Winchester StaBall 6.5 for 129gr SST's

[Hoppy]

looking to get powder for reloading some 129gr SST's for my 6.5x55, the powder my local shop is suggesting is the Winchester StaBall 6.5, but there isn't a lot of load data out there as its a relativley new powder. i see it sits between Alliant RL-19 & Alliant RL-17 on the burn rate table (just looking at the ones listed in the hornady loading manual)



has anyone succesfully loaded this powder using the 129gr SST that can give me some parameters to work in, a low load to start and a max load?

i did have a good look through the forum before asking but couldnt find this combination.

 

[Jelen]

I haven't used it but was also told it would work. I've run my 6.5x55 data through P-Max, here's a link that might help:

P-Max internal ballistics

 

[25 Sharps]

I’ve just

looking to get powder for reloading some 129gr SST's for my 6.5x55, the powder my local shop is suggesting is the Winchester StaBall 6.5, but there isn't a lot of load data out there as its a relativley new powder. i see it sits between Alliant RL-19 & Alliant RL-17 on the burn rate table (just looking at the ones listed in the hornady loading manual)

View attachment 367075

has anyone succesfully loaded this powder using the 129gr SST that can give me some parameters to work in, a low load to start and a max load?

i did have a good look through the forum before asking but couldnt find this combination.

I’ve just started using this in 6.5CM and I’ve loaded up my first batch of test loads in x55.

There is data on the hodgdon site, not sure if this link will work but if not just follow the tick boxes

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Hoppy]

I’ve just

I’ve just started using this in 6.5CM and I’ve loaded up my first batch of test loads in x55.

There is data on the hodgdon site, not sure if this link will work but if not just follow the tick boxes

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

That did work thanks very helpful

 

[25 Sharps]

That did work thanks very helpful

No problem.

It’s giving good accuracy in my creedmoor and my buddy’s so I’m hoping for the same in the x55.

 

[Hoppy]

thanks for that, would be handy if it works well as its what i can get my hands on locally.

 

[Sionyn81]

looking to get powder for reloading some 129gr SST's for my 6.5x55, the powder my local shop is suggesting is the Winchester StaBall 6.5, but there isn't a lot of load data out there as its a relativley new powder. i see it sits between Alliant RL-19 & Alliant RL-17 on the burn rate table (just looking at the ones listed in the hornady loading manual)

View attachment 367075

has anyone succesfully loaded this powder using the 129gr SST that can give me some parameters to work in, a low load to start and a max load?

i did have a good look through the forum before asking but couldnt find this combination.

Hi, did you manage to work a load out for this combination? I'm looking for data with same powder and 130gn sst too.

 

[Hoppy]

Hi, did you manage to work a load out for this combination? I'm looking for data with same powder and 130gn sst too.

just finished setting up the range now that the cattle have been moved, have targets from 50m to 300m, have loaded up 41.5gr, 42.5gr, 43.5gr & 44.5gr max load was 45.5 so wont go there unless i have to, seated to 3095 which should be 0026 off of the lands. will try the grouping at 150 meters then zero in on the best load from there. will let you know how i get on

 

[Sionyn81]

just finished setting up the range now that the cattle have been moved, have targets from 50m to 300m, have loaded up 41.5gr, 42.5gr, 43.5gr & 44.5gr max load was 45.5 so wont go there unless i have to, seated to 3095 which should be 0026 off of the lands. will try the grouping at 150 meters then zero in on the best load from there. will let you know how i get on

Hi Hoppy, thanks for your reply. Just noticed my typo error "130gr" it should say 129gr sst. I was looking at trying the Sierra tipped gamechangers 130gr also.

 

[Burger]

Following, currently load Staball with 6.5CM 129grn SSTs.

 

[Hoppy]

minimum charge was 41.5 so that's where I started the load, don't have a chronograph so wont know velocity but hoping to get to the range this afternoon and see how each load groups.

 

[Sionyn81]

minimum charge was 41.5 so that's where I started the load, don't have a chronograph so wont know velocity but hoping to get to the range this afternoon and see how each load groups.

Look forward to hearing back from you and the results.

 

[Hoppy]

Just got back in from the range. Very windy but coming straight down to the firing point from the targets so shouldn’t affect it too much. Interesting results:
• 41.5gr group 1.5 cm
• 42.5gr 3.5 cm
.• 43.5gr 2.5 cm
• 44.5gr 2.5 cm but not as tidy
All 3 shot groups shot off of a bipod at a 100 meter target, I think the out layer in the 42.5gr was me snatching the trigger.

 

[Hoppy]

Must be said I have not been out with the rifle since last year so my groupings will be a bit rusty, wasn’t expecting the 41.5 to group the best, will load some more and test out to 200 & 250 meters

 

[Hoppy]

Following, currently load Staball with 6.5CM 129grn SSTs.

How many grains?

 

[Sionyn81]

Must be said I have not been out with the rifle since last year so my groupings will be a bit rusty, wasn’t expecting the 41.5 to group the best, will load some more and test out to 200 & 250 meters

Thanks for sharing Hoppy, I'll get some loads made up o my next rainy day

 

[Hoppy]

Might need to try and find a chronograph, don’t normally shoot deer out past 200 but if I need to for any reason would need enough energy to fully expand.

 

[Hoppy]

Still tempted to try 45gns, have a auto trickler coming so will wait till that arrives

 

[Hoppy]

I loaded up some 45.2grn loads and tried them, no signs of any pressure issues, they shot ok, Hodgdon's load data suggested they should be doing around 2840fps so i added that onto the Swarovski app and dialled it in to the ballistic turret and they were shooting high at 300 meters by a good 3 inches, so they must be going a bit quicker than that, so my thoughts are they shoot a tighter group at 41.5grn with lower pressure and speed so barrel will last longer, i will use less powder which will save money win win, but at the back of my mind most others are telling me you need to be near max load to make that powder work? what have others found?
i cant ignore what seems to be a logical load in my rifle just intrigued what others have found.

You can see in the picture below the first shot high and right, changed the zero on the turret second shot just below the red.

 

[Hoppy]

i loaded up more 41.5gr rounds at the weekend and took them to the range, they group well at 100m but open up a lot more at 200 and 300 meters, max speed 2499fps, min 2454fps average 2485fps, think i will stick with 45gr load and play with seating depth to get a better grouping as they grouped well enough at all ranges but could be a bit tighter if I can get them too. but perfectly acceptable for a hunting round.