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Posted: 10/31/2019 8:38:16 PM EDT
Who’s tried Win StaBALL 6.5 powder???
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Posted: 10/31/2019 9:25:01 PM EDT
[#1]
Today was the first I saw it.
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Posted: 11/1/2019 9:25:43 AM EDT
[#2]
I have some coming in soon to test out. I spoke with Chris Hodgdon about it last week and he said he is pretty excited by it and that it is as temp stable as H4350 so with ball powder metering and that temp stability it is looking to be a great powder for the Creedmoor and like cartridges.
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USA
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Posted: 11/2/2019 12:46:16 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rob01:
I have some coming in soon to test out. I spoke with Chris Hodgdon about it last week and he said he is pretty excited by it and that it is as temp stable as H4350 so with ball powder metering and that temp stability it is looking to be a great powder for the Creedmoor and like cartridges. - ball-powder metering? Sounds like a winner! |
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Posted: 11/2/2019 8:41:15 AM EDT
[#4]
Yup if all holds true it will be. Supposed to give a little more velocity too. We will see.
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Posted: 11/2/2019 8:45:54 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21: Temp stable like Hodgdon’s Extreme powder line, and - ball-powder metering? Sounds like a winner! About the only fault I can find with 4350, and varget for that matter, is how they meter. Otherwise they're perfect in my book. |
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Posted: 11/2/2019 9:03:28 AM EDT
[#6]
They have load data for numerous cartridges as well. This is a big one to watch.
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USA
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Posted: 11/5/2019 5:47:53 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Dominion21]
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By drfroglegs:
That would be epic if true. About the only fault I can find with 4350, and varget for that matter, is how they meter. Otherwise they're perfect in my book. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By drfroglegs:
Originally Posted By Dominion21: Temp stable like Hodgdon’s Extreme powder line, and - ball-powder metering? Sounds like a winner! About the only fault I can find with 4350, and varget for that matter, is how they meter. Otherwise they're perfect in my book.  Winchester StaBALL 6.5 - Temperature sensitivity test |
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Posted: 11/5/2019 8:32:15 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21: Impressive first test results (and extremely impressive for a ball powder):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcy8zqclIns |
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Posted: 11/5/2019 9:58:08 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AR-180: Nice test. I wonder if the velocity differences are linear across temperature changes for each powder. |
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Posted: 11/5/2019 2:04:18 PM EDT
[#10]
I’m down with Ball powder. I’ll try it in my pioneering “progressive loads for precision rifle” program I’m starting for next year.
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IN, USA
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Posted: 11/5/2019 9:03:26 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Ghostface]
[#11]
I actually ordered a Dillon PM to use this powder in my 550, I can finally use my 550 as a progressive. I should have the powder by the end of the week. If this works, it will be a game changer for sure! A temp stable ball powder that meters great? Game changer. I will be looking forward for a powder like this for 5.56/7.62 class bullets.
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WI, USA
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Posted: 11/6/2019 2:19:19 PM EDT
[#12]
So, in my limited experience with staball, I noticed that I get less velocity with staball when compared to a comparable charge weight of RL16 in my dasher. With that said, I can cram in almost 5 more grains of powder with staball so the overall velocity increase is pretty substantial. This observation was strictly based on a simple ladder test, no real testing has been done yet.
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USA
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Posted: 11/7/2019 11:45:16 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By PFC_Kramer:
So, in my limited experience with staball, I noticed that I get less velocity with staball when compared to a comparable charge weight of RL16 in my dasher. With that said, I can cram in almost 5 more grains of powder with staball so the overall velocity increase is pretty substantial. This observation was strictly based on a simple ladder test, no real testing has been done yet. Using the ol' standby H4350 in my 6.5x47L, but would love to be able to load it on my XL650. |
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Posted: 11/8/2019 12:52:56 AM EDT
[#14]
Looks like a great powder, definitely will be picking up some to try.
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Posted: 11/19/2019 9:35:45 AM EDT
[#15]
Damnit man they figured out how to get me to burn more 6.5 Creedmoor ammo!!!
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USA
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Posted: 11/22/2019 1:11:10 PM EDT
[#16]
Primers: any guesses as to what might give the lowest SD and still reliably set off this new ball powder?
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Posted: 11/22/2019 2:05:46 PM EDT
[#17]
Fed 210/210M work well.
