IMR 3031 for. 223

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  • MoJoy99

    Member
    Apr 28, 2018
    31
    Fort Washington
    anyone using IMR3031 for reloading 223 in an AR platform? What do you think of it? What are your results with it?

    Looking at a general plinking round on a 55gr fmj bt
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    anyone using IMR3031 for reloading 223 in an AR platform? What do you think of it? What are your results with it?

    Looking at a general plinking round on a 55gr fmj bt

    3031is a pretty versatile powder, and it performs well enough in .223 Remington. But being an extruded powder, it'll remind you just how much nicer a ball powder flows, both in a measure and through a 22 caliber case neck.
     
    When I first started reloading 223-3031 was the powder that I used. 23.4 grns over a 55 grn SPBT averaged 3050 FPS..

    The issue I had with it is what everyone else is talking about. It's extruded stick powder and it's hard to get the powder dispenser 2 dispense exactly 23.4 grains so what I did was set it up to dispense 23 grains and then gave the feed button a couple of TAPS until it dispensed the .4. I don't use that powder in 5.56 or 223I do however still use it in my 308 loads
     

    Seabee

    Old Timer
    Oct 9, 2011
    517
    Left marylandistan to NC
    It was one of a long list of powders I tested with 55 gr Sierra Blitzking. I used 23.0 gr and it shot .7" at 100. I'm sure I could have tweeked it and improved on that. As already said, its a very versatile powder.
    I had a Savage 243 Win hunting rifle that loved 3031 with Hornady 100 gr SBT Interlocks. It shot a 1 hole group all day and always placed in the hunting rifle shoots.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    anyone using IMR3031 for reloading 223 in an AR platform? What do you think of it? What are your results with it?

    Looking at a general plinking round on a 55gr fmj bt

    I have used 3031 in .223 just to use up a pound here and there. As someone has mentioned, it is extruded so it doesn't work well in measures. Additionally, it is slower than the better powders for the caliber meaning, if you adjust for 3200FPS, your POI will be off for 2900FPS.
     

    MoJoy99

    Member
    Apr 28, 2018
    31
    Fort Washington
    I did work up a load in H335, but ran out of that. Not sure when I'll get more. The other choices I'm looking at are 8208 and 4350.

    Honestly, the hh35 leaked through my lee auto drum like a sieve but otherwise I liked it.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I did work up a load in H335, but ran out of that. Not sure when I'll get more. The other choices I'm looking at are 8208 and 4350.

    Honestly, the hh35 leaked through my lee auto drum like a sieve but otherwise I liked it.

    I have never loaded
    IMR 8208 XBR in .223 Remington, but I would not hesitate to try it. Definitely your better choice, as 4350 is going to be far too slow.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    What about Winchester 748?

    It Is at the slow end of the spectrum in .223, but some people swear by it. It is a ball powder so it meters well. I've shot it amongst a number of others in an attempt to find alternative powders for .223. Good accuracy as I recall, but not a velocity champ if that matters to you, is what I think I remember without my notes.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I use ww748 as my base load for .223 55gn bullets. Never had a problem with it except that it leaks around the powder measure. So does H110/WW296 so I keep the shop vac nearby. ;)

    Easy fix, get a GOOD powder measure. :)

    My Lyman 55 doesn't leak WW748.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I have Lyman 55 and a RCBS Uniflow but I load .223 on my Dillon and still use their thrower. I know I can convert it but, it isn't worth the bother. Neither powder ties anything up and it is probably like oil, a couple ounces looks like a qt when you spill it.
     

    PowPow

    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    I ran across this guy's 20 minute video a couple years ago when I wanted to see if there was something I could do to reduce powder leakage. He has a very thorough attack on the subject for Dillon measures on the 550. Grounding the press and powder measure - what a concept.

     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I have Lyman 55 and a RCBS Uniflow but I load .223 on my Dillon and still use their thrower. I know I can convert it but, it isn't worth the bother. Neither powder ties anything up and it is probably like oil, a couple ounces looks like a qt when you spill it.

    Hmm, I have not had any leakage with my Dillon powder measures.

    I have not run WW748 through it yes. I have not loaded 7.62 on my Dillon.
     

    Moorvogi

    Firearm Advocate
    Dec 28, 2014
    855
    anyone using IMR3031 for reloading 223 in an AR platform? What do you think of it? What are your results with it?

    Looking at a general plinking round on a 55gr fmj bt

    Its one of my best powders for all temps covered in maryland. i typically use it for 52 or 60gr bullets. 55 too but i like to be a bit of an oddball hahaha.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Somewhere I saw some threads about mods you can do to certain powder measures to keep this from happening. I never took the time to research it as I have enough projects going on and the shop vac works just fine thank you. ;)
     

    DaemonAssassin

    Why should we Free BSD?
    Jun 14, 2012
    23,970
    Political refugee in WV

    MoJoy99

    Member
    Apr 28, 2018
    31
    Fort Washington
    I was able to score and 8# of HH335 last time I was driving by greentop on I95. i will probably use the 3031 for some 308 and stick with the 335 on .223

    Thanks for all the input.
     

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