Winchester StaBall 6.5 Powder

Has anyone use this powder: Winchester StaBALL 6.5 in a 6.5 CM with either a 140gr Berger VLD or 143 gr ELD-X bullet? I discovered this powder today ( it's new to me) and ordered a jug to experiment with.

This is the third thread on the subject....

PApa Black said:

Has anyone use this powder: Winchester StaBALL 6.5 in a 6.5 CM with either a 140gr Berger VLD or 143 gr ELD-X bullet? I discovered this powder today ( it's new to me) and ordered a jug to experiment with.

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I've got some data.

I did some load development and it takes +1 grain of StaBALL to produce the same velosities as H4350 with the 140 & 143 pills. This is a 200 yard target (3) shot in my friends 6.5CM Browning Hells Canyon. That's 1/2" squared. 22" barrel; 1:8T 143gr Hornady ELD-X

Ok cool. Just didn't see any traffic on this. I like this powder better as it meters better OBD I'm getting better case fill. My velocity is up too. Only time will tell if this will be at the expense of the rifle throat.

Starlite said:

Ok cool. Just didn't see any traffic on this. I like this powder better as it meters better OBD I'm getting better case fill. My velocity is up too. Only time will tell if this will be at the expense of the rifle throat.

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I agree! I like ball powders!

PApa Black said:

I did some load development and it takes +1 grain of StaBALL to produce the same velosities as H4350 with the 140 & 143 pills. This is a 200 yard target (3) shot in my friends 6.5CM Browning Hells Canyon. That's 1/2" squared. 22" barrel; 1:8T 143gr Hornady ELD-X

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Very nice! My X-bolt HC also loves this powder.

I said it on another thread. 6.5 Staball is my "go to" powder now for Noser 140gr RDF bullets. (I don't shoot "pills" so don't know how it would do with those) Just performs better in both my Savage 6.5CM's than anything I have used so far.

Sorry for the horrible writing. Curse of the medical profession.
if you can see the highlighted areas. 40.0 gr gave the best numbers and the best group of .420" 41.0 gr was next best numbers but 40.5gr had a better group. I didn't exclude any shot as a flyer.the 143 Once this Covid is out of my area and our club opens again I'll continue the testing as the COL was quite long with ~10thou jump.
In the 127 Barnes ladder testing that same day. CBTO 2.1285 and COL of 2.7200. Fire from my Sako finnlight (20"SS Barrel). 43.6-43.8gr (~2700FPS) is the sweet spot. I'll be testing that in the future too. For completeness here is some VV N-160/147ELDm. Not happy with the results but I'm sure the velocity and seating depth. MTF on that one too. THE 143 ELDX didn't group well during ladder testing but did have a good flat curve so that will need a 3 round .5gr testing done to fine a best spot to start playing with COL and fine tuning the power.