Lee 185 grain 312 RN.

Adam

[1Hawkeye]

I think its a bad sizer die because they come out about 10 thousandths oversized at the shoulder and yes the die is set properly.

[green mountain boy]

for my k31 i opted for the lee, however it was not a good fit. i just could not make it work most of the time. i bought redding die set and have never looked back, in fact i love it....so does my k31 !

[Whole Bunches]

I use Lee dies. Just resize about half the length of the neck. Barely open the case mouth with a Lee mouth expander die. No crimp. Keep separate brass for each of my Swiss rifles. I use mild loads in the mid teens velocity with 2400 powder.

[gishooter]

Thanks for all the feedback. Got some Redding dies coming from another member here.
Looking for some boolits from a NOE mold to try out before I buy one. I put a posting up in the boolit exchange.

[Pioneer2]

Redding.......I shot a mulie with my K31 a couple years ago.Very accurate like 3/4" at 100 yards with GP11 and a 150gr win PSP handload.Wearing a 6x Leupold on a Swiss arms steel side mt.Shoots under and inch with irons as well.Bullet seating depth can be tricky with these guns as they have a match short throat.

[abunaitoo]

I use Lee dies for all of my Swiss.
No problems at all.

[ror2506]

I have got some 7.5 x 55 Hornady dies sitting quietly in a USPS warehouse and looking forward to them arriving they are the K-31 specific set,Im also shooting cast with My K-31 with great results so will be interesting to see how the Seating dies work with my cast bullets now that you have highlighted the point about the seating stem & sleeve, In the meantime Ive been using the Lee collet die sizer with cast bullets only and have had no issues with chambering the cases even after 8-9 loadings,

Cheers

Hi Leadmad, where did you got the hornady k31 dies?

[Leadmad]

https://reloadinginternational.com/ they sourced and sent them to me

Incidentally the seating die works a treat with my cast bullets no issues at all

Good luck and Cheers

[17nut]

Chambers:
278043
278044

[osteodoc08]

Anything but Hornady!

This has been my experience as well and have pretty much quit buying their reloading equipment. I won’t get into the specifics as I’ve done here several times but suffice to say, customer service told me I used my equipment too much and I had too many parts breakages and returns of defective pieces by a CS rep. I was done after that.

[Newtire]

I use Lee dies for all of my Swiss.
No problems at all.
Only have one Swiss and using Lee dies too. So far so good.

[Gartenmeister]

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead with a related question.

First off, I'm getting back into reloading after a decade hiatus. I know the basics but maybe not some of the finer points.

Here is the problem/question: When FL resizing fired 7.5x55, the brass is growing substantially. Not when its fired, but when it is sized. If it goes in the die around 2.175 it comes out around 2.184. I have not loaded for 7.5 since 2003 or so but I don't recall having to trim it every time I loaded it, and I don't imagine the brass is going to last very long at this rate. I am wondering if this could be the fault of the dies (Lee, 20yrs old), and if I should try a different set? Or have I done something wrong?

More info: I followed Pierre's (Swiss Rifles) instructions (http://www.swissrifles.com/ammo/reload1.htm) to the T. I cleaned out the die. I am lubing with Hornady spray, but also tried RCBS sticky stuff with the same result. The cases are recently fired, have been loaded multiple times, and are from two lots: "FNM" and some .284 Win. Both behave the same. Rockchucker press.

I'm thinking about trying the K-31 specific dies from Hornady.

Thoughts?

[green mountain boy]

i bought a K31 about 13 years ago now and also bought the lee die set. the lee die set would not make ammunition i could chamber, i got mad after several trys and sold the set. i ordered the redding dies and have never looked back, what a joy to use the right tool, these are first class dies and i would buy them again any time. you will not be sorry if you purchase a set from redding !!

[Tedly]

I've recently started shooting my K31 again. Reason being I can't get Boxer LR primers but I had laid in 10K of the PMC LR Berdan by Tula ; years back when they were commonly available . I used to shoot GP11 and jacketed handloads but I'm now shooting cast boolits , several types. I bought a set of Redding dies back then (2003)? I can't speak as to other types of brass , but Swiss military stuff sizes and handle through the Redding dies easily. Keep in mind I anneal and trim as necessary . Just buy Reddings and be done.

[Pressman]

Take a look at RCBS dies. Mine make great ammo, are a better design than Hornady or Lee and "way more better" for your pocket book.

That said if I were loading for match accuracy and regular competition shooting I would go for the Redding's.

And most importantly as Gartenmeister says, read everything Pierre has written about reloading for the K-31.

[NuJudge]

To Gartenmeister, rifle brass typically is not much longer after firing the first time, it is a lot longer after sizing. I have not noticed a lot of lengthening after firing the second time, then sizing, but I am using GP11 brass and CH dies. I am not trimming until the third firing.

Trimming brass is the biggest time consumer in reloading for me, and my hands have a lot of arthritis, so I went and got a Giraud trimmer.

[beemer]

I no longer own a K-31 but shot the two I had a good bit. The chambers in the K-31 are a bit larger at the shoulder than the older rifles. The brass is still made to fit the older rifles. After the brass is fired in a K-31 the Lee dies size the cases the original size to fit the older chambers. After brass stretches to fit the chamber it has to go somewhere when sized back. Measure the shoulder in a fired case and compare it to a sized one.
Look at a unfired GP11 if you have one.

I had both Lee and Redfield, the Redfield dies were cut for the K-31 chambers and made sizing much easier with less problems. Can't say if that is your only problem but that is my experience with the K-31. The Redding dies are expensive but worked very well. I can't comment on the Hornady dies but any K-31 specific dies should help.

Dave