Loading some practice ammo

[Brian Dick]

I used to have excellent results with IMR 3031 too. Switched to WW748 ball powder in the early 1990's and it performs exceptionally well.

[Wineman]

I believe that the non canister powder that was the original loading was a IMR3031 equivalent. The trouble started when Ball powder (and lots of Calcium Carbonate additive) was changed for the original stick powder. The rifle seems so flexible today with regards to powder selection, it is hard to believe that there ever was an issue. Possibly the "don't have to clean" and lack of lubrication also contributed. The Marines in WW2 so wanted to hate the M1 Garand but after a few weeks in the pacific watching the Army guys it was an easy sell. The Black Rifle has its detractors but it has outlasted any other issued arm for the US military, is in use in many other military forces and has such a cottage industry of suppliers here at home, you can not deny its virtues.

Dave

[imarangemaster]

Range report for the 55 grn FMJBT with 21.5 grains of IMR 4198:
AWESOME! I took two 20 round mags of the reloads to try with my M4 while I was at work. I didn't have paper to shoot, but set up at about 50 yards in a gravel pit used by others for target practice. Targets were pin cones, cans, and pieces of orange clay pigeons. AT 50 yards off-hand, I was smacking pinecones and cans with almost monotonous regularity. I then supported my elbows on the hood of the patrol vehicle and was hitting pieces of clay pigeon at 50 yards. It seems to be dialed in about the same as the M193 Lake City I have been shooting as duty ammo.

Cycling was 100% reliable, even in rapid fire, rotating the weapon 360 degrees. With the H buffer and the increased mass of the M16 BCG, the recoil was very "balanced" for lack of a better term. Ther was no snap or whip, just a push. Ejection was at about 3 or 3:30, not at all severe. The muzzle blast from the 4198 was negligible, even with the Wilson Combat comp instead of flash hider. Primers on spent cases showed no signs of pressure, and the cases were relatively clean, indicating fairly clean burning of the powder. That is not surprising, considering that the AR15 was designed to be used with stick powder, much like the 4198. I really like this load, and am glad I have sevral pounds of 4198 already. It also meters well (+or- 0.1 grain) from my LEE auto-disk powder measure.

It just dawned on me: It was more like shooting a 20" AR-15 than a 16" Carbine!

[kosmolinekid]

Ditto on the Win 748 and the IMR 3031 ( awesome in a bolt gun ) I'm afraid to ask how is powder availability ? I did not even try to go to the last shows my friends said it was crazy. I have a ton of OFB , some 55 grn and 62 grn fmjs but no powder. Primers I need too should I freak out ?

[imarangemaster]

Hmmm, never thought of 3031 for 223. Use it on 30-30 and even 45-70. I have a little may, have to try it.

[imarangemaster]

Update: Fired 40 rounds from my20 1/12" twist SP1/Colt 602 clone (Complete Colt SP1 parts kit on a Nodak Spud 601 lower). Functioned flawlessly. Seemed to have same POI at 100n yards as M193, hitting clay pigeons while leaning on the top of the pick-up bed. Goos enough for practice. Great shooting little load!