IMR 3031 & 500 NE

[ftrovato]

I know I've seen this discussed several times.

I can't find load data for the 500 Nitro Express with IMR 3031.

I'm looking for a safe minimum powder charge for target shooting at 25 yards.

Not worried about regulation.

Looking for minimal recoil.

Thx
Frank.

 

[Rafiki]

3031 is a ball powder not particularly bulky, something you need to consider for reduced loads in large volume cases. You would be much better off with A5744 if you can find it.

You may even consider Blackhorn 209. It's actually a black powder substitute. The 500NE started life as a black powder cartridge after all. BH209 is smokeless, measured by weight not volume and made for large capacity cases. I've used it with my 500 Sharps 2 1/2".

 

[zephyr]

you will need a filler for 3031
Trailboss and 5744 both are bulky powders and will not need fillers

 

[MauserDuff]

3031 is a ball powder not particularly bulky,

Nope, extruded.

 

[frog stealer]

If 3031 is all you have, I’m not aware of any data. However, I would recommend H or IMR 4198 using nitro for black data for reduced loads. I’ve had great success using 4198 for reduced loads (that actually regulate) in my 577.

Woodleigh manual says 57 to 60 grains of H4198 for a 500, I would start there. Be sure to use a filler (I use backer rod foam) up to about a 1/4” of the case mouth.

 

[frog stealer]

Here is my best reduced load off sticks at 25 yards, this is with my 577, 4-shot group:

 

[Rare Breed]

I know I've seen this discussed several times.

I can't find load data for the 500 Nitro Express with IMR 3031.

I'm looking for a safe minimum powder charge for target shooting at 25 yards.

Not worried about regulation.

Looking for minimal recoil.

Thx
Frank.

I just ran QL for you to get the following. Please remember use this data at your own risk.

Caliber: 500 NE 3 inch
Bullet: 509 diameter 570 grain TSX Barnes
Case: 3.0 inches
Cartridge: 3.75 inches
Powder: IMR3031
PSI Max: 40,611
At 73.2 grains it yields 2,007 FPS and a PSI of 40,466
Surprisingly QL shows a 98.8% fill rate, so no filler needed which is a surprise given my experience. When I shot the caliber, I used RL15.5 and had to use a filler.

 

[ftrovato]

I did some nosing around and found what I was looking for.

Ken Owens, (US Master Gunsmith) has always been a proponent of IMR 3031 in big double rifles.
I gather it provides much less recoil with acceptable accuracy and velocity.

I found this load of his.

I'll run it over a chronograph and let you know what I learn next week.

 

[ftrovato]

I just ran QL for you to get the following. Please remember use this data at your own risk.

Caliber: 500 NE 3 inch
Bullet: 509 diameter 570 grain TSX Barnes
Case: 3.0 inches
Cartridge: 3.75 inches
Powder: IMR3031
PSI Max: 40,611
At 73.2 grains it yields 2,007 FPS and a PSI of 40,466
Surprisingly QL shows a 98.8% fill rate, so no filler needed which is a surprise given my experience. When I shot the caliber, I used RL15.5 and had to use a filler.

Thx

 

[MauserDuff]

Here is my best reduced load off sticks at 25 yards, this is with my 577, 4-shot group:
View attachment 739686

I love it. 79 grains of powder for a reduced load! (.375 is my biggest.)

 

[rookhawk]

I did some nosing around and found what I was looking for.

Ken Owens, (US Master Gunsmith) has always been a proponent of IMR 3031 in big double rifles.
I gather it provides much less recoil with acceptable accuracy and velocity.

I found this load of his.

I'll run it over a chronograph and let you know what I learn next week.

View attachment 739696

I'd start around 79 grains of 3031 and work up in half-grain increments. I would use a CCI magnum primer. IF you're close, do not go up in load, swap to a Federal 215 primer and it will pull the bullets together by about 3" at 50 paces. Use 1.5gr of dacron to hold the powder back.

 

[Rafiki]

Nope, extruded.

Ah, yes, quite right