New Powders

[Tabby]

I have been pretty set in my ways when reloading for many years now. I have been using the same powders for both rifle and pistol loading for almost as long as I remember. I have bottles and even some metal cans of powder on my shelf that I have used for various loads over the years. During the most recent times when primers and powders were not readily available I was able to continue to load and shoot when others couldn't simply because I had an adequate supply of the components on the shelf to tide me through the tough times. I am sometimes reluctant to try out anything new, simply because if it doesn't work, what do I do with the rest? Over the years there have been a few pounds of powder that got an oil bath then burned in the fire pit in the back yard. I recently acquired a Remington 700 in 243, and it shoots 100 gr good quality factory ammo sub moa. Going through reloading data I have found that the powders used to load the 243 are not those that I have on hand. I see that Winchester StaBall 6.5 is one of the powders listed for the 243, and is also compatible with virtually all the other cartridges I load from the 223 all the way to the 338 Win Mag.

Does anyone have any experience with Staball 6.5 and how has it performed for you?

 

[critterpicker]

I use Sta-ball 6.5 in my 243. Just started about 2 years ago. I've gotten higher velocities than I used to with less pressure signs . I also have single digit SD's and most important to me, I still have a load that will hold at about 3/4 inch 5 shot groups.

I'm also working on trying Sta-ball 6.5 in my 22-250 this week. Some of the powders that I've used for years are getting both scarce and expensive.

 

[Tabby]

I actually got a chance to try the Staball 6.5 in the 243 this weekend. I loaded up two 10 shot test cartridges using federal cases. One set was loaded with
Sierra 100 gr Game Kings, the second with 95 gr Nosler ballistic tips. I used Hornady load data and averaged the powder charge between the lowest and highest powder charge shown as the starting point. The first three shots from the Sierras was a ragged hole that measured 3/8 in diameter. 1 3/4 inches high and 3/4 inches right. I had a hunter safety instructors appreciation banquet to attend at Deer Valley in Barneveld so didn't get a chance to shoot the Nosler loads. More on that when I get a chance to get out to the range again.

 

[critterpicker]

I'm a big fan of green boxes. Did you check velocity? I'm guessing a SD less than 10 .

 

[Tabby]

all ten shots were 2925+ - with an extreme variation of 34 fps.

 

[critterpicker]

That's impressive.I prefer accuracy over velocity, but strive for consistency also.

 

[Tabby]

That's impressive.I prefer accuracy over velocity, but strive for consistency also.

Accuracy always trumps velocity. What good is blazing accuracy if you can't hit your target. Some seem to loose sight of this fact. Keep in mind that this was attained with a lot more room for additional powder and velocity. I only chase velocity until it affects accuracy.