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USA
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Posted: 11/22/2019 2:38:32 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rob01:
Fed 210/210M work well. I am a fan of Federal primers. Never any issue with light strikes when using Federals. |
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Posted: 1/15/2020 2:31:38 PM EDT
[#19]
When is scheduled for widespread release (my LGS didn’t have any), and,
- has anyone else tested some out? Thx |
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Posted: 1/15/2020 4:23:26 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21:
When is scheduled for widespread release (my LGS didn’t have any), and, - has anyone else tested some out? Thx |
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Posted: 1/16/2020 2:02:32 PM EDT
[#21]
Tis not flying off the shelves by any means! Initial hunger has faded and it sits on shelves!
Reloaders stil looking for H4350 RL 26 RL 16 etc. |
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Posted: 1/19/2020 11:10:09 PM EDT
[#22]
Well, I’ve picked up a pound to experiment with in 6.5CM.
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USA
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Posted: 1/25/2020 12:45:49 AM EDT
[#23]
I wonder if I can pick up a touch more velocity in my .260 over H4350 with Sierra 142s, my gun shoots 140s but never got there with 142s.
My light gun for hunting never got along with accubonds with a handful of other powders. |
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USA
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Posted: 1/25/2020 12:47:03 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21:
Impressive first test results (and extremely impressive for a ball powder): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcy8zqclInsQuote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21:
Originally Posted By drfroglegs:
Originally Posted By Dominion21: Temp stable like Hodgdon’s Extreme powder line, and - ball-powder metering? Sounds like a winner! About the only fault I can find with 4350, and varget for that matter, is how they meter. Otherwise they're perfect in my book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcy8zqclIns |
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Posted: 1/25/2020 1:58:49 AM EDT
[#25]
I'm going to pick up some 108gr ELD's next week and try some Staball in my 6mm Creedmoor. I'll need a few dry days to dry out my range tho.
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Posted: 1/30/2020 2:42:42 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HAGDADDY:
I'm going to pick up some 108gr ELD's next week and try some Staball in my 6mm Creedmoor. I'll need a few dry days to dry out my range tho. |
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Posted: 1/31/2020 10:08:21 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21:
6 Creedmoor is the exact cartridge I’m looking at as far as Staball. Please let me know if it works out. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21:
Originally Posted By HAGDADDY:
I'm going to pick up some 108gr ELD's next week and try some Staball in my 6mm Creedmoor. I'll need a few dry days to dry out my range tho. |
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Posted: 2/2/2020 3:18:13 PM EDT
[#28]
Hit the range and tried the Staball powder in my 6mm Creedmoor. Accuracy was around 1 inch groups across the spread. 5 shot groups at 100 yards. No pressure problems up to the published max of 43.0 grains.
Rifle is a 22in Howa sporter weight. Seems to shoot about 1 inch groups with every reload I've tried and all factory ammo too with two exceptions. 1. Hornady 103 Precision Hunter shoots like crap with 2 or 3 inch groups. 2. Hornady 108 Match consistently shoots HALF MOA. I shot a 5 shot 3/4 in group at 200 yards today with that load. I've tried RL16, H4350, StaBall, and Hybrid 100V. I've tried several nosler, berger, and hornady bullets. Nothing shoots as goot as the Hornady Match factory load. Anyway, the StaBall seems as good as other powders and your rifle may like it. I think I'll sell all my brass and stick with the factory load. |
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Posted: 2/2/2020 4:01:06 PM EDT
[#29]
I would keep going up if no pressure signs. People are reporting going well above any published max and getting good velocity and accuracy. Narrow nodes though so watch for that.
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Posted: 2/13/2020 11:52:28 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HAGDADDY:
Hit the range and tried the Staball powder in my 6mm Creedmoor. Accuracy was around 1 inch groups across the spread. 5 shot groups at 100 yards. No pressure problems up to the published max of 43.0 grains. Rifle is a 22in Howa sporter weight. Seems to shoot about 1 inch groups with every reload I've tried and all factory ammo too with two exceptions. 1. Hornady 103 Precision Hunter shoots like crap with 2 or 3 inch groups. 2. Hornady 108 Match consistently shoots HALF MOA. I shot a 5 shot 3/4 in group at 200 yards today with that load. I've tried RL16, H4350, StaBall, and Hybrid 100V. I've tried several nosler, berger, and hornady bullets. Nothing shoots as goot as the Hornady Match factory load. Anyway, the StaBall seems as good as other powders and your rifle may like it. I think I'll sell all my brass and stick with the factory load. 
