30-06 Loads with IMR-3031
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Ironicaintit
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My 30-06, Remington 760's most accurate load is with 3031 and 150gr. Though it's a fast powder for the cartridge perhaps, it is a full power load and recoil was about what you'd expect.
.45Coltguy
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I used IMR 3031 as my first powder in my 30-06 a long time back, just not really a reduced load. Seems like about 44.0 gr og IMR 3031 ought to be fairly light. It's a good powder.
I eventually used/use IMR 4064 or H4350. Sorry, not much help.
I eventually used/use IMR 4064 or H4350. Sorry, not much help.
GeoDudeFlorida
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IMR 3031 and .30-06 are made for each other. Just how "light" you can expect depends on what you mean by "light." I mostly use Speer Hot Cor 150's with IMR 3031 in the mid-44/45gr range and it's a good field-grade load. I'd say it's at least as rockin' as Remington green box hunting loads in that weight range. BTW: I'm typically loading for a Remington 30S or a 721 so my loads are NOT going to be what you want for anything lighter, like one of the modern synthetic-stocked slim actions. I think the lightest I'd go with IMR 3031 and a 150gr. bullet - jacketed, lubed and gc'd, Hi-Tek'd and gas-checked, anything in that class - is in the 40-41gr range. Lower than that and your velocities will probably show some spread.
The Lyman Cast Bullet manual shows 151gr flat-nose bullets (#311440) with IMR-3031 starting load at 31gr, 1775fps and 13,600 CUP so I was thinking that might be reduced recoil. I don’t cast, but ACME has 155gr HiTek coated bullets for a very reasonable price. Was thinking I wouldn’t need gas checks at that speed. But… that’s why I’m asking .
GeoDudeFlorida
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Worth a try. I typically use Unique, 2400 or IMR 4227 for light cast loads in .30-06 so I don't know how IMR 3031 will react but if Lyman has a tested load, give it a spin and let us know how it goes. At under 14Kpsi you won't need a gas-check unless your rifle's bore is over .309" Even then I'm not sure how much one would help.
.45Coltguy
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Those bullets look good. Maybe you can give ACME a call and see what they say about a gas check. Don't think you'd need it, just not sure.
I use IMR4064 or Varget with 150gr. Hornady Jacketed bullets. Don't know how hard it is to find either. I haven't had to buy any powder in a long time. I have found IMR 4350 is not very accurate in my rifle. Bought it a long time ago and still have about half of it left. I just quit using it. It is a little stouter than the other two. One-30-06 is the only rifle I have. I've done a ton of experimenting with both of those powders and Varget seems to be more sensitive to Components than IMR4064.
Well… IMR-4227 shows starting load of 23gr, 1776fps and pressure of 16,500 cup with that bullet, so they should be pretty close recoil-wise, huh? 3031 is about same speed but lower pressure than 4227 by about 3000 cup.
GeoDudeFlorida
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I'm actually running a Quality Cast Hi-Tek coated 155gr. sized to .310" with 22.2gr. of IMR-4227 in my Remington 30S and it's got some thump but nothing bothersome. That's an okay load, at best, really. The 173gr. FN-GC with the same powder and load is much better. Recoil is tame but a little sharp - quick smack as opposed to a hard punch. That's also a heavy rifle compared to most modern rifles. I don't know what you're shooting so the only advice I can give is, try it and let us know. You're on the right track, IMO. Don't worry too much IMR 3031 - or IMR 4227, for that matter - about going a grain or two below start. That just means when the testing lab did their workup loads below start were not "optimal" in their testing platform. Probably a universal receiver and unvented barrel with very tight chamber and bore to replicate a fouled bore. In my rifle, 22.2gr. is magic; in yours it might be waa-waa. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’m shooting a Colt Coltsman bolt action. I would call it fairly light. The Lyman manual shows the #311440 with IMR-3031 as potentially most accurate. We’ll see, assuming they still have the powder when I get there. I’ve got some of the same bullets you’re using.
Jackiesman
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I have used IMR 3031 in my -06 but my Ruger 77 loves IMR 4350 for accuracy in everything from 150 to 200 grains. The 3031 is my back-up powder.
Charlie98
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I doubt you will get top velocity in the -06 with IMR3031, but it doesn't sound like that's what you are looking for, anyway. I really like IMR3031 in .308, I don't see why it wouldn't work in .30-06, and particularly with jacketed bullets.
I would agree... there are likely better powders for reduced loads than IMR3031, but I think it will work there as well. I use a reduced load of IMR3031 in my .348WCF loads... and that's a pretty big case, too. Nice thing about 3031, even with reduced loads it gives pretty good case fill, vs something faster like IMR4227 or 2400.
I would agree... there are likely better powders for reduced loads than IMR3031, but I think it will work there as well. I use a reduced load of IMR3031 in my .348WCF loads... and that's a pretty big case, too. Nice thing about 3031, even with reduced loads it gives pretty good case fill, vs something faster like IMR4227 or 2400.
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