What to do with IMR 3031?

[David2011]

I don't believe everything I read. That's why I asked the question here. Your answers are more likely to be based on opinions developed from experience.

Guess I'll give it a try in the .223 and Garand. This is for full length cas checks only (jacketed bullets). I don't have most of the calibers suggested above. I have a bunch of handguns but only a few centerfire rifles that get shot regularly. The Garand loads are loaded on a Rock Chucker but I prefer to load .223 on my 650. I'll see how the logs meter. The Dillon measure is very good with Varget so maybe it will be OK with 3031.

I'll eventually be shooting cast boolits in a .375H&H (as soon as I find a nice stock at a price I like) but 3031 may be too fast even for cast loads in that huge case.

The input is appreciated!

David

[brtelec]

IMR 3031 is almost identical in burn rate to Benchmark and Reloader 11

[jonp]

I bought an 8lb'r for 30-30 and am going to use it in my 35whelen for light loads. It strikes me like 4064 or unique. Looking through the manuals its range is pretty astounding

[FLHTC]

kaboom!

sissy

[40-82]

I've had so much success with 3031 using gas checked cast bullets in rifle cases that unless I have some kind of compelling hunch that something else might work better in an individual application that I usually start with it first. 3031 in most applications especially with the larger cases will not yield the best possible velocity, but its often the most accurate. When I'm working with a new cartridge that proves a little touchy, I don't feel as if I've exhausted all of the best possibilities until I've tried 3031. Another advantage of 3031 is that it has been around a long time, and if you look through enough old loading books, you'll likely find a safe starting load. Powders like Varget and Reloader 7 are also excellent, but too often I don't find data for them unless I'm loading for a fairly common cartridge.

[jonas302]

Ok I will be the first one to say it... Send in to me!! works good in 223 its great powder long grained so progressive loaders don't like it and old not new and fancy is why it is not talked about as much as other powders

[David2011]

Sorry guys, I underestimated how many people might not understand "full length gas checks." I'm shooting jacketed bullets only in the rifles in the original post and have no interest in casting for them at this time. I know, that's heresy. Those are the only rifle calibers I currently reload. I wouldn't mind adding a .45-70 to the collection but I'm pretty realistic that I have most of the calibers I expect to own. I'll probably add another .264 bore rifle and a .308 in the next year or two. The .375 H&H metal work is done; it only needs to be stocked. It will handle any big game needs that the 6.5x55 won't. The 6.5 is superbly accurate and has plenty of power for medium sized big game. I'll use the .375 on pigs and elk or bigger if the opportunity arises although the 6.5 is completely adequate for feral pigs. It's taken many already.

Ok I will be the first one to say it... Send in to me!! works good in 223 its great powder long grained so progressive loaders don't like it and old not new and fancy is why it is not talked about as much as other powders

Jonas, have you actually tried to use 3031 in a progressive press? As I said earlier, the Dillon powder measure handles Varget very well. I don't think 3031 is a whole lot larger. I'll get to the reloading room in the next few days and try 3031 in the Dillon myself.

David

[358 Win]

I'm never without at least 5 or 6 pounds of IMR3031 in my powder storage bunker. I use it to shoot jacketed and cast. All my 200 grain loads for my .350 Rem Mag and .35 Whelens use 3031. I use it in my 30-30's, 32 Win Specials, 35 Remingtons, 358 Winchesters but where it really impresses me is in my .308 Winchesters. A non max load of 3031 in my 20" Win Mod 70 pushes the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip @
2838 fps with bug eye groups. The local deer population just hates it when I leave the house with that rifle and load!
358 Win

[Reload3006]

The best thing I can think of to do with 3031 is send it to me for proper disposal. I have used it for over 40 years and like it about as well as Varget and have suitable loads using it from 223 to 30-06

[MBTcustom]

I have used 3031 in my Dillon 550.
Its a little "crunchy" but it throws it very consistently.

[wallenba]

I got excellent results in my Ruger Hawkeye compact 308W at 50 yards, with iron sights. One ragged hole. Load was a starter, 27.5 grains of Imr 3031 under a Lee C312-155-2R sized .310. Cases are converted 30-06, Might make a difference in case volume, don't know. Back at the time I loaded them, I had to resort to using more expensive CCI BR-2 primers due to the shortages. Might have been a + factor as well.

[David2011]

I have used 3031 in my Dillon 550.
Its a little "crunchy" but it throws it very consistently.

OK Tim, your posts are getting to me. You have teased me with the one caliber I don't have but would really like to add to the inventory- the .45-70 and now you tell me the Dillon handles 3031 well. I got molds, dies and a Dillon 550 conversion kit from friends a few years back. I'll just tell SWMBO that you MADE me buy the.45-70 by some kind of cyber hypnosis. Would 40:1 be a good alloy for hunting with the .45-70?

