7.5×55 Swiss Ballistic Data Guide: GP11 Performance, Velocity Charts & Load Comparisons

1. What Is 7.5×55 Swiss?

The 7.5×55 Swiss (also designated 7.5×55 Schmidt-Rubin or GP11 after its most famous loading) is the standard Swiss military cartridge adopted in 1911 and used through the late 20th century. It was designed for the Swiss K31 straight-pull bolt-action rifle — one of the most accurate military rifles ever mass-produced. The cartridge itself has a well-deserved reputation for exceptional accuracy that rivals purpose-built match ammunition.

The 7.5×55 Swiss uses a rimless case 2.180 inches long with an overall cartridge length of 3.050 inches. It fires .308-caliber bullets (not .311 like some European military cartridges) and operates at a maximum average pressure of approximately 50,000 PSI. The cartridge is essentially a European cousin of the .308 Winchester — similar bore diameter, similar case capacity, similar performance. The key difference is that the Swiss military ammunition (GP11) was manufactured to standards that most commercial ammunition cannot match.

Today, the 7.5×55 Swiss survives primarily through the millions of K31 rifles that were surplused by the Swiss military and imported worldwide. These rifles are prized by collectors and shooters for their outstanding accuracy, smooth straight-pull actions, and the availability of high-quality GP11 ammunition — though surplus GP11 stocks are increasingly scarce.

The takeaway: The 7.5×55 Swiss is a military cartridge with match-grade accuracy potential. If you own a K31, you have one of the finest-shooting military rifles in existence — and the cartridge’s performance is part of why.

2. The GP11 — One of History’s Finest Military Loads

The GP11 (Gewehrpatrone 11, or “Rifle Cartridge 1911”) is the Swiss military ball loading that defines the 7.5×55 Swiss cartridge. It features a 174-grain full metal jacket boat-tail spitzer bullet with a copper-nickel jacket over a lead-antimony core with a steel rear insert. The bullet design was remarkably advanced for 1911 — the boat tail and carefully controlled ogive produce a G1 BC of .505-.514, which was exceptional for a military round of that era.

What makes GP11 remarkable is its consistency. Swiss military quality control produced ammunition with extreme velocity spreads (ES) as low as 15-25 fps — numbers that many commercial match loads struggle to achieve. This consistency, combined with the high BC of the 174-grain bullet and the K31’s excellent barrel and trigger, creates a system capable of sub-MOA accuracy with surplus military ammunition. Few other surplus rifle-ammunition combinations can claim that.

GP11 uses Berdan primers and non-reloadable brass. Surplus stocks are diminishing as supply dries up, making each box increasingly valuable to K31 shooters.

The takeaway: GP11 is one of the finest military ball loads ever produced. Its consistency and accuracy are legendary. If you find surplus GP11 in good condition, buy it — once it is gone, it is gone.

3. Factory & Commercial Load Ballistic Data

With GP11 surplus drying up, commercial ammunition is increasingly important for 7.5×55 Swiss shooters. Options are limited but adequate.

The takeaway: Commercial 7.5×55 Swiss loads run 2,493-2,559 fps with 174-180 grain bullets, producing 2,460-2,530 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Performance is comparable to the .308 Winchester with 175-grain loads, though factory ammo options are much more limited.

4. Bullet Drop Charts — 100 to 500 Yards

All drop figures based on a 200-yard zero.

The takeaway: With a 200-yard zero, the 7.5×55 Swiss drops 8-9 inches at 300 yards — similar to the .308 Winchester with 175-grain loads. The GP11’s high BC helps it retain velocity well, keeping trajectory competitive with modern cartridges despite its modest muzzle velocity.

5. 7.5×55 Swiss vs .308 Winchester

These two cartridges are remarkably similar in performance. Both fire .308-caliber bullets from medium-capacity cases at moderate velocities.

Ballistically, these cartridges are within 50 fps of each other with equal-weight bullets. The .308 Winchester has overwhelming advantages in ammo availability, rifle selection, bullet choice, and reloading component supply. The 7.5×55 Swiss’s advantage is that K31 rifles — its primary platform — are among the most accurate and well-made military rifles ever manufactured, often outperforming commercial .308 rifles costing three times as much.

The takeaway: The 7.5×55 Swiss matches the .308 Winchester ballistically. The .308 wins on availability. The K31 rifle often wins on accuracy and value for money.

6. 7.5×55 Swiss vs .30-06 Springfield

The .30-06 Springfield has a clear performance advantage over the 7.5×55 Swiss, running 100-200 fps faster with equal-weight bullets thanks to its larger case capacity and higher operating pressure. With 150-grain bullets, the .30-06 reaches 2,910 fps versus the 7.5×55’s approximately 2,700 fps. With 180-grain loads, the gap narrows to about 100 fps.

The 7.5×55 Swiss was designed for a different purpose — military accuracy and reliability in the Swiss alpine environment, not maximum velocity. It does what it was designed to do exceptionally well, but it cannot match the .30-06’s raw power or bullet weight range (the .30-06 supports 110-220 grain bullets effectively).

The takeaway: The .30-06 is the more powerful and versatile cartridge. The 7.5×55 Swiss is more specialized, optimized for accuracy with 165-180 grain bullets in the K31 platform.

