Does anyone use 3031 powder?

[duece71]

If I could find 3031 in my AO I would use it. Things have been very thin lately……

[markm]

If I could find 3031 in my AO I would use it. Things have been very thin lately……

I loaded 150 rounds of .223 69 gr RMR OTMs today. I have to run it on the chargemaster, but it beats not having the option at all.

[markm]

We didn't get to set up the chrono, but Max published load for 69 gr is definitely weak. The bullet starts lagging a little at 500 yards. At 750 yards it's like a mil and a half under-performing. I don't expect to get full throttle velocity, but I think this lot will need a work up that is over published max to get it acceptable.

[markm]

I double checked the published data online for the 69gr bullet which shows a max of 22.5 gr getting 2900ish FPS from the 24" barrel. I've worked up to a full grain over max published (23.5 gr) and I'm still in the low 2800s out of a 20" bolt gun barrel, and no pressure signs. I might try 3/10s higher.

[308sako]

As chance would have it, 4 LBs of this IMR 3031 came into my possession yesterday. Now I too am wondering how best to match it with 5.56 / .223 loadings and my horde of the 62 Hornady BTHP's that remain.


Any hints at what you may have tried and found to work well?

[markm]

As chance would have it, 4 LBs of this IMR 3031 came into my possession yesterday. Now I too am wondering how best to match it with 5.56 / .223 loadings and my horde of the 62 Hornady BTHP's that remain.


Any hints at what you may have tried and found to work well?

I bet the 62s are a great match for 3031. I loaded it with 69s only so far. With the lot I have (an 8lb) I am a full grain over publish max just to get the velocity acceptable. (I don't have the exacts in front of me) I think 22.5 was my published max for a 69 gr bullet. And I'm at 23.5 with modest velocity and no pressure signs.

I shelved the powder for a minute because it's long grain kernels and I'm weighing every charge. I'd love to run some 62s in front of it though.

[308sako]

So I went with a charge of 24 grains, wolf srm's and LC brass @ 2.245" COAL. 18" beater barrel gave 2975 ft/sec and surprisingly good accuracy. 14.5" BCM gave 2925 ft/secs. SD was in the 15 range for 10 rounds. Absolutely no pressure signs noted.

Loaded some 69's to try in a better barrel next week.

[markm]

I'm thinking of jumping back into this powder to get some ammo that's not popping primers. Every damned week for the last month we've been digging primers out of ARs.

[tomme boy]

3031 is not that much slower than h322. And it is a real pain in the rear to dispense. And is not temp stable at all.

[markm]

And it is a real pain in the rear to dispense.

That's not a problem. I run it through a chargemaster, and don't load for high accuracy with this powder anyway.

And is not temp stable at all.

That's interesting. I've not tried it in big weather swings. This is a blaster powder for us that leaves our preferred powder saved for better ammo.