257 Ackley improved and 6.5 staball powder

[Sandhills]

Does anyone use 6.5 staball in their 257 Roberts or 257 Ackley improved? I picked some up yesterday, a long with some Winchester large rifle magnum primers ( the only thing they had on the shelf). I'm pretty new to metallic loading, I've only loaded for my 44-40 colt, 50 or so bullets for a cousin's 32-20, and a box or so for a buddy's 30-40 krag Springfield.

The Ackley rig I have is built on a 1937 Winchester model 70 action with an Apex 1:12 twist barrel. Not an ideal twist rate but based on what I've seen on a ballistic calculator I can get away with the 80 grain Barnes, 100 grain speers and Nosler, I think 100 grain Hornady, and surprisingly enough the 117 grain flat nose interlock. The rifle will eventually be used by my kids ( 2 and 3 weeks old so they got a couple years) and my wife. I'll probably get to shoot it some myself.

 

[jfk69]

I picked up a pound to experiment with in my .257AI, but I have not tried it yet. I’m giving Ramshot Magnum a try first, then Staball 6.5 if the Magnum doesn’t work out. The only thing I can tell you from researching it is that it seems to do better across all calibers at close to max, but it is also sensitive from the standpoint that it goes from max load to “hot” somewhat easily. Seems a little persnickety. Some also claim it’s a dirty powder. I’m trying these powders, along with Ramshot Hunter if the first two don’t work, using 115 Bergers, 120 Speer BTSP and Sierra 110 TGK’s.

 

[Sandhills]

I picked up a pound to experiment with in my .257AI, but I have not tried it yet. I’m giving Ramshot Magnum a try first, then Staball 6.5 if the Magnum doesn’t work out. The only thing I can tell you from researching it is that it seems to do better across all calibers at close to max, but it is also sensitive from the standpoint that it goes from max load to “hot” somewhat easily. Seems a little persnickety. Some also claim it’s a dirty powder. I’m trying these powders, along with Ramshot Hunter if the first two don’t work, using 115 Bergers, 120 Speer BTSP and Sierra 110 TGK’s.

Unfortunately with my twist rate I can't shoot long bullets.

 

[sierracharlie338]

As a student of the Roberts and owner of a 257AI myself I can tell you with that old of an action make sure you are looking at load data and not getting +P load data because some of the older actions might not be able to handle the +p stuff

No help on staball or the lighter stuff. I’m shooting 134s out of mine.

 

[jfk69]

As a student of the Roberts and owner of a 257AI myself I can tell you with that old of an action make sure you are looking at load data and not getting +P load data because some of the older actions might not be able to handle the +p stuff

No help on staball or the lighter stuff. I’m shooting 134s out of mine.

His M70 action should have no issue with +P .257 AI loads. Mine is built on a 1910 Mexican small ring M98 and handles them quite nicely.

 

[Sandhills]

As a student of the Roberts and owner of a 257AI myself I can tell you with that old of an action make sure you are looking at load data and not getting +P load data because some of the older actions might not be able to handle the +p stuff

No help on staball or the lighter stuff. I’m shooting 134s out of mine.

Aren't model 70 actions fairly stout?

 

[jfk69]

Aren't model 70 actions fairly stout?

Yes. You’ll be fine.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Aren't model 70 actions fairly stout?

I’m not positive on older models since yours was produced in the 30s and just wanted to make sure you were aware of the difference between initial loadings and newer +p loads. Your could be fine

 

[Sandhills]

I’m not positive on older models since yours was produced in the 30s and just wanted to make sure you were aware of the difference between initial loadings and newer +p loads. Your could be fine

I figured if they could hold up to 270 pressure I should be fine