Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers IMR 3031 and 325FTX

My normal load for a 325gr FTX is 51.5 grains of H322, which is the top of the trapdoor loads and the starting level of the lever loads at 26,000 CUP. I am about out of that but have a large amount of IMR 3031.

There is no data for IMR 3031 and that bullet in the lever loads. In the trapdoor loads it shows 54.3 grains with 24,700 CUP

I figured on using 350 grain data at the bottom, at 56.5 grains. That pressure lists at 31,400 CUP for the 350 grain. Given the 2.040" case I'm sure it would be a bit higher with that bullet.

The rifles are a Marlin 1895 and a Rossi Rio Grande. I'd like to use the same load in both rifles if I can. Hornady lists a nominal 2050 FPS with its loaded ammo, I'm booking at 1950 FPS with the H322 load. I have no need to exceed that velocity as it will kill any deer I might shoot where I hunt with authority. I shot a medium doe facing at 35 yards between the neck and shoulder, that bullet destroyed her with a bang flop and ended up in her rear leg. It shattered every rib on one side, the entire lung and heart and ejected a bone fragment at the base of her sternum.


Thoughts?

The way Hornady loads it is about optimal. It has come apart when pushed beyond 2050 in plain old water jugs. I'd stick with your plan. On deer I can't see it letting you down.