The first time I tried using 3031 it was in a 45-70 cartridge. I started with a light load and took the first three cartridges loaded out to try (about 2 weeks ago). First one went POP. Primer detonated but NOT the powder. I cleared the bore and tried again. POP. SAME RESULT! Only primer - no powder ignition. This is from a case about half full of 3031 (no filler). I pulled the last bullet and dumped the charge. I touched a match to it to test whether I had a bad can of powder (just bought new and sealed). The load burned just like I would expect it to. BUt I am not going to rely on a powder that wont ignite with a standard large rifle primer two out of two tries. I have used hundreds of other primers from this lot and not had a single misfire.
update - apparently a half case of 3031 is not the way to do it in 45-70. But 36 grains behind a 405 grain plain base cast lead bullet makes a nice white tail load, and 46 grains makes a moose killing 45-70 load
Beyond that I have had good results with 3031 in 7.62x39. In fact I just bought more 3031 today.
