IMR 3031 in 30-06

[Bazoo]

In regards to 30-06, I have some jacketed bullets of 150 grain hornadys and some of 165 grains sierras, but the only powder I have that will work is IMR3031. My Lyman manual lists this powder and obviously it isn't the "best", but it's all I have. So, would I be wasting my time trying to work up a few boxes with it?

Thanks for the advice.

Bazoo

[Winger Ed.]

If there is reliably published data for it-- I'd do it.

The powders ya see all did pretty good, for folks a lot more critical than we are, just to get on the list.
The 'best' one, would be the one determined by their test rifle/barrel in more or less laboratory conditions.

Your mileage may vary.

Something else I've noticed is manuals from the same company, but years apart:
What was 'the best' powder one year, isn't even on the (acceptable) list on another publishing date's book.

[GrayTech]

3031 is one recommended for 30 06 and 270win. Just work your way up from the low end until they group.

[CastingFool]

Been a long time, but I have used it for '06 and 308 w. Was happy with the results.

[ShooterAZ]

For jacketed bullets IMR 3031 works pretty well in the 30-06, but it is probably one of the fastest powders you'd want to use in it, aside from RL7. You wouldn't be wasting your time with it IMO. I have found that 4895 (both flavors) and 4064 work even better in the 06. If all I had was 3031, I'd certainly have no hesitation using it.

[Bazoo]

Sweet, thanks for the help. I have a couple pounds of it for 30-30 but don't have any other rifle powders right now. I been eyeing the data for 30-06 as I have everything else needed but don't have the extra cash for a new can of powder.

[Tim357]

My dad, God rest his soul, found the most accurate load for his Ruger Number 1 was a Speer 165 gr RN and a charge of IMR 3031. 5/8" groups at 100 yards. He was quite pleased with the load.

[Texas by God]

I've used 3031 for decades in non magnum cartridges from 22-250 to 45-70, including .308, 30-06, and 8x57mm. It works great.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Outpost75]

Back in the day I shot THOUSANDS of rounds of .30-'06 in Garands loaded with 44 grains of IMR3031 in GI brass and Remington 9-1/2s or Winchester 120 primers with pulled 152-grain Ball M2 bullets or 165-grain APM2 or 172-grain Ball M1 with the same charge and these shot great back to 600 yards and functioned the gun well. While it does not "fill" the case, we never had any issues with velocity variation or vertical stringing.

We also loaded the same bullets with pull-down "Phil Valentini's 3031 Data Powder" which was Euro square flake which looked like chopped up mainsprings from PX dollar watches, which gave dramatic muzzle flash, but as junior new shooters we were used to hand me downs and Clint Fowler, Arvid Bensen and Max Brandt worked up the loads and we kids, Greg Kalnitzky, Danny Dukes, Ken Bost, Greg Bryant and I all used them.

Alan Cors was a witness and can attest that this is true. Another of my childhood mentors.

[Ford SD]

In regards to 30-06, I have some jacketed bullets of 150 grain hornadys and some of 165 grains sierras, but the only powder I have that will work is IMR3031. My Lyman manual lists this powder and obviously it isn't the "best", but it's all I have. So, would I be wasting my time trying to work up a few boxes with it?

Thanks for the advice.

Bazoo

Use at your own risk
data below is from One of the old free IMR hand outs App 2003
reduce load 10% and work up

.30-06
REM. CASE; REM. 9 1/2 PR
REM. 150 GR. PTD. SPCL
.308" DIA.; 23" BBL.; 3.200" C.O.L.
SR 4759 31.0 2365 49700
IMR 4227 30.0 2310 50000
IMR 4198 38.0 2600 50000
IMR 3031 49.5 2850 49800
IMR 4064 52.0 2885 50000
IMR 4895 49.5 2845 50000
IMR 4320 51.0 2825 50000
IMR 4350 59.0C 2825 47800
IMR 4831 59.0C 2715 42900

[tazman]

I have used 3031 in my 30-06 for 150 and 165 grain bullets many times with great success.
If you need more data, check the Hodgdon data site for more info. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

[Bazoo]

Thanks for all the comments.

I loaded a test batch of 5 each at 42,44,46,48 grains with the Hornady 150s. Whichever is tightest will get the nod. The worst part is not overheating the barrel.

[MT Gianni]

For the cost of a lb of IMR 4350 I would buy that and hunt happily everything from moose to coyotes for the next 25 years.

[Bazoo]

I don't have an extra 30 bucks right now, but I still have the desire to shoot my rifle.

[Bazoo]

Well I fired a three shot group of each tonight. Nothing great, in the 2 1/4" range. Several groups had 2 shots nearly touching and a low shot. That's probably me as I ain't the best rifle shot yet. It was in the high 30s so I wasn't super comfortable. The up side is that with the temperature that cold my barrel didn't get hot with just a short break to check target.

