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Thread: 3031 in 30-30

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    3031 in 30-30

    Good morning everyone. I'm getting ready to load up some 30-30. I want to try some 3031 loads in an attempt to create an honest 100 yard deer load. In my research Lyman cast loads list 27 grains as a max load. Someone on this site was using 25 grains for around 1700fps, said it was really accurate. Boolit I plan to use is 31141. Will the 25 grain load work? Thanks for your assistance.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    3031 is the classic 30/30 powder. In my lever 30/30, 26.2 gr of 3031 gave me 1720 fps using a 164 gr. CB using my chronograph. Your boolit should only be slightly slower. Years ago I did a terminal ballistics test into soaked, slightly compressed phone books using the 164 gr CB at a lower velocity (1550 fps) at 40 yards using an only moderately hard alloy. From that test of that boolit, the boolit performed so well I decided the load was more than adequate on deer out to 125 yards, the farthest I can get a decent sight picture with my old eyes and buckhorn sights (much better now with Skinner sights). Every barrel seems to have a personality so hopefully your rifle barrel will like that load. Good Luck!

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I've run the 31141 with the 27 grain suggested max load and found it more accurate than the lesser charges in my winchester 94. Least that's been my experience thus far but my testing is not complete.

    I shoot the occasional jacketed bullet both reloaded and factory in my 30-30. The 27 grain load prints in a similar spot as the factory ammo and jacketed reloads do, at least for my gun. That's a benefit for me.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    As mentioned 3031 is kind of the classic powder in the 30/30 but has always but kind of a pain in the Pelosi to measure! Now with the newer short cut version it's easier to work with. Also that 313341 is a dandy bullet in the old lever gun, or even the 308. Back in the late 60's I used it on Texas turkeys & quite a number of small game animals. Armadillos hated it!

    Dick

  5. #5
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    You shouldn't have to look any farther than 3031 for the 30-30. I use 25grains in my 30-30 Mauser for the 150 and 170 Lee flats and the same charge in my AR 7.62x39 with the 150s. Stellar results in both. Rural Legend has it that 3031 was given that # for a name because 30 grains was perfect for 170 gr jacketed and 31grains was perfect for 150 grain jacketed. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.

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  6. #6
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    TCLouis's Avatar
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    Lyman #3 shows 2000fps + for 27.0 and 31k pressure.
    25 calculates out to be a about 1850 fps and this guestimate should be in the ballpark.
    Last edited by TCLouis; 02-09-2020 at 04:38 PM. Reason: change information
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  7. #7
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    It's my go to powder for the 30/30, but I'll also use Varget. But then again, mine has been rechambered to 30/30 a.i.
    Tom
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  8. #8
    Boolit Man
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    I load IMR 30-31 in 308 cases, and a 150 grain jacketed RNSP. IIRC it was 35 grains of 30-31....…...robin

  9. #9
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    I can't argue with my learned associates concerning the merits of IMR 3031 in the .30-30 Win., but you might also look into Alliant Reloader 15 and Winchester 748.

  10. #10
    Boolit Mold
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    I experimented with the full range of min to max loads of 3031 and could not get an accurate load with that powder. Then I used a load close to the most accurate recommended load by the Lyman manual 18.5gr imr4227 which gives good accuracy and is my standard load. However the issue might be with the hard Linotype bullets I am using may like the faster higher pressure powder.

  11. #11
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    I've used 4198 also, but keep coming back to middle-ish charges of 3031 with the cast 170 RNGC in my top eject Winchester.

    I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I want to try a version of 'The Load' with Red Dot.
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  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I have had good success with 748 myself and the 31141. 30 grains gave me something like 1.5" groups but 3" low at 70 yards, but 32 grains gave me the same trajectory as factory with only a slight increase in group size. I have a lee dipper that throws 32.5 so I run a bunch at that weight. I worked up to 34 grains but recoil got brisk and groups opened more.


    DG, sir, could you elaborate some on the RX15 usage? I'd like to give that powder a go but my data only shows for jacketed bullets in 30-30. I've not seen anyone else say it worked well for them.

  13. #13
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    3031 is a great 30-30 powder, as are a lot of others such as 4895 and 748. My very BEST accuracy and top velocities with lower pressures have come with Leverevolution (LVR), and the Noe version of the 311041. This powder is the Cat's meow in the 30-30 with cast boolits, try it you'll like it!

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    I got best accuracy with 5744 and the Lee 180 gr.

  15. #15
    Boolit Bub 244ack's Avatar
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    26.5 grains of 3031 with a lyman 311041 gives me 1750 fps in my 94 win with a 24" barrel

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
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    Years ago I used 26 or 27 gr 3031 with the 31141 bullet out of a 94 Ranger. Shot better than factory loads, but not anything to write home about. At times I used 4895 with about the same results. That rifle went down the road , I just couldn't get comfortable with a 4" rifle that took both hands to pull the trigger.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master smkummer's Avatar
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    I use 3031 for jacketed 30-30 loads. I use unique for my 30-30 lead bullet loads but velocity is limited to about 1500 FPS. That still gives 32-40 performance ( or 357 performance) and just plain fun to shoot. Plus powder price is about 1/2 of using 3031.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy Huntsman's Avatar
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    I’m running 3031 in both my cast and jktd 30-30 loads.
    25.5gr for cast NOE Ranch Dog
    27.5gr for Hornady 170gr

    My 308 Win 88 likes to launch a Lee 200gr RNGC with 37.5grs

  19. #19
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    Sorry it took so long for me to get back to this thread. I responded to the original question about 3031 in .30-30, and felt like "my work here is done."

    So, we agree that 3031 is useful with both jacketed and cast bullets. So is Reloader 15, although Reloader 12 was better, but it has been discontinued. I still keep my eyes open for it though.

    Awhile back I got "chewed" by a senior forum member who thinks it's fool hardy and dangerous to state loads on the internet. Although I never named a load, just a powder, I did name the wrong powder in error although it would have been perfectly safe to use. So, I've had to reassess my responses.

    My philosophy of reloading has changed from my early days (well before I joined the forum) of getting the biggest bang for the buck velocity-wise, to getting the best results at lower pressures, and that's what I look for. However, honestly, my pressures are pressure guesses based on what is published for the lowest and the max loads, with my loads falling somewhere in between.

    As for Rel. 15 and cast bullets, my usage has been with 165 gr. cast FN that are gas checked. I started minus 15% of the published loads for jacketed loads of the same bullet weight and thought my on-target results were acceptable.

    And, to quote Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that." Wish I could be more precise.

    DG

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
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    I have found 2 sweet spots for R15. Lee 309-170F Bullet GC. 28.5g produces 1800fps. Best accuracy at 31.5g no FPS since my chrono died. Listed max for R15 and the 150g jacketed is 34g no published data for 170g.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check