StaBall HD vs H1000

What kind of velocities are you getting? Looking at their load data for 208g, the velocities are pretty low...
I'd have to dig through my targets and see, buy I think it maxed out around 2850. And it was on the hot side. I gotta have 2900 to make me happy. I'm sitting pretty at 2905 with the N165.

Screenshot_20250426_073301_ShotView.jpg
 
What kind of velocities are you getting? Looking at their load data for 208g, the velocities are pretty low...
I'm getting 2950 using HD pushing Berger 208's in Lapua brass and Fed 215's from a 30" barrel. But I'm just using the minimum charge of 78.3 from Hodgdon's load data.

I'm not at home so I don't have my notes in front of me... And I don't remember my COAL/CBTO off hand. But they're about .060" off the lands. They're fairly long but still fit comfortably in an AICS CIP length mag.

I could probably bump up the charge a bit more. But they shoot fine at that charge and I figured I'd go easy on the brass.

Mike
 
If you don't shoot very far and are only making small batches where you don't mind getting DOPE for the small batch and calling it good enough, then you can run anything.
However, if you tend to try and shoot far with larger batches, and those batches might get shot over wider temp swings where the DOPE matters, then you run with a single base extruded powder.
Don't get me wrong, StaBallHD is a good ball powder, but it is not the equal of something like a modern single base extruded powder like H1000 or N165 in terms of stability.
 
I'd have to dig through my targets and see, buy I think it maxed out around 2850. And it was on the hot side. I gotta have 2900 to make me happy. I'm sitting pretty at 2905 with the

I'd have to dig through my targets and see, buy I think it maxed out around 2850. And it was on the hot side. I gotta have 2900 to make me happy. I'm sitting pretty at 2905 with the N165.

View attachment 8675512
How hot a load are you running? Their data is only showing 2818 at max charge.
 
If you don't shoot very far and are only making small batches where you don't mind getting DOPE for the small batch and calling it good enough, then you can run anything.
However, if you tend to try and shoot far with larger batches, and those batches might get shot over wider temp swings where the DOPE matters, then you run with a single base extruded powder.
Don't get me wrong, StaBallHD is a good ball powder, but it is not the equal of something like a modern single base extruded powder like H1000 or N165 in terms of stability.
That's the kick, I am shooting for distance, but I'm usually hitting the range with150-200 rounds each trip. I can't maintain that if I can't get the powder in bulk.
 
Been wanting to try retumbo in my winmag also. Book velocity looks promising. Not sure of its availability compared to h1k.

8 lb jugs at Mile High for $395 right now.

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: XP1K