6.5 StaBall

stagpanther · February 26, 2020, 05:25 PM

I can't remember if it was JonSka or Unclenick who recommended it--I tried it out today on a few charges for my 6mm Creed and my first impression is "wow, dreamy!"

Soft recoil for the power level (I used load data from hogdon) at 193 yds (shooting off the hood of my truck) I was getting 3 out of four shots at an inch for several of the charge weights (but always managed one flier which made the group closer to MOA). Definitely going to be spending some serious development time with this one.

**Unclenick** · February 26, 2020, 06:08 PM

Good to hear it seems promising for you. Let us know how the rest of the load development turns out.

stagpanther · February 26, 2020, 07:40 PM

Will do--though I have to leave for another long road trip shortly, so might be around April or so--but I have a feel that this is a great powder.

hounddawg · February 26, 2020, 07:51 PM

thanks for the report Stag, I am going to have to try a pound of this stuff

reynolds357 · February 26, 2020, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hounddawg

thanks for the report Stag, I am going to have to try a pound of this stuff

Its accurate, clean, and very high velocity in appropriate cartridges.

std7mag · February 27, 2020, 03:01 AM

I'm hearing reports that it's doing well for the 6.5 Creedmoor also.

Just messing with ya!

Actually some 7mm-08, 7mm-08AI shooters are ranting about it, with bullets up to & including the 184gr Berger Hybrids.

stagpanther · February 27, 2020, 08:03 AM

So far--it seems nice and compact (meters well), burns efficiently and cleanly, and gets higher velocities with less felt recoil. It "feels good" firing it, probably indirectly helps the shooter relax if that makes any sense.

stagpanther · February 27, 2020, 08:11 AM

Quote:

I'm hearing reports that it's doing well for the 6.5 Creedmoor also.

I have AR's in both 6 and 6.5 creed--and all shots are taken with autofeed fed through a magazine, so that adds to the "complexity" of a powder's performance IMO.

hooligan1 · February 27, 2020, 04:37 PM

I picked up 2 lbs of Staball, looking to use it in my Creedmoor, and my 7 mauser, also going to test it for. 270 Winchester, maybe 3006.

kilotanker22 · February 27, 2020, 06:19 PM

ah snap. Maybe once I can find some of this powder I will have to try it

reynolds357 · February 27, 2020, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooligan1

I picked up 2 lbs of Staball, looking to use it in my Creedmoor, and my 7 mauser, also going to test it for. 270 Winchester, maybe 3006.

It screams in 150 gr .30-06.

reynolds357 · February 27, 2020, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilotanker22

ah snap. Maybe once I can find some of this powder I will have to try it

There is plenty of it available, problem is most retailers dont have it because they dont know about it.

std7mag · February 28, 2020, 02:57 AM

Wait.....
Did Stag just claim that Staball was "soft recoiling" in his AR chambered in 6.5 Manbun??

I think that's what my neighbor started his 5 yr old daughter with..
She's 7 now and shooting a 300 RUM.

Holy cannoli!!

Hooligan,

Keep us posted on the 7mm Mauser. (A real cartridge

)

stagpanther · February 29, 2020, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Did Stag just claim that Staball was "soft recoiling" in his AR chambered in 6.5 Manbun??

It's all relative, right? C'mon over and try your hand with a 416 weatherby magnum if you want to try a real soft-recoil manbun cartridge.

std7mag · February 29, 2020, 07:09 PM

I'd bet my wife would shoot it too.

Maybe my neighbors 3 daughters.

reynolds357 · March 1, 2020, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stagpanther

It's all relative, right? C'mon over and try your hand with a 416 weatherby magnum if you want to try a real soft-recoil manbun cartridge.

