IMR 3031, the forgotten old lady of powders.

[bearhunter]

IMR3031 would be very fast for 6.5x55

Yes, it is but it's very close to the speed of the Bofors #44 powder the Swedes used in the cartridge for years. That being said, as Ganderite states, there are better powders available for the purpose.

Jethunter, I still load IMR3031 for my m38 and m96 Mausers. They seem to like it better than any other powder with bullets up to 140grn.

My only issue with IMR3031 is its temperature intolerance.

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[bearhunter]

I picked up the old metal can of 3031 two years ago in auction. I compared the old with new (plastic can) and no difference. The old metal can had be at least 20 yrs old unopened. I love this powder for my Lever WIN 94, 1956 model in 30-30

May I suggest that you dump both or all of your cans of IMR3031 together and combine them into ONE BIG LOT that will be consistent. It's an old trick used to keep a favored powder type consistent when large containers or multiple containers from the same lot aren't available. Different powder lots can be very different in performance from each other.

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[win94luver]

My favourite 45-70 powder IMR-3031.
Still using the old Elmer Keith load with the 405 grain jacketed bullet.

 

[rhino519]

The nitrocellulose powder the military ammo was loaded with was very similar to 3031. It is a bit fast for the 174 gn bullet, perfectly usable.

thx Ganderite, once i find some boolits to top of my brass i’ll try the 3031, hopefully by summer

 

[jethunter]

Yes, it is but it's very close to the speed of the Bofors #44 powder the Swedes used in the cartridge for years. That being said, as Ganderite states, there are better powders available for the purpose.

Jethunter, I still load IMR3031 for my m38 and m96 Mausers. They seem to like it better than any other powder with bullets up to 140grn.

My only issue with IMR3031 is its temperature intolerance.

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What velocity were you getting with 3031? I had much better results with 6.5 Swede using imr4350 and 4831 in all bullet weights in M94 carbine and M96.

 

[Why not?]

Yes, it is but it's very close to the speed of the Bofors #44 powder the Swedes used in the cartridge for years. That being said, as Ganderite states, there are better powders available for the purpose.....

It was indeed, almost the same burning rate. I shot up many pounds of #44 powder that I bought from Tom Higginson. Worked very well in a lot of chamberings from 222 to 358 Win.

Ted

 

[SuperCub]

One of the very first loadings I ever did was 32gr 3031 with a 52gr bullet in 22-250. I think that load came from Ken Waters Pet Loads. It was/is very accurate and consistent.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

One of the very first loadings I ever did was 32gr 3031 with a 52gr bullet in 22-250. I think that load came from Ken Waters Pet Loads. It was/is very accurate and consistent.

One of my favorite and well used manuals/references. And, still have and always will, an adequate supply of IMR 3031. It's been a choice of preference in a number of applications for more than a 'few' years, and will continue to do so for me.