Winchester Staball 6.5

For the first time in almost 2 years, I was able to purchase gunpowder. Not knowing how long I was going to make the components I have last, I decided to splurge run an OCW test with StaBALL and 112gr Barnes Match Burners for the 6GT. I loaded 3-rounds each at .5gr increments, starting at 38gr to the max, 40.5gr at .050 off the lands (internet driven). I know the 6GT is supposed to be very forgiving but the results of the first three charges blew me away - 38.0gr - .189MOA, 38.5gr -.517MOA and 39.0gr - .351MOA. Though it's not a finished load, it's definitely one heck of a start. I will be on the lookout for more StaBALL! ...and primers, and brass and bullets.

Just started using this powder but so far am very impressed. Have achieved excellent accuracy in 6mm creedmor.

43.5 g Staball 6.5 works good for me, savage axis 6.5 creedmoor, 129 g hornady sp

Metered well, shot okay. Don’t have the capability to test velocity so I can’t provide feedback on that.

Interesting results, in my .243 Win. With Winchester lg rifle primers my velocities were all over the place, 150-170fps spread. With the same loads over match primers the spread dropped to 18-20fps. Accuracy echoed Consistent, 1.5 MOA with standard primers and 0.6MOA with match primers

This has generated phenomenal results in 6.5 loads lighter than 130gr. Pending application with 135 gr and north, expect similar performance. Happy to support Hodgdon with my business, and just wish that things were a little closer to “normal” supply chain-wise.

I ran this powder in 6.5x47 lapua with 123 and 139 scenar, and 140 berger hybrids. Single digit ES SD numbers. The powder ran great and metered well. Only problem is, it's really dirty and carbon fouling was prevalent. After 100 rounds I can to clean with CLR because I would have a carbon ring so big it would strip copper of the bullets. So if your gonna run this powder clean frequently and use a borescope

This review is based on two rifles; 1951 Win M70 and Bergara B-14 Ridge, both in .30-06. The pre-64 Win M70 hates Staball 6.5, groups string out, and no improvement over a 4 grain ladder with Nosler 210gr RDF. Yet, it shoots sub .5" MOA with same setup using H4350, and a cold bore first round hit at 2003 yds. The Bergara B-14 Ridge loves StaBall 6.5, shoots sub-MOA groups 168 HDY ELD-M with consistent hits out to 1200yds.I will work up a load for Nosler 210 RDF and HDY 208 ELD-M for shots greater than 1200yds ... and have great expectations for this powder, with my only question being whether mag primers, BR primers, or F210 produce the best results. To sum it up, two other reviewers have had similar experience ... disappointing in some barrels, wonderful results in a different barrel. I give it 3-Stars because it is worth a try. Might be your best buy ... or worst, eh?

I have been at the loading bench again. I've found the load for 123 gn and130 gn 6.5 Creedmoor that just keeps getting tighter and tighter. I've now worked up loads for .243 Winchester, 22-250 with 6.5. The more I use this the better this stuff gets. It meters so well and burns clean but it very consistent. It did take me a few loads to find where my rifle likes the recipe so don't give up if you are having trouble.