7.55x55 Swiss

[Rsl]

Dear all:

I have the opportunity of buying a lovely sporterised Schmidt-Rubin rifle at a very fair price. The calibre is 7.5x55 Swiss. My only references to this cartridge are reloading manuals, some YouTube videos and the information I could gather from Ballistic Studies website.
I was wondering if anyone from the SD has real field experience regarding the performance and capabilities of the 7.5x55 Swiss for hunting. I am also curious about the velocities that are safe to reach when reloading.

Thank you very much. I appreciate any input.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Works like a .308, I have a 1911 cut short as a driven boar rifle with a red dot sight. I read somewhere that for building that quality today would run to 2,500€.

 

[Laurie]

It's very easy to handload and as @Bavarianbrit says it's a ballistic match to 308 Win and capable of equal precision. (In fact, it's capable of being loaded to higher velocities, but I'd avoid that in a Schmidt straight-pull.) The 7.5X55 uses run of the mill 0.308 bullets, so a huge choice. The bugbear used to be brass as it was like hen's teeth and cost an arm and a leg. PPU makes it now for a reasonable price, so there are no downsides.

Actions are a bit noisier than conventional bolt-actions and you have to ram the bolt closed pretty hard to ensure proper lock-up.

 

[moeggesit]

Dear all:

I have the opportunity of buying a lovely sporterised Schmidt-Rubin rifle at a very fair price. The calibre is 7.5x55 Swiss. My only references to this cartridge are reloading manuals, some YouTube videos and the information I could gather from Ballistic Studies website.
I was wondering if anyone from the SD has real field experience regarding the performance and capabilities of the 7.5x55 Swiss for hunting. I am also curious about the velocities that are safe to reach when reloading.

Thank you very much. I appreciate any input.

It depends which exact model, put photos up if you’re unsure. Some of the older and weaker 1889 actions have been seen sporterised and advertised as 7.5x55 (beware), they’re good for approximately 22000psi (don’t quote me), k11, g11 much improved but the K31 is the best by far and the last three can be used with any modern load. Somewhere between 308 and 30-06, the deer can’t tell the difference.

 

[PigeonPlinker]

Hi, being from the States my perspective might be slightly different so please take that into consideration, here acquiring more rifles is more a matter of budget. If you are only allocated so many rifles I would be aware that there is no “normal” way to mount optics to a k31 and it might be more fuss than it’s worth. As moeggesit mentioned as well make sure it’s a new style action. They eject brass straight up so a conventionally mounted over the receiver scope won’t work. Your options are an offset scope mount (they make clamp ons that work well) or a long eye relief pistol style scope mounted in a “scout” configuration off of the rear sight base. Of the two options the offset is probably best if you can adapt to the ergonomics because scout/pistol scopes have very poor field of view and typically no way to adjust parallax or dial for dope easily.

That being said for issued rifles they are very nice, exceptionally well made, good bores (gp11 was non corrosive) and fantastic triggers. I have owned two and still own one of them.

As for the cartridge as others have said they are inbetween a 308 and 3006 power wise, ample for taking elk here stateside. I am unsure of the exact case volume but it is bigger than 308. Another note, if I recall correctly the bores are actually .307 but reloading is done with .308 bullets (I never loaded for mine). I also recall that the Lee dies were for the older case dimensions, not the updated chambering for GP11, with Redding dies being the best for accuracy (unsure of RCBS). Another note that the GP11 was an early adopter of secant ogives. Finding a bullet combo that matches the performance of GP11 might take some tinkering. Outside of surplus GP11 I exclusively used factory loaded PPU 174gr softpoints and killed two whitetails with mine configured scout style with a Nikon 2-7 pistol scope. With GP11 I found the rifles shot around 2moa maybe a bit better, mind you this is not bedded and not free floated with full length wood hand guards shooting surplus ammo so that’s pretty good. Another note they can be a bit heavy I think mine weighs in over 11lbs all kitted out.

I will try to attach a couple photos but I am new so not sure if it will work. Mature doe shot around 300m and fawn around 200m. Sorry for rambling a bit.

IMG-1600 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1600 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

56410211611-DCB4-F255-3131-471-C-8-A34-91010-D07-B877 hosted at ImgBB

Image 56410211611-DCB4-F255-3131-471-C-8-A34-91010-D07-B877 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[25 Sharps]

Dear all:

I have the opportunity of buying a lovely sporterised Schmidt-Rubin rifle at a very fair price. The calibre is 7.5x55 Swiss. My only references to this cartridge are reloading manuals, some YouTube videos and the information I could gather from Ballistic Studies website.
I was wondering if anyone from the SD has real field experience regarding the performance and capabilities of the 7.5x55 Swiss for hunting. I am also curious about the velocities that are safe to reach when reloading.

Thank you very much. I appreciate any input.

It’s virtually the same as .308 in terms of ballistics.

It’s a cracking round.

 

[Muir]

If you have reloading data from established sources, what more could you want? +1 on establishing the model. A rule of thumb is the farther forward the locking lugs, the stronger,/newer the action. -Muir

 

[alberta boy]

I was out shooting my K11 today , I forgot how much I like that rifle . In regards to it's suitability for hunting , it'll do anything a 308 Win can . The only factor limiting velocity is which model you have . As Muir points out , the later actions like the K31 are very strong and will allow you to get the highest velocity . I load my K11 to velocities that duplicate a 300 Savage . It works well on White-Tailed Deer and Black Bears . That'll do .

