Bearman375
Well-Known Member
Hello, I've got several jugs of AA-3100 I want to use for my custom 338 win mag. I've seen where it's surplus IMR-4831. Can anyone help me out here? I like 180 to 210 grain pills. Thanks for the time!
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AA-3100
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sable tireur
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The 3100 I've been shooting is going to be too slow for the .338 Win. Mag. even with 200 grain or heavier bullets. This is predicated on using the 3.340 chamber from the factory. Mine is a custom reamer with my dimensions for Badlands bullets.
I use Re-17 and VVN-150
Look at the Nosler reloading data for the .338 Win. Mag.
https://www.nosler.com/338-winchester-magnum
I'm not shilling for Nosler but these charts are simple to read for most folks.
Enjoy!
I use Re-17 and VVN-150
Look at the Nosler reloading data for the .338 Win. Mag.
https://www.nosler.com/338-winchester-magnum
I'm not shilling for Nosler but these charts are simple to read for most folks.
Enjoy!
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I was doing some research in QL when I read you post and decided to check out how AA3100 compares to IMR 4831. They are definitely not interchangeable. The max pressure load of AA3100 with a 185 grain GMX and 225 NP is 79.5 and 77.0 grains, respectively. Loading IMR 4831 at these same charge weights generates 82,208 and 81,343 psi, respectively.
Bearman375
Well-Known Member
Thanks, I pulled that up before…..but i talked to people before that used it a lot…..I'm looking for more hands on stuff as I lost my old data……thanks ag
I believe the 3100 burn rate has changed at least slightly over the years; maybe several times, depending on the manufacturer. I used some 3100 when I first noticed it's availability, well over thirty years ago as I recall. According to my old notes for .25-06 loads, it was just a slight bit faster than H4831, requiring about one grain less powder to achieve the same velocity with bullets in the 100 - 117 grain range. Similar results with 6mm Remington loads. I'm guessing the newer 3100 would be different.
I've used a fair amount of AA3100, old and newer, and I never found it to be the same as IMR 4831. Given that many powders' burning rates change even lot to lot, I would simply start 10-15% below and work up a load. I have many surplus and commercial powders that have no loading data for a particular cartridge, and if unknown, once I have a burn rate determined, I just experiment up a load for varied cartridges.
Bearman375
Well-Known Member
Thanks I plan to use it but I'll back off several grains and go from there, I think it'll be usable for me!
M1A1ABRAMS
Well-Known Member
Have you any experience with Hercules 2400 ? I would like to make a load for 222 Rem Mag ? And IMR 4198 is hard to come by. I have a few older loading books. But they don't list this powder. And I really wanted to try this powder. Even if it is old. It looks fine. Can is in excellent shape. I also have some Old Winchester 748, IMR 4350, IMR 4227, H380. I would say the H380 is the newest powder. My books list the other powders. I just don't have any info on the Hercules. Internet searching I see it was used for 22 Hornet, etc. Is it the same as Alliant ? I would like to try different loads. Shooting from a Rem model 722, 24 inch barrel.
has worked fine for me in several calibers/weights....experiment
As mentioned AA3100 NOT surplus. It's more in H4831 burn rate than IMR4831. That said it's still not interchangeable with H4831. Dig around and you should find load data. Or if you have a chronograph use that as you slowly work up your charge weight.
Separate note, I ve loaded H4831 in a 338 WM with 225 gr Hornady's for a friend. Performed well, great accuracy too. You will have a full case and some powder compression. AA4831 might be a similar situation.
Good Luck
Separate note, I ve loaded H4831 in a 338 WM with 225 gr Hornady's for a friend. Performed well, great accuracy too. You will have a full case and some powder compression. AA4831 might be a similar situation.
Good Luck
From an old but comprehensive GUN WORLD article from the the 1980s devoted to 3100 powder, Accurate's chief ballistics guy at the time, Marty Liggins, stated that the burn rate of 3100 was between IMR-4831 and H4831. Not a great revelation based on what's been mentioned in this thread thus far and the information may not hold true today. Looks like the big advantage to 3100 at the time was cost; it could be purchased at half the price of the 4831s.
