300 Norma Magnum - StaBALL HD Powder Experience and Barrel Erosion Concerns

Y

ypmishra

Texas Reloader
Minuteman
May 29, 2024
10
0
Dallas TX
#1
Hi everyone,

I’m currently developing loads for my 300 Norma Magnum using 250gr Hornady A-TIP bullets and Winchester StaBALL HD powder. I’ve attached some data from my recent testing, specifically at 80 grains of StaBALL HD powder, but I’m not achieving the standard deviation (SD) numbers I had hoped for.

Summary of My Data:


• Bullet: Hornady 250gr A-TIP
• Powder: Winchester StaBALL HD
• Charge: 80 grains

• Results: SD higher than desired, inconsistent velocities. Between 12-18.

Given these results, I’m seeking your experiences and recommendations:


1. What powder charges and powders are you finding successful for low SD and consistent velocities with the 300 Norma Magnum, particularly with heavier bullets like the 250gr A-TIP?


2. Has anyone compared StaBALL HD directly with H1000 or N570 in terms of consistency, velocity, and barrel erosion? What were your findings?


3. I’m also concerned about barrel longevity and throat erosion. How has StaBALL HD impacted your barrels compared to known powders like H1000 or N570?

I appreciate your insights, recommendations, and any load specifics you are comfortable sharing.

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
ypmishra said:
Hi everyone,

I’m currently developing loads for my 300 Norma Magnum using 250gr Hornady A-TIP bullets and Winchester StaBALL HD powder. I’ve attached some data from my recent testing, specifically at 80 grains of StaBALL HD powder, but I’m not achieving the standard deviation (SD) numbers I had hoped for.

Summary of My Data:


• Bullet: Hornady 250gr A-TIP
• Powder: Winchester StaBALL HD
• Charge: 80 grains

• Results: SD higher than desired, inconsistent velocities. Between 12-18.

Given these results, I’m seeking your experiences and recommendations:


1. What powder charges and powders are you finding successful for low SD and consistent velocities with the 300 Norma Magnum, particularly with heavier bullets like the 250gr A-TIP?


2. Has anyone compared StaBALL HD directly with H1000 or N570 in terms of consistency, velocity, and barrel erosion? What were your findings?


3. I’m also concerned about barrel longevity and throat erosion. How has StaBALL HD impacted your barrels compared to known powders like H1000 or N570?

I appreciate your insights, recommendations, and any load specifics you are comfortable sharing.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
1. I use 79.2 gn of Hodgdon H1000 with Berger 230's and get accuracy at distance (to a mile or more) and single-digit SD's. It's a charge that has worked flawlessly for me.

2. I bought some StaBall HD when it first came out but didn't get great results, so I just went back to my go-to H1000.

3. I've noticed the StaBall line (especially 6.5) to be a lot dirtier than the alternatives, but it just means cleaning more and has no impact on barrel longevity that I can see.

StaBall 6.5 is my go-to for 6.5 Creedmoor and I'm OK with "dirtier" since it gets awesome results from that caliber.

Here's my go-to recipe for H1000 ... in case it helps.

1743985590159.png
 
#3
rustyinbend said:
1. I use 79.2 gn of Hodgdon H1000 with Berger 230's and get accuracy at distance (to a mile or more) and single-digit SD's. It's a charge that has worked flawlessly for me.

2. I bought some StaBall HD when it first came out but didn't get great results, so I just went back to my go-to H1000.

3. I've noticed the StaBall line (especially 6.5) to be a lot dirtier than the alternatives, but it just means cleaning more and has no impact on barrel longevity that I can see.

StaBall 6.5 is my go-to for 6.5 Creedmoor and I'm OK with "dirtier" since it gets awesome results from that caliber.

Here's my go-to recipe for H1000 ... in case it helps.

View attachment 8658453
Click to expand...
Thand you. I have two LB of H1000 will give it a try. I heard it’s softer in the barrel than N570.

Did StaballHD not give good SD? I have 18 LB of that I bought. Foolish me.
 
#4
ypmishra said:
Thand you. I have two LB of H1000 will give it a try. I heard it’s softer in the barrel than N570.

Did StaballHD not give good SD? I have 18 LB of that I bought. Foolish me.
Click to expand...
I tried StaBall HD in 300-WM, 300-PRC, and 300-NM ... couldn't get single-digit SD's in any of them. Shot fine, grouped well, but my measure of success for a load is single-digit SD's, like I get with both H1000 and Retumbo, so I finished the pound of HD I bought, and never resupplied. Why talk myself into something that gets lesser results, when it simply wasn't necessary as I had a great alternative.
 
