Rifle ball powders?

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Shinbone

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I reload a 6.5x57mm benchrest. What would be some of the choices for ball powder that will meter nicely? I usually load an 85 gr. bullet.
(I have been using 3031 & 4064.)
Thanks.
 
not familiar w/ that chambering, but rifle ball powders i like are h-414, and win 748.

i am not a fan of the ramshot line of powders, but some guys like them quite a bit. have a look at ramshot big game (4350-ish burn rate), ramshot hunter (4831-ish burn rate), and ramshot magnum (a little slower than 4831).

ramshot claims you don't need a magnum primer for the powders, and i haven't had any misfires or hangfires from standard primers, but magnum primers do get me better consistency.
 
IMO most 6.5mm cartridges will work very well with Ball C2 powder [ BL-C(2) ] if your looking for a ball powder. I haven't loaded for the 6.5X57mm so I can't tell you for sure but I do know Ball C2 meters very well.
 
Id be very careful with the BL-C2. Watch for overpressure quickly and Im thinking you wont get any impressive accuracy with it regardless.
 
My understanding is ball powder tends to have linear burning characteristics, and in the wrong application you can bump into overpressure quicky.

As far as accuracy, you dont see too many people running ball powder it bench class matches. There probably is a reason-
 
The OP is asking about ball powders.


Ball powder is fine at shorter distances, but stick powders rule at long range.
 
I tried hard to like AA2520 but Varget was more accurate in two out of three barrels I tried them in. The one that AA2520 did as well as Varget in was pretty mediocre anyhow, and soon replaced.

I use a PACT dispenser for target loads and it doesn't care about the shape of the granules. I don't load blasting rifle ammunition so it doesn't matter otherwise.
 
What would be some of the choices for ball powder that will meter nicely?
Click to expand...

As a side note: In the front of the Lyman RLM is a section that describes almost every commercially available powder. It describes their shape, use, and chemical composition. This list will narrow your choices significantly.
 
H335 seems to be a good choice for a lot of light for caliber bullets. Your 87 grain bullet is light for 6.5mm so I'd give it a try.

Right now I'm working up a load for my 6.5X55mm with H335 and 120 grain bullets.
Michael
 
Ball powders and accuracy.... never had as good a' luck as stick propellents. Sorry to say. I would "stick" with stick powders for the best accuracy.

Just my .02 cents... ( the new IMR 8208 XBR ) is worth waiting for... I'll post a link ...
 
Ran the numbers for the 6.5x57 thru my modified Powley Computer. With 85 gr bullets the indicated ideal powder speed corresponds well with W-W 748, perhaps the world’s most popular ball powder. I’ve had good results with that powder in a lot of other chamberings. Certainly, worth a try. 85 gr bullets are awfully short. I expect you’ll be a long ways from the lands.
 
Kernel,
I kind of thought so, too. I usually use a 140Gr Sierra match king boat tail. Just wanted to try something different, but don't know when I'll get a chance to get to a range. :(
 
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