StaBall 6.5

[Craig R McMullen]

With Winchesters StaBall 6.5 powder being relatively new, have any of you guys worked with it? I was messing around on Hodgdons reloading site and saw that this particular powder was the only one that clicked over 3000fps with a 30-06 pushing a 165 grain bullet. That’s smokin! So, With that being said, what cartridges if any are you loading with this powder? And what kind of numbers are you getting? There isn’t a ton of info out there yet for this powder as far as the forums go.
I have a slew of calibers I load for including 30-06, 280 Ackley, 270 Win, 6.5 Creed, 6.5 PRC and 308 Win. I’m just wondering how this powder performs for you guys, and where I can apply it to my loading.


Craig

Edited to Winchester StaBall 6.5, not Hodgdon.

 

[bozo699]

Craig,
Winchester makes staball not Hodgdon
Wayne

 

[Craig R McMullen]

Craig,
Winchester makes staball not Hodgdon
Wayne

I did realize that. I was just on Hodgdons website. My fault.

 

[JB10]

My brother-in-law had good results with it in his 6mm creedmoor. No chronograph numbers but just good group size on target. I will add that no matter what powder he uses in that rifle its just a good shooter. Curtis action and bartlin barrel.

 

[Ironworker]

Love it in my 22/250 and 220 Swift . For me just ho-hum in my 6mm Creedmoor

 

[Retired Grunt]

I shot a pound of it, unfortunately I could never get the Crono to work right so I can't provide any data. I loaded up a 100 rounds of 6.5 CM for our first F Class match with Peterson virgin brass, CCI Large Rifle Primers and Berger 140 VLD's. Shot my second highest score. The only thing I don't like about it was when I started to clean the barrel, it looked like I was shooting Dupont 3F Black Powder.

Don't like the way it meters either, had a lot of Over Weights and had to dump and start over.

 

[sbhooper]

Craig,
Winchester makes staball not Hodgdon
Wayne

I think that they are the same company, now. Correct me if I am wrong. That is why it is on the Hodgdon site.

 

[Craig R McMullen]

I think that they are the same company, now. Correct me if I am wrong. That is why it is on the Hodgdon site.

They are owned or at least distributed by the same company.

 

[Steve Ladino]

With Winchesters StaBall 6.5 powder being relatively new, have any of you guys worked with it? I was messing around on Hodgdons reloading site and saw that this particular powder was the only one that clicked over 3000fps with a 30-06 pushing a 165 grain bullet. That’s smokin! So, With that being said, what cartridges if any are you loading with this powder? And what kind of numbers are you getting? There isn’t a ton of info out there yet for this powder as far as the forums go.
I have a slew of calibers I load for including 30-06, 280 Ackley, 270 Win, 6.5 Creed, 6.5 PRC and 308 Win. I’m just wondering how this powder performs for you guys, and where I can apply it to my loading.


Craig

Edited to Winchester StaBall 6.5, not Hodgdon.

I have seen it produce mediocre groups at 100 yds but do well at 800 yds. in the .224 Valkyrie with 90 grainers in a custom Bolt action. This particular shooter is not a group shooter but is more impressed with long range performance, the bottom line from him is positive.

 

[Murray Brook]

Done a small test with it in my 7mm/08 with the 145 gr Speer. Max load got me appx 3000 ft/sec from a 24" barrel with MOA accuracy. Seems to be a worthwhile powder in this cartridge.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id love to see a stable ball powder. Where does it fall on the burn rate chart?

 

[bozo699]

Id love to see a stable ball powder. Where does it fall on the burn rate chart?

Between Rl17 and Rl19
Wayne

 

[Craig R McMullen]

Id love to see a stable ball powder. Where does it fall on the burn rate chart?

Here is the newest burn rate chart. It’s slightly slower than the 4350’s and right on top of hybrid 100V on the chart. Now that I found this chart, I have better idea of where I can use this powder. It should work well in the 280 Ackley I just put together.
Hodgdon has this powder pushing 165’s from an 06 over 3000fps and 140’s with the 7mm-08 right at 3000fps as well. If this holds up and is a temperature insensitive ball powder as advertised, it should be pretty popular.

 

[thatguyshm]

I'm going to try it out tomorrow in my 30-06 and 6mm dasher. I'll post the results.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I bought 3 pounds of it and now its going to be sold at our local swap meet, the numbers/accuracy just never came around for me.

