3031 in the M1

[musketjon]

Is 3031 Garand safe? If so, does any one have a safe receipe for it?
Thanks
Jon

[canes7]

I'm pretty sure there were guys using this in the M1 and M14 with light bullets.

[Punch The Clown]

I would stick with a ball powder, but that's me. I used to reload for my 03's way back in the day with 3031 and 168? boat tail spitzers. Mostly because I got a ton of the powder from a neighbor.

[30calflash]

There's some 3031 loads here:http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_detail.cfm?MetallicID=2713

And here:http://www.crossecreekrifleandpistolclub.com/Matches/VM_Pages/Information/ReloadingForTheM1Rifle_JohnRClarke.pdf

The second link was in the American Rifleman years ago. HTH, 30CF.

[musketjon]

Thank you 30CF.
Jon

[marks]

I've used 3031 with reasonable success with 150 gr bullets. Being a cautious type I load a bit light (44 gr) and get around 2500-2600 fps. The only drawback is the occasional short stroke but I can easily manually chamber another round. Since I'm shooting for pleasure and not competing who cares. Loading 46 to 48 grains would undoubtedly take care of the problem. I also shoot a .308 garand with 3031 and 150 grain bullets. Here 42 grains seems to do the trick.