Forming 7.5 x 55 Swiss

[Casull]

I've read that .284 Winchester brass can be reformed into 7.5 x 55 Swiss.  Although I've been reloading for 20 years, I've never formed one case out of another.  Will simply full length resizing of the .284 Winchester brass through a 7.5 x 55 Swiss full length sizer die accomplish this, or would I need any intermediate die.  It sounds likes I just need to full length size with the Swiss die and then trim.  If that's the case, it will sure simplify obtaining good brass.  Any information is greatly appreciated.

[jack19512]

Will simply full length resizing of the .284 Winchester brass through a 7.5 x 55 Swiss full length sizer die accomplish this 

That is my understanding.

[Mikey]

I think you can get new brass from Graf and Sons.  Mikey.

[Nobade]

Yep. My Lee dies have a tapered expander, and one pass through with a .284 case does the trick. Fireform and you're there. But that is a moot point now that the correct brass is available and it's no more expensive than .284.

[jack19512]

But that is a moot point now that the correct brass is available and it's no more expensive than .284.

Do you have a source for the 7.5x55 brass other than Norma which is very expensive?

[Casull]

Thanks for the quick responses fellows.  Nobade, I'm glad to hear that your Lee die works well, since Lee has been the only brand I purchase/use.  However, the only brass I have seen is Norma, which is about 250% of the price of Winchester brass.

[Casull]

I just thought of another question.  If the brass still requires fireforming after being full length sized, could I just neck size it and then fireform?  I usually neck size only, since the ammo is always used in the same gun.  Will a Lee collet neck size die work for this?  Unlike most of the other Lee die sets, the 7.5 Swiss does not come in a 3 die set with neck and full length sizers.  So do I need to purchase a full length sizer, or will the neck sizer alone work?  Thanks again for any suggestions.

[R.W.Dale]

Yep. My Lee dies have a tapered expander, and one pass through with a .284 case does the trick. Fireform and you're there. But that is a moot point now that the correct brass is available and it's no more expensive than .284.

 You may want to check again. Grafs sold out of the latest shipment of 7.5x55 a few months ago, and are still currently out of stock.

 What I did was to order 2 boxes of Privi ammunition. 40rds of reloadable ammo cost about the same as 50pcs of .284 brass.

[Nobade]

Hornady makes brass for it too. And as for fireforming, that is what I meant to say. Basically just load and shoot, it works. Not all K31's will extract a .284 case properly due to the rebated rim, but mine will no problem. And as another poster mentioned, Prvi makes loaded ammo and I'm not sure but S&B may as well.

[Val]

I don't remember the details, however on one of the Milsurp forums, it was highly recommended that cases for the K-31 always be full length sized. It has something to do with the short throat and the chamber dimensions. Redding makes a die set specifically for cases used in the K-31. Evidently the chamber on a K-31 is different enough from other rifles using the 7.5X55 that a unique die set was manufactured. I'm not an expert on the subject but I have heeded the advice of full length sizing, only. Apparently neck sizing results in cases jamming in the chamber after shooting. I put a no drill and tap scout scope mount on my K-31 and using an inexpensive NC Star 2X7 scopw, I'm getting three shot 1/2" groups with my K31 at 100 yds.

[jgalar]

You can use a full length sizing die to resize the 284 to the swiss. I did it in 2 steps. I lubed and started the sizing when the sizing started getting stiff I backed off relubed and finished the sizing. The resized cases work well.