.223, imr3031

[Vacek]

In the Speer Manual the lower loading for a 45 grain bullet is 25 grains of IMR3031 with the high at 27 grains.

I am new to reloading for the .223. It is for my H&R. Anyway, at 25 grains the case is essentially full. It would overfill at 27.

Question: Is this normal? The load at 25 grain would be compressed.

 

[Russt]

I've ran into the same thing when I first started reloading for .223. If you use a long drop tube to let the powder settle it'll help. Tapping on the case to settle the powder works too but is a pita. I also had problems with the powder bridgeing with such a small neck to go through. I switch to BLC2. I got good accuracy with it and use it in a few other cartridges too. Hard to beat 3031 though. It works well in just about everything. My 243 loves it with 70gr Noslers and my 45/70 loves it with all bullet weights.

 

[Sunray]

How old is your manual?
Hodgdon gives 22.7 to 25.2C of IMR3031 for a 45 grain bullet. My old Lyman book shows 25.5, also compressed, as the max load. The 'C' means compressed. Compressed loads are nothing to worry about.
That doesn't mean your Speer book gives unsafe data. Might be a typo. It happens. It's also why having more than one manual(Lyman. Has more loads with more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder makers book) or checking the powder maker's site isn't a bad thing.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[Russt]

I went to double check the powder charge in my Speer 13, & 11. Both of them start at 25gr and go to 27 as max. No mention of a compressed load in the 11 manual. I know from experiance that it gets crowded in that little case with that much of 3031 though. I checked my Lyman 48th and it starts at 22.9 and a max of 25.5C. They also show pressure CUP of 46,700. My guess is they ran out of room in the little case before pressure became an issue. Don't forget about military brass also. It's a little thicker usually.

 

[Sunray]

"...guess is they ran out of room in the little case before pressure became an issue..." Has to do with the size of the powder granules.

 

[Walkalong]

Use a drop tube.

 

[ants]

IMR3031 is a sleeper in 222 and 223. And it doesn't take max load to get true accuracy in my rifles, so your concerns about max load and compressed load may be moot. The trick is to get consistent powder charges, since many powder measures don't like it's large stick granules.

 

[delta5]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt 3031 a bit too slow burning for .223?

 

[ants]

Now that I think about it. Yes, that's right. Way too slow.

You guys don't go down and buy any 3031 for those 22cal rifles.
Nope. You don't need 3031 right now.

 

[X-Rap]

I gave up on 3031 and use h335 in its place.
25grns. under any 50 or 55 grn bullet I have tried shoots great.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've used IMR3031 for over 30 years in 223. 23 grs with a 55 gr bullet. Even at 23 you may need a drop tube so the case doesn't get filled up. If I'm weighing all charges I use a "slow pour" from powder pan to case for the same effect.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt 3031 a bit too slow burning for .223?
__________________


it is on the slow end of the scale for the caliber but gives me good accuracy and functioning in ARs, Mini 14, and Saiga.

 

[alsaqr]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt 3031 a bit too slow burning for .223?

I've been using IMR 3031 in my .223 loads for 40 years. Did a lot of load development before I settled on 3031 for all of my .223 loads. It is a little slow for 45 grain bullets: The max velocity attainable with 3031 is about 70 fps slower that that attainable with some faster powders.

IMR 3031 is not too slow for the .223 using 55 grain bullets. Last week I loaded 200 rounds of .223 using Winchester cases, 25.5(C) grains of IMR 3031 and the 55 grain Sierra GameKing HP bullet. When fired from the 24" barrel of my Remington 700; the bullet crosses the sky screens at 3,240 fps.

This load is hotter than that recommended in most current manuals.

 

[Walkalong]

You guys don't go down and buy any 3031 for those 22cal rifles.
Nope. You don't need 3031 right now.

Sorry ants, the guys let the cat out of the bag.