#5
rustyinbend said:
I tried StaBall HD in 300-WM, 300-PRC, and 300-NM ... couldn't get single-digit SD's in any of them. Shot fine, grouped well, but my measure of success for a load is single-digit SD's, like I get with both H1000 and Retumbo, so I finished the pound of HD I bought, and never resupplied. Why talk myself into something that gets lesser results, when it simply wasn't necessary as I had a great alternative.
Click to expand...
It would suck. Lesson learned. Never buy in bulk before trying.

By the way I am on the second firing both of the brass and gun. Do you think chances that things get better with future firing?
 
#6
That's a good lesson to learn ... no doubt. It's a mistake we've all made.

Not sure if you can get it to settle down to single-digit SD's ... with that much on-hand, it's probably at least worth trying. Also, if you get accuracy at distance, and tight groups, then who cares if the SD's don't meet expectations. You should decide what success looks like, and then see if you can get there with the StaBall-HD you bought.

I made the same mistake with a bunch of Accurate MagPro that I bought during the dark years. The jugs are door-stops in my reloading room, so asking my advice amplifies the old adage ... "Free advice is usually worth what you paid for it."
 
#7
rustyinbend said:
1. I use 79.2 gn of Hodgdon H1000 with Berger 230's and get accuracy at distance (to a mile or more) and single-digit SD's. It's a charge that has worked flawlessly for me.

2. I bought some StaBall HD when it first came out but didn't get great results, so I just went back to my go-to H1000.

3. I've noticed the StaBall line (especially 6.5) to be a lot dirtier than the alternatives, but it just means cleaning more and has no impact on barrel longevity that I can see.

StaBall 6.5 is my go-to for 6.5 Creedmoor and I'm OK with "dirtier" since it gets awesome results from that caliber.

Here's my go-to recipe for H1000 ... in case it helps.

View attachment 8658453
Click to expand...
I've had kind of similar results with the Staball line, 6.5 is one of my go to powders, especially for Creedmoor, Match is also a good addition to the stable, but HD has not been stand out for me where I tried it in 7 PRC.
 
#8
rustyinbend said:
That's a good lesson to learn ... no doubt. It's a mistake we've all made.

Not sure if you can get it to settle down to single-digit SD's ... with that much on-hand, it's probably at least worth trying. Also, if you get accuracy at distance, and tight groups, then who cares if the SD's don't meet expectations. You should decide what success looks like, and then see if you can get there with the StaBall-HD you bought.

I made the same mistake with a bunch of Accurate MagPro that I bought during the dark years. The jugs are door-stops in my reloading room, so asking my advice amplifies the old adage ... "Free advice is usually worth what you paid for it."
Click to expand...
It’s performing well at a mile. It’s just physics says it should not.

See the picture. Four shots 3.9 SD and one is 30 fps lower. Going to try even more careful set loaded for this weekend.

I have 7 PRC also. May be will use it there. Issue is h1000 was available seems suddenly sold out. Will have to keep looking. God knows what happens with the tariff etc.
 

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#9
I tried Staball HD in 300 NM and the SDs just weren't good. I was trying 230gr SMKs. I ended up using N570 and the numbers came together without much of an issue.

I am using Staball HD in the 7 PRC with 175gr ELDX with good results. Staball seems to perform best near compressed loads. It wasn't looking too stellar for the 7 PRC either right up until the last 2-3 powder charges I was testing. With the case mostly full the SDs came down into the single digits.
 
#10
Long Range 338 said:
I tried Staball HD in 300 NM and the SDs just weren't good. I was trying 230gr SMKs. I ended up using N570 and the numbers came together without much of an issue.

I am using Staball HD in the 7 PRC with 175gr ELDX with good results. Staball seems to perform best near compressed loads. It wasn't looking too stellar for the 7 PRC either right up until the last 2-3 powder charges I was testing. With the case mostly full the SDs came down into the single digits.
Click to expand...
This is interesting. I was wondering that.

What would be compressed load. I saw someone pushed it into 86/87 grains. The official data does not go above 82 for 300 NM.

I am also using Remington mag lrp. Wonder if that’s an issue. The SD issue I am having is driven with few shots vs multiple. Wonder if I am having minor hangfire without realizing due to poor burn from the primer.
 
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