7mm-08 with 6.5 StaBall and 139 Hornady CX bullets

[Eric Musgrove]

Trying to find some more data other than what Hodgdon lists. I reduced loads 10% and still had pressure signs right away with new Alpha Munitions brass. WLR primer, Case capacity of H20 was 55.5 grs.
Nosler is listing their case capacity at 50.4 so my initial thought that Alpha had less capacity is out the window. I have no other cases so I am really questioning the load data.
Spoke with Hornady and they said their max was 49ish, not totally clear there. I was well under that.
Does anyone have experience loading this combo or other data and can cross reference?
I am also not dead set on using this combo so open to other suggestions if someone is willing to share.
New 22" Bartlein Barrel 1-9 seated at 2.800 COAL
TIA

 

[Hudge76]

I've gotten good accuracy from 120 gr Barnes TTSX and 6.5 StaBall in my 7-08.

 

[Tex LR]

Trying to find some more data other than what Hodgdon lists. I reduced loads 10% and still had pressure signs right away with new Alpha Munitions brass. WLR primer, Case capacity of H20 was 55.5 grs.
Nosler is listing their case capacity at 50.4 so my initial thought that Alpha had less capacity is out the window. I have no other cases so I am really questioning the load data.
Spoke with Hornady and they said their max was 49ish, not totally clear there. I was well under that.
Does anyone have experience loading this combo or other data and can cross reference?
I am also not dead set on using this combo so open to other suggestions if someone is willing to share.
New 22" Bartlein Barrel 1-9
TIA

No experience with StaBall (although on 2 different occasions Hodgdon CS has recommended it for the 7MM-08).

My most accurate loads are with the following combo's (Nosler brass, Fed210M),

120 gr Barnes TTSX with Varget
145 gr Barnes LRX with RL17

 

[eschafer]

were results from chronograph extremely high too?

 

[cajun]

I ran some staball with alpha brass and a 140 Nosler BT. Up to 48.5 no pressure signs. Velo was good but accuracy was not. Copper bullets pressure early. I dont think it's the brass. Have you shot other powders ?

 

[Eric Musgrove]

I ran some staball with alpha brass and a 140 Nosler BT. Up to 48.5 no pressure signs. Velo was good but accuracy was not. Copper bullets pressure early. I dont think it's the brass. Have you shot other powders ?

I have not tried other powders yet. Thanks for the info that makes me believe your right about copper bullets. I might just move on to another style just thought I would give it a try I like the concept and the gel tests look amazing. I guess I am just a sucker for Hornady and their advertising.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

were results from chronograph extremely high too?

 

[Eric Musgrove]

were results from chronograph extremely high too?

I thought it was pretty fast for a lower charge, But with Hodgdon data they are showing over 3050 fps of course that a compressed load of 51.0 gr and not the same bullet but a 139 Jacketed SP. I will have to grab it and see but I remember being over 2900 fps on the first few rnds

 

[Eric Musgrove]

I ran some staball with alpha brass and a 140 Nosler BT. Up to 48.5 no pressure signs. Velo was good but accuracy was not. Copper bullets pressure early. I dont think it's the brass. Have you shot other powders ?

What did you end up settling with for powder?

 

[birddog 68]

Staball 6.5 is very peaky. Tried it in my 7-08 using 140 BT and went from no pressure signs to super heavy bolt lift in a half grain. Velocity was great but accuracy was poor. I moved on and using big game now.
New brass will usually take more pressure before it shows itself so I would back it off 1.5-2 grains if trying again.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

Staball 6.5 is very peaky. Tried it in my 7-08 using 140 BT and went from no pressure signs to super heavy bolt lift in a half grain. Velocity was great but accuracy was poor. I moved on and using big game now.
New brass will usually take more pressure before it shows itself so I would back it off 1.5-2 grains if trying again.

I figured it would be a powder I don't have, I check the burn chart and the stock room.
Thanks

 

[cajun]

What did you end up settling with for powder?

Not there yet. This is a remage I did on my grandsons youth 700. I've done a couple others with Criterion barrels that were pretty easy 1/2 moa. This one has been around moa with 140 gr bullets. Tried R15, Varget, staball, H4350 R19. I have some 120 gr ballistic tips to try. My buddy is having good results with R15 but I dont have a bunch. Going to try some Imr 4350 and varget maybe some W760. Noslers list of powders is usually a good start for me.

 

[birddog 68]

IMR 4350 is a great powder in the 7-08. I used it with 140 BT for years before I had a chronograph and then a friend on here told me to check the velocity. We'll just say it wasn't going as fast as I thought it was.

 

[Peter Morton]

No experience with StaBall (although on 2 different occasions Hodgdon CS has recommended it for the 7MM-08).

My most accurate loads are with the following combo's (Nosler brass, Fed210M),

120 gr Barnes TTSX with Varget
145 gr Barnes LRX with RL17

Same here, with 120 TTSX and Varget. Velocity with 43.5G and a light crimp is about 3K. About .75 to 1.00" groups.