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Posted: 12/29/2020 1:14:25 PM EDT
[#31]
Bump.
Anyone using this for 6.5CM? |
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Posted: 12/29/2020 3:33:15 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Techsan02: Bump. Anyone using this for 6.5CM? I worked up loads for 140 ELD-M and 130 Gamechangers with RE-16 and Sta-Ball 6.5. The charges for the Sta-Ball were much higher then RE-16 to get similar velocities. I ended up using RE-16 for the 140 ELD-M, 42.4 gr, 2850 fps. For the 130 Gamechangers 44.8 gr of Sta-Ball, 2910 fps. It throws very nicely, but it is dirty. |
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Posted: 12/30/2020 11:13:19 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ironmaker: I worked up loads for 140 ELD-M and 130 Gamechangers with RE-16 and Sta-Ball 6.5. The charges for the Sta-Ball were much higher then RE-16 to get similar velocities. I ended up using RE-16 for the 140 ELD-M, 42.4 gr, 2850 fps. For the 130 Gamechangers 44.8 gr of Sta-Ball, 2910 fps. It throws very nicely, but it is dirty. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ironmaker: Originally Posted By Techsan02: Bump. Anyone using this for 6.5CM? I worked up loads for 140 ELD-M and 130 Gamechangers with RE-16 and Sta-Ball 6.5. The charges for the Sta-Ball were much higher then RE-16 to get similar velocities. I ended up using RE-16 for the 140 ELD-M, 42.4 gr, 2850 fps. For the 130 Gamechangers 44.8 gr of Sta-Ball, 2910 fps. It throws very nicely, but it is dirty. Interesting that you landed on 44.8gr of StaBall for the 130gr projectile. I've only done an initial velocity ladder in my 22" 6.5C AR-10 w/ Berger 130gr AR Hybrids, but I'm waiting for range time to put 20rds at 44.6gr and 45.6gr downrange to get a larger velocity string and five 4 shot groups to see how this powder really performs. |
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Posted: 12/30/2020 2:12:34 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By towerofpower94: Interesting that you landed on 44.8gr of StaBall for the 130gr projectile. I've only done an initial velocity ladder in my 22" 6.5C AR-10 w/ Berger 130gr AR Hybrids, but I'm waiting for range time to put 20rds at 44.6gr and 45.6gr downrange to get a larger velocity string and five 4 shot groups to see how this powder really performs. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By towerofpower94: Originally Posted By Ironmaker: Originally Posted By Techsan02: Bump. Anyone using this for 6.5CM? I worked up loads for 140 ELD-M and 130 Gamechangers with RE-16 and Sta-Ball 6.5. The charges for the Sta-Ball were much higher then RE-16 to get similar velocities. I ended up using RE-16 for the 140 ELD-M, 42.4 gr, 2850 fps. For the 130 Gamechangers 44.8 gr of Sta-Ball, 2910 fps. It throws very nicely, but it is dirty. Interesting that you landed on 44.8gr of StaBall for the 130gr projectile. I've only done an initial velocity ladder in my 22" 6.5C AR-10 w/ Berger 130gr AR Hybrids, but I'm waiting for range time to put 20rds at 44.6gr and 45.6gr downrange to get a larger velocity string and five 4 shot groups to see how this powder really performs. Must be some similar nodes, 44.8 and 45.2 were my final candidate loads, decided on 44.8 because it was fast enough. |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 8:42:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: towerofpower94]
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ironmaker: Must be some similar nodes, 44.8 and 45.2 were my final candidate loads, decided on 44.8 because it was fast enough. