ZFK55, a swiss tack driver !

[Miller Tyme]

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.

 

[pmclaine]

Very nice!

Not something your average guy stumbles in to and decides "I think Ill buy one of these".

Obviously you are a man of intelligence, taste and culture.

 

[Miller Tyme]

Thank you sir, I have a good friend that loves all things Swiss and he convinced me, after shooting his, that I would never regret the outlay of cash for one.

 

[Triggered]

Did you have any previous trigger time on the standard K31? Was always curious how the 55 would compare between the two.

 

[Miller Tyme]

I shot a friends 30 years ago but back then ammo was hard to come by so I never considered owning one.

 

[buffalowinter]

Just how "tacky" is you're tack driver? But seriously, what kind of groups are you getting in terms of minute of angle?

 

[Miller Tyme]

When I do my part 1.5" groups @ 100 yds, not bad for a 62 year old rifle with a 3.5x scope shooting gp11 surplus

 

[Dr. Strangelove_207]

Lovely! I’m not jealous....

If I’m right, the Kern has a BDC elevation turret. What distance does it go out to?

 

[WaywardSon]

Wiping drool off keyboard..................

 

[Miller Tyme]

Lovely! I’m not jealous....

If I’m right, the Kern has a BDC elevation turret. What distance does it go out to?

The bdc turret has a max setting of 800m

 

[Random Guy]

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?

See attached, basically the traditional European, 3 post reticle style.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Do you have a picture thru the optic?

 

[Dr. Strangelove_207]

The bdc turret has a max setting of 800m

Thanks! A ZFK is definitely on my bucket list one day. Would complement my K31 nicely!

 

[longebow]

Kudos for a very nicely matching sniper!

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

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.

They didn’t use standard K31 barrels? Also did the ZFK55 have any bedding?

 

[Miller Tyme]

Besides the muzzle break the barrel is about 2 inches longer than the K31 barrel.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Besides the muzzle break the barrel is about 2 inches longer than the K31 barrel.

Do you know what effect the new gun control law will have on Swiss rifle manufacturing?

 

[Davo308]

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.

 

[clcustom1911]

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.

 

[Davo308]

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.

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.

 

[clcustom1911]

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.

Yup, sounds about right. The time before California really, reallyyyy took the last turn in its downward spiral.

 

[Davo308]

Yup, sounds about right. The time before California really, reallyyyy took the last turn in its downward spiral.

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.

 

[LeftyJason]

Nice rifle. Saw this video recently about it.

 

[jsel10]

Love the zfk, it's on the bucket list for sure.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Lovely piece of kit.
Hope it gives you years of joy.
Niiiice.

 

[Triggered]

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.

 

[Miller Tyme]

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

 

[eicas]

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.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

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.

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....

 

[Calfed]

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.

 

[Calfed]

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.

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.

Sierra MK, Nosler CC, Barnes MB, and GP11

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

Sierra MK, Nosler Custom Comp, Barnes MB, Nosler RDF

 

[eicas]

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.

 

[Calfed]

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.

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.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

How have your results been with the Barnes'? I recently discovered them and am attracted by the lower cost compared to SMK's.

 

[Calfed]

How have your results been with the Barnes'? I recently discovered them and am attracted by the lower cost compared to SMK's.

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

 

[Davo308]

Has anyone tried the Privi Partisan 174 grain match round?

The Reloading Authority - Graf & Sons

Graf & Sons, the reloading authority, has a wide selection of reloading supplies, shooting supplies, ammo and more.

www.grafs.com

 

[eicas]

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”.

 

[Calfed]

I've had great luck in my 1911's with 168 gr Nosler and AMAX's.

 

[D_TROS]

Thanks! A ZFK is definitely on my bucket list one day. Would complement my K31 nicely!

this.


DT

 

[Lonewolf762]

Has anyone tried the Privi Partisan 174 grain match round?

The Reloading Authority - Graf & Sons

Graf & Sons, the reloading authority, has a wide selection of reloading supplies, shooting supplies, ammo and more.

www.grafs.com

Only as the factory loaded ammunition from PPU, 3" to 4" groups at 100m shot one box than sold the rest.

 

[Calfed]

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.

 

[eicas]

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...

 

[Halfnutz]

Email says they have GP11 in stock. Hope this helps anyone looking.

LONG GUNS - AMMUNITION - Edelweiss Arms

edelweissarms.com