3031 for an M1A?

Steve Smith · October 24, 2000, 11:56 AM

My dealer offered to help me find a military (ball type) equivalent to 4895. He called and said he had an 8lb keg of mil type (ball)3031. Will this stuff be ok for M1A use?

Cheapo · October 24, 2000, 01:41 PM

AFIK, yes indeedy. The Mil-equivalent range is said to be from IMR 3031 to IMR 4064, and I don't recall which of them is "slower" than 4895 and which is "faster" (3031?).

I've used both 3031 and 4064 in a .30-06 M1 and they both worked just great, with about 1.4 MOA with iron sights off of sandbags (and from prone with a tight sling), at ranges from 100 to 300 yards.

4064 in a buddy's M1A also worked fine. I would trust 3031 as well. IIRC, there have been mil-spec equivalent loads for 7.62mm ball, M118 Match and M852 Match ammos published with all three of these powders listed.

Paul B. · October 24, 2000, 02:27 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't IMR-3031,4895 and 4064 stick powders?
Paul B.

Peter M. Eick · October 24, 2000, 06:30 PM

I talked to seirra once about imr-3031 and M1A's and they specifically said do NOT use IMR-3031 with the M1A due to the stress on the op-rod.

Give them a call to see if they have changed their mind.

------------------
P229 Sport and 357 SIG, H&K P7PSP and 9MM, Dual Perfection!!

Steve Smith · October 24, 2000, 07:48 PM

Peter, will do...thanks! Paul B., re-read my post. Military type equivalents are ball type.

swampyMO · October 25, 2000, 07:52 AM

Guys,

4895 is "THE POWDER" in universal use for military .30-06 Garand ammo, and is in stick form, in either the military or commercial varieties. It also seems to be the "middle of the road" standard for 7.62 loads in M1-A's as well. Lot's of highpower competitors use it. I use it in my Service Grade M1 and love it.

WC-846 and WC-844 (commercial equiv. to BL-C2 & H335 respectively) are both ball powders which were in use by the military for 7.62 and 5.56.

I've used WC-846 (BL-C2) with excellent results in my M1-A and AR loads. Low flash and very good accuracy. Just recently started experimenting with it in my Garand. Accuracy potential is still up in the air, but I don't like the flash & blast with it in the '06. Really seems to have a lot more "boom" from the Garand.

I've never tried the WC-844 (H335) but several locals in my highpower group use it in 7.62 and seem to really like it as well.

There are many "usable" powders out there for the M1, M1-A, & AR, but the actual military use powders (as near as I can tell from all data I've seen) are as follows:

M1 Garand, .30-06, 4895 (stick)
M1-A (M14), 7.62, WC-846 (ball)
AR15 (M16), 5.56, WC-844 (ball)

Personal disclaimer: all data is subject to revision by any & all irrefutable information coming from more knowledgeable official or unofficial sources.... In other words, I just repeats whut I reads. ;-)

Best to all,
Swampy

Southla1 · October 25, 2000, 09:29 AM

Hey frontsight, try this address and maybe you will want to use the 4895 powder instead of the 3031 equivilant.

http://www.zcr.com/hitech

I have dealt with these people and they are great folks to deal with. Even with the hazmat fee their 4895 Mil surplus powder was right at 10 bucks a pound, and ordering by phone the delivery was lightning quick.

------------------
Carlyle Hebert

Steve Smith · October 25, 2000, 11:08 AM

All:
Thanks for all the info...please drop this topic and see my new one "4895 through a Dillon powder measure??"

October 24, 2000, 11:56 AM	#1
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	My dealer offered to help me find a military (ball type) equivalent to 4895. He called and said he had an 8lb keg of mil type (ball)3031. Will this stuff be ok for M1A use?

October 24, 2000, 01:41 PM	#2
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	AFIK, yes indeedy. The Mil-equivalent range is said to be from IMR 3031 to IMR 4064, and I don't recall which of them is "slower" than 4895 and which is "faster" (3031?). I've used both 3031 and 4064 in a .30-06 M1 and they both worked just great, with about 1.4 MOA with iron sights off of sandbags (and from prone with a tight sling), at ranges from 100 to 300 yards. 4064 in a buddy's M1A also worked fine. I would trust 3031 as well. IIRC, there have been mil-spec equivalent loads for 7.62mm ball, M118 Match and M852 Match ammos published with all three of these powders listed.

October 24, 2000, 02:27 PM	#3
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't IMR-3031,4895 and 4064 stick powders? Paul B.

October 24, 2000, 06:30 PM	#4
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I talked to seirra once about imr-3031 and M1A's and they specifically said do NOT use IMR-3031 with the M1A due to the stress on the op-rod. Give them a call to see if they have changed their mind. ------------------ P229 Sport and 357 SIG, H&K P7PSP and 9MM, Dual Perfection!!

October 24, 2000, 07:48 PM	#5
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Peter, will do...thanks! Paul B., re-read my post. Military type equivalents are ball type.

October 25, 2000, 07:52 AM	#6
swampyMO Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 1999 Location: Missouri Posts: 327	Guys, 4895 is "THE POWDER" in universal use for military .30-06 Garand ammo, and is in stick form, in either the military or commercial varieties. It also seems to be the "middle of the road" standard for 7.62 loads in M1-A's as well. Lot's of highpower competitors use it. I use it in my Service Grade M1 and love it. WC-846 and WC-844 (commercial equiv. to BL-C2 & H335 respectively) are both ball powders which were in use by the military for 7.62 and 5.56. I've used WC-846 (BL-C2) with excellent results in my M1-A and AR loads. Low flash and very good accuracy. Just recently started experimenting with it in my Garand. Accuracy potential is still up in the air, but I don't like the flash & blast with it in the '06. Really seems to have a lot more "boom" from the Garand. I've never tried the WC-844 (H335) but several locals in my highpower group use it in 7.62 and seem to really like it as well. There are many "usable" powders out there for the M1, M1-A, & AR, but the actual military use powders (as near as I can tell from all data I've seen) are as follows: M1 Garand, .30-06, 4895 (stick) M1-A (M14), 7.62, WC-846 (ball) AR15 (M16), 5.56, WC-844 (ball) Personal disclaimer: all data is subject to revision by any & all irrefutable information coming from more knowledgeable official or unofficial sources.... In other words, I just repeats whut I reads. ;-) Best to all, Swampy

October 25, 2000, 09:29 AM	#7
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	Hey frontsight, try this address and maybe you will want to use the 4895 powder instead of the 3031 equivilant. http://www.zcr.com/hitech I have dealt with these people and they are great folks to deal with. Even with the hazmat fee their 4895 Mil surplus powder was right at 10 bucks a pound, and ordering by phone the delivery was lightning quick. ------------------ Carlyle Hebert

October 25, 2000, 11:08 AM	#8
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	All: Thanks for all the info...please drop this topic and see my new one "4895 through a Dillon powder measure??"