I used to use nothing but 3031 in the 30-30 until I tried Hodgdon Leverevolution. Not only does it add considerably velocity to the cartridge it produces accurate ammo too. Now I use both 3031 and LVR depending on the load. It's good to have more than 1 really good powder for every cartridge. (I'll add a third, W748 works well too)
I also use it mostly for 30-30 and 32SPL loading, it is the most accurate propellant l have found for them so far. OK in abunch of other rifle loadings but not the best in them as others have already mentioned. YMMV
I've used it early in my reloading days for 30-06 and 308. There are much better powders though for those cartridges. I don't shoot enough 30-30 to justify loading for it, but I hear it is one of the better 30-30 options.
24.6 of 3031 in a .223 case in an AR or bolt action is a tack driver. It's not blinding fast but it's one of my favorites. kwg
IMR-3031 is an excellent powder. I like it in reduced loads for cast and full power loads for jacketed in about all the calibers listed.
Good general purpose medium-fast burning propellant useful for reduced power rifle loads or small case capacity cartridges. Turn of the century cartridges such as .45-70, .30-30, .38-55, and .300 Savage love this powder for accuracy and recoil.
It’s excellent in a .308 with a 150gr bullet. IMR4064 or VARGET is better with a 168gr bullet. It’s unexcelled in a .45/70 with 300-405gr jacketed bullets. Also, VERY good with CAST bullets in the .30/30. And of course the 31.0gr load with a 150gr jacketed bullet in .30/30. 28.5gr with a 170gr jacketed bullet duplicates factory loads. Also ACCURATE!
I varmint hunted ground hogs with a 220 Swift Ruger 77V. Had a fast super accurate load using IMR 3031. Also worked very well in 222 Magnum. Most recent use was in 35 Remington in a 141 Remington. What is confusing is that 3031 was here for years as 15 and 15 1/2. It became IMR3031 when the additive tin was removed from 15 1/2, . The tin was there to combat fouling of the jacket material used at that time. No, I was there when the change happened!
Going from memory (please correct me if I am wrong) it has a pretty mellow pressure curve....I know I have used it in my trapdoor on some soft loads.....I also know I have used it in 30 remington. I WANT to say I bought it because of the pressures it would make in the trapdoor....I would have to look it up when I get home. The only thing I can remember is I wanted the pressures in the high teens at most....I know I have a load for 3031 that is in that range....but don't remember what it is.
I’ve used it in the .45-70, but if you want lower pressure loads (Trapdoor) you are better off with something like IMR4198 or AA5744. I have some QL data for IMR3031, I’ll see what the pressures are calculated at... EDIT: I lied, I don't have data for IMR3031.
I purchased a bunch of estate sale IMR 3031 and it is an excellent powder for 308 Win gas guns. The pressure curve was a little faster than IMR 4895, and that was all to the good for the functioning of a gas gun. You want the powder to give the mechanism a quick kick and then the pressure curve to drop rapidly. It was not used for loading M2 ball in WW2, primarily I think, because old style IMR 3031 is long. I shot up all my old IMR 3031 in 308 Win and a bit in 30-06 and it shoots well. Recently I purchased a keg for my 30-30 and found it is now a short cut powder. New style IMR 3031 shot very well in the 30-30. I think it will do well in the 223, in fact, any medium sized case. It will not give the highest velocity in 30-06 sized cases, but it was a commonly used powder for target shooting, back when the 30-06 was widely used.
I've tried several types of powder in my 243's and 7mm/08 and IMR 3031 out shot all of them . 243 using Hornady 100gr sp and the 7mm/08 using Hornady 139gr sp.
