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ZFK55, a swiss tack driver !

Miller Tyme

Miller Tyme

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
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Aug 31, 2020
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#1
After years of procrastination and letting good deals slip away I finally broke down last year and acquired a Swiss ZFK55 sniper.

This is with out a doubt my favorite rifle to shoot in Vintage Sniper Matches. The rifle has a very nice 3.5x Kern optic and shooting GP11 surplus it has helped me finish "in the money" in every match I have entered with it.
 

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#11
Very nice rifle with its matching scope and matching scope case. That is one of my bucket list sniper rifles. I’ve read that only 4 parts are interchangeable b/t the K31 and K55, the firing pin, cocking handle and one other part possibly the bolt body (can’t recall at the moment). The K55 was purpose designed as a sniper, and very few military service rifles went through such a re-design. Thanks posting the pics.

Do you have a picture thru the optic?
Click to expand...
See attached, basically the traditional European, 3 post reticle style.
 

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#15
Random Guy said:
Very nice rifle with its matching scope and matching scope case. That is one of my bucket list sniper rifles. I’ve read that only 4 parts are interchangeable b/t the K31 and K55, the firing pin, cocking handle and one other part possibly the bolt body (can’t recall at the moment). The K55 was purpose designed as a sniper, and very few military service rifles went through such a re-design. Thanks posting the pics.


See attached, basically the traditional European, 3 post reticle style.
Click to expand...
They didn’t use standard K31 barrels? Also did the ZFK55 have any bedding?
 
#18
Picked up 2 K31's back around Christmas 2004.

I'd love a '55.

The K31's were $140, but the '55's were $750 so I got the K31's.

I opted for a St Marie Scope mount and muzzle brake.

Put a Bushnell elite 3200 10x scope on.

Later a cheek piece and buttpad.

I cant the rifle slightly (maybe 10 degrees) and it works well.

Stripper clips and the stock sights are still options.

I still shoot 90% GP11 but want to reload soon.

Its a solid 2 MOA rifle.
 
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#20
clcustom1911 said:
I remember when I bought a K31 from Big 5 Sporting Goods for $95 when they were selling them in 2006 or 7. Fantastically built rifles for even today's precision standards.
Click to expand...

First time I bought the rifle, John Lovitz was in the store.

A week later, Hugh Howser.

Snow fell on the street, a rare thing.

It was cool living there at that time, I lived with a stripper and my girlfriend from Fullerton would drive out each weekend.

Strippers are fascinating bitches.

We'd shoot balloons. Some further than others.

The strippers were fascinated by accurate .22's .

They made more than me.

This was on TV.



 
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#21
Davo308 said:
First time I bought the rifle, John Lovitz was in the store.

A week later, Hugh Howser.

Snow fell on the street, a rare thing.

It was cool living there at that time, I lived with a stripper and my girlfriend from Fullerton would drive out each weekend.

Strippers are fascinating bitches.

We'd shoot balloons. Some further than others.

The strippers were fascinated by accurate .22's .

They made more than me.

This was on TV.



Click to expand...

Yup, sounds about right. The time before California really, reallyyyy took the last turn in its downward spiral.
 
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#22
clcustom1911 said:
Yup, sounds about right. The time before California really, reallyyyy took the last turn in its downward spiral.
Click to expand...

It was tripping by the time I was 18. It was big 5.

The CA AWB was in effect by then.

In the early 90's you could buy AR's, and "chinese assault guns" for I think 279.

"the strippers" actually liked me and bought me a new engine one time.

Their work was playing patty cake as old men fell asleep they said.

Later I met Kirk Russel at a cigar shop there, and saw robert downey jr arrested.
 
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#26
Not to hijack, but anyone have suggestions on finding any GP11 in the great bullet drought of 2020? Or would like to financially separate with some?

I bought a case several years ago and have about 100 rounds left, but obviously would like to secure some more if possible.
 
#27
About 10 battle packs came up for sale on Gunboards in the past 3 weeks and all sold very fast.

