45-70 /// varget vs imr-3031

[Squib]

I only own and load for two rifle calibers and prefer to keep powders around that work for both if at all possible.  I've been quite pleased with varget.  it's a solid LEVEL 2 performer with max loads and very low pressure for the performance it gives BUT I'm wanting more velocity now.  IMR 3031 is not only usable for .308 and 45-70 but it's relatively low pressure for the performance it brings too (in 45-70 anyways).  I'm wondering if the extra pressure is worth it for extended use in a handi-rifle.  recoil isn't really an issue, I have weighted the grip cap and inner stock with about 4lbs of birdshot and added a cheek-riser so my face doesn't get beat up anymore despite using "grown-man loads".  I'm more concerned with abuse to my handi-rifle barrel's underlugs and latch, and accuracy (accuracy can be tweaked with crimp and seating though, so that's a distant second).

I'll be using the hornady 350gr rn and later fp, probably some sierra (great with varget) and hornady 300gr hps.

I definitely want to use some hornady 500gr interlocks IF imr-3031 can do what varget does with heavy bullets and NOT bump the pressures way up.


any .308 win info is also welcome regarding 3031 vs varget, but my primary concern is 45-70 right now.  thanks for your input!

[MePlat]

I've loaded for the 45/70 now for years.  You will find that there are MANY powders that are very fine for 300 to 550 gr bullets for the caliber.  3031, Varget,  AA 2460,  H322,  both 4895's  H335,  both 4198's RL 7' AA2015.  In other words,  MANY.  Just pick a powder and go with it.  Varget can be used in the lower loads and the upper loads as well as 3031.
Both are good with 500 gr bullets as is SR4759 and AA5744 for reduced loads similar to BP velocities.
This is something that doesn't need much "grey matter" use on. Pick one and go with it.

[rickt300]

I found the 3031 powder to be pretty dirty in my various 45-70 rifles. However it gave good accuracy and velocities. I like H4198 as my best 45-70 powder, works well with light to heavy bullets and burns clean.

[flashhole]

I found 3031 to be dirty too in my Guide Gun and it is not as accurate as Varget or H-4895.  Reloader #7 works well for 500 grain bullets.  To coin the phrase - it punishes from both ends.

[Squib]

for 2000fps plus I have a few options and 4198 looks like the best, but that's a big jump pressure-wise relative to my varget loads.  there are lots of powders that can top varget but usually not by all that much and with much higher pressures (gun abuse) to do it.  imr 3031 looked like the least abusive powder I could use to bump my loads up 200-300fps without getting over 40,000psi to do it.  I'll probably get some 4198 eventually as it looks to not only be the best for all out (level 3) velocity but it's usable with level 2 loads also (just less powder, no adjustments in O.A.L. or crimp from what I've read). 

so 4198 doesn't leave "grit" in the barrel like varget?

[MePlat]

Varget doesn't leave "grit" in the barrel.  Maybe a few unburned grains but who cares?  Remember the Handi-rifle is chambered in the 500 S&W which runs alot higher than 40,000 psi.
Any of the powders I named can give you good results but they will switch from one gun to another.  NO ONE can tell you the perfect powder.  That is what is so good about the 45/70 MANY powders do real well.
Pick one and work up the load you want and don't worry about a hundred feet or so.  The animal will never know the difference.

[Squib]

I'm paranoid about wearing out the latch.  I don't plan on hot-rodding the ammo enough to blow the gun up.

I just loaded 57 grs of Varget and 57grs of IMR-3031 into starline cases with winchester large rifle primers, hornady interlock 350gr jrn seated to the upper/second crimp groove.  How anyone can get the extra three grains in there I do not know.  I can't say I feel comfortable compressing my charges anymore than that.

imr-3031 doesn't smell as good as varget  .  varget is like benzene and gasoline combined and toned down... imr-3031 is toned down more and has a touch of inner city smog 

I still have a few sierra #3800 300gr hp's with 60grs varget to use up (hopefully on a doe tomorrow) and then I'll move onto load comparison on the varget/3031 w/hornady 350 interlock loads. 

thanks guys, happy thanksgiving by the way.

[rickt300]

Sounds like a lot of power for a whitetail. My favorite deer load became a 300 gr. HP over 33.0 grs of IMR 4227. light recoil and hard on deer.