staBALL HD load data for 7mm rem mag
- Thread starter MJ_Post
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Thank you sir, that should get me started
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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A single 175 Nosler Partition from my 7mm Rem Mag took a mighty fine bull elk for me quite a few years ago. Muzzle velocity was about 2900 fps via sooty old H870 which is no longer available.
StaBall HD is a fine powder and can produce 2900+ fps from a 175 and the 7mm Rem Mag. I've always liked the 160 - 175 grain bullets for the 7mm Rem Mag, but have been messing with some lighter bullets in recent years, mostly just out of curiosity. Some of the lighter monolithic bullets look pretty doggone good.
Regards, Guy
StaBall HD is a fine powder and can produce 2900+ fps from a 175 and the 7mm Rem Mag. I've always liked the 160 - 175 grain bullets for the 7mm Rem Mag, but have been messing with some lighter bullets in recent years, mostly just out of curiosity. Some of the lighter monolithic bullets look pretty doggone good.
Regards, Guy
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wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,642
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Guy, I used that old H870 in 25-06 years ago also. Cheap and shot great. Dan.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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The monolithic copper or copper-alloy bullets are a bit different from our good ol' lead-core jacketed bullets aren't they? Can be challenging to get the same velocity, without excess pressure...
Still, 2900 fps from the 160 gr mono bullets is quite possible, and 3000 fps may be within grasp without pushing the limits too much. One of those things I advise thinking clearly about and working up carefully, watching for signs of excess pressure. I'm quite willing to go to a 150 or even 140 gr mono bullet for big game with the 7mm magnums. Saw a grizzly quickly dispatched with a single 140 gr Barnes TTSX from a 7mm Rem Mag. That was impressive! The hunter came to me later that day in camp to talk after he realized that he'd bought 160's for the grizzly hunt, but left them at home and used his normal Barnes 140 gr factory ammo. We were both impressed with how well the rather light bullet handled that typical 6.5' interior grizzly.
Guy
I know that Molly coating has really fallen out of favor but from my experience, I have seen no difference in pressure between molly coated mono’s and load data for uncoated bullets. I’m most cases, I’m pushing beyond max published data by a grain or two of powder before finding pressure signs on the cases. Proceed at your own risk only if you know what you’re looking for but it’s been smooth sailing for me and I’m not giving up molly…lol
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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We were both there on a spring grizzly hunt in 2017, not a multi-species hunt.
Ya I had trouble with the X bullets back in the 1990's - but the TSX, TTSX, Nosler E-Tip and Hornady GMX/CX seem to do much better. I've had fine results on target with them from several different rifle cartridges. Have only shot a few game animals with mono bullets. Penetration seems to be their strongest attribute, but with adequate expansion.
I "think" all the newer mono bullets feature relief grooves which seem to have improved the pressure & fouling problems significantly.
Guy
Ya I had trouble with the X bullets back in the 1990's - but the TSX, TTSX, Nosler E-Tip and Hornady GMX/CX seem to do much better. I've had fine results on target with them from several different rifle cartridges. Have only shot a few game animals with mono bullets. Penetration seems to be their strongest attribute, but with adequate expansion.
I "think" all the newer mono bullets feature relief grooves which seem to have improved the pressure & fouling problems significantly.
Guy
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
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I totally agree.
Joec7651
Handloader
- Apr 7, 2019
- 949
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I haven’t tried Staball HD yet. I need to, I have a good bit of it. I enjoy the E-Tips very much. From 55gr in .224, 130gr .277, 140gr .284, to 150gr in .308 give great accuracy and velocity for me. I haven’t had a problem at all with velocity or accuracy. To get the retained weight of a 140gr E-Tip I think you’d gave to start with a 200 grain bonded bullet retaining 70% weight. Food for thought.
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- #16
So I managed to get out to the range and try out this powder/bullet combo.
175gr nosler Partition LR, Federal 215 primer, hornady brass, and staBALL HD powder
I have a tikka t3x roughtech, 24 inch barrel, with 1:9 twist.
The best 3 round group I got was with 72.2gr which happened to be my highest gr load. Ended up getting .5 MOA which made me happy. According to Hodgdon this is max load but I had no pressure signs other than a flat primer so I will probably tinker a bit with it.
The only other thing I can say about this powder is that there is noticeably more slap in recoil. It doesn't bother me but it was noticeable compared to factory loads so I thought I'd mention it.
175gr nosler Partition LR, Federal 215 primer, hornady brass, and staBALL HD powder
I have a tikka t3x roughtech, 24 inch barrel, with 1:9 twist.
The best 3 round group I got was with 72.2gr which happened to be my highest gr load. Ended up getting .5 MOA which made me happy. According to Hodgdon this is max load but I had no pressure signs other than a flat primer so I will probably tinker a bit with it.
The only other thing I can say about this powder is that there is noticeably more slap in recoil. It doesn't bother me but it was noticeable compared to factory loads so I thought I'd mention it.
TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 2,533
- 2,052
Good hunting load. Federal has soft cups on their primers, possible reason its flat. The CCI has a harder cup. What was your velocity if you have a chronograph available?
I would like to know the speed as well
Bruce Mc
Handloader
- Oct 26, 2005
- 1,256
- 578
I still have 4 lbs of H-870.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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That's amazing! The stuff hasn't been available commercially in a long time. 20 years maybe?
Though "sooty" it was my go-to powder for the 7mm Rem Mag. When I couldn't get it anymore I went to Reloader 22 and was happy until... I couldn't get RL-22 anymore either. Then I switched to the new IMR 8133 and was seriously impressed. Then it was discontinued all too soon... I have a pound or so of it stashed here 'cause my son's Bergara thrives on that stuff.
Basically if I get a favorite powder for the 7mm Rem Mag, it gets discontinued.... LOL!
Guy
Though "sooty" it was my go-to powder for the 7mm Rem Mag. When I couldn't get it anymore I went to Reloader 22 and was happy until... I couldn't get RL-22 anymore either. Then I switched to the new IMR 8133 and was seriously impressed. Then it was discontinued all too soon... I have a pound or so of it stashed here 'cause my son's Bergara thrives on that stuff.
Basically if I get a favorite powder for the 7mm Rem Mag, it gets discontinued.... LOL!
Guy
