4064 or 3031

[fastdadio]

Time to buy some more powder for my rifle loading. I started out loading .308 and 30-06 for my m1a and Garand. All I've ever loaded with is IMR 4064 simply because all my reading has said it was the best for the gas guns and there is a lot of data for it in loading match loads. Then I added 30-30 and used the 4064 simply because it's what I had on hand. I see a lot of folks here using 3031 and also see a lot of data for it especially in 30-30. Why would I switch from 4064 to 3031 for 30-30, .308win, and 30-06? Any advantage in using one over the other to cover the three? I have to keep the gas guns running at spec. but I like to load a variety of velocities in the lever and bolt actions when I can.

[Yodogsandman]

You can have both! Why do you have to use only one powder?

[Hickory]

Anybody remember Scott Powders? I bought 2 lbs of 3032 powder and tried it in my Marlin 336, in 30-30 caliber, and it was the most accurate powder I have ever used to date. The next best powder is IMR3031, with 311041 boolits.

[fastdadio]

You can have both! Why do you have to use only one powder?

Just trying to keep things simple on the bench. Why not? So far 4064 has worked well across the spectrum. Just thinking about trying some thing new. I'm risky like that.

[marshall623]

I've used 4064 in 30-30 & 06 with Jacketed. 4064 is all I run in my 308 with 165 Sierra's . It is the 140 Sierra's fuel in my 7mm-08 . If it does a good job in all three I would go for it. On a second note this past summer a guy I work with gave me a 1/2 pound of 30-31 . I found some 7-08 loads in the cast boolit book [Lyman 4th]. And that I shot my best cast boolit group ever . Long story short is if your using cast 30-31 may be worth a try .There are advantages to using 1 powder for all 3 such the savings of buying 8# jugs ,storage space..

[fastdadio]

I've used 4064 in 30-30 & 06 with Jacketed. 4064 is all I run in my 308 with 165 Sierra's . It is the 140 Sierra's fuel in my 7mm-08 . If it does a good job in all three I would go for it. On a second note this past summer a guy I work with gave me a 1/2 pound of 30-31 . I found some 7-08 loads in the cast boolit book [Lyman 4th]. And that I shot my best cast boolit group ever . Long story short is if your using cast 30-31 may be worth a try .There are advantages to using 1 powder for all 3 such the savings of buying 8# jugs ,storage space..

I also shoot the 165 Sierra's in all 3. Good bullet at a good price. Now, I'm shooting cast. Doubt I'll shoot cast in the M1a, but I have my first loading for the Garand ready to go. > Lee 170gr, GC, pc'ed. 40 grs 4064. My reading here says they should cycle fine. I'll be trying them in my Vanguard also. A lot of folks having good luck with the 3031 and cast which is why I posted the question. Does 3031 meter smoother than 4064?

[claude]

IMHO for sticking with one powder in the 3 calibers you are using, my choice would be 4064.

Both are going to meter about the same.

[marshall623]

About the same , the 4064 kernel is a little thicker and the 3031 kernel a little longer . You have to have good light to see the difference so I can't tell any difference with a Lyman 55.

[Ithaca Gunner]

For the three .30's you're loading you'll find 4064 much more useful. If I were in a situation where I could only have one rifle powder, it would be IMR 4064. Maybe not the best for all applications, but I've found it useable and accurate for most any rifle caliber cartridge. I keep 10+ Lbs. of 4064 for every one Lb. of 3031 on hand.

[Scharfschuetze]

If you are looking for one compromise powder for the 30/30 as well as the 308 and 30/06 then you should also consider either brand of 4895. Non canister lots of this powder were used in loading the military 30/06 for use in the M1 Garand and the match grade 7.62 NATO loads for the M14NM and the M21 for years. It's slightly faster than 4064 so it may give you slightly better performance in the 30/30. All in all, it's a good compromise powder for you. It's shorter kernels also measure out more accurately through powder measures than the long kernels of 4064. It's also an extremely useful powder for cast bullets in all three of the calibres that you load for.

[fastdadio]

If you are looking for one compromise powder for the 30/30 as well as the 308 and 30/06 then you should also consider either brand of 4895. Non canister lots of this powder were used in loading the military 30/06 for use in the M1 Garand and the match grade 7.62 NATO loads for the M14NM and the M21 for years. It's slightly faster than 4064 so it may give you slightly better performance in the 30/30. All in all, it's a good compromise powder for you. It's shorter kernels also measure out more accurately through powder measures than the long kernels of 4064. It's also an extremely useful powder for cast bullets in all three of the calibres that you load for.