 

[Texas10]

Here is the newest burn rate chart. It’s slightly faster than the 4350’s and right on top of hybrid 100V. Now that I found this chart, I have better idea of where I can use this powder. It should work well in the 280 Ackley I just put together.
Hodgdon has this powder pushing 165’s from an 06 over 3000fps and 140’s with the 7mm-08 right at 3000fps as well. If this holds up and is a temperature insensitive ball powder as advertised, it should be pretty popular.

View attachment 1179622

Thanks for the new chart, Craig. I'll post it my loading room to update my old chart. I'm sure you meant Stabil is slower then the 4350's and 100V.

I have been leary of ball powders for large calibers due to reputed temperature sensitivity. Have you had an opportunity to see how Stabil performs at various temperatures? Are you chronographing loads at both cold and hot temps. I'd like to see how it performs under hot barrel conditions too.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[thatguyshm]

My dasher is broken so the information is what it is. I get pressure really early with both bolt lift and an ejector any time I get above 2850 fps. I put five over a chrono at 31.8gr Staball and got 2869 with an SD of 7.3. It wasn't bad on the target, nothing to brag about at about half an inch. I've always been frustrated with this rifle, savage with a 28" X-Caliber barrel. Bullets were 107 smks.

The 30-06 didn't get any chrono treatment as I was looking for accuracy in a hunting rifle. It's a Christensen Classic and is a phenomenal shooter. Only 3 shot groups, half grain apart with a 168 ballistic tip. Started at 54gr and went to 56. 55 and 55.5 were at /under half an inch, but what was shocking was my poi changed with the 55.5 group. Significantly. Started low left with a sighter to foul and check scope, then 3 shots. 54.5 is above it, 55 in the center, 55.5 upper right , 56 lower right.

I did try it with my 6.8 Creedmoor wildcat, I think I'll need a mag primer because I got a lot of soot on lower shots. Don't think the SB primer that worked great with RL15 has enough spark for low 40gr charges with a ball powder.

 

[Craig R McMullen]

Thanks for the new chart, Craig. I'll post it my loading room to update my old chart. I'm sure you meant Stabil is slower then the 4350's and 100V.

I have been leary of ball powders for large calibers due to reputed temperature sensitivity. Have you had an opportunity to see how Stabil performs at various temperatures? Are you chronographing loads at both cold and hot temps. I'd like to see how it performs under hot barrel conditions too.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

I did mean slower. My brain tends to go a lot faster than I can type, and I tend to get blinders on when I’m thinking too hard lol. It’s not a trait I’m thrilled about.

I haven’t bought any of this powder yet but I’m going to. According to Winchester it’s temperature insensitive. I’ll definitely do some testing just to see for myself. I will chrono loads and warm them up or cool them down according to the outdoor temps I’m shooting in to see what or if any changes occur.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

My dasher is broken so the information is what it is. I get pressure really early with both bolt lift and an ejector any time I get above 2850 fps. I put five over a chrono at 31.8gr Staball and got 2869 with an SD of 7.3. It wasn't bad on the target, nothing to brag about at about half an inch. I've always been frustrated with this rifle, savage with a 28" X-Caliber barrel. Bullets were 107 smks.

The 30-06 didn't get any chrono treatment as I was looking for accuracy in a hunting rifle. It's a Christensen Classic and is a phenomenal shooter. Only 3 shot groups, half grain apart with a 168 ballistic tip. Started at 54gr and went to 56. 55 and 55.5 were at /under half an inch, but what was shocking was my poi changed with the 55.5 group. Significantly. Started low left with a sighter to foul and check scope, then 3 shots. 54.5 is above it, 55 in the center, 55.5 upper right , 56 lower right. View attachment 1179777

I did try it with my 6.8 Creedmoor wildcat, I think I'll need a mag primer because I got a lot of soot on lower shots. Don't think the SB primer that worked great with RL15 has enough spark for low 40gr charges with a ball powder.

I was told years ago that ball powders perform way better with magnum primers so I always load that way. Not sure what others think on this but my Speer manual lists all data that way. Not sure if anybody noticed but Norma lists magnum primers all across the board with their powders, stick or ball,...weird?

 

[sbhooper]

I was told years ago that ball powders perform way better with magnum primers so I always load that way. Not sure what others think on this but my Speer manual lists all data that way. Not sure if anybody noticed but Norma lists magnum primers all across the board with their powders, stick or ball,...weird?

I did some loads with StaBall using both types of primers. Not enough difference to be concerned.