I’m a big fan of RL-16 in 22, 6 and 6.5 CM but my Harrell’s is not a fan of RL-16. In the usual charge range I’m using its throwing +/- .5 gr. In some nodes that’s fine, but Sgt. Mike has gotten me looking into the StaBall powders. Couple questions….do they meter well and are you happy with the ES/SD you’re getting with them? The only ball powder I’ve used in a Harrell’s is H380 and it metered very consistently. I’m not generally concerned about max MV as much as consistency. I have an AutoTrickler V3 that tends to drag me down the rabbit hole of +/- .02 gr accuracy but man, I love how fast I can load up fifty or 100 rounds with the Harrell’s.
Staball and Harrell’s Precision Powder Measure
- Thread starter Animalaxe
- Start date
cropdamage
Well-known member
Can't comment on the Staball, but do like my Harrell's .
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
@Animalaxe
I don't have a Harrell's ,,, instead just a Old Pacific (the same as the Hornaday's LnL) and ole RCBS..
They meter great though those. Being a spherical ball powder helps with the metering.
Seen this Just loaded up 20 more of the Barnes 145gr Match Burners for the 6.5 CM ... I'll be sure to chrono those for you and I. Been meaning to do that to help start on a DOPE card for that load.
I don't have a Harrell's ,,, instead just a Old Pacific (the same as the Hornaday's LnL) and ole RCBS..
They meter great though those. Being a spherical ball powder helps with the metering.
Seen this Just loaded up 20 more of the Barnes 145gr Match Burners for the 6.5 CM ... I'll be sure to chrono those for you and I. Been meaning to do that to help start on a DOPE card for that load.
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
also forwarded a copy of this to OP via private message:
Ok the results with 6.5 Staball powder.
120gr Seirra SMK 44.7grs CBTO 2.239"
Avg vel 2885fps
High vel 2894 fps
Low Vel 2880 fps
Std Dev 5.6
ES 14
145gr Barnes Match Burners 42.2grs CBTO 2.266"
Avg Vel 2684 fps
High Vel 2698 fps
Low Vel 2672 fps
Std Dev 10.2
ES 26
What's not included is:
Winchester powder recommends StaBALL HD for the 6.5 PRC class of cartridges... In the 145gr Barnes there was abnormality with the sizing die. which I think would actually hold as good as the 120's SMK's .. just have to reshoot that one to see. (basically one set of dies pushed the datum 0.003" below SAAMI, so I had to create a false shoulder in the neck for about half of the shots, basically fireforming back to the correct datum line). But I did purposely want to shoot worse case on the 145grs in case the OP might not have as good a luck.
Just fyi in the 6mm Ackley yeahhhh it doesn't like 6.5 Staball, but 6.5 Staball Match yep
Ok the results with 6.5 Staball powder.
120gr Seirra SMK 44.7grs CBTO 2.239"
Avg vel 2885fps
High vel 2894 fps
Low Vel 2880 fps
Std Dev 5.6
ES 14
145gr Barnes Match Burners 42.2grs CBTO 2.266"
Avg Vel 2684 fps
High Vel 2698 fps
Low Vel 2672 fps
Std Dev 10.2
ES 26
What's not included is:
Winchester powder recommends StaBALL HD for the 6.5 PRC class of cartridges... In the 145gr Barnes there was abnormality with the sizing die. which I think would actually hold as good as the 120's SMK's .. just have to reshoot that one to see. (basically one set of dies pushed the datum 0.003" below SAAMI, so I had to create a false shoulder in the neck for about half of the shots, basically fireforming back to the correct datum line). But I did purposely want to shoot worse case on the 145grs in case the OP might not have as good a luck.
Just fyi in the 6mm Ackley yeahhhh it doesn't like 6.5 Staball, but 6.5 Staball Match yep
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