IMR3031 availability?

Mike38 · March 22, 2011, 08:53 PM

There is a gun show near me, held every three months. I always buy my reloading supplies from a guy that sells there. I’ve done so for 10+ years. Especially powder and primers. I would hate paying $25 for hazmat shipping on a $25 can of powder. Anyhow, at the last two gun shows he did not have any IMR3031 powder. He said that he had no idea why it was so hard to get. The only thing he could figure was that government ammo makers were buying it as soon as it was produced for war time ammo. I use 3031 for .223 loads, so maybe the government does also? Anyone know if the government uses this powder, and if that’s the reason it’s so hard to come by?

I'm now out of 3031, but there is a gun show in 4 days, wish me luck.

Scorch · March 22, 2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

The only thing he could figure was that government ammo makers were buying it as soon as it was produced for war time ammo.

Oooooh, a conspiracy!

Nope, sorry, no military ammo being loaded with IMR3031 AFAIK. I just saw some on the shelf today at Cabelas. It's not exactly a high-demand item. Have you tried ordering online?

totaldla · March 22, 2011, 10:41 PM

I have a feeling that you may need to move up to a new powder. 3031 has been surpassed by a number of powders, and I suspect that folks aren't using it much anymore.

m&p45acp10+1 · March 22, 2011, 10:49 PM

I would reccomend trying either Varget, Reloader 15, or H335 for .223 Rem. I have also had great success with Acurate Arms 2015 it works very well with my 68 grain BTHP match bullet loads. I have heard good things about BLC-2 as well.

FrankenMauser · March 23, 2011, 12:34 AM

3031 is a low demand powder. Even when it's available, it can be hard to find.

During the recent ammunition and component hoarding, it took me nearly 9 months to find IMR3031, H4198, and IMR4198. When I finally found them... it was a Mom & Pop shop in a small town. They had all three in stock.

(Though some of the lot numbers were 4+ years old.)

Roughedge · March 23, 2011, 06:55 PM

3031 is my goto powder for a lot of loads but when I do long range hunting shots I've gone to Varget . I try to order with a few friend so we can split the hazmat fee.

hk33ka1 · March 23, 2011, 09:28 PM

Varget was the hard to get powder around here a year and a half ago. Just about everything is usually in stock now, including all the IMR line.

warningshot · March 24, 2011, 03:48 AM

3031 almost always available at Kalifornia gun shows. 3031 is good in .308, ought six, and .223.

Mike38 · March 26, 2011, 12:28 PM

Went to the gun show this morning, they had 3031. So now I'm set for another year or so. I asked the guy about current or future shortages in any reloading components. He said none now and they don’t foresee any shortages in the future. I’m glad of that.

Slamfire · March 27, 2011, 06:57 PM

3031 is a good powder in the 308 and 30-06, dates back before WW2.

Just that it has long sticks and does not throw that well. Maybe that is why it is not as popular as the shorter cut powders.

March 22, 2011, 08:53 PM	#1
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	IMR3031 availability? There is a gun show near me, held every three months. I always buy my reloading supplies from a guy that sells there. I’ve done so for 10+ years. Especially powder and primers. I would hate paying $25 for hazmat shipping on a $25 can of powder. Anyhow, at the last two gun shows he did not have any IMR3031 powder. He said that he had no idea why it was so hard to get. The only thing he could figure was that government ammo makers were buying it as soon as it was produced for war time ammo. I use 3031 for .223 loads, so maybe the government does also? Anyone know if the government uses this powder, and if that’s the reason it’s so hard to come by? I'm now out of 3031, but there is a gun show in 4 days, wish me luck.

March 22, 2011, 10:41 PM	#3
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,295	I have a feeling that you may need to move up to a new powder. 3031 has been surpassed by a number of powders, and I suspect that folks aren't using it much anymore. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

March 22, 2011, 10:49 PM	#4
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I would reccomend trying either Varget, Reloader 15, or H335 for .223 Rem. I have also had great success with Acurate Arms 2015 it works very well with my 68 grain BTHP match bullet loads. I have heard good things about BLC-2 as well. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

March 23, 2011, 12:34 AM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	3031 is a low demand powder. Even when it's available, it can be hard to find. During the recent ammunition and component hoarding, it took me nearly 9 months to find IMR3031, H4198, and IMR4198. When I finally found them... it was a Mom & Pop shop in a small town. They had all three in stock. (Though some of the lot numbers were 4+ years old.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

March 23, 2011, 06:55 PM	#6
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	3031 is my goto powder for a lot of loads but when I do long range hunting shots I've gone to Varget . I try to order with a few friend so we can split the hazmat fee. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

March 23, 2011, 09:28 PM	#7
hk33ka1 Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2010 Posts: 275	Varget was the hard to get powder around here a year and a half ago. Just about everything is usually in stock now, including all the IMR line.

March 24, 2011, 03:48 AM	#8
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	I see plenty 3031 almost always available at Kalifornia gun shows. 3031 is good in .308, ought six, and .223.

March 26, 2011, 12:28 PM	#9
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	Went to the gun show this morning, they had 3031. So now I'm set for another year or so. I asked the guy about current or future shortages in any reloading components. He said none now and they don’t foresee any shortages in the future. I’m glad of that.

March 27, 2011, 06:57 PM	#10
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	3031 is a good powder in the 308 and 30-06, dates back before WW2. Just that it has long sticks and does not throw that well. Maybe that is why it is not as popular as the shorter cut powders. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.