IMR 3031, is there......

[moooose102]

so, i am wondering, is there a rifle powder that is more versitile than IMR 3031? i have used it in my .223, 30-30, 300 win mag, 45/70 loads. i am running low on it, and wondering about changing (not that there is anything wrong with it). if i was to do it, now would be the time. if i can find anything more veritile, that is either cleaner, or makes for a higher velocity than the 3031.

 

[rcmodel]

Lots of powders are more versitile then 3031.

BLC2, H335, Varget, and WW748, as well as others, will work well in the .223, 30-30, and 45-70.
Not so great in the .300 Mag.

Trying to go with one powder, and throwing a .30 cal belted mag in the mix is kinda difficult, if not impossible.

Anything you get is either to fast for the Mag, or too slow for the other three.

rcmodel

 

[BsChoy]

That is alot of very diff calibers for that powder. I would say H4895 will cover you in all those with additional velocity and less temp sensitivity. The 300 win mag would work with it until you went heavier than 165 grain bullets. Varget would be a good choice too

 

[NCsmitty]

Trying to go with one powder, and throwing a .30 cal belted mag in the mix is kinda difficult, if not impossible.

Spot on rcmodel, there is no one powder that will give optimal performance in all 4 mentioned cartridges.

NCsmitty

 

[scrat]

still like H4895

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have to agree with the other posts, you can get one powder to load all the other calibers fairly well but the 300 mag is totally different.

Varget or H335 will serve you well although I feel there is no better powder for loading the .223 than H335.

Listen, the reason most of us reload rifle calibers is to get the most out of that cartridge. we want consistent ammo that's accurate and also good velocity. If that's also true for you why do you want to use only 1 powder for so many different calibers? Why not get the most out of your reloading by using the most appropriate powder for the caliber you are reloading?

IMO these are good powders for the calibers you mentioned in your first post. Of course they are only my choices and I'm sure others will have different favorites.

.223 Remington - H335
30-30 Winchester - WW748 but you can use H335
300 Win Mag - H4831 or H4831SC
45-70 Gov. - IMR3031 (modern rifles) or ACC-5744 (older Trapdoor rifles)
30-06 Springfield - H4350 or IMR4350

Those are just my suggestions, your mileage may vary... LOL

 

[The Bushmaster]

.30-30 winchester, a 170 grain FNSP and W-748...Hard to beat.

.300 Win and .30-06 are both good candidates for H4831SC in 165 grain bullets and heavier...

 

[Slamfire]

IMR 4895. Or H4895, or AA2495. All more versatile than IMR 3031.

I got some estate sale IMR 3031, it shot excellent groups in the 308 with 150’s, and 168’s. But it threw just awful. The 4895 class of powders throw much better, shoot just as well, and being a bit slower, you can use heavier bullets.

If they short cut 3031, I would be more interested in it. But I ain't buying any more.

 

[USSR]

IMR 4895.

Don

 

[Horsemany]

3031 is the dirtiest powder I've ever loaded for 22-250. I don't think you'd have a hard time finding a cleaner powder. Varget is very versatile too. And it's not temp. sensitive, and it burns very clean.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If they short cut 3031, I would be more interested in it. But I ain't buying any more.

SlamFire1,
As you probably already know, that's the difference and only difference between H4831 and H4831SC. The "SC" at the end stands for Short Cut so it's possible if that powder meets with good success Hodgdon/IMR might decide to short cut more of their rifle line. Hey, who knows but at least there's already one example.

 

[243winxb]

Imr 4895

 

[NCsmitty]

Here's a little history on IMR3031 that I found on the Lee-Enfield web site. Perhaps that's how it came by its numeral deignation.

During the course of World War I, as with the production of the P-14 rifle, Britain turned to the United States to help with ammunition production. This call was answered by Dupont and their IMR 16 single based nitrocellulose powder. IMR 16 closely duplicated the performance of the Cordite loading, but had the advantage of burning cooler and as the ballistic characteristics was near identical to the Cordite loaded round, it kept the Mark VII classification, but with the addition of a "Z" (Mk VIIZ) to denote the propellant change. The nitrocellulose powder also offered the added benefits of not having to alter existing or future rifles’ sights and because of its cooler burning, prolonged the normal service life of the Enfield barrel. After the war, this powder was offered for public consumption as IMR 3031.

NCsmitty

 

[Rook rifle]

3031

I for one think 3031 is cleaner then 335 have used it in most of my wildcats.