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ironmaker: Originally Posted By towerofpower94: Originally Posted By Ironmaker: Originally Posted By Techsan02: Bump. Anyone using this for 6.5CM? I worked up loads for 140 ELD-M and 130 Gamechangers with RE-16 and Sta-Ball 6.5. The charges for the Sta-Ball were much higher then RE-16 to get similar velocities. I ended up using RE-16 for the 140 ELD-M, 42.4 gr, 2850 fps. For the 130 Gamechangers 44.8 gr of Sta-Ball, 2910 fps. It throws very nicely, but it is dirty. Interesting that you landed on 44.8gr of StaBall for the 130gr projectile. I've only done an initial velocity ladder in my 22" 6.5C AR-10 w/ Berger 130gr AR Hybrids, but I'm waiting for range time to put 20rds at 44.6gr and 45.6gr downrange to get a larger velocity string and five 4 shot groups to see how this powder really performs. Must be some similar nodes, 44.8 and 45.2 were my final candidate loads, decided on 44.8 because it was fast enough. Haha, awesome. Hoping to shoot the 20 of each next week. Will report back with velocity and accuracy findings to close the loop. ETA: here’s the single round velocity ladder for the sake of data 22” 6.5C AR-10 suppressed w/ SDN-6 130gr Berger AR Hybrid Rem 7.5 SR primer Virgin Starline brass StaBall 6.5 OAL 2.750” 43.2 2685 43.4 2756 43.6 2741 43.8 2770 44.0 2834 44.2 2824 44.4 2808 44.6 2802 44.8 2797 45.0 2847 45.2 2863 45.4 2854 45.6 2872 45.8 2859 46.0 2895 |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 9:34:48 PM EDT
[#36]
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Posted: 1/1/2021 1:02:38 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ironmaker: 2889 2895 2894 2887 2882 Avg 2889 Std Dev 5.2 300 yardshttps://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/57471/78392AA2-B0EE-418A-A958-01C6DB71D8BD_png-1757618.JPG Just to confirm, that’s your load of 44.8gr of StaBall under a 130gr bullet, yes? Hoping I can achieve similar results over the next couple range trips. |
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Posted: 1/1/2021 4:50:00 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By towerofpower94: Just to confirm, that’s your load of 44.8gr of StaBall under a 130gr bullet, yes? Hoping I can achieve similar results over the next couple range trips. Yes, Hornady brass, Fed Match primers. |
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Posted: 1/5/2021 3:40:46 PM EDT
[#39]
Finally was able to get out and put the 20rd groups past the LabRadar and on to a target.
Both loads easily held 1.5-2” groups of 5-9 shots per group. Wasn’t super focused on accuracy as I was messing with getting the scope roughly zeroed, setting up the adjustable gas block, and ensuring I got a large enough dataset to see if there was anything to StaBall and this newly assembled rifle. For instance, I shot five single shots of each to look for LRBHO and pressure signs before loading the mag with the remaining 15 and putting random groups on the target. I’m scratching my head with regards to some of the outliers in the below, but I presume the virgin, albeit full length resized, brass is playing a part along with having to figure out my pace of running the XL650 so as to ensure it’s dropping as close to exact as possible with StaBall and the 6.5C case. Shot 20rds, but had one failure to capture on the LR for each group, oddly. 04JAN2021 22” 6.5C AR-10 suppressed w/ SDN-6 130gr Berger AR Hybrid Rem 7.5 SR primer Virgin Starline brass FLR’d StaBall 6.5 OAL 2.750” 44.6gr 19rd group Lo: 2735 Hi: 2815 Avg: 2774 ES: 80 SD: 19.2 2753 2763 2786 2781 2769 2778 2802 2815 2784 2785 2777 2783 2781 2751 2735 2750 2762 2763 2781 Throw out 2815 ES: 67 SD: 16.2 45.6gr 19rd group Lo: 2807 Hi: 2871 Avg: 2841 ES: 63 SD: 18.9 2871 2844 2845 2845 2833 2862 2838 2865 2868 2840 2859 2834 2838 2807 2808 2812 2831 2837 2850 Throw out 2807, 2808, 2812 ES: 40 SD: 12.9 Planning to do another 20-30 of 45.6gr and really focus on having a consistent stroke on the press as well as doing a series of 5rd groups focusing on accuracy. |
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Posted: 1/22/2021 8:07:38 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By towerofpower94: Finally was able to get out and put the 20rd groups past the LabRadar and on to a target. Both loads easily held 1.5-2” groups of 5-9 shots per group. Wasn’t super focused on accuracy as I was messing with getting the scope roughly zeroed, setting up the adjustable gas block, and ensuring I got a large enough dataset to see if there was anything to StaBall and this newly assembled rifle. For instance, I shot five single shots of each to look for LRBHO and pressure signs before loading the mag with the remaining 15 and putting random groups on the target. I’m scratching my head with regards to some of the outliers in the below, but I presume the virgin, albeit full length resized, brass is playing a part along with having to figure out my pace of running the XL650 so as to ensure it’s dropping as close to exact as possible with StaBall and the 6.5C case. Shot 20rds, but had one failure to capture on the LR for each group, oddly. 