What to do with IMR 3031?

[David2011]

I have 7 cans of IMR 3031. I load .223, .22-250, 6.5x55 and .30-'06 for a Garand; all with full length gas checks (full length gas check= jacketed bullets only- no cast in any of these). Those are the only rifle cartridges I reload at this time. I shoot pistols for the most part and virtually all of those are cast loads. I'm not out of powder but would like to utilize the 3031 in something and get reasonable accuracy. Any suggestions? So much of what I've "read on the Internet" said that accuracy was poor in many calibers. Taken with a grain of salt for sure.

Edited 2014/06/12 to clarify jacketed bullets only and calibers of interest

David

[WRideout]

When I first got into reloading with jacketed bullets, I used IMR 3031 exclusively for medium-sized cases like 300 SAV and 7.63 Argentine. I found it to be a very useful and accurate powder when used in the proper application. It won't get extreme velocities from magnum cases, but that's probably not what you are after anyway. I still keep a can around for old-time's sake, although I have not used it much with cast boolits. You can probably use load data for jacketed bullets of the same weight, and work up. Accuracy will, I think, depend on the individual gun and load.

Wayne

[winelover]

Don't take anything for gospel, especially if it comes off the internet. As far as 3031 goes with cast, try it, you may like it. If you are unable to find data for cast, use jacketed data and reduce it. Just be smart about it. Study the burn charts and check with as many reloading manuals as you can find.

I am currently working with AA 2520 with cast, in my AR-10-----good luck finding published data. I am at 2 MOA (two different boolit weights) and 100% functioning with this ball powder at charges that are 80% of what I load with jacketed. I have expectations of tightening these groups by tweaking many other variables.

Goodsteel, has a thread going about 3031 and his M1A, using MiHa's 180 grain silhouette boolit. I would try his load, in my AR, had I any of this powder.

Winelover

[dh2]

for .308 Win. with 150gr. j-bullets it does not produce the fastest bullet speed ( It gives up about 200fps) but is one of the most accurate loads for use in multiple rifles I have found. and for hunting when the temp. is down it don't change much then eather

[garym1a2]

IMR3031 works quite accurate in the AR15 (.223) of mine with 55gr Jacket bullets and my 1:8 twist rifle.
Its not the highest velocity either being its a fast powder.

[youngmman]

Some of the load data I have seen show 3031 should work pretty well in the 45-70. I have an 8lb keg of the stuff.

[brtelec]

I have been using 3031 in 30-30 and 22-250 for 30 years in Contenders, rifles and the Encore. I have used it in other calibers and had very good results, but for those 2 calibers, I use nothing else.

[atr]

3031 and 4895 are interchangeable...what works for 4895 should also work for 3031

[1845greyhounds]

3031 and 4895 are interchangeable...what works for 4895 should also work for 3031

kaboom!

[357Mag]

David -

Howdy !
If you or some buddies have .35 Rem, that's a great use ofr IMR3031.

Lyman's .35 Rem load data, is really good !


With regards,
357Mag

[Blammer]

IMR3031 for your 06 Garand, should be a dandy ticket, also IMR3031 is really good in 223.

[brotherdarrell]

18 grains 3031 and the nato mold shoots around 1 moa in my Rock River ar. 20 grains is about 1.5 moa. Not the fastest load but very accurate.

Darrell

[jsheyn]

Love it in my 45-70

[MBTcustom]

3031 is my go-to all around medium burning powder.
It was the first powder I put in a metallic cartridge under my father's watchful eye. First loads I ever made were 3031 and a Lyman 311466. Back then, I thought that "3031" was so named because it goes in a 30-30 LOL!
I have since used that powder with great success in:
30-30
308
303 British
35 Remington
358 Winchester
and 45-70

It's an all-around powder that can wear many hats, but unlike unique and other "jack of all trades master of none" powders, there are several cartridges that I have found that it clearly dominates the field. Most are 308 based cartridges or something close to it in case capacity, but none have impressed me more with that propellant than the venerable 358 Winchester. Best powder ever for that application bar none.
In that cartridge, I suspect you will find omnipresent supergalactic oneness somewhere in the 35.0 - 40.0 grain range.

[cwheel]

I've used it for years in 30-30 cast, and now in my 38-55 for cast loads as well. Quite pleased with it, still have about 3 lbs. or so. Sure it's good in many more calibers, just not sure if usable in what you listed. Look it up in several reloading manuals, that should answer the question quickly.
Chris

[GhostHawk]

SHOOT IT!

It was "The" load for my .243. 60 grain bthp bullet, 30 grains of then dupont 3031 had good speed, excellent accuracy.
Was busting crows out to 400 yards when they thought they were safe.

Was strictly a varmint round, not heavy enough for deer. I killed a crow once when a round hit a pencil sized twig about 3 feet in front of the crow. Looked like an shotgun blast went off right in front of him, bits of feather, twig, bark tumbling down.

It also shoots well in my 7.62x39 SKS but I really don't expect super accuracy out of that old Yugo girl.
Still it barks well and puts them where I point them.

Don't believe everything you read. Load a few "moderate" rounds and try them out.

[SSGOldfart]

Humm 3031 is a good powder for your 30-06

[SSGOldfart]

3031 is my go-to all around medium burning powder.
It was the first powder I put in a metallic cartridge under my father's watchful eye. First loads I ever made were 3031 and a Lyman 311466. Back then, I thought that "3031" was so named because it goes in a 30-30 LOL!
I have since used that powder with great success in:
30-30
308
303 British
35 Remington
358 Winchester
and 45-70

It's an all-around powder that can wear many hats, but unlike unique and other "jack of all trades master of none" powders, there are several cartridges that I have found that it clearly dominates the field. Most are 308 based cartridges or something close to it in case capacity, but none have impressed me more with that propellant than the venerable 358 Winchester. Best powder ever for that application bar none.
In that cartridge, I suspect you will find omnipresent supergalactic oneness somewhere in the 35.0 - 40.0 grain range.

Back then, I thought that "3031" was so named because it goes in a 30-30 LOL! you mean it's not lol

[SSGOldfart]

SHOOT IT!

It was "The" load for my .243. 60 grain bthp bullet, 30 grains of then dupont 3031 had good speed, excellent accuracy.
Was busting crows out to 400 yards when they thought they were safe.

Was strictly a varmint round, not heavy enough for deer. I killed a crow once when a round hit a pencil sized twig about 3 feet in front of the crow. Looked like an shotgun blast went off right in front of him, bits of feather, twig, bark tumbling down.

It also shoots well in my 7.62x39 SKS but I really don't expect super accuracy out of that old Yugo girl.
Still it barks well and puts them where I point them.

Don't believe everything you read. Load a few "moderate" rounds and try them out.

Ghosthawk that's the same 243 load I shoot in a encore pistol barrel

[williamwaco]

It is a great powder for mid sized cases.

It is the best powder I know of for full velocity cast bullets in the .30-30

Unfortunately I have never used it in any of the cartridges you are loading.