Anyone try StaBall 6.5 in a 308 Win?
- Thread starter Lightload
- Start date
Its too slow
Looking at Hodgdons data with the 7mm-08 and 175gr bullets says it might be worth a shot, but probably too slow. RL17 works great with 208gr Amaxs in the 308, so slower, high density powders can work, just the question of if it will...
What load are you using in your 260?
Get a copy of Hodgdon Reloading, Hodgdon 2020 Annual Manual from the book store magazine shelf. They start listing StaBall 6.5 in .308 starting with 155 grain and heavier. They start 168 grain Hornady HPBT at 54 grains with a max of 58.1 @ 58,900 PSI.
How are the velocities relative to other powders?
For the 168s, 2703 on the low end and 2903 on the high end. For 180 Sierra SPBT they show 52.6 at 2663 start and 57.2 at 2857 for max. Be advised, This is service rifle data. 24” barrel - so M1A. They don’t show StaBall for any bolt gun loads???
I’ve been looking all over locally trying to find a copy. I haven’t found one so far.
I’d like to see the 175 and any 200 grain data.
I’d like to see the 175 and any 200 grain data.
Aren't those 30-06 loads?
G
Good catch, had a page stuck together. Nothing for .308. My brain is neutral from social distancing and closed range.
Recently tried this powder in the 308Win from my 24” 9.0 twist Bartlein barrel using Lapua Palma brass. I am used to developing loads using powders for which there are no data. Used our 175 gr and150 gr Bulldozer 2 bullets (Badlands Precision). As you might expect, I got the best speeds with the 150 gr bullet. Using 54.3 gr, BR4 primers and a COL of 2.940”, got 2974 fps and shot 0.4 MOA at 165 yds. The load is highly compressed but showed no pressure signs an the speed was comparable to those seen from a 30 06 from the same barrel length with other powders. It packs quite easily and the SD was 7. From my 300 WSM with a 27” 1:9 twist Benchmark barrel, Norma brass and BR2 primers, and the 175 gr BD2 bullet I got a max speed of 3234 fps with no primer flattening or difficult bolt lift. The load ladder ranging in speed from 3180 to 3234 in 4 shots gave a 0.5 MOA group at 165 yds. Since the powder is supposedly temp stable, it is unique amongst ball powders, and at least in these two cases, performs well.
It’s slow but not too slow
NZ_Fclass
Silver $$ Contributor
Now you tell me! I have just spent an hour trying to get 54g of powder in a 308 case!
I am using the Lapua Palma case both fired neck sized and unfired. The powder comes up to the mid neck after pouring it in with a funnel from about 5 inches to get an initial packing then I put my finger over the mouth and tap the case lightly on the bench top to further pack the powder. Then put the case in the case holder and let bullet sit on top of the powder and gently tap the bullet with the lever of the press several times and then fully seat the bullet gently. I have done it over 10 times. If the internal cspacity of your brass is less then you may not be able to get 54 grs of StaBall in it. Just fill the case to the point thstvthe powder level is halfway up the neck and weigh the charge. Work up slowly to that level to see if you start to see pressure signs before then.
I'm really not trying to be sarcastic, just don't understand the internal ballistics, and would like an honest education. If Hodgdon publishes data for a 175gr bullet in 7mm-08, (not to mention weights all the way down to 120gr) I am at a loss as to why that very same powder is "too slow" for the same case and bullet weight albeit 0.62mm greater in diameter. I get the fact that it might not be optimal, but seems to me that there surely ought to be some decent loads for the 175+ bullets in 308. And if my feeble memory serves me correct, when this powder first came out they (Hodgdon) told me the same thing about 223, and this was after speaking with the Berger rep on some ideas for loading their heavies for a 223 AI. Now Hodgdon publishes data for this in a straight 223 case.
To publish loads, you have to do testing. Testing costs time and money. Companies prioritize their testing.
Whatever appeals to the most consumers gets tested first. 308 is not as popular as it was with so many people shooting 6.5s and 223.
It will likely work, but other powders likely work better. I love to piggyback off of someone else’s heavy lifting given limited time and components.
Whatever appeals to the most consumers gets tested first. 308 is not as popular as it was with so many people shooting 6.5s and 223.
It will likely work, but other powders likely work better. I love to piggyback off of someone else’s heavy lifting given limited time and components.
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