Staball 6.5 as good as they say?

[Andouille]

I'm considering starting loading for my 6.5CM and based on this thread, would you recommend Staball or H4350? I would like to get either 130TMK going 28-- or 147 as high as I can. I really don't want to be dealing with a powder that's "spikey"

Try both 6.5 and H4350. The velocities are very close at the same pressure signs (case head expansion) for 143 ELDx, based on my extensive testing in my 6.5CM. Group size was small with both, amd I went with H4350 based on the smaller SD in the teens.

H4350 is a bit faster and may work better on the 130gr end, and SB6.5 better on the 147 end.

PM me if you want some Tikka specific data.

 

[Andouille]

Works well in my 300 WSM. Started with magnum primers, good velocity but meh accuracy. Switched to Fed large rifle and got great accuracy and single digit SD’s.

Same for my tikka WSM, single digit SDs with 6.5SB, Fed 210, and 175 LRX, plus great velocity. Group size was around 1.25", but i didnt play with seating depth.

 

[43.6N]

Went back to the range today after work.
Wanted to get a better feeling for Hornady book max with my 18” tikka 6.5cm.

Loaded: 10 each of:
-147gr eldm with 43.8gr SB65
-140gr eldm with 43.8gr SB65
-130gr eldm with 45.5gr SB65

NOTES:
-All grouped well compared to this guns average accuracy.
-All cycled easily without any signs of primer flattening
-recoil felt significantly less then expected, taken to be an indicator of mild pressure

10 shot average velocity as follows:
-147gr eldm with 43.8gr SB65: 2554fps
-140gr eldm with 43.8gr SB65: 2583fps
-130gr eldm with 45.5gr SB65: 2704fps

Historic velocity with H4350 for this gun:
147gr eldm with 41.5gr H4350: 2585fps
140gr eldm with 41.5gr H4350: 2630fps
130gr eldm with 43.0gr H4350: 2757fps

Picture of groups to follow…

 

[43.6N]

10 shot groups
1” grid and 1” circles for reference
100yds
55f

 

[Andouille]

Went back to the range today after work.
Wanted to get a better feeling for Hornady book max with my ...

Picture of groups to follow…

What brass, primer, and seating depth? Id like to compare to my 20" 6.5cm tikka data for 140 ELDM, and eventually 147s as well.

 

[43.6N]

What brass, primer, and seating depth? Id like to compare to my 20" 6.5cm tikka data for 140 ELDM, and eventually 147s as well.

This was Hornady once fired brass.
Winchester large rifle magnum primers (I have about 5k of them and would prefer to use them up before buying standard primers).
All bullets seated with Hornady seating die set at 2.8100” using the vld seating stem.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Staball 6.5 has been great for my 6.5cm and 30-06 Tikkas. Staball 6.5 w/130 gr TMKs is my go to.

 

[43.6N]

Got out to the range today after work.
6.5cm NRL powerfactor is the goal.
18” tikka barrel. OG65
Painless load dev.

43.0gr staball 6.5
147 eldm
Starline brass
Winchester large rifle magnum primers (bcause I have 5k of them)
2.81” coal.

Averaged 2520fps.
Spread of 20fps.
No pressure issues.
accuracy was at least as good if not better than this guns average with H4350.

For the cost per lb, and for how easy it was to work with, I think it’s worth stocking up on.

Here’s another range trip of data for you all to compare.

Sourced a 24” factory tikka barrel.
Same exact load as in my quoted post above.

43.0gr Staball 6.5
147gr eldm
Winchester magnum primers.
Seated 2.81” coal.

25 shot average vel: 2643fps.
Accuracy was exactly the same as the 18” barrel posted above. IE: Multiple shots stacked on top of each other, round group shape, roughly 1.0-1.25” extreme diameter spread aka 3 SD diameter. Group 2 SD diameter would be around 0.75”.

I don’t think there is going to be a way for me to run an 18” barrel fast enough with the 147’s to be consistently above my NRL powerfactor velocity. And for competitions I do not like running super high pressure reloads. So sourcing a longer barrel solves the velocity problem for me.

Staball 6.5 is consistent enough, cheap enough, and oh so easy to work with. I will plan on running it for the winter to assess how temp stable it proves to be. But likely will be shooting it for the 2026 NRL hunter season.

 

[TX_Diver]

I tried some a few weeks ago with that 16" barrel that wasn't shooting well.

I need to get back on it. I was here for .5gr off pressure:

2.770OAL 45gr Staball 6.5…around 2875 (Jump is .082)

If I can get 1.5" MOA with the Harrell's powder dropper I can make some concessions and be satisfied over trickling H4350 into the wee hours.

I might be on my last legs reloading...never get the time back.

Just throw H4350 on the harrells

T

Thread 'Harrells Culver vs Lee Perfect Powder - Super Scientific Comparison'

Jun 6, 2025

Trying to find something faster than my RCBS CM Lite to throw powder with. My RCBS Uniflow works fine for Staball 6.5 and Match, but I got close to +/- .5gr with H4350 (unfortunately I can't find my notes).

