|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 14:59:12 GMT -5
Well today was cold but not windy so off to the range I went. Today I decided to use my old test gun which now has a short barrel. It has been cut back several times for test purposes over the last three years. It has a Douglas barrel 1-22 twist and has a useable barrel length of 22 1/2 inches. So I wanted to see how much velocity I could get using IMR 3031 in this short barrel.
I used 96grs of IMR 3031 with a 300gr Pittman and also 96 grs with the 325gr Pittman I used my standard wool wad and a fed 209A primer. The temp was 25deg but nice and sunny. I tested the 300gr bullets first this gun was sighted dead on with 73grs of IMR 4198 and a 300gr Pittman so there was a change in impact. This test load shot great it could have gone smaller but I got distracted by a fellow shooter asking to many questions. The second test was with 325gr Pittman bullets and this time nobody bugging me. Excellent accuracy.
The velocity with the 300gr bullets and 96grs of powder went 2915 fps out of a 22 1/2 inch barrel. which surprised me because I only got 2945fps out of a 25inch barrel on a 40 deg day so you really don't need a 30 inch tube to get good results with IMR 3031.
The velocity with the 325 Pittman with the same 96gr load went 2866 fps which surprised me I really thought the test would show that the 300gr would be slower but that was not the case. Still 2866 fps with excellent accuracy is great!
My next test is to load the gun and set it out in the shed for a day or two when it gets really cold and see if I have any ignition problems I don't think I will. My breech plug has a .030 bushing .375 long. The Federal primers showed no signs of leakage or pressure but I don't plan on going past 96grs of IMR 3031.
These loads are safe in the muzzleloaders I build. You should test your gun over a chronograph and work up slowing.
Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Dec 19, 2016 15:21:42 GMT -5
Good testing Carl!
|
|
|
Post by hillbill on Dec 19, 2016 15:27:13 GMT -5
tests like these are what we need, guys need to know what these powders do in different length tubes.
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 15:32:24 GMT -5
Hey Richard if you take a look at the scope and rings on that gun you would question why I am using that setup. This is a old Tasco 8x32x50mm target scope that has been flat out reliable it has been on several guns and it just works. The Weaver rings are used because that is the only 1 inch tube ring set I have anymore I have gone to all 30mm stuff. The level on the scope tube also helps the scope from sliding. This barrel has always shot no matter what I ran through it. This also a chrome moly blank which I had turned down.
This gun will shot 270 E-Max into one hole that is my bullet for ground hogs in the summer.
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 15:39:08 GMT -5
Imr 3031 is doing a good job but there should be a powder that should work as well and only burn around 80 to85 grs to get to the same velocity as IMR3031. 10x should or 2015 I have a pound of V120 but that is hard to get around here. I have also heard T32 might be a good choice.
|
|
|
Post by dannoboone on Dec 19, 2016 16:08:48 GMT -5
Luke tried using N120 to get his 310APB's to the speed he wanted but began getting too high pressures prior to getting to that speed.
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 16:20:43 GMT -5
N120 is to hard to get so I ruled that out. I do have a 2 lbs of 10x. I tried it before but I believe I was about 10grs off from where I needed to be. But if memory serves me I think I had some weird pressure spikes but that was in really hot weather. I don't have anymore 325's to shoot so I will test with 300gr FTX bullets. At any rate I am happy with the results I have gotten with IMR 3031 from two different guns and different barrels.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 17:09:01 GMT -5
That's some nice results
|
|
|
Post by thunder53 on Dec 19, 2016 17:29:03 GMT -5
GREAT feedback!.
Have you considered trying the same test loads with 275 Accumax?? (Didn't you say it shoots 270 E-max VERY accurate with similar 3031 loads??)
I just have to believe that bullet would really fly, even with a little less powder and I'd be interested to see how accuracy was out of your 22 1/2" barrel, because it''s similar to my 25".
THANKS again for the testing and the feedback!!!!
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 17:37:37 GMT -5
I have only shot the 270 E-Max with IMR 4198 and I can get them up over 2900 fps. I only have used those for target and varmint shooting. I won't use them on deer they're to fragile.
|
|
|
Post by thunder53 on Dec 19, 2016 17:55:29 GMT -5
I'm getting sub-MOA 3 shot groups with the Accumax 275's and 70 gr IMR4198 at about 2750 FPS, but would like to try 3031.
The Accumax are NOT too fragile from what I've seen.
They're a nice compromise between the explosive BE's & E-Max and tougher MHs.
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 18:25:56 GMT -5
The 275gr should work with IMR 3031 all you can do is try some. I don't have any 275gr bullets. The 275gr has a short bearing surface similar to a E-Max I really think since I have to use 96grs of powder with a 300gr bullet you would be down on pressure and you may not get good consistent velocity with the lighter bullet. I have always preferred the 300gr bullet for deer.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 18:28:00 GMT -5
3031 seems to be a great powder for sml...thanks for trying it out in your shorty barrel..I have been hesitant in shooting it in my 25" pacnor and Mcgowen guns ...
|
|
|
Post by linebaugh on Dec 19, 2016 18:54:35 GMT -5
Elkman. Noticed you were using wool wads. Are you finding better accuracy with wool?
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 18:54:53 GMT -5
How long is your barrel ahead of the recoil lug? If you have 25" you have more than enough barrel length for IMR 3031. I like this powder a lot I just don't care to have to use 96grs of it. But so far its the best I have used for speed and accuracy so you always have to pay more for extra performance.
What will convince me is a really cold weather test with the gun loaded for a few days. I want to get down to low teens at least zero would be better because I have guns in Iowa and other cold places and I have not had any problems using IMR 4198. So time will tell!
|
|
|
Post by kskaggs on Dec 19, 2016 19:20:55 GMT -5
I shot some Friday morning and it was in the upper teens started off with 95 grains and a 275 BE and was just checking pressure signs and speed ended up at 100 grains and it was clocking at 3050FPS. 99 grains was around 3000. Brux 26 inch with HIS
|
|
|
Post by kskaggs on Dec 19, 2016 19:21:38 GMT -5
No excessive pressure signs at all
|
|
|
Post by elkman1310 on Dec 19, 2016 19:29:07 GMT -5
I don't see anything on my Federal 209A primers no leakage no flatten on the primer cup. I would just like to find another powder which requires less grains to achieve the same results I believe 2015 would get me there. I plan on trying 10x in the next day or so since I have enough on hand. And I have used 10x in very cold weather in my 50Cal with a stock Savage plug years ago and it always went off even after being loaded for the whole season.
|
|
|
Post by dennis on Dec 19, 2016 19:44:31 GMT -5
I don't see anything on my Federal 209A primers no leakage no flatten on the primer cup. I would just like to find another powder which requires less grains to achieve the same results I believe 2015 would get me there. I plan on trying 10x in the next day or so since I have enough on hand. And I have used 10x in very cold weather in my 50Cal with a stock Savage plug years ago and it always went off even after being loaded for the whole season. I will be interested in seeing what 2015 yeilds in an ml.I tried it in my apex as a 45-70 cartridge powder and it really crudded up my barrel.I have since converted it to a ml.Looks like the 3031 is really shining for you.
|
|
|
Post by hillbill on Dec 19, 2016 19:52:56 GMT -5
have you tried H-322? I have but it's been a while but as best I remember it looked promising..
|
|