powder question [Archive]

atr

01-26-2009, 02:35 PM

I was reading in an older Speer manual that IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 were interchangeable for loading.....certainly a comparison of load charts seem to indicated they are equivalent...
Anyone have any information to the contrary?

Ricochet

01-26-2009, 04:57 PM

3031 is faster burning than 4895. I've never seen anything suggesting they were equivalent, though in some applications they're close.

RayinNH

01-26-2009, 09:44 PM

Both made by IMR. If they were the same, why have two?...Ray

twotrees

01-26-2009, 10:44 PM

Are all very close to the same, B U T they each have special properties that make one better for a caliber and another powder best for another.

IMR 3031 is NOT the same as any of these.

I have used IMR powders since I started reloading in the 60's and have best loads for all 4 powders in different cartridges.

4064 has worked for me in 8 MM Mauser Max effort loads.
4895 in 30-06 target loads (matches NM loads)
4320 in 250 Savage
3031 in 30-30, 45-70 and 35 Rem.

Please work up loads using the BOOK powder and bullet for each powder in your rifle.

Good Shooting,

Bret4207

01-27-2009, 08:15 AM

An "older Speer" book? Not #8 is it? #8 has a minor cult following because they had the hottest loads ever published for a while. Elmer woulda had 2nd thoughts on some of those loads. And yes, I am a member of that cult for informational purposes. Keep that in mind.

Ricochet hit the nail on the head- "...in some applications they're close...". For an example- you can have powder "A" that uses the same amount as powder "B" in a certain case, say a 257 Roberts. Switch cartridges to a 257 Weatherby Mag or 223 WSSM ( or whatever it's called) and they may very well react entirely different. Case capacity and shape and bore can alter the burn characteristics. Why? I don't know! It's magic as far as me getting a good grasp of the WHY?, but it's a fact. Felix could probably explain it, but I wouldn't understand it.

So, the best advice is learn form the old books and then cross reference with more modern books too. Then add a large dollop of common sense to the mix and you should be okay.