Reloading 7.5 Swiss
7.5 Swiss dies are produced by the major reloading die manufacturers. Published loading data for this cartridge is somewhat limited but that has improved somewhat in recent years.
Jacketed bullets for 7.5 diameter is .0308 inches or 7.62 mm. I size the cast lead bullets that I use to 0.309 inches. The 7.5 milimeter bullet diameter in the cartridge designation is the measurement from land to land rather that from groove to groove.
The Schmidt Rubin K31 has a very short throat which is tailor made for the 174 grain GP11 bullet, which it will shoot quite accurately. It is not designed for loads using cast or jacketed bullets heavier than 180 grains.
7.5 x 55mm Cartridge Cases
When I first started loading for 7.5 Swiss, inexpensive boxer primed cases were not readily available so I started loading this cartridge by necking up 284 Winchester cases which have approximately the same length and head diameter as the Swiss cartridge. The rim diameter however is smaller which requires using a shell holder sized for 30-6, 308 winchester. To realize the full life out of cases made from 284 Winchester, the case necks must be annealed to prevent cracks in the neck and shoulder of the cartridge.
When they became available I purchased some new Graf headstamped brass from Graf & Sons, which turned out be somewhat disappointing. The primer pockets on that particular lot, varied in size, some were slightly oversized and some needed to be reamed out in order to seat a primer. The cases were also improperly annealed. I lost several of them on the first firing until I annealed the rest of them.
So far I have found Prvi Partizan and Fnm headstamped brass to be the most satisfactory choice available in terms of quality and price.
| 7.5 Swiss Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter (inches) | 0.308 |
| Max Cartridge Length (inches) | 3.05 |
| Max Case Length (inches) | 2.18 |
Some things to note about the reloading data on this page;
- I am only relating my personal experience with the firearms and equipment that I own and that I am not making any loading recommendations. If you use the loading data here, you do so at your own risk.
- Unless stated otherwise, muzzle velocities listed on this page are from my own test data.
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 107 grain FMJ Round Nose 0.307 inch |
| Powder | 39.0 grains IMR 3031 |
| Primer | Federal 210 |
| Brass | Prvi Partizan nny headstamp |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2543 feet per second |
| Standard Dev MV | 49.3 feet per second |
Bullets are 30 carbine type. Copper plated steel jacket, lead core. Cartridge overall length 2.620 inches.
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss - Remington vs Winchester Primers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bullet | 147 grain FMJBT M80 Ball | 147 grain FMJBT M80 Ball |
| Powder | 45.0 grains Accurate 2520 | 45.0 grains Accurate 2520 |
| Primer | Rem 9 1/2 | Win LR |
| Brass | Winchester 284 Win | Winchester 284 Win |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2794 feet per second | 2823 feet per second |
These two loads differ only in terms of primer choice.
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 147 grain FMJBT M80 Ball |
| Powder | 46.5 grains Accurate 2700 |
| Primer | Rem 9 1/2 |
| Brass | Winchester 284 Win |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2638 feet per second |
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 151 grain FMJ Yugo M2 0.308" dia. |
| Powder | 44.0 grains Ramshot TAC |
| Primer | Rem 9 1/2 |
| Brass | Prvi Partizan |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2713 feet per second |
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 151 grain FMJ Yugo M2 0.308" dia. |
| Powder | 40.8 grains Hodgdon 335 |
| Primer | Rem 9 1/2 |
| Brass | FNM Headstamp |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2502 feet per second |
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 168 grain JHPBT Sierra Match King #2200 |
| Powder | 48.0 grains Hodgdon H380 |
| Primer | Alcan Maxfire LR |
| Brass | Graf |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2555 feet per second |
| Standard Dev MV | 25.8 feet per second |
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 168 grain JHPBT Sierra Match King #2200 |
| Powder | 46.0 grains Hodgdon H380 |
| Primer | Fed 210-M (Match) |
| Brass | Graf |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2432 feet per second |
| Standard Dev MV | 17.1 feet per second |
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 175 grain FMJ Boat Tail |
| Powder | 38.0 grains IMR 3031 |
| Primer | Rem 9 1/2 |
| Brass | Graf |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 2342 feet per second |
7.5 Swiss Cast Bullet Load
| 7.5 x 55 Swiss | |
|---|---|
| Bullet | 0.309" dia. 156 grain Lead Spire Point Gas Check, LEE C312-155-2R |
| Powder | 18.0 grains Alliant 2400 |
| Primer | Federal 210M |
| Brass | Winchester 284 Win |
| Firearm | Swiss K31 |
| Barrel Length | 25.2 inches |
| Avg Muzzle Velocity | 1750 feet per second |
Very accurate, groups as well as jacketed Sierra Match King bullets in my rifle.
Other cast bullet loads that I use for the 7.5 x 55 mm Swiss can be found on the Reduced Power Rifle loads page.