The 2 most popular powder throws for stick powders seem to be Harrells (@Carl Ross ) and the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. These powder measures are at complete opposite end of the quality spectrum. The Harrells is a piece of art and costs $240 and the Lee is extremely cheap feeling and cost $22. I didn't know the exact settings I needed to get 41 gr of H4350 (which is what I'd...

• TX_Diver
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Reloading

• 

 

[nm.otter]

I'll be loading StaBall 6.5 and Superformance for eval on a 20" T3x 6.5 CM in a few weeks. Need to shoot through the rest of the American Gunner on hand.

 

[Nine Banger]

Just throw H4350 on the harrells

I've tried and haven't found it to be consistent with stick powder.

It clogs every now and then too and you can get a light load and then a heavy load.

 

[bazzturd]

I like it. Just under 1/2" to 3/4" 5 shot groups using the following:
127gr Barnes LRX
Lapua SRP
Federal GM primer
43gr 6.5 Staball
0.040 off

This out of a Tikka T3x/24 " proof carbon and manner LRH. I think I could do better if I tweak it but for killing animals, this load is enough when the time comes and I get great accuracy on the range out to 500 with it. It meters really good in my Dillon 550

I am going to make a load of 140 ELD-M for target and for that I am going to run H4350. I think the slightly heavier bullets do better with the H4350.

 

[TX_Diver]

I've tried and haven't found it to be consistent with stick powder.

It clogs every now and then too and you can get a light load and then a heavy load.

Interesting. I haven’t loaded a ton on it but don’t have that issue.

I’m a few hundred rounds in on the Lee perfect powder measure with no complaints though

 

[Nine Banger]

When I'm trickling up with h4350 and the Harrels I started adding a "double tap" to the down stroke to clear anything stuck in the chute.

If I have to trickle longer than the other rounds I know it's clogged up.

I don't trust it for a straight drop into the case tho. Good way to blow a primer.

With ball powder I trust it.

 

[Nine Banger]

I'm finally circling back to Staball 6.5

The metering on the Harrels drop is great. ES is great. Accuracy is great.

Not sure why I would bother to continue trickling H4350.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I use it in my daughter's 7-08 with the 162 ELDX, and it's been excellent for MV and accuracy. With 46.5 grains we're getting 2628 out of a 18" Tikka and attached is her best 10 shot group at 100. My only complaint is that it tends to react very poorly to static. It sticks to plastic powder funnels as well as the inside of my Hornady powder dispenser. It can also stick to the inside of case necks. Somebody posted on here that you can rub equipment down with a dryer sheet to mitigate this issue and I plan to try it.

I've started load dev with it on my 25-284 shooting the 110 ELDX. Again, velocity is great, and accuracy has been acceptable. With 51 grains and a 22" barrel, I'm getting 3143 MV.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I use it in my daughter's 7-08 with the 162 ELDX, and it's been excellent for MV and accuracy. With 46.5 grains we're getting 2628 out of a 18" Tikka and attached is her best 10 shot group at 100. My only complaint is that it tends to react very poorly to static. It sticks to plastic powder funnels as well as the inside of my Hornady powder dispenser. It can also stick to the inside of case necks. Somebody posted on here that you can rub equipment down with a dryer sheet to mitigate this issue and I plan to try it.

I've started load dev with it on my 25-284 shooting the 110 ELDX. Again, velocity is great, and accuracy has been acceptable. With 51 grains and a 22" barrel, I'm getting 3143 MV.

I snagged a take off 25-06 tikka barrel that had one box of bullets shot through it. This was the first thing I was going to try. 110eldx and SB 6.5.

Also just put together 10 rounds to test of 162eldm for 7mm08 with 47gr of SB 6.5, hoping for mid to low 2700's and good accuracy. if it works out I may run that for awhile as I can get 162eldms locally

 

[EastHumboldt]

Just started playing with the Staball 6.5. So far I'm liking it. Pressure seems spikey when you find it though.

Edit: Just realized I already posted something ver similar earlier in the thread. Bottom line… it’s one of my go to powders.

I’ve gone through about ten pounds of it in 30-06, .243, 7-08 and I’ve found it to be decent for accuracy and velocity, but as mentioned pressure can seem really spikey. If I get pressure signs I back off a full grain or more.

I shoot at a 300 yard range and I’ve noticed that velocity deviations of up to 50 fps don’t seem to make a huge difference in trajectory. I suspect this would start creating problems past 500 yards, but I will not shoot at an animal past 400 so it doesn’t matter much for my purposes.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

My experience is that there is usually good velocity but its accuracy is hit and miss so don't build a project relying on being able to use it, if it works then awesome, if it doesn't well then it doesn't.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I snagged a take off 25-06 tikka barrel that had one box of bullets shot through it. This was the first thing I was going to try. 110eldx and SB 6.5.

Also just put together 10 rounds to test of 162eldm for 7mm08 with 47gr of SB 6.5, hoping for mid to low 2700's and good accuracy. if it works out I may run that for awhile as I can get 162eldms locally

I just happened upon that SB 6.5 load on the Hornady app while checking on 25-06 loads for the 110 ELDX. It has a couple grains more capacity in general than the -284, and book max for the -06 was 52.1 grains at 3200 MV. Starting -06 loads are good for the -284, and I hit pressure at 51.5 grains.