Thanks for the replies.
I worked up some loads with 3031 last night and got to the range with them today. Unfortunately 3031 is not the best of powders for my particular application.
I worked up four batches starting at 21.0 grains. All the rounds were fired from my Mini 14. However I only used this rifle as the test bed. Whatever I end up with as a "favorite" load will be used in my M16. However, I want to work up my test loads in a slightly less valuable firearm!
Load data and velocity figures below.
Load #1 Radway Green once fired cases. CCI # 450 Small Rifle Magnum primers. 21.0 grains IMR 3031. 55 grain Hornady spire point bullets.
2514 FPS average, no pressure signs, accuracy acceptable, reliable ejection but at about the 1:00 position.
Load #2 Radway Green once fired cases. CCI # 450 Small Rifle Magnum primers. 22.0 grains IMR 3031. 55 grain Hornady spire point bullets.
2653 FPS average, no pressure signs, accuracy good! Reliable ejection at the 2:00 position.
Load #3 Radway Green once fired cases. CCI # 400 Small Rifle primers. 22.0 grains IMR 3031. 55 grain Hornady spire point bullets.
2662 FPS average, note the slightly higher speed average yet the use of standard primers as opposed to magnum primers, interesting! No pressure signs. Reliable ejection again at 2:00 and good accuracy.
Load #4 Radway Green once fired cases. CCI # 400 Small Rifle primers. 23.0 grains IMR 3031. 55 grain Hornady spire point bullets.
2829 FPS average, finally starting to see a bit of speed. Unfortunately pressure signs started appearing. Accuracy was still quite good. Primers began cratering and the ejector began marking the base.
As I would like to see at least 3000 FPS avg. before these signs appear then I have decided not to pursue any more work on the 3031. Another grain of powder will have me working with a compressed load and I doubt it will break 3000 FPS. I would really like to see 3100 FPS average.
As 4064 has similar properties to 3031 I don't know if I will try any loads with it either.
I think I may try some Win 748 as it is a ball powder that will meter much better through my Lee Pro Auto Disk than a stick powder will. The loads above I weighed by hand. But like I said this is ostensibly for my M16 which I will need to load en masse so a repeatable measure through the Pro Auto Disk is essential, and sadly I discovered that stick powders do not meter reliably enough in the Lee setup for my personal standards.
Having said all of that, while these loads aren't exactly using the full velocity potential of the .223 they all did prove to be quite accurate. And with some tweaking could end up being pretty decent. I don't know for sure but maybe this data will help someone.
Thanks again to those who offered advice.
