Local store has 8lbs 6.5 staball 8lbs for 300. H4350 hasn't been available locally for a while, and the prices are now like 350 to 400+ and then shipping etc. I have about enough H4350 to finish off the 6 creed barrel, but what about the next tube? The staball is cheaper and is almost always available. I will shoot hornady brass and federal 210 for the life of the next barrel as I already have a stash. I shoot 108 eld at prairie dogs and fun at steel as far as I can. Would you pony up for the H4350 or try the staball? I do load development in winter like 45 to 60 degrees and shoot in 90 to 100ish temps. Or wait till election and either win the game of life or regret not buying all that powder I don't yet need!
Staball 6.5 vs h4350
- Thread starter RabbitSlayer
- Start date
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
It seems like the Staball6.5 works for some guys and not for others. I’ve used it in the 30-06 and 22-250 with entirely satisfactory results in hunting rifles. Right now testing it in the ‘06 with 168 grain TTSX, getting right at 2900 fps.
H4350 had me struggling to reach 2800 fps, both powders giving around the same accuracy. Just as always, each rifle is peculiar to what it will like the best. You can’t hardly go wrong with H4350 but next year you may be glad you bought an 8 pounder of both
H4350 had me struggling to reach 2800 fps, both powders giving around the same accuracy. Just as always, each rifle is peculiar to what it will like the best. You can’t hardly go wrong with H4350 but next year you may be glad you bought an 8 pounder of both
I have both, but shoot the StaBall by choice. It's given me consistently better results and works well whether I'm shooting in 20° or 80°.
wedgy
Gold $$ Contributor
Staball seems dirty compared to H4350 in a 6.5x284 and 6.5 Sherman Max and seemed to go from no pressure to over pressure very fast, good speeds but I don't think I would run near the top end as it was unpredictable for me. I shoot in the hot 100+F summer and wouldn't use it for that.
ToddKS
Gold $$ Contributor
Specific to the Creedmoor, I would pay the extra and get H4350. I have used a lot of 6.5 Staball since it came out. It works great for practice ammo in my 6 GT. I did not have great luck with it in the Creedmoor. Others I know had similar experiences. Staball is also definitely more temp sensitive than H4350.
If you want to try the 6.5 Staball, I would start with a pound rather than an 8lb jug. Staball does meter very well. I have heard that it does not perform as well in some electronic dispensers (Auto Trickler, etc).
If you want to try the 6.5 Staball, I would start with a pound rather than an 8lb jug. Staball does meter very well. I have heard that it does not perform as well in some electronic dispensers (Auto Trickler, etc).
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Go get both is the first order of business.
You will find ways to burn off the one you like and even the one you don't.
StaBall 6.5 is good at some things, but is not the equal of an extruded like H4350.
StaBall 6.5 meters like water, but is not as temp stable as H4350. The comments above about being dirty are probably due to the additives which tend to leave dusty combustion products in the barrel. There is nothing wrong with StaBall6.5 and learning to use something that is cheaper, readily available, and can be thrown with with good results, may come in handy for practice and less serious ammo.
You will find ways to burn off the one you like and even the one you don't.
StaBall 6.5 is good at some things, but is not the equal of an extruded like H4350.
StaBall 6.5 meters like water, but is not as temp stable as H4350. The comments above about being dirty are probably due to the additives which tend to leave dusty combustion products in the barrel. There is nothing wrong with StaBall6.5 and learning to use something that is cheaper, readily available, and can be thrown with with good results, may come in handy for practice and less serious ammo.
I was shooting Reloder 16 primarily because we had that time
period that H-4350 was not to be found. Staball came on the
scene and snagged an 8 lb jug. Initial results were good in the
lower nodes, but could not get it to run with the R-16 at the
higher end. It is dirty, and one dislike was it's problem with
static. I'd dump a charge and them flattened balls would stick
to my drop chute and pan. A shooting buddy of mine likes the
stuff, so down the road it went.
period that H-4350 was not to be found. Staball came on the
scene and snagged an 8 lb jug. Initial results were good in the
lower nodes, but could not get it to run with the R-16 at the
higher end. It is dirty, and one dislike was it's problem with
static. I'd dump a charge and them flattened balls would stick
to my drop chute and pan. A shooting buddy of mine likes the
stuff, so down the road it went.
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