IMR 3031

[Rookie]

I've been loading 308 for to long to talk about and have used H4895 or IMR 4064 with 168gr MKs. But my stock pile of these 2 powders are under 8lb of each. So I decided to try some other powders I have on hand. Mainly N550 and IMR 3031.
After talking to a tech from VVn I decided to start with N550.
Might work for some rifles but my Winchester Marksman Shoots 100yd patterns that look like buckshot.
However IMR 3031 gave me groups under 1/2inch with 39, 40 & 41grs. I think IMR 3031 will work for now.

 

[jo191145]

You may be right ;D
Purchased a Sav 308W barrel recently on this forum.
3031 and 155 Nosler custom comps are giving me some groups under .5 moa.
41.5 and 43.0gns look to be the hotspots.
Haven't tweaked anything yet. Waiting for better weather.
Just an arbitrary seating depth .015" off the lands at a COAL of 2.800" (Nice chamber Savage thanks)
Did'nt use the chrono either. Data and recoil tell me its not a 1000 yd load but thats OK by me.

 

[X - Man]

I have also been trying the 3031 powder. Used it in a gas op rifle, my Mini 14.

Found that while IMR 4895 worked ok, I was unable to get the groups tighter than 2". So I'm working with 3031. Won't know until it gets a bit warmer.

Keep in mind that a Mini 14 is really picky as to what it likes for accuracy.

Since 3031 is a faster powder that 4895, I think it could be a better match to the Mini.

 

[jo191145]

Dang dude, if my mini ever shot a 2" group I might have not bashed it over a rock and set it on fire. ;D Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[TonyR]

I worked up hunting loads for a friend's factory barreled, pilar bedded Ruger M77 in 308 with the Sierra 165 GameKing and IMR3031. The first two shots were consistently within 1/2 inch at 100 yards from a cold dirty bore. The load was somewhere around 40 grains seated just off the lands using BR-2 primers and Federal GMM brass, no-turn but carefully sorted. Fed through the magazine without problems. Much better consistency than the other powders we tried. He got a one shot kill on a deer this season and was very pleased. Probably nothing like maximum obtainable velocity from other powders but 200 yards would be a long shot at a deer in Maryland.