AB

 

[Kalahari]

I think Southams Auctions have a fair number of 7 x 55 cartridge cases in their timed sale if it helps anybody.

David.

 

[twoseventy]

Hi, being from the States my perspective might be slightly different so please take that into consideration, here acquiring more rifles is more a matter of budget. If you are only allocated so many rifles I would be aware that there is no “normal” way to mount optics to a k31 and it might be more fuss than it’s worth. As moeggesit mentioned as well make sure it’s a new style action. They eject brass straight up so a conventionally mounted over the receiver scope won’t work. Your options are an offset scope mount (they make clamp ons that work well) or a long eye relief pistol style scope mounted in a “scout” configuration off of the rear sight base. Of the two options the offset is probably best if you can adapt to the ergonomics because scout/pistol scopes have very poor field of view and typically no way to adjust parallax or dial for dope easily.

That being said for issued rifles they are very nice, exceptionally well made, good bores (gp11 was non corrosive) and fantastic triggers. I have owned two and still own one of them.

As for the cartridge as others have said they are inbetween a 308 and 3006 power wise, ample for taking elk here stateside. I am unsure of the exact case volume but it is bigger than 308. Another note, if I recall correctly the bores are actually .307 but reloading is done with .308 bullets (I never loaded for mine). I also recall that the Lee dies were for the older case dimensions, not the updated chambering for GP11, with Redding dies being the best for accuracy (unsure of RCBS). Another note that the GP11 was an early adopter of secant ogives. Finding a bullet combo that matches the performance of GP11 might take some tinkering. Outside of surplus GP11 I exclusively used factory loaded PPU 174gr softpoints and killed two whitetails with mine configured scout style with a Nikon 2-7 pistol scope. With GP11 I found the rifles shot around 2moa maybe a bit better, mind you this is not bedded and not free floated with full length wood hand guards shooting surplus ammo so that’s pretty good. Another note they can be a bit heavy I think mine weighs in over 11lbs all kitted out.

I will try to attach a couple photos but I am new so not sure if it will work. Mature doe shot around 300m and fawn around 200m. Sorry for rambling a bit.

IMG-1600 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1600 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

56410211611-DCB4-F255-3131-471-C-8-A34-91010-D07-B877 hosted at ImgBB

Image 56410211611-DCB4-F255-3131-471-C-8-A34-91010-D07-B877 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

There are a couple of "no drill" scope rails available to fit the K31 action, and i've tried 2 of them. The first (swiss products offering?) mounted to the side of the action, and required quite a tilt to your head to get a clear picture through the scope. It was ok, but just a standard dovetail mount, so not great for the recoil.

The second (bad ace tactical IIRC) mounts in place of the original rear sight and clamps up tight. This extends back over the ejector port, and with a little fettling doesn't impede cartridge ejection. I threw this on the rifle 10 minutes before shooting it at 1000 yards a few months back. Worked well, just needs a comb raiser on the stock and lower scope rings to make things more comfortable.

 

[Dougal McGuire]

I have used my K31 using PPU soft points for feral hog hunting. I managed to get two with one shot at with that load at 250 yards, so definitely effective. Mine is now zeroed with the Norma Oryx load, but I haven't shot anything with that yet. The Norma load puts it close to .30-06 territory rather than .308 territory. I use the Swiss Products offset scope mount.

 

[Muir]

I make 7.5x55 out of .284 Win brass. (A trick from the old days) -Muir

 

[Stalker62]

I have the opportunity of buying a lovely sporterised Schmidt-Rubin rifle at a very fair price.

For "sporterised" read 'ruined'.

Hold out for one that has not been butchered.

 

[bobo]

Loaded 200 of them last year for a friend.
Don't know about the UK, but here in mainland Europe 7,5x55 swiss cases and loaded ammo are readily available and cheap, about same price as 30-06.

Used 52.7 grains Norma URP in PPU cases and RWS primers to push a 150grain bullet.
That load fit the iron sights on his rifle, 300 meters mark.
Used for historical shooting.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I make 7.5x55 out of .284 Win brass. (A trick from the old days) -Muir

I tried this going the other way as I have loads of 7.5 brass it was a complete failure.

 

[Rsl]

Thank you all for your wit and your insights. I really appreciate it!!
I can confirm that the rifle is the K31 version. I have attached some pictures.

 

[Rsl]

And more pictures:

 

[Dougal McGuire]

That looks like a fairly well done sporter, at least compared to some. I would exchange that rear sight mounted red dot for a Swiss Products scope mount then you can use any ordinary scope and get the most out of it for hunting. My K31 is in military configuration other than the the addition of the Swiss Products mount. Remember to wear your Swiss camouflage while using your K31 for optimal performance.

 

[moeggesit]

And more pictures:

Looks quite nicely stocked and otherwise unharmed. Just another point to watch for is that Swiss proofs is not valid in the UK and you would not be able to sell it legally without CIP member proofs. I can’t see any in the photos.

It does not make any difference to ownership, only that you cannot transfer it.

 

[markyw]

Mine is a battered 1935 example wearing original dioptre sights. The first picture is from my club shoot, open sights at 600yds. Shot pretty well on the day, you can see the result on the screen. It's also fun to shoot, but can thump the shoulder a bit. GP11 ammunition is hard to come by, but others have had good success with reloads and PPU brass is good, even if the ammunition shoots more like a shotgun in my K31.

As to the proof mark comment above, if there are no UK proof marks then the existing seller should not be selling it, right?

Regards

Mark