04JAN2021 22” 6.5C AR-10 suppressed w/ SDN-6 130gr Berger AR Hybrid Rem 7.5 SR primer Virgin Starline brass FLR’d StaBall 6.5 OAL 2.750” 44.6gr 19rd group Lo: 2735 Hi: 2815 Avg: 2774 ES: 80 SD: 19.2 2753 2763 2786 2781 2769 2778 2802 2815 2784 2785 2777 2783 2781 2751 2735 2750 2762 2763 2781 Throw out 2815 ES: 67 SD: 16.2 45.6gr 19rd group Lo: 2807 Hi: 2871 Avg: 2841 ES: 63 SD: 18.9 2871 2844 2845 2845 2833 2862 2838 2865 2868 2840 2859 2834 2838 2807 2808 2812 2831 2837 2850 Throw out 2807, 2808, 2812 ES: 40 SD: 12.9 Planning to do another 20-30 of 45.6gr and really focus on having a consistent stroke on the press as well as doing a series of 5rd groups focusing on accuracy. Thanks - this is awesome data! Sounds like you will be sticking with StaBall? |
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Posted: 1/22/2021 9:16:22 AM EDT
[Last Edit: towerofpower94]
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21: Thanks - this is awesome data! Sounds like you will be sticking with StaBall? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dominion21: Originally Posted By towerofpower94: Finally was able to get out and put the 20rd groups past the LabRadar and on to a target. Both loads easily held 1.5-2” groups of 5-9 shots per group. Wasn’t super focused on accuracy as I was messing with getting the scope roughly zeroed, setting up the adjustable gas block, and ensuring I got a large enough dataset to see if there was anything to StaBall and this newly assembled rifle. For instance, I shot five single shots of each to look for LRBHO and pressure signs before loading the mag with the remaining 15 and putting random groups on the target. I’m scratching my head with regards to some of the outliers in the below, but I presume the virgin, albeit full length resized, brass is playing a part along with having to figure out my pace of running the XL650 so as to ensure it’s dropping as close to exact as possible with StaBall and the 6.5C case. Shot 20rds, but had one failure to capture on the LR for each group, oddly. 04JAN2021 22” 6.5C AR-10 suppressed w/ SDN-6 130gr Berger AR Hybrid Rem 7.5 SR primer Virgin Starline brass FLR’d StaBall 6.5 OAL 2.750” 44.6gr 19rd group Lo: 2735 Hi: 2815 Avg: 2774 ES: 80 SD: 19.2 2753 2763 2786 2781 2769 2778 2802 2815 2784 2785 2777 2783 2781 2751 2735 2750 2762 2763 2781 Throw out 2815 ES: 67 SD: 16.2 45.6gr 19rd group Lo: 2807 Hi: 2871 Avg: 2841 ES: 63 SD: 18.9 2871 2844 2845 2845 2833 2862 2838 2865 2868 2840 2859 2834 2838 2807 2808 2812 2831 2837 2850 Throw out 2807, 2808, 2812 ES: 40 SD: 12.9 Planning to do another 20-30 of 45.6gr and really focus on having a consistent stroke on the press as well as doing a series of 5rd groups focusing on accuracy. Thanks - this is awesome data! Sounds like you will be sticking with StaBall? Yep, especially since I put another 22 on target (21 caught by the LR) yesterday while trying for real groups and ended up with 1.5” 4-7rd groups from the below. Will crank them out when my 32lb order of Staball arrives. 21JAN2021 22” 6.5C AR-10 suppressed w/ SDN-6 130gr Berger AR Hybrid Rem 7.5 SR primer Virgin Starline brass FLR’d StaBall 6.5 45.6gr OAL 2.750” 21rd group Lo: 2839 Hi: 2896 Avg: 2867 ES: 57 SD: 15.0 ETA: @Dominion21 Ran the high and low velocities from that 21rd string and it’s an overall difference of 14” of vertical at 1000yds. Well within acceptable limits for the shooting I do. Also realized I’m only 140fps off my 6.5x47L bolt gun load using the same 130gr Berger AR Hybrid, but that’s from an extra 4” of barrel using H4350. Might sell off the extra unopened keg of H4350 if/after I confirm a good Staball load in the x47L.... |
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