,308 Garand load

[Busterman]

I have a bunch of .308 loaded with IMR3031 (38.8 grains) for my M1A. IMR3031 is a powder listed as Garand safe in 30-06 using 150gr. FMJ bullets. Any opinion or experience using 3031 in a .308 Garand?

Information

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[AKA Hugh Uno]

should be fine, 3031 is "in the range" of "suitable" powders, albeit at the bottom end. I think what you will discover is that IMR3031 doesn't WORK that well with 150+ grain bullets (although it does shoot very well with 125 grain bullets in Garands).

[browningautorifle]

It's not a matter of "Garand safe", but a matter of it being listed in a reloading book and working well in your rifle. Cartridges of the world list loads for 7.62 match in the back under military loads. These will function your rifle with some degree of accuracy and reliability. Also they come from a reliable source. It doesn't mention using 3031, but does use 4895. I had an M1 in 308 and these worked as well as the 30'06 version.

[AKA Hugh Uno]

than the no-brainer first thing to try is probaly Varget. Very accurate in my rifle,

[John Kepler]

3031 will work in that the rifle won't detonate and a pill will come out the end of the barrel...it's one heck of a long one from an optimal powder in a .308, but it'll reliably go bang!

[slamfire1]

Of course a 308 Garand will shoot well with IMR 3031. With bullets equal to or heavier than 150 grs. Any claims to the contrary are fantasy.

IMR 3031 shot well with cheap Hornady FMJBT 150 grain bullets. 100 yard target below.

I purchased 3 lbs of estate sale IMR 3031 and shot the stuff up, most of it in high power matches. I shot HM scores with the stuff out to 300 yards in a bolt rifle, and in a match M1a. Given that a M1a barrel is 22 inches, your 24 inch barrel will give a higher velocity for the same powder charge.

A factory 308 M40-X I purchased, it came with a factory target showing that the rifle would shoot half MOA at 100 yards. If my memory is correct, the load was 168 SMK 37.5 grains IMR 3031.

I read that at one time Federal Gold Medal match used IMR 3031. What is used now, I don’t know.

IMR 3031 is the fastest I would go in a Garand or M1a. Still I would use it over slower powders. It is better to go fast than slow in one of these rifles; you do not want your bolt was overaccelerated.

With a 168 Match, I would start around 38.5 grains, and I suspect your best load will be around 39.5 grains IMR 3031.


M1a Super Match 1:10 Douglas Barrel


168 Nosler 40.0 grs IMR3031 wtd Lot FE23B LC90 CCI#34 OAL 2.780"
T = 52 ° F 2-Feb-08

Ave Vel = 2540
Std Dev = 42
ES = 101
High = 2585
Low = 2484
N = 5

[Calif-Steve]

I recall at least lot of NM ammo was loaded with 3031. As was 4064, both fine Garand powders. Most lots were 4895, by the way.

[jjroth]

are you using commercial or mil-spec (NATO) brass?

Are you loads reduced about 10% if using mil-spec? Most manuals have a warning about this.