Edelweiss is suppose to have more coming but the last batch was $520/480 rds + shipping
 
#28
Personally, I think you could do much better with some RL17 and the 175 SMKs. I have two bricks of GP11 sitting on the shelf (no...sorry;)) but if I really want to SHOOT my 1911, I reach for the hand loads. It’s good stuff, but you can do much better.
 
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#29
eicas said:
Personally, I think you could do much better with some RL17 and the 175 SMKs. I have two bricks of GP11 sitting on the shelf (no...sorry;)) but if I really want to SHOOT my 1911, I reach for the hand loads. It’s good stuff, but you can do much better.
Click to expand...

Likewise, I use 168's and RL-17 and have produced some... acceptable results with my K31. Shot prone with an original set of swiss Diopter sights on the standard SR-1C

disclaimer - don't blow yourself up with my load data, not my fault yadda yadda....
 

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#30
Great rifle, Miller.

I've been on the hunt for a reasonably priced '55 for years.

I've got a number of Swiss rifles, including K-11's, 96/11's, G11's and K31's. A ZFK 5 would really be the icing on the cake.

I've had to content myself with the Swiss Products clamp on Scope base and Bushnell scope, but have not been disappointed in the results.
 
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#31
eicas said:
Personally, I think you could do much better with some RL17 and the 175 SMKs. I have two bricks of GP11 sitting on the shelf (no...sorry;)) but if I really want to SHOOT my 1911, I reach for the hand loads. It’s good stuff, but you can do much better.
Click to expand...

I've used RL-17 and 175 gr Nosler Custom Compeitions (which are very similar to the SMK's) to great effect in my K31's. I've been planning on trying a couple of different bullets. The Barnes 175 gr Matchburner is a closer match to the GP11 bullet than the Nosler or the SMK.

R2MLfev.jpg


Sierra MK, Nosler CC, Barnes MB, and GP11

The newer Nosler 175 gr RDF is also a better match to the GP11.

PUEQE10.jpg

Sierra MK, Nosler Custom Comp, Barnes MB, Nosler RDF
 
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#32
Interesting. The Barnes’ looks interesting. I got an Enfield project rolling right now, so that’s eating up my time primers and powder! It might be worth picking a box up though. I’ve never had luck with anything Nosler. Don’t ask me why...no clue. My buddy swears by them. Me? It’s like throwing rocks.
 
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#33
eicas said:
Interesting. The Barnes’ looks interesting. I got an Enfield project rolling right now, so that’s eating up my time primers and powder! It might be worth picking a box up though. I’ve never had luck with anything Nosler. Don’t ask me why...no clue. My buddy swears by them. Me? It’s like throwing rocks.
Click to expand...
Boy, I'm with your buddy.

A friend has a dealer relationship with Nosler, so I can get them fairly cheaply. I've always had good luck with them also.

Frankly, if you compare them to the SMK's in the same weight and caliber, the Noslers look like they were reversed engineered from the SMK's. One problem is that Nosler does not make any bullets in .311, so I have to look elsewhere for my .303, 7.65x53 and 7.62x 54R reloads.
 
#35
AManWearingAHat said:
How have your results been with the Barnes'? I recently discovered them and am attracted by the lower cost compared to SMK's.
Click to expand...
Results are good.

I have some of the Nosler RDF's also which are a close match for the Barnes and seem to have a cleaner meplat. Unfortunately I haven't been able to load any of them yet
 
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#37
Honestly, everything I’ve tried in my 1911 has been a success. I’ve used the Sierras, some old AMAXs I had collecting dust on the shelf, even some bulk Remington 165gr PSPCLs... It’s uncanny. It lIke’s everything. It’s set up with diopter sights (no glass) but it still doesn’t seem to matter. I have a box of Nosler 165gr hunting bullets I might load up if I get the chance...see if I can ”break the spell”.
 
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#41
I've never reloaded with PPU bullets, but have shot their loaded ammo for the brass. Except for their "match loads" (which, AFAIK, they do not make in 7.5 x 55), my results have been mediocre, accuracy wise.
 
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#42
I had a box of factory PPU that I initially ran them my 1911 when I first got it. It was $36.99/box. I never bought another. Lol. It hit a 8” steel plate at 100yds off the porch. That was my extent of it’s capabilities...🤷‍♂️
 
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