3031 in the '06

[Marlin Junky]

What is the optimum velocity and boolit weight range for 3031 in the '06? A friend provided me with a small sample and it turned in some pretty good chronograph stats at around 1900 fps with 180 grain boolits. I'm trying to decide on a PV purchase and I've got my selection narrowed to:

IMR-4198
H-4198
Re7
3031

I'd like to be able to take a big game boolit (e.g., 311041) to 2500 fps (with the right barrel) but most of my shooting will probably be around 2000 fps or less. Way less than 2000 fps will be handled by shotgun powders. I'd rather not mess with fillers.

MJ

[felix]

Large granules do well for what you want. Stay with 3031 for its excellence in pushing projectiles offering light resistance throughout a significant pressure range. This powder will not go to waste, so consider 8 pounds. A powder of choice for 125-130 grainer condoms in the '06. ... felix

[runfiverun]

of the powders you list there 3031 is the one i'd pick.
for the high speed stuff, i'd work my way to a slower powder.

[Marlin Junky]

Large granules do well for what you want. Stay with 3031 for its excellence in pushing projectiles offering light resistance throughout a significant pressure range. This powder will not go to waste, so consider 8 pounds. A powder of choice for 125-130 grainer condoms in the '06. ... felix

Thanks Felix,

Sounds like there's a possibility to transform the '06 into a prairie dog rifle with 125 TNT's. Perhaps I'll get a second jug 'cause I plan on being around for a spell.

MJ

[BeeMan]

In my limited experience 3031 works well in reduced loads for light bullets in 243win. Youngest son shoots 31 gr behind a 58 VMAX for a 223 level load, getting about 1 inch groups at 100 yards.

[excess650]

Since you had 4198 and Rx7 listed, I would have suggested H322 and AA2015. Both are fine grained extruded(like Rx7). My '06 and 7.5x55s like 29-30gr H322 under 200gr for 2000fps+/-.

[felix]

I would use dacron with those two fine grained powders! The suggested 30 grains is about right for 3031 as well. If buying retail that small grain powder at that speed I would opt for the newer version of these two, the new one from Aussie land for BR use. Is it not 8208 or some IMR number like that? ... felix

[zomby woof]

My 03A3 loves 30 grains 3031 with 311299, about 1800 fps no filler.

[excess650]

I've not used fillers with the H322 either.

[felix]

excess, keep the powder position the same in your cases as when you first shot the load(s). ... felix

[runfiverun]

i have had much better success with h-322 and fillers.
some time ago either I or runfiveruns little girl done a write up on medium powders and fillers.
we tested three bbl lengths in identical rifles with and without fillers.
4895 may or may not need fillers but ,322 did in every case.
aa-2230 does well without fillers in most cases but is a ball powder.

[Marlin Junky]

How would IMR 4064 or 4895 compare to 3031 with respect to this application (180-185 grain or less boolits in the '06)?

MJ

[BLTsandwedge]

Large granules do well for what you want. Stay with 3031 for its excellence in pushing projectiles offering light resistance throughout a significant pressure range. This powder will not go to waste, so consider 8 pounds. A powder of choice for 125-130 grainer condoms in the '06. ... felix

Yep, +1.

[Merlin43]

Thanks Felix,

Sounds like there's a possibility to transform the '06 into a prairie dog rifle with 125 TNT's. Perhaps I'll get a second jug 'cause I plan on being around for a spell.

MJ

Yep - I have turned a few grass-rats into flying pizza with a 125 TNT in the '06 using 3031. One load, 49 gr., turned out 3091 fps in my old Howa (20" of rifling) and 52.8 (MAX PRESSURE LOAD!) made for 3298.

[docone31]

My .30s, and .303s loved 3031. I pushed some light loads with them.
Not bad recoil, primer signs were light. Easy on the shoulder.
I used 3031 for years.
With cast, I use 4895, 4064.

[Ole]

I would rather work with H322 as it's very similar in burn rate but is a short cut extruded powder.

[Marlin Junky]

With cast, I use 4895, 4064.

I'd sure like to know the particular reasons why you prefer 4895 & 4064 over 3031 w/ cast?

How do these slower powders work at less that 2000 fps?

MJ

[runfiverun]

4895 does fine under 2k.
the load fills the 0-6 case a bit more than 3031 does.
you may or may not need a filler for BEST results though.
in my 308 i did in the 7x57 it didn't need one.
i haven't done the 4895 in my 0-6 yet as i am waiting on a new mold to try it with.
but in the wifes 30 grs and a 165 boolit done quite well, the 150 done better though.

[Marlin Junky]

How does 3031 perform with respect to ambient temperature extremes compared to say, the 4198s or the Hodgdon "Extreme" 4895?

MJ