IMR 3031 87 Grain V-Max

Aladd

Aladd

New member
I cant find any load data for 87 Gr V-Max using IMR 3031 in any of my reloading manuals. It's a 243. If anybody has used these please let me know . COL as well.

Thanks
A.L
 
IMR 3031 is an ideal powder for 223, but not for a 243. I shoot 243 and here is some recommended powders for that caliber. 4350, H4350, H414, 4831, H380 and my favorite is H4831SC. Catshooter is correct about that powder being way to fast. You will not be able to find a load for that caliber, with that powder, for any weight bullet. Varget and 4064 are probably the fastest powders that you can use in a 243.
 
Hey All

Thanks for the quick response. I have some 80 Grain Berger bullets as well, will H4350 work for that in 243? Man I wish I would have checked this forum first. There is load data for IMR 3031, but its all 65 Gr or less, the good thing is the place is right down the street. Do you guys think IMR 4064 will work if they don't have the H4350?


Thanks Again
A.L
 
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IMR3031 and IMR4350 produce almost the exact same velocity in the 243 using bullets up to 90 grains. Larger than 90 grains the 4350 starts to gain a little velocity but using 7-8 more grains of powder.

80-85 grain bullets actually can be driven a little faster with 3031

The Sierra manual lists 3031 with almost all bullet weights in the 243. However the 87 is missing but 80,85 and 90 grain bullets are listed. The data should at least get you started with a load developement.

My personal choice has always been 4064 though.
 
Hey Colorado Osprey

What data do you have for the 85 and 90 Grain Bullet? It would save me a trip to the gun shop, if you have it handy. I just bought a lb of 3031 and Berger 80 Grain Match, as well as 87 Grain V-Max, I would not want to go max load. Hornady add Lee reload manuals stop at 70 Grain. I think it would be safe since Sierra has the bullet weight all the way up to 90 Grain.

Thanks
A.L
 
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Just a suggestion. Go to the Hodgden site & look at their charts for the various types of powder & bullet combos. Its FREE!
You can also visit 'reloadersnest.com' for some good info as well.
Be Safe!
 
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I use 36.6 gr of IMR3031 with the Sierra 85gr BTHP and it shoots great. The Sierra manual lists 32.6gr as start load and 37.4gr as max. I would think that it would work very well with an 80gr Berger. IMHO 3031 is an overlooked powder in the .243. The only thing I don't like about it is that it meters poorly. That 80gr Berger is a bullet I've always wanted to try too. For 100gr bullets I do use H4350 and it works well. The usual disclaimer -start low and work up.
Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
My older Hodgdon book shows only a 2gr delta between start and max. That tells me that it might be 'peaky'. I would work up in small increments and pay close attention to any spikes on the chrono.
 
IMR-4064, IMR-4350, and lately Varget, have always served me well with the various 85/87 gr. bullets in the .243/6mm rifles. That is my favorite weight range for the .243/6mm bore.
 
oad 10405 in caliber .243 Winchester

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LoadID 10405
Bullet Hornady SPBT
Bullet Weight 87 grs
Powder IMR 3031
Powder Weight 37 grs
Primer CCI BR-2
Brass Make Winchester
Barrel Length 21 (inches)
C.O.L (inches)
Velocity 3000 fps
Group 0.25 (inches by 3 shot at 100 yds)
Submitted Date 6/22/2005 5:21:00 AM
Submitted By Brant P. Foster
Gun Info
Comment This load seems t work well in almost every .243 Win I have tried. Strange bullet/powder combo, but it works. Try it sometime.

Energy 1735 ft-lbs
TKO 9.06
OGW 307 lbs
IPSC PF 261




Hope this helps.
 
I have been reloading 243 for a long time, I have always used the 80 Grain bullet & the best powder ever was the 4350
for my best results.
 
Thanks Again for all the help. With all the info I got now I will be testing different loads. I'm gonna see if I can get a load like DKA has. .250 group is a tackdriving load!
 
I can't say much about 3031 with an 87 grain bullet, but it works very well with a 70 grain Nosler BT in the .243. In fact it showed much lower extreme spreads than 4064 and 4350 with that bullet weight, particularly in cold temps. With 3031, I was getting extreme spreads of about 30 fps. With the slower powders, I was getting extreme spreads of up to around 125 fps. and the 3031 loads shot more accurately in my Savage, too.

However, as I did not try it with the heavier bullets, I have to defer to others on whether or not it is a good choice for them.
 


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