Ready to start loading .30-06

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All I have is IMR 3031, and I know where I can get more of it. But I cant find 4064 nor 4895 which would have been my top choices to try first.

I see data everywhere for 3031, but have not heard anyone chat about it. Is it a good choice? I am loading pulled military FMJ bullets that run between 147 grain and 150 grain. They are boat tails with a cannelure and have exposed lead at their base.

I am shooting a Springfield 1903 with a 4 groove Remington barrel dated 1942.
Just want to come close the the military speed of about 2700 fps is all.

All I know about 3031 is it works great in my .45-70 ammo I load with it. Hand weigh each round so big sticks dont bother me.
 
It wouldn't be my first choice but it will work if it's all you have. I prefer IMR 4350 and 165-180gr bullets. I'd use it for lighter bullets or round nose 30-30 bullets in the 30-06.
 
Favorite powder for 30-06 for 45 years.

Like the others said, it will work but a slower powder will work better. My go to powder in a 30-06 is IMR4350. If a starting load of 4350 under a 168 gr Sierra Match or a 165 gr Ballistic Tip doesn't shoot in your gun I doubt if it will shoot anything. IMR 4831 works well too.
 
With his goal of only 2700 fps most anything will be OK. I started with 3031 years ago and was able to get good accuracy. With more modern rifles either of the 4350's seems to be the go to powder for great accuracy and much more speed. I can get 3100 fps from a 24" barrel and 3050 from my 22" guns with either of those. Not what you want or need.
 
Using 3031 you might get the 2700 fps you're looking for, I don't know. I never thought to use 3031 in the 30-06. Yes it "can" be used but that doesn't mean it should be used, accuracy is the real test. When using faster powders that don't come close to filling the case much of the time accuracy suffers.

With a 150gr bullet I would think your best results would come from:
H4895, IMR4895, IMR4064, Varget, AA2495, AA2520 and RL-15.

But all of these can be used and have proven accuracy in the 30-06:
H4350, IMR4350, H4895, IMR4895, IMR4064, Varget, H414/W760, IMR4320, RL-15, RL-17, AA2460, AA2495, AA2520, AA2700, TAC, N140, N150, N540 and probably a few others I can't think of right now.

Of course, this is all IMO...
 
If 3031 does not work well for you I have found RL 19 to be extremely accurate for 150gr 06. My bare bones Savage shoots honest to God 1/2" groups with it with hunting bullets. Technically it is a slow burning powder for the 06 (much like H4831) but that just means that you would really have to do something crazy to go overpressure with it. Max load is 64gr, but my best accuracy is with 61.5gr.
 
I second RL-19 in the .30-06 with 150gr bullets. I have a Mossberg ATR 100 in .30-06 and with RL-19 the worst group that it shot in my ladder tests was just over 1" at 100 yards. I settled on 59.5gr behind a 150gr Hornady Interlock SP it is deadly accurate shooting 3 shot groups smaller than a quarter and the recoil is very mild. I haven't chrono'd this load but I should be in the 2650fps with a 22" barrel.

I could push the bullet faster but if a 30/30 shooting the same bullet at 2200fps kills deer than a .30-06 shooting the same bullet 400fps faster will kill it just the same.
 
CarJunkieLS1 said:
I second RL-19 in the .30-06 with 150gr bullets. I have a Mossberg ATR 100 in .30-06 and with RL-19 the worst group that it shot in my ladder tests was just over 1" at 100 yards. I settled on 59.5gr behind a 150gr Hornady Interlock SP it is deadly accurate shooting 3 shot groups smaller than a quarter and the recoil is very mild. I haven't chrono'd this load but I should be in the 2650fps with a 22" barrel.

I could push the bullet faster but if a 30/30 shooting the same bullet at 2200fps kills deer than a .30-06 shooting the same bullet 400fps faster will kill it just the same.
Click to expand...
Junkie,

You are so right and it will do it with a gentle push.
 
I have had good luck with 3031, when 4064 is not available. I would reduce 4064 data by 10 -15% and start there. Work up to what you s=want in Speed. I personally like 3031, simply because is is like 4064 (Which I also like), and runs about 10% less powder than 4064 for the same results.

Good Luck...
 
A lot of powders will work. IMHO IMR4895 is the perfect powder for military shooters. A lot of guys are using the newer blends which just makes it easier for me to find the older blends. :) I use it for all kinds of loads.
 
I chronoed my 150gr Rl 19 load today, I was a little suprised to hit 3040fps. Exactly 3fps faster then my ultra condistsnt IMR4064 load. No flat primer, no sticky bolt and that is only a 22" barrel, and best of all under 1 inch groups even in high crosswinds. Hard to beat that.
 
3031 gave good results with starting loads in my Winchester 54. Best accuracy was with 180 grain spire points. I would not chose 3031 for high velocity loads. 4350 or 4831 would be my choice for higher velocity loads. Never had much luck with bullets lighter than 165 in the old 30-06.
 
I have use 3031, 4064, 4831 and H414 with equal results. Just be happy you found 3031.
 
Yep. If that's what you have, that's what you use.
It is a fast burning powder for the caliber though, so I'd use it mostly with the lighter bullets. It'll do the job though for now. You can always pick up something more ideal when it is available.
 
@ Apex Predator how many grains of RL-19 did you use to reach 3040fps. All the data I've seen has a max of 62gr and lists a speed of ~2800fps give or take some.
 
Whoo hooo! found a pound of IMR4895 for $30
I loaded up a half dozen 150 grain FMJ each with IMR 3031 and IMR 4895
Going to the range Wednesday.
Switching to a new thread because I have questions about length.
 
If you have access to 3031 quit wining about it and get as much as you can and get loaded and shooting. I have been using numbers that I have never seen before and wish I had access to 3031.
 
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