[jimb16]

I've used 3031 in my -06s for years. Good powder. Just take the time to work up a load.

[Bazoo]

I misspoke, the best group measured 1 3/4". That was for the 48 grain load.

[izzyjoe]

I would save up, and get some 4350 and save the 3031 for the 30-30! Imr 4350 has always gotten me where I wanted to go with the '06, but on the other hand 1.75 groups ain't to bad!

[Bazoo]

I measured the group i thought to be 2 1/4" and it's actually 1 3/4",with the 48 grain charge.

[Bazoo]

I went back and tested some again yesterday with nicer weather. I got a circular 1" 5 shot group with 46.0 grains 3031. The 48 grain charge did a 3" 5 shot group, glad I retested instead of just going with it. That's using a 4 power scope. I ain't never been much of a target shooter, so I'm still working on my technique.

[GregLaROCHE]

Twenty to thirty years ago, when I was shooting a lot of .3006, 3031 was all I used. I used it mainly for hunting and plinking off season, with a 180gn jacketed bullet. I can’t remember the charge, but it was near maximum.

[tazman]

I went back and tested some again yesterday with nicer weather. I got a circular 1" 5 shot group with 46.0 grains 3031. The 48 grain charge did a 3" 5 shot group, glad I retested instead of just going with it. That's using a 4 power scope. I ain't never been much of a target shooter, so I'm still working on my technique.

Looks like you are good to go there.

[Duster340]

IMR 3031 is one of my favorite powders. I have worked up really nice hunting loads for my 303 Brit, 7.5x55 Swiss, 30-06 & 7.7 Jap. Bullet range from 150 - 165 gr.

Though my go to 06 powder is IMR 4895.

[Eddie Southgate]

Looks like you got your load . Unless you are a real good shot you wont likely beat a 1" 5 shot group . If you can repeat that group with that load I would stick with it and be happy for the rest of my life . Never been a big 06' fan but I do love the 3031 , never been without it since I started loading and bought a pound of it as my first smokeless powder to load 8mm . I gave $1.35 for that pound of powder , wish I could still buy it for that !

[TCLouis]

I have some 150 NBTs loaded in front of 3031 but it was so long ago I have no idea the amount (Hornady Manual) and the ammo is not real handy to get to right now.
I will try to remember to look tomorrow when I am looking for 45 boolits.

[Norske]

If what I read somewhere a few years ago is true, it's great trivia. The standard powder for 30-06 was IMR 4895, and it was made in huge batches (trainloads of 600 ton batches) during WW2. If a batch had a slightly faster burn rate than desired, it was labeled 3031 so the ammo manufactures would cut the powder charge to compensate. If it had a slower burn rate, the code was 4064 and more was added to the cartridges.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the replies.

Norske, if that's true, that's real neat. You got an article on it?

[Norske]

No, didn't save it.

[Sig556r]

I load 3031 on the other end of the spectrum (lightest to cycle the action) using PC boolits.
34g works for me using 311413 (~171g on my alloy) & 37g on NOE-311-150SP (152g).
Not meant for matches, but I can dump clips after clips with decent grouping (at best 8 shots almost touching @ 50yds) with neither a sore 80-yr old rifle nor shoulder. ymmv

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the info sig, I been pondering working a load with the 31141.

[Stuckcase]

The animals and targets you shoot will not know the difference between IMR 3031, 4064, Varget, 4895, Benchmark, 4350....etc....
The average velocity difference even with the most temperature intolerant powders will not make so much of a difference to cause a miss at average woods hunting distances. IMR 3031 has proven to fluxuate at approximately 1.31 feet per degree of change from your baseline load criteria. So do the math and you can see that a swing of 50 fps will not make much of a difference to a deer rib cage or elk hide. Where the difference can be seen is at more profound shooting distances and circumstances. IMR 3031 is an excellent extruded powder and often produces very low ES in the 30.06. I know this from experimentation over the last 25 years with the old 06.
My hunting load is---and I repeat my gun, my load, use discretion
Lapua brass
Rem 9 1/2 primers
53 gr IMR 4064
Sierra 150 gr Gameking
Has been deer poison for going on 35 years with my grand paps Win Model 70 Sporter

[Stuckcase]

In addition to the above reply on the difference between 3031, 4064, 4895.
If you examine IMR powders from the above lists you will notice some very similar traits. Smell, texture, color all appear the same. Difference is the dimensions and length of the extrusion. The nitro based solutions are the same along with the graphite coating. The difference in burn rate comes from the design of the stick. Circumference and length. Most of your stick IMR powders are from the same allotment of ingredients. Thus your difference from fast burning to slower burning magnum sticks like 4350 and 7828.