Honestly, to my shoulder, a rem 700 bdl 300 win mag kicks harder than a wby Mark V 416 wby. (Perceived recoil)

hooligan1 · March 17, 2020, 06:26 AM

Finally a powder to make decent groups with 143 eldx bullets in my rifle, even with me shooting, a 5 shot group with 3 touching and my foul-ups not far away from it @100 yds.
Also for 168 grn ABLRS I have been testing StaBall and its coming along nicely, almost zero recoil, and moa so far @100, but I know I can tighten that up maybe a third, which will be perfect in the timber for this application.
The 168 ABLRS, in my 7x57 mauser btw

Longshot4 · March 30, 2020, 07:41 PM

I seen some of the Staball 6.5 at Cabela's a few weeks ago. Now that the weather has warmed up. I will be working up loads with my Savage 10 in 6 Creedmoor. So far IMR 4166 with CCI 4br primer and 95 gr. SST has been my load of 2019. It early and lots of options out there. Stable is now on the 2020 list. Thanks for the input.

February 26, 2020, 05:25 PM	#1
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,770	6.5 StaBall I can't remember if it was JonSka or Unclenick who recommended it--I tried it out today on a few charges for my 6mm Creed and my first impression is "wow, dreamy!" Soft recoil for the power level (I used load data from hogdon) at 193 yds (shooting off the hood of my truck) I was getting 3 out of four shots at an inch for several of the charge weights (but always managed one flier which made the group closer to MOA). Definitely going to be spending some serious development time with this one. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

February 26, 2020, 06:08 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Good to hear it seems promising for you. Let us know how the rest of the load development turns out. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 26, 2020, 07:40 PM	#3
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,770	Will do--though I have to leave for another long road trip shortly, so might be around April or so--but I have a feel that this is a great powder. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

February 26, 2020, 07:51 PM	#4
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	thanks for the report Stag, I am going to have to try a pound of this stuff __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

February 27, 2020, 03:01 AM	#6
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I'm hearing reports that it's doing well for the 6.5 Creedmoor also. Just messing with ya! Actually some 7mm-08, 7mm-08AI shooters are ranting about it, with bullets up to & including the 184gr Berger Hybrids. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

February 27, 2020, 08:03 AM	#7
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,770	So far--it seems nice and compact (meters well), burns efficiently and cleanly, and gets higher velocities with less felt recoil. It "feels good" firing it, probably indirectly helps the shooter relax if that makes any sense. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

February 27, 2020, 04:37 PM	#9
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I picked up 2 lbs of Staball, looking to use it in my Creedmoor, and my 7 mauser, also going to test it for. 270 Winchester, maybe 3006. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

February 27, 2020, 06:19 PM	#10
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	ah snap. Maybe once I can find some of this powder I will have to try it __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

February 28, 2020, 02:57 AM	#13
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Wait..... Did Stag just claim that Staball was "soft recoiling" in his AR chambered in 6.5 Manbun?? I think that's what my neighbor started his 5 yr old daughter with.. She's 7 now and shooting a 300 RUM. Holy cannoli!! Hooligan, Keep us posted on the 7mm Mauser. (A real cartridge ) __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

February 29, 2020, 07:09 PM	#15
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I'd bet my wife would shoot it too. Maybe my neighbors 3 daughters. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

March 17, 2020, 06:26 AM	#17
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Finally a powder to make decent groups with 143 eldx bullets in my rifle, even with me shooting, a 5 shot group with 3 touching and my foul-ups not far away from it @100 yds. Also for 168 grn ABLRS I have been testing StaBall and its coming along nicely, almost zero recoil, and moa so far @100, but I know I can tighten that up maybe a third, which will be perfect in the timber for this application. The 168 ABLRS, in my 7x57 mauser btw __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry. Last edited by hooligan1; March 19, 2020 at 06:38 PM.

March 30, 2020, 07:41 PM	#18
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	I seen some of the Staball 6.5 at Cabela's a few weeks ago. Now that the weather has warmed up. I will be working up loads with my Savage 10 in 6 Creedmoor. So far IMR 4166 with CCI 4br primer and 95 gr. SST has been my load of 2019. It early and lots of options out there. Stable is now on the 2020 list. Thanks for the input.