A 30-06 preferring IMR-3031 ???

[Rafter-S]

Gentlemen,

An interesting thing happened handloading for a new Remington 700 in 30-06 caliber. Using 150 grain Sierra spitzer bullets, the rifle prefers IMR-3031 powder over IMR-4064. In the past, when I worked up loads for 30-06 rifles, they preferred 4064 over most other powders, especially 3031.

The rifle is a standard BDL model and is as it came from the factory. And I am getting 1” groups with rounds not assembled all that carefully. So now I will break out the neck sizing and in-line seating dies and see just how much that 1” group can be shrunk.

Has anyone else had favorable results using 3031 for 30-06?

Rafter

 

[FlYFiShErMaN]

I have a pre-64 M70 that acts the same way!

 

[Snapping Twig]

Try 4350.

I've found 30-06 bolt rifles like it - a lot.

 

[BruceM]

IMO, 3031 is way too fast for the .30-06.

If your looking for hunting ammo, try the Sierra 165 grain SPBT over 56 - 57 grains of IMR-4350 for deer size critters. If you're looking for less velocity but excellent accuracy, try IMR4895 with the 150 grain Sierra.



Bruce

 

[Rafter-S]

IMO, 3031 is way too fast for the .30-06.

If your looking for hunting ammo, try the Sierra 165 grain SPBT over 46 - 47 grains of IMR-4350 for deer size critters. If you're looking for less velocity but excellent accuracy, try IMR4895 with the 150 grain Sierra.



Bruce

Bruce,

I am glad you mentioned IMR-4895. I have used it in the past with reasonable success in other bolt action 30-06's, especially with a custom Springfield 03 model. But this particular Remington 700 "rebells" with 4895 and the Sierra 150 gr. bullet for some reason. I get a 4-5" group.

Rafter

 

[epj]

Used to use 3031 in a 30-06 loaded with 172 gr. cast bullets. This combo was deadly accurate out of a sporterized 03A3 with scope. Well under 1 MOA at 100 yds.

 

[Dragon88]

Hey, go with what works in your rifle. 3031 is a good powder.

 

[bmcgilvray]

The .30-06 is a wonder cartridge despite the fact that some consider it boring. It will work really well with a number of different bullets and powders. It is not surprising at all that you are having great results with IMR 3031 powder and the 150 grain bullet.

I've found that IMR 3031 works about as well as IMR 4064 or IMR 4895 with both 125 grain and 150 grain bullets in several different .30-06 rifles kept around here. One can duplicate 150 grain factory velocities using 3031. A powder like IMR 4759 or IMR 4198 would be way too fast. IMR 3031 isn't too fast.

 

[NE450No2]

I use IMR 3031 in the wifes 12x12x30/06 drilling.

The loads are slightly less than full power factory loads.

They are easier on the gun and we just do not need full power 30/06 to shoot deer and pigs where we hunt.

 

[Dan Cash]

Powder like 3031 and Reloader 7 work ok in 06 with lighter bullets but beware; there is little margin between OK and way too hot. No forgiveness.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

In my experience, IMR 3031 does very well in .30-06 with bullets up to 150 grains. Heavier bullets generally benefit from slower burning powders.

I used Speer 130 grain HotCor bullets in .30-06 for antelope hunting very successfully. Antelope are light and thin-skinned game, usually hunted in open country. Our other game animals here in Colorado include mule deer and elk, usually hunted in brush and timber, for which I prefer heavier bullets.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

What BruceM said; at one point in time I played with 130 gr. and lighter bullets in .30-06. 3031 worked very well. For 150 4895 gr. (47 grs. IIRC) was very accurate (real <1").

 

[bnewc75]

my 700 30-06 likes

imr4831 behind 180g nosler AB

 

[Alk8944]

IMO, 3031 is way too fast for the .30-06.

If your looking for hunting ammo, try the Sierra 165 grain SPBT over 46 - 47 grains of IMR-4350 for deer size critters. If you're looking for less velocity but excellent accuracy, try IMR4895 with the 150 grain Sierra.



Bruce

I hope you meant 56-57 gr.? Your load wold be in the .30-30 velocity range.

 

[scorvers]

Powder like 3031 and Reloader 7 work ok in 06 with lighter bullets but beware; there is little margin between OK and way too hot. No forgiveness.

yup. I use 3031 to load for my 742 Carbine with 18 1/2" bbl. The 4350 and 4831 produce some serious muzzle flash and noise. The 3031 tamed that. I use a Remington 165 CoreLok. Can't recall the powder charge off the top of my head right now.
Like Dan said, there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room. Weigh each charge.

 

[TSQUARED]

I have used a lot of IMR-3031 in 30-06 with 125 an d 150 gr. bullets. Always has provided excellent accuracy in a number of bolt action rifles.

 

[BruceM]

You can get a variety of propellants to work in the .30-06 but that does not make all of them the best choices. Things can get a little interesting when trying to get max performance with it in the 06 when bullets weigh more than 125 grains. Sort of like max. charges of Bullseye in the .44 Magnum. 3031 is a good choice for cast bullet loads. 3031 shines the brightest in .30-30 & .35 Rem class cartridges.

I did mean 56-57 grains and will edit that entry.

You can usually get max. velocity with accuracy with IMR 4350 and it seems to shoot very well in any rifle I tried it in. Many .30-06 rifles will give less than max. accuracy with 150 grain bullets at max. (3000 fps) velocity. The 165 grain and heavier bullets seem to shoot better. If you back off the gas some with the 150's, that's a different story and IMR4895 usually give excellent accuracy when doing so. It's also the propellant of choice for duplicating military ball ammo loads for the M1. Once again, these are not maximum velocity loads.

If you are having severe accuracy issues with 4895, I would try a different 150 grain bullet.

Bruce

 

[Homie]

Rafter,

It seems a lot have people are unaware that IMR 3031 was developed for .30-'06 class cartridges, and it has been doing fine for 76 years.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

My concern would be why a rifle would shoot 1" with only one load and 5" with a similar load. Sounds like a bedding issue (hopefully), or a barrel problem (hope not).

Good shooting.

 

[running iron]

52.5 grs. of 4350 with a 190gr. Hornady spbt in my B.A.R. Safari Mark 2 with iron sights. It doesn't get any better for me. Great set up for high country Elk. I agree that 3031 is way to fast for the 06 and 4350 is best for the heavy bullets. I don't know about the lighter ones cause I don't use them.

 

[BruceM]

"It seems a lot have people are unaware that IMR 3031 was developed for .30-'06 class cartridges"

This still does not make it the best or even the "better" choice.

Bruce