Anyone Use A Swiss K-31 to Hunt???

[Deerslayer0823]

I've been debating with myself about using the Swiss K-31 rifle I just acquired to hunt with, or go with my more tried and true Remington 760 Gamemaster 30-06! What do y'all think?
Am I crazy for thinking about using my milsurp for hunting?
Ugh! The dilemma! LOL

 

[FOTIS]

What are you hunting?

 

[SJB358]

I'd hunt anything id hunt a 308 with. Same same ballistically.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I like a .30-06 for anything personally but that Swiss round should be somewhere between .300 Savage and .308 from what I hear...which is good for just about anything.

 

[truck driver]

I saw a nice Schmidt Rubin in 7.3 Swiss today in a local shop.

 

[RaySendero]

Yeah, Deerslayer

I hunt with mine. Got it some years ago when the price was much lower than today. Have killed many deer with it. I put a low powered scout scope on it - Its quick to get on target and good quick sight if deer is running, too.

K-31s have a good reputation for accuracy. Hunting loads will need to be hand loaded. Be picky regarding the reloading dies - Some size to the original cartridge specs and some size to the K-31 chamber dimensions.

What would you like to know?

 

[Deerslayer0823]

I'm going to be using it to deer hunt, but want to hunt bigger critters too.
I will more than likely use 180 gr Nosler BT's.
I thought about getting one of the non gunsmith scope mounts, or maybe a set of the MOJO peep sights.
I thought about going with original GP 11 velocities, but my buddy Fotis hooked me up with some really good Quickload formulas, and will try them out too.
I have a set of Lee dies, along with a shell holder, and powder dipper.
Any feedback on the info I just wrote is fully aappreciated.

 

[Deerslayer0823]

Truck Driver, you should SO get it!
Ammo is much more plentiful now for it.
You won't be disappointed!

 

[FOTIS]

If you can shoot it well at your max range then you're good.

 

[RaySendero]

I'm going to be using it to deer hunt, but want to hunt bigger critters too.
I will more than likely use 180 gr Nosler BT's.

That bullet should be fine. I've used both the Sierra 165 and 180 GKs. Both made 2 holes in all my deer kills, so I've never found a bullet. I prefer the longer for caliber SGKs so the 180 is my favorite.

I thought about getting one of the non gunsmith scope mounts, or maybe a set of the MOJO peep sights.

I used that no drill S&K rear sight scope mount pictured above so that I could put the rifle back to all original if I wanted. The mount is solid - But did require me to get an "intermediate" eye relief scout scope.

I thought about going with original GP 11 velocities, but my buddy Fotis hooked me up with some really good Quickload formulas, and will try them out too.

Mine likes IMR-4350 with either the 165s or 180s. Am getting right around 2,750 and 2,640 fps respectively.

I have a set of Lee dies, along with a shell holder, and powder dipper.
Any feedback on the info I just wrote is fully aappreciated.

I've got both a set of Lee dies and Redding dies. CAUTION - That 3.05" OAL listed on the Lee dies loading info is probably TOO LONG for your rifle. I had to seat to 2.925" to keep those bullets off the lands.

 

[Deerslayer0823]

Thank you very much Ray!
I will keep that overall length in mind. I will do overall length as you have done.
I too like the longer for caliber 180 gr SGK's, and will use them along with the BT's.
I do like IMR 4350, along with Hodgdon H4350. That powder works very well across all the calibers I have.
The K-31 is scary accurate! Something you don't see a lot in a military long arm!