IMR gunpowder question

[dartor]

Hello all, I've been reloading for over 20 years but I'm fairly new to rifle reloading. I've picked up a wealth of information for rifle reloading by lurking here, I thank you all for that.

I can find IMR 3031 and IMR 4064 locally for a reasonable price. I've used Alliant and Hodgdon powders with good results. I'm looking to expand my possibilities for accuracy (besides, can one really have too many options for reloading?). I have never used IMR powders. I was wondering if these two powders are ball powders or stick?

I prefer a stick powder but if they are ball powders I won't rule them out. If anyone here has had good results with 3031 or 4064 I'd like to hear about it.

I'll be using Hornady 55gr V-max bullets in .223 and 22-250.

Thanks in advance,
The Dar

 

[ReloaderFred]

They are both stick powders.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[BBarn]

Both powders can be used in the cartridges you've identified, though I've never used them in either cartridge. IMR-4064 is the more versatile if the two.

IMR-4895 and IMR-4166 are other possibilities.

 

[TimSr]

I've loaded plinking ammo in .223 with IMR-4198 with great initial results. Haven't used the others in those calibers mentioned.

 

[Slamfire]

IMR 3031 is an outstanding 308 Win powder, used to be a popular target powder in the 30-06. I shot it in the 308 Win in my M1a and it shoots very well. Any powder that does well in the 308 will do well in the 223. I tried IMR 3031 in the 35 Whelen and it is an excellent powder in that cartridge. I only had three pounds to test so my experience is somewhat limited. It is long grained so you will have to weigh charges for 223 cartridges.

IMR 4064 is one of the most versatile IMR powders. The list of cartridges that shoot it well is long. In my experience, the 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 270 Win, 375 H&H, 35 Whelen, 6.5 X 55, probably some others I can't think of. I have shot many cleans out to 300 yards with the stuff, and excellent scores all the way out to 1000 yards with it in 308 Win. It is long grained so I don't use it in 223. It can be used, has been used in 223, but since it is long grained, you have to weigh it as it won't throw worth a hoot in a 223 case. I don't know if I tried it in 223 as it would probably clog up my Dillion powder horn. I have used it on my Dillion with a 308 Win and not had any clogging.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I like 4895 and 4350 in my .243 Win., I think the 4350 makes smaller groups. I know the rifle will shoot better than I can hold.

 

[spitballer]

IMR 3031 was used for a time by the military as a propellant for 55gr ball ammo in the M16, and is therefore IMO an excellent choice for 55gr ammo in an AR. I've never used IMR 4064 but I've read many posts by reloaders who give it two thumbs up for the same ammo but with a longer barrel, like a bolt rifle.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Find some IMR 8208XBR. It is a little more per pound but the stuff is made of pure awesome sauce. I shoot a lot of 223 and this one really performs with the 55-77 grain bullets both in velocity and accuracy.

I have never tried the other powders you mentioned in 223 and have never heard of anyone recommending it.

 

[Jim Watson]

The original M16 powder was very close to 3031, I would expect regular 3031 to do well in .223.
4064 has been an accuracy load powder in things like .22-250 and .220 Swift for a long time.
There are other grades as mentioned above. You would wear out your barrel testing even a reasonable selection.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like H335 and TAC in the .223 but never tried IMR3031.

I think IMR4064 is a very good choice for loading the .308 Win.

 

[jmorris]

I have used 3031 from 223 to 45-70 and lots of stuff in between.

A good rule of thumb is if it starts with "IMR" it is going to be a "stick"/ extruded powder. I have had bridging issues charging .223 and 22-250 cases with it but you can give it a try, I have read the "sticks" are shorter now than they used to be.

Once the cases are charged, I have always had decent results with it.

 

[243winxb]

In 223 - IMR 3031 with 68 and 69 gr match bullets. For 55gr IMR 4198.

 

[dartor]

Thanks all

Thank you all for your replies to my question. I'm glad that the two IMR powders are stick powders. My results shooting ball or small flake powders have not impressed me.

Gunpowder is hit or miss around here. I can get most any powder at a LGS (even Varget) with a 50 mile drive and shelling out $38.00 a pound....no thanks. I confess, after all I've read here on THR about Varget I did break down and buy one pound. It shoots very well in my Savage 22-250.

I have seen the IMR 3031 and IMR 4064 at the local Sprawl Mart for $24.96 for several weeks while Alliant and Hodgdon powders are there one day and gone the next. I checked my Hornady manual and the IMR website and I see that both powders are compatible with the .223 and 22-250. Knowing their stick powders I will be buying and trying both.

Side note: I spent 4 hours at the range with the 22-250 and some work up loads of Alliant Reloader 15 and Hodgdon H4895. They both performed as well in my gun as Varget does.

Thanks again for the replies,

The Dar

 

[tjs45d]

I can recommend IMR 4064 for the 22-250. I load 34.0 grains behind a 55 grain V-Max and it is tack driving accurate in a Savage 110. It's been a long time since I chrongraphed that load, but the groundhogs don't care.

 

[RecoilRob]

Since you mentioned 3031...do you know where it came from? Answer: The USA was asked during WW1 to help supply the British with ammo for their Enfields and Dupont was tasked with making the powder to match the Cordite loads in use. They came up with an extruded stick powder that matched the velocity and was within pressure limits and it was used in many cartridges.

To keep track of the USA loaded ammo...it was given the nomenclature .303-1 to differentiate it from the Cordite ammo. After the shooting was finished, all the rifles that survived ended up at the armorers for repair and refurbishing. Part of this was barrel inspection and replacement if needed. Someone was looking through the records afterwards and noticed a strong correlation that rifles that had exclusively been used with .303-1 ammo had much less erroded barrels that often didn't warrent replacement where the ones used with standard Cordite were almost always in need of replacement.

Dupont was pleased to hear that their powder had performed so well and decided to offer it to the Consumer Market that was just taking hold for reloading powders. They called it, of course....3031. So every time you load a round with 3031 think back and marvel that something around 100 years old still works as well today as it did back then.

 

[kerreckt]

Thank you "RecoilRob" for that bit of history. I enjoy stories such as yours that give meaning to otherwise meaningless things. That one hit the spot.

 

[Lman57]

I use IMR-4064 with 55gr .223 works great no problems at all.

 

[SARuger]

I use IMR 4064 in my ,223/75g loads, .223/69g loads and my .243/95g/85g loads

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Both 3031 and 4064 are excellent powders for the 22/250. I use the latter and get <1/2MOA w/ 55gr bullets.

 

[kcofohio]

I have used 3031 from 223 to 45-70 and lots of stuff in between.

A good rule of thumb is if it starts with "IMR" it is going to be a "stick"/ extruded powder. I have had bridging issues charging .223 and 22-250 cases with it but you can give it a try, I have read the "sticks" are shorter now than they used to be.

Once the cases are charged, I have always had decent results with it.

jmorris, thanks! I had been curious about the IMRs.