Winchester StaBALL HD Reloading Powder

The development of many new cartridges has revolved around the evolution of reloading powders, and StaBALL HD is a prime example. This double-based ball powder includes nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine and shows three distinct kernel sizes/shapes within the powder volume, helping to control burn speed and also facilitating tighter loading density. The third benefit is that the powder flows in a more fluid-like fashion, making it run more smoothly in manual and automated volumetric metering tools.

HD and Match
StaBALL is available in three variants: 6.5, HD, and Match. HD is suited to large magnums and the PRC cartridges from Hornady, specifically the 7mm PRC for me. Reloading data is available from the Hodgdon/Winchester site, and I trialled the powder with the 175gr ELD-X bullet, which I have already found consistent in my rifle. I usually use an automated powder trickler to load a small number of cartridges, and I was happy to see that the flattened ball kernels don’t bounce out of the pan under the trickler tube. They flow smoothly unlike uniform ball propellants. Loading the cartridges using a 3” drop tube from the funnel assured me that, unlike tubular kernels, you don’t get any powder bridging and interruption of flow, which on larger charge weights can sometimes be an issue, especially in smaller necked/high volume chamberings.

Keep it neat
The precise weights and metering helped me minimise charge variation, and this slow-burning powder developed acceptable velocities in a cartridge I have specifically found to be quite powder-fussy. In the 22” Proof Research barrel with a Hornady case and CCI magnum mrimer, 71.0gr of HD developed a 2826fps average velocity, with an extreme spread of 31fps (10 shots). Three-shot group sizes on target were sub 16mm at 100m. StaBALL has been specifically designed for temperature consistency. In the UK, temperature consistency is not such an issue, unlike the US market. Importantly, it’s easily available in the UK due to its environmentally friendly REACH compliance certification.

Burn free
Copper fouling reduction additives are advertised, but this rifle’s Proof Research barrel has never previously been prone to excessive fouling anyway, so not a tough test bed like a pitted, rough old bore. It is suggested to offer a 75-100fps improvement over competing powders, but I don’t tend to worry too much about a factor that’s subject to a huge number of external variables. I certainly can’t fault StaBALL’s consistent, reliable performance, yet I particularly appreciate the smooth powder flow throughout the reloading process and the fact the non-bouncy kernel shape avoids mess on my reloading bench.