7. Hunting Performance — What the Swiss Round Can Do

With the Norma 180-grain Oryx bonded load, the 7.5×55 Swiss is a perfectly adequate deer and medium-game cartridge to 300 yards. It carries roughly 2,485 ft-lbs at the muzzle and retains over 1,200 ft-lbs at 300 yards — similar to the .308 Winchester with comparable loads. The limited bullet selection (only soft point and bonded options from PPU and Norma) means you are restricted in load choices, but the available hunting loads perform well on deer-sized game.

For elk-class game, the 7.5×55 Swiss is marginal. The limited bullet selection and moderate velocities make it a poor choice when more capable cartridges are available. Stick to deer-sized game and smaller.

The takeaway: The 7.5×55 Swiss is an effective deer cartridge to 300 yards with the right load. The Norma Oryx is the premium choice; PPU offers affordable soft point performance. Do not use GP11 FMJ for hunting — it does not expand.

8. Rifles Chambered in 7.5×55 Swiss

The 7.5×55 Swiss is primarily associated with one rifle: the Swiss K31 (Karabiner Model 1931). This straight-pull bolt-action rifle is widely regarded as one of the finest military rifles ever manufactured. Swiss craftsmanship, tight tolerances, and a superb two-stage trigger make K31 rifles capable of sub-MOA accuracy with GP11 ammunition — performance that most commercial hunting rifles struggle to match.

Other rifles chambered in 7.5×55 Swiss include the earlier Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889, 1896/11, and 1911 long rifles, as well as the rare ZfK 55 sniper variant. Modern production rifles in 7.5×55 are essentially nonexistent — if you want to shoot this cartridge, you are buying a surplus military rifle.

K31 rifles are still available on the surplus market, though prices have increased significantly as supply dwindles. Condition varies from excellent to heavily worn, and bore condition is critical for accuracy. Inspect any K31 purchase carefully or buy from a reputable dealer who grades condition accurately.

The takeaway: The K31 is the 7.5×55 Swiss platform. If you want one, buy sooner rather than later — prices continue to rise as supply shrinks. A good-condition K31 is one of the best values in precision military rifles.

9. Choosing the Right 7.5×55 Swiss Load

Ammunition availability is the 7.5×55 Swiss’s biggest challenge. GP11 surplus is drying up, and commercial options are limited to PPU, Norma, Steinel, and a few smaller manufacturers. Online retailers like Tatted Tacticals are your best bet for finding 7.5×55 Swiss ammunition in stock.

Handloading is increasingly popular among K31 shooters. Standard .308-diameter bullets work, though some K31s may prefer .309 or .311 diameter projectiles depending on individual bore dimensions. GP11 brass is Berdan-primed and not reloadable, but PPU and Norma produce Boxer-primed brass that can be reloaded multiple times.

The takeaway: Buy GP11 when you find it for target shooting. Use PPU soft points for hunting. Stock up on whatever you can find — 7.5×55 Swiss ammo availability can be spotty.

10. FAQ

Can I hunt with a K31?

Yes. The K31 is a perfectly capable hunting rifle. Its accuracy, smooth action, and manageable recoil make it excellent for deer hunting. The main limitations are the fixed military stock (which may not fit every shooter) and the lack of scope mounting options without aftermarket modifications. Many K31 owners hunt successfully with iron sights at ranges under 200 yards.

Is GP11 corrosive?

Swiss GP11 ammunition manufactured after 1945 uses non-corrosive Berdan primers. Earlier wartime production may use corrosive primers. Check the headstamp date — ammunition dated 1945 or later is generally non-corrosive. When in doubt, clean your rifle’s bore with a solvent designed for corrosive primer residue after each shooting session.

Can I reload 7.5×55 Swiss?

Yes, using commercial Boxer-primed brass from PPU or Norma. GP11 brass is Berdan-primed and not practically reloadable. Standard .308 diameter bullets work in most K31s. RCBS, Lee, and Hornady all produce 7.5×55 Swiss die sets. Use published load data specifically for the 7.5×55 Swiss — do not substitute .308 Winchester data, as the case dimensions and pressure limits are different.

Is the 7.5×55 Swiss the same as .308 Winchester?

No. While both fire .308-caliber bullets and produce similar ballistics, the cases are different dimensions. The 7.5×55 Swiss has a longer case (2.180″ vs 2.015″) and different headspacing. They are not interchangeable. Never attempt to fire .308 Winchester in a 7.5×55 chamber or vice versa.

How accurate is a K31 with GP11?

A good-condition K31 with GP11 ammunition typically shoots 1.0-1.5 MOA groups — better than most commercial hunting rifles. Exceptional specimens can produce sub-MOA groups. The combination of Swiss manufacturing precision, the K31’s excellent trigger, and GP11’s match-grade consistency creates a system that rivals purpose-built target rifles at a fraction of the cost.

Is GP11 ammunition still available?

GP11 surplus is increasingly scarce and expensive. It was produced by Swiss munitions factories (primarily RUAG) and was available in 480-round cases. As of now, remaining stocks are found primarily through online retailers and gun shows. Once surplus GP11 is exhausted, it will not be produced again. Commercial alternatives from PPU and Steinel are available but do not match GP11’s legendary consistency.

Looking for 7.5×55 Swiss ammunition? Browse our selection of 7.5×55 Swiss ammo at Tatted Tacticals — from hunting loads to range ammunition.