What StaBall loads (any cartridge) are shooting well for you?

I only tried it a little but had to stop to hit the road on prairie dogs last year. Then I came back and started shooting matches and getting ready for elk, so I consider the work incomplete.

I didn't get lucky with the first try, and that is normal.

When all this quarantine is over, I'll get back to it.

For high volume varmint loads used in summer/winter changes, I hope it works out because I like to throw those rather than trickle. H335 and CFE223 are a good baseline for me, I'll see if this does better.

You have to go WAY over the book to get velocities near RL16.

What cartridges were you planning to play with?

I was playing with 204, and 223. I'll end up adding 6 BR to that list when I start back up.

Also, I assume you saw the other threads here and some of the other forums when this stuff came out. There was also a test or two by some of the YouTube vloggers.

It doesn't come close to as flat as say H4350, but then I didn't expect it to either.

I loaded up several different charges for my 260. I’ll report back how they group.

I'm Going to be working up some loads...After they open my range that is...Corona suspended testing for me..

I hope I get good results as I freaken hate trickling up and would rather just throw and go.

43.0 was a good weight with 139s. I loaded up to 43.3. That’s over max. No pressure signs were seen.

I just loaded up 2 each for a ladder at 300, maybe this week or next for range. 6.5cm, 24" 140 SMK. did 42.3/42.6/42.9/43.2/43.5/43.8/44.1/44.4. Pulled data from Hodgdon and 142 SMK.


I was going to try the 140 Berger Hybrids but wanted to lower cost. My old load was 140 Amax at 42.6 with H4350. After trying the ELDM's in a Tikka .223, which will shoot rocks, I wasn't pleased at all and didn't want to chance it. The SMK are for the most part easy to load.

I'm going to do the low node after I looked at it all

Initial test today with the Staball powder. 24" AI AT stock gun, Atlas front, bean bag rear.
WInchester Staball
1X Hornady brass, sized on standard RCBS die with expander ball(more on this)
Fed 210M
140 SMK
2.8 OAL

300 yards-Forgot Kestrel--72 F 30.03 pressure approx 90ft ASL

I'm leaning on the 43.5-44.1 on the high end and 42.6-43.2 on the low? My plan is to load and group test at 100?, picking one of the nodes, maybe tweaking the charge weights, thinking .2 increments and 3 total charges?

Requesting input.
One thing that will change, I loaded these being sized as stated. A 2 week delay in testing has me switching my sizing. Removing the stem, size as before full length and bumping .01-.015, best I can measure and using a .001 Mandrel that's arriving tomorrow. Hereafter, they will also be annealed after every firing.




Initial target, made adjustment as stated

I have ended my load development here.
6.5 Creedmore
140grain ELDM bullet
44.5 grains StaBall
Winchester LR primer.
Hornady brass
Full length sized using Redding dies.
.030 off the lands
2860 average velocity
SD 10
ES 28
.55 MOA

I assume 6.5 Creedmoor?

Yes...Sorry about leaving out that piece of data