David

[DR Owl Creek]

As several of the posts above have indicated, IMR-3031 works pretty well in a wide range of cartridges, from the .223 Rem to the .45/70 Gov't, and quite a few other medium sized cases in between. It can be a little "crunchy" in a volumetric measure, but it still works well and can produce some very accurate loads. I weigh all my powder charges on a digital powder dispenser, so that isn't a concern for me.

Here are some of loads that have worked well for me:
In a Rock River 16" carbine with .223 Wylde chamber, and with a 1:9" twist barrel, Hornady 55gr SP/WC (#2266), 23.7gr IMR-3031, at a 2.190" OAL.
In a Marlin 1895G in .45/70, NOE 460-405-FN, with 46.0gr IMR-3031; or with a Sierra 300gr JHP, 50.0gr IMR-3031.

As always, START LOW and WORK UP.

Dave

[cwheel]

Not to question if it is good for 30:06 loads of some sort, I'm sure that 3031 is. Would not get it near my Garand though, don't think it will have the right pressure curve, end up damaging the op rod. If you have a Springfield, or something common, you might take the risk. I have a IHC and a new op rod for that one will be tough to come by and pricy if it can be found. The very least thing I'd do before trying it in a Garand is to get a adjustable gas plug.
Chris

[Reload3006]

I would not hesitate to use 3031 in a Garand The old NRA reprint says 48.0gr of IMR3031 with a 147-150gr bullet makes a clone of M2Ball. I would say you are in very safe tried and proved territory using 3031 in your Garand.

[richhodg66]

I wish I had seven pounds of 3031. I found it worked well in .223 but it's been a long time since I used it in .223.

[David2011]

I'll load some .223 and Garand loads tonight. The big cases will be individually weighed on an RCBS Charge Master and the little ones will be thrown by the Dillon. The empty cans should be good "vintage" sale fodder for fleabay. They're the old flat metal cans.

David

[plainsman456]

I have used it in 223,270,8mm and i use 58.0 grains with a 200 grain Barnes x bullet in my 35 whelen.

Like was said it might meter crunchy and it might not be as fast as other powders but it will get the job done well.

I almost forgot i use it in the 308,300sav ,22-250 and others.

[David2011]

I have used it in 223,270,8mm and i use 58.0 grains with a 200 grain Barnes x bullet in my 35 whelen.

Like was said it might meter crunchy and it might not be as fast as other powders but it will get the job done well.

I almost forgot i use it in the 308,300sav ,22-250 and others.

How's the accuracy? Like they say in action pistol shoting- you can't miss fast enough. I would rather connect a 3000 fps than miss at 3400 "cuz it shoots flat as a laser beam."

David

[jimb.]

Dave, are you asking about advice on loads using jacketed bullets? Please be clear and unambiguous. On a text-based forum such as this, among writers who do not know each other, straighforward language is best, although it can be relatively dry and lack "entertainment", but at least participants will understand each other more precisely.

I have several very nice M1 Garands and several very nice 1903's, all of which I use for hunting. To simplify my life a bit, I've devised one load suitable for all of these rifles, to be used on deer. I would think that you know that, in M1 Garands, you must avoid using relatively "slow"propellants, such as IMR4350, IMR4831, Win 780, H1000, etc., which produce too great pressure at the barrel port, which would slam back the op rod & perhaps bend it. IMR4895 and IMR4064 are two of the most popular propellants for Garands.

I've come up with a great, relatively mild, but very effective load for all of these rifles (port pressure is not a concern in 1903's). I use IMR3031, which burns at a rate that works beautifully in them, and is very accurate. 3031 burns a bit faster than 4095 and 4064, thus creating even lower port pressure. About 1 1/2 yrs. ago I got an extemely nice 1903 A4 from Creedmoor. This one is not an original; it's a replica, but I think that it's a superb rifle, and Rock Ridge did a great job in its assembly. It fires my load into .75 MOA, and last year, I collected one of my largest whitetail bucks with a 150 yd. broadside shot through the lungs. The bullet is the Hornady 155 A-Max, muzzle velocity chronographed 2,850 fps., and it performed perfectly - complete penetration, 1 1/2 inch exit hole, deer staggered 50 yds. before falling. Because of this bullet's construction, I prefer to use this bullet only on broadside lung shots. I do not have my load data, and I do not remember how much propellant in my load. I moly-coat my bullets. (NO, i do not care to get into a debate on moly-coating, nor a debate on using A-Max bullets on deer. If you use that bullet within its limitations, it's a beautiful projectile!). Using this load in these rifles is very gratifying.

Jim