Good suggestion here. Thanks. Not being at all familiar, I went poking around the net a bit. A lot of folks love this powder. As a plus, it is also a good choice for reduced loads. I like that and we know others here do also. I think I'm going to try this powder.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_recoil_H4895.htm

[runfiverun]

4895 was the start for the 3031 and 4064 burn rates anyway.
think about ww-2 production and them trying to keep tons of powder moving through the system.
a slightly fast lot-3031, a slightly slow lot-4064.
all are close enough to keep an M-1 up and running and give similar velocity's within the same pressure window.
they all work in the 223, and the 30-06, and the 308, and the x57 cases.
they all will reduce easily.
the major difference is case fill volume. [40-42-44grs all give about the same results in a 308 under a 150gr bullet]
the 3031 might be a little better under a 125 and the 4064 under a 165. [shrug]

if you read all that you'll see I'm no help.
I have about 40-50 lbs of I-4895, 22 of the I-4064 and 20-21 of the I-3031 on hand right now,,, they all get used.

[dale2242]

4064 for the gas guns.
3031 for the 30-30....dale

[jmort]

I like 3031 and RL15. But for this thread I will just say I have been happy with 3031 for all .30 calibers. There is not much difference between these powders to make much of a difference.

[Texas by God]

If you want to just use one powder for the calibers mentioned I would go with 4895- either brand. As mentioned it is very versatile and I would hate to be without it. Best, Thomas.

[izzyjoe]

I started out with IMR 4895, for 30-30 cast and jackets, and also used it many 8mm's. I also have used a little 4064, but always seem to come back to 4895. So all I can say is use what works for you. You won't go wrong with 4064!

[Norske]

IMR 4064 has been my go-to powder for years in 22-250 through 30-06. But now I own a 358Win rifle that so far only shoots well with IMR3031. IMR4064 is often mentioned as the accurate load in Lyman reloading manuals. But a friend toured the Sierra bullet factory in Missouri and they had a big container of 3031 in their handloading room where they load cartridges for accuracy testing bullet lots.
Buy one of each.

[fatelvis]

4895 was the start for the 3031 and 4064 burn rates anyway.
think about ww-2 production and them trying to keep tons of powder moving through the system.
a slightly fast lot-3031, a slightly slow lot-4064.
I'm constantly learning new stuff from you guys!

[trapper9260]

I use IMR 4064 in my 3 of the 30's and also my 22- 250. With the way things been in the past years on reloading parts . IMR 4064 was the easyer to get around here then any other other powder. I say if you like to go with the 3031 one go for it.that way you have 2 powders to work for you and if things get to the point of hard to find you will have 2 kind of powders to work with.I am working with H335 now beside others to see what i will get with it in my rifles. and go from there.That way I will have something else to use if things get back to what they where.

[Ken in Iowa]

Just trying to keep things simple on the bench. Why not? So far 4064 has worked well across the spectrum. Just thinking about trying some thing new. I'm risky like that.

I just keep one powder out at a time. There is usually 20-25 types in the powder cabinet though... ;)

[Scharfschuetze]

Over the years, I've burned a significant amount of all three powders. Each has some strong points and all three can be used as a jack of all trades powder, but... each also excels in different uses with 4895 right in the middle.

Another point to consider in looking for a compromise powder is that each of these powders has a different kernel size. If you weigh each load, then that doesn't matter as your accuracy will be assured. If you are loading a lot of rounds for a Palma or National Match (45 and 80 for record plus sighters) or for a road trip with a couple of shoot-a-thons along the way, then the powder that measures the best is the one to choose. Between these three powders, 4895 is thrown more accurately with less throw to throw variation when used in my Redding and RCBS powder measures. 3031 comes in next and 4064 with its longer kernels has never been very consistent in my powder measures, so I just weigh it when I use it.

Here is a photo with a side by side comparison of the three powders: 3031, 4895 (surplus) and 4064

[Soundguy]

I use 4064 as a staple powder. Good compromise powder across many chambering, few operational downsides. Big extruded stick, so son cutting depending on dispenser you use.

[WRideout]

Richard Lee in his book "Modern Reloading," recommends slower burning extruded powders for cast bullet loads over the faster burning shotgun and pistol powder. I recently tried IMR3031 in my 30-06 with the Lyman 311284 boolit. Up until then I had used the "slower" shotgun and pistol powders, Unique, Blue Dot, SR4756, 2400 etc, with mediocre results. The test load for 3031 showed excellent accuracy with approx 32 gr powder, shot in my Mark X Mauser. After that I worked up some test loads for the .223 Rem with the Lee 55 gr Bator boolit, using both IMR3031 and IMR4198. They both seem to work, but the accuracy edge seems to go to the 3031. I never tried 4064, but it has a legendary reputation with the '06. I had been thinking about picking up a can to try.

Wayne

[fastdadio]

Never posted that I didn't like the 4064. It's just all I've ever used and It's been very good to me. My priority is to keep the M1a/Garand running smooth. Any other powder that will spill over into the 30-30 is just gravy on the taters for me. As suggested by Scharfschuetze, 4895 looks good here. While I was out poking around, I came up with this;
http://bearblain.com/Service%20Rifle%20Loadings.html
Think I'll be playing with this data for a while.

[olafhardt]

I like 3031 because it comes in a jug with a red lable.

[fastdadio]

I like 3031 because it comes in a jug with a red lable.

I like things that come in a jug with a red label.