6.5 Staball in .243

[onlybrowning]

Was checking out .243 win load data today, specifically for Barnes 85gr TSX, and came across something that I thought was surprising. The new Hodgdon manual lists Staball 6.5 at a significant higher velocity than everything else.

So, my question is, is it worth buying some 6.5 Staball when I’ve got H4350, H4831sc, and Varget on the shelf?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[camelcluch]

If it’s worth it is completely up to you. Do you have a load you’re happy with? Are you chasing something that can’t be done? Is the money worth the fun of tinkering and experimenting?

 

[Gobihawk]

I use H4350 with 87 grain Bergers in my .243. Cut pdogs in half at 400 yards. I'm not switching.

 

[Vicomb]

H4350 for me! 103gr eldx 41 gr all day long!

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I’m using stabal with the 80ttsx in 243 with reasonable accuracy. It tends to have more velocity but isn’t always the most accurate, you don’t know till you try but I’d start with what you got unless you’re itching to try something else.

 

[Dukhtr3]

I just went and looked at my reloading book and I am getting 3450fps 85 tsx h4350, 22" barrel. I haven't touched it since my kid started shooting a 6 arc and the 243 sits in the safe. I haven't messed with staball before with them so I don't have anything to compare it too.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[onlybrowning]

Thanks everyone. I’ve not loaded for .243 before, but I’ve got experience loading many other cartridges. I’ll stick with what I’ve got for now. If anyone has a load they’ve found to be consistent in a few rifles, I’m all ears. Thanks again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HighUintas]

I have used staball 6.5 in a 6.5cm with 147s and a 30-284 with 185s. It was very accurate and fast.

I have not tried it in my 243 yet. I have some and have thought about it, but it is a double base powder so it likely will burn the barrel out faster than the powder you have. That is why I haven't tried it yet. Otherwise, I would think it would work very well.

 

[MT-nuffgun]

I use Staball 6.5 with 87 vmax in my daughter’s rifle. 3200FPS. I believe I could push it faster but it shoots very well where it is at.

 

[onlybrowning]

I can’t recall another instance where I’ve seen an almost 300fps difference in the typically used powders and one other. 3404fps listed for Staball 6.5 and 3141fps listed for H4350.

The difference in velocity is moot for my intended usage, but I thought it was interesting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mw01313]

have used staball 6.5 in a 6.5cm with 147s

I am planning to try this combo in a CM. What charge weight gave you the best combination of accuracy and velocity?

I tried staball in a .243 under a 95gr NBT. I had a load that was accurate but slower than I wanted with another powder. Staball definitely increased velocity, but accuracy wasn't there. Threw it out and went back with the slower load.

 

[HighUintas]

I am planning to try this combo in a CM. What charge weight gave you the best combination of accuracy and velocity?

I tried staball in a .243 under a 95gr NBT. I had a load that was accurate but slower than I wanted with another powder. Staball definitely increased velocity, but accuracy wasn't there. Threw it out and went back with the slower load.

Accuracy was awesome even when overpressure. So I'd just go up in charge until you hit pressure signs and then back off a grain.

Here's where I was at. I can't remember if I ever messed with the 147 again after reducing charge to 43.5 in one of my last posts here. It's a great combo. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/cratering-7-1-2-primers.353605/

 

[Mw01313]

Here's where I was at. I can't remember if I ever messed with the 147 again after reducing charge to 43.5 in one of my last posts here. It's a great combo. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/cratering-7-1-2-primers.353605/

Thank you!

 

[Poncho83]

I have tried 6.5 Staball in my 6 Creed shooting the 80ELD-VT and I have tried it in my 22 Creed shooting the 62 ELD-VT. Both bolt guns with 22" 8t barrels. What I can say is it is extremely dirty, probably the dirtiest powder I have used.
I put around 200 rounds through both guns trying to make the above combination work with no positive results. Staball would give me very good ES and SD numbers, but the groups never got better than 1.5" at 100 yards. In the end I switched to Varget and with minimal effort I am shooting less than 1" groups and SD numbers less than 10. Velocity is also very acceptable. I'm around 3800 in the 22 and 3650 in the 6mm.