According to the manuals I have 3031 is good for both calibers but I’m having a tough time finding a load that’s accurate with 3031 with either caliber. It goes bang, shoots fine for plinking I guess but hoping someone has found a good accuracy load with the powder….. I’ve way more #’s than I like to count of it.
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IMR 3031 & 5.56 or .308
- Thread starter simonp
- Start date
I tried 3031 at a friend's urging, under a 168 gr match in 308 Win...he thought it would be an excellent powder... It was not. Accuracy wasn't good and velocity lower than expected. One of the worst loads I ever tried, and a 308 will shoot most any powder decently. So I never used it again...still have most of that can of powder. It has never lit the world on fire for me either, maybe some have a more positive experience with it.
I find that 3031 likes really hot primers. I now only use Federal Magnums when loading with it. It significantly improved accuracy for me. This is for 223 and 308 not for levergun loads.
Back in the mid 70's when I started High Power Rifle Silhouette with a Ruger 77 HB in 308 I did a search for loads. I found that Lones Wigger used a 308 load for Palma shooting and won many medals. The load was 39.0 grains of IMR 3031 with Sierra 168 MK bullets. I loaded up some to try in WW brass with WW lg rifle primers at 2.800". They shot consistent sub 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yds. I used that load for years in HP Silhouette until moving on to the 7-08 in the early 80's.
Still used IMR 3031 in the 7-08, 37.0 grains, necked down WW 308 brass, WW LG primer, Sierra 168 MK at 2.800". It was a great sub 1/2 MOA load in 2 Remington 700 rifles, both a BDL Sporter and a BDL Varmint. Shot that same load in a custom HART barreled 40X 7-08 and was fantastic, with with sub 1/4 MOA groups.
I have played with it in a 223 AR HBAR, and best groups were with 22.5 grs IMR 3031 in military brass, WW small rifle primer, 69 gr Sierra MK, at 2.250". Average fps was 2630 with 20 fps ES. Shot decent, 1 MOA or just under, but other powders were more accurate and had higher fps. But if you just want to burn up the 3031, it can be useful. Sorry I didn't use any other bullet weights with 3031.
Just my experience, your mileage may vary.
Still used IMR 3031 in the 7-08, 37.0 grains, necked down WW 308 brass, WW LG primer, Sierra 168 MK at 2.800". It was a great sub 1/2 MOA load in 2 Remington 700 rifles, both a BDL Sporter and a BDL Varmint. Shot that same load in a custom HART barreled 40X 7-08 and was fantastic, with with sub 1/4 MOA groups.
I have played with it in a 223 AR HBAR, and best groups were with 22.5 grs IMR 3031 in military brass, WW small rifle primer, 69 gr Sierra MK, at 2.250". Average fps was 2630 with 20 fps ES. Shot decent, 1 MOA or just under, but other powders were more accurate and had higher fps. But if you just want to burn up the 3031, it can be useful. Sorry I didn't use any other bullet weights with 3031.
Just my experience, your mileage may vary.
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