StaBall 6.5 and Quickload

[ligonierbill]

I am a fan of Quickload, particularly for "what if" projections. No, I don't rely on it as a replacement for load data, but it's generally pretty close. But not with StaBall 6.5. Comparing published data to QL projections, QL is several hundred fps low. Conversely, QL will show much lower pressure than is actually generated. I've checked a number of rounds, as I bought a can of StaBall in my search for a replacement for unavailable powders. Yesterday I confirmed this testing 257 Roberts.

Of course, always go with published data, but QL is usually a good check on whether powder x is a potential match for caliber y. In the case of StaBall 6.5, not even close.

[reynolds357]

I don't advise the following. Don't do the following, but......
My experience with Staball 6.5 is that in my rifles, my brass, my bullets, it can be loaded considerably hotter than published data without showing pressure signs by brass reading. It also continues to build velocity at the predicted proper curves, in my experience.
What that means, I have no idea.

P.S. Staball seems to like long for cartridge barrels. It absolutely screams in my 28" 270 Win.

[ligonierbill]

More data available now than when I bought it last year. Looks to be a very versatile powder, a very good thing in today's uncertain market.

[tangolima]

The powder model could be off. If you provide the load details, I can rerun it on GRT.

-TL

PS. Don't mean to ask silly questions. Did you measure MV with optical chronograph? How close to the muzzle was the machine placed?

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[ligonierbill]

Thanks. Try this: 257 Roberts, 115 Nosler Partition, COL 2.890, 43.0 gr StaBall 6.5.

Hodgdon' actual is 2,841. QL says 2,663 at only 41,207 MAP. Makes you want to add some powder - if you believe it.

[tangolima]

Barrel length? Any gas port? Bullet length too if you have it.

-TL

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[ligonierbill]

24"
No gas port
1.145

[stagpanther]

Quickload has staball in it? Mine doesn't--I must be behind in updates.

[Colorado Redneck]

A couple years ago I tried a load from Hodgdon using 100 gr. Speer BTSP and Staball 6.5. Velocities were 200 fps under Hodgdon data. Same day, same chrony, loads with Hybrid 100V were dead nuts for velocity (about 50 fps less than book, but using a 22 inch barrel). I gave up on Staball. Messing around trying to find safe maximum charge is beyond my pay grade.

[tangolima]

Originally Posted by ligonierbill

Thanks. Try this: 257 Roberts, 115 Nosler Partition, COL 2.890, 43.0 gr StaBall 6.5.



Hodgdon' actual is 2,841. QL says 2,663 at only 41,207 MAP. Makes you want to add some powder - if you believe it.

GRT results:

MV 2718fps
Peak pressure 45.4kpsi

It is assuming 0 bullet jump, brass volume 56.2gr H2O. The powder seems a bit slow for the caliber. 92% is burnt.

They say you can never tell the time when you have 2 clocks, and now you have 3. 43gr seems safe. I would shoot and chronograph to find out.

-TL

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[ligonierbill]

Yeah, my Lab Radar is the only clock that counts. Thanks for running that.

[std7mag]

Yeah, i need to update my Quick Load also.

I use it alot for my "obsolete" cartridges with bullet/powder combinations that there is no data for.

Mine keeps showing RL26 gives fastest velocities for ANY cartridge/bullet combination.

Bill,

I've been getting good accuracy & highest velocities with Hodgdon Hybrid 100V powder with the 100-115gr bullet weights.
Although i can certainly understand using what you have, or can readily find.

[stagpanther]

I just did the update--but not through Necronis--rather QL in the UK. It ran a bug warning on the install but I proceeded anyway--everything seems to be running as it should. Doesn't seem like much new stuff since the last update I did.

Back to staball--when it first came out I bought some and tested it primarily on 270 win and like case capacities--I found that the increased velocities--and the cleaner bores and wide temperature range--were all true to advertising. However being a fine ball powder I suspect that a lot of that has to do with precise tuning depending upon the case volume and primer type; in other words I wouldn't expect the same "automatic" improvements in all cartridges that it can be used in.

[ligonierbill]

Well, I did something I never did before. I tweaked the powder data on QL. Changing the Heat of Explosion from 3,600 kJ/kg to...not saying, as I don't encourage such foolishness...brings projections in line with both published data and my very limited numbers. StaBall is looking a little better to me now, but we shall see.

[Unclenick]

You can still download a working version of GRT and check the listed QL properties against it. I'm not on my computer, or I would just tell you.