Does anyone use 3031 powder?

[James@12"]

I just got back into reloading after 25years. I used IMR 3031 for rifles in the past. I don't ever see it used on the forums. Is this not a good powder for the 55gr. 223 loads?

 

[B23]

I know 3031 was always one of those "go to" powders for 17 Rem shooters but with regard to using it in a 223 w/55's, I think there are, many, much better powders to use.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Have a Weatherby Vanguard 308 Win that loves 3031 behind 130gr TTSX.

 

[Batch]

haven't tried it for .223, but i use it in my 22-250

 

[orelkaddict]

It's not bad for what you're asking about. But it's not the latest/greatest new powder either. Also works good in the 30-30. H335 works as well but you never see it mentioned much either

 

[sneaky]

It's a powder that works in a ton of different cartridges, but isn't the best per se. A solid powder to have during these times because of its flexibility.

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[Bearlodge10]

Have used 3031 in 223, 30-30, 308, 7mm-08, 7-30 Waters, and 350 Rem Mag.
In all of these 3031 is an okay powder. I think it is good in the 30-30, 7-30 waters case as it tends to be more efficient with that parent case. Perhaps it is just my perception too as 3031 has been the old standard in those cartridges. I have quite a bit of the powder and some older primers, thus when reloading components got hard to find it became my go-to for barrel break-in, load testing, plinking powder. It might be a hair dirtier especially when compared to newer powders but it gets the job done.
Specifically in the 223, I used 3031 for 50 and 55 grainers. Shot decent enough to load bunches for p-dogs and plinking. Dirties up a bolt gun pretty fast but shooting lots of rounds does it too.
In the 350, I used it to create some reduced recoil loads for deer. On the lighter end of loads, I got some hangfires and sooty cases but I think this had everything to do with the small amount of powder and the case size. Nonetheless, those reduced loads are good but h4895 would be better.

 

[snuzzo29]

I worked up a load with 3031 in 223 and 55gr Ballistic Tips. It shoots sub moa for me with good velocity. It is a compressed load. 3031 fills a 223 case very quickly.

 

[long hunter]

3031 was my go-to powder for .223 years ago bit dirty but worked fine. Still load with it on occasions, especially with the shortages going on for things related to the craft. My take is load with what you can get for now.

 

[NorCal 707]

I use it for my 22-250. Just a mild load around 3400 fps with a 55 grain Hornady bullet shoots 5 in a ragged hole. Not the best as far as temperature sensitivity but for plinking and varmints out to 300 yds it's a fine powder.

 

[88man]

3031 for the 30-30
BLC2 for the 223
4064 or 4320 for the 22-250
Retumbo for the 7mm dakota
R22 for the 300winmag
AA3100 for the 270wsm> Im out, powder discontinued, need replacement

 

[Wydaho22]

I like it for some of my lever gun loads for shooting lead slugs.


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[83cj-7]

Imr3031 is a powder that I always have on hand. Maybe not the best velocity for everything, but you can use it for nearly all rifle cartridges. Get a few older loading manuals, it will be listed for a lot of cartridges.

These are from the best shooting AR that I’ve ever owned.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Works fine for hogs and yotes in my 308 with 150 gr sp.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Have used 3031 in my 35 Whelen AI, 200 gr Barnes original X. Longest shot that rifle has taken an elk, 341 yards. I've since moved to a slightly slower powder (IMR4064). I'm able to gain meaningful additional velocity and shoot the 200 TTSX now.

 

[83cj-7]

Oh, and 39 grains of 3031 under a Hornady 3031 bullet has been a great combination in a 308.

 

[WKR]

I use it for my .45-70 loads

 

[35WhelenAI]

Oh, and 39 grains of 3031 under a Hornady 3031 bullet has been a great combination.

That's cool, which cartridge are you using the 150 gr spire point?

 

[KINGSNAKE]

My best 223 load was with 3031.

 

[83cj-7]

Edited my post, using in 308