Load Specifications
Bullet:.257 | 100gr | Barnes XLC BT
Bullet Manufacturer:Barnes
Bullet Weight:100 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.257"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Caliber:.25-06 Ackley Improved load data
Case Length (l3):2.494"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:71 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:65,267 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:10.0
Load data in caliber .25-06 Ackley Improved with .257 | 100gr | Barnes XLC BT bullet and 83 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,059 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,726 psi | 90% | 3205 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,434 psi | 86% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,608 psi | 85% | 3287 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,363 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,463 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,972 psi | 89% | 3287 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,724 psi | 87% | 3228 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,668 psi | 90% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,697 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,130 psi | 86% | 3251 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,725 psi | 88% | 3274 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,043 psi | 86% | 3222 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,711 psi | 88% | 3287 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,363 psi | 89% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,850 psi | 78% | 3199 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,245 psi | 85% | 3304 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,565 psi | 87% | 3268 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,753 psi | 87% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,711 psi | 88% | 3287 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,827 psi | 90% | 3196 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,343 psi | 77% | 3130 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,463 psi | 87% | 3173 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,595 psi | 88% | 3245 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,826 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,914 psi | 89% | 3222 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,956 psi | 87% | 3205 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,797 psi | 87% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,908 psi | 76% | 3241 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,218 psi | 89% | 3281 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,854 psi | 56% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,855 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,958 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,362 psi | 86% | 3166 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 3163 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,550 psi | 87% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,753 psi | 85% | 3153 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,521 psi | 85% | 3255 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,667 psi | 88% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,929 psi | 90% | 3209 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,547 psi | 81% | 3107 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,088 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,319 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,609 psi | 88% | 3317 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,827 psi | 89% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,030 psi | 90% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,144 psi | 86% | 3274 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,681 psi | 87% | 3228 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,839 psi | 84% | 3212 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,652 psi | 58% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,217 psi | 86% | 3153 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,000 psi | 87% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,072 psi | 86% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,653 psi | 88% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,488 psi | 77% | 3238 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,826 psi | 87% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,972 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,666 psi | 85% | 3212 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,827 psi | 90% | 3196 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,667 psi | 88% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,929 psi | 90% | 3209 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,653 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,579 psi | 87% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,898 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,784 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,275 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,246 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,175 psi | 89% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,405 psi | 86% | 3182 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,217 psi | 86% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,535 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,059 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,724 psi | 85% | 3176 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,870 psi | 89% | 3255 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,435 psi | 88% | 3301 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,679 psi | 82% | 3209 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,738 psi | 85% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,914 psi | 89% | 3248 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,201 psi | 85% | 3353 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,304 psi | 86% | 3173 fps | 97.9% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,462 psi | 83% | 3081 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,637 psi | 58% | 2805 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,482 psi | 67% | 2963 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,501 psi | 74% | 3153 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,879 psi | 78% | 3054 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,528 psi | 71% | 3045 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,763 psi | 78% | 3153 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,920 psi | 72% | 3048 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 80% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,288 psi | 85% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,988 psi | 63% | 2956 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 72% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,427 psi | 71% | 3038 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,454 psi | 68% | 3035 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,401 psi | 48% | 2710 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,172 psi | 54% | 2828 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,837 psi | 52% | 2831 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,949 psi | 72% | 3084 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,388 psi | 82% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,454 psi | 68% | 3035 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,282 psi | 71% | 2963 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,007 psi | 72% | 3061 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,113 psi | 81% | 3117 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 68% | 2999 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 72% | 3015 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,346 psi | 83% | 3163 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,229 psi | 82% | 3140 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 60% | 2844 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,947 psi | 67% | 3104 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,627 psi | 67% | 3009 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,717 psi | 42% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,476 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,550 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,756 psi | 64% | 2881 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,166 psi | 72% | 2986 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,365 psi | 63% | 2904 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,460 psi | 80% | 3094 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,112 psi | 80% | 3192 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,259 psi | 83% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 70% | 2946 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 67% | 2927 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,651 psi | 56% | 2779 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,679 psi | 84% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,079 psi | 72% | 3031 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,133 psi | 63% | 2992 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 65% | 2946 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,259 psi | 85% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,008 psi | 75% | 3136 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,133 psi | 63% | 2927 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,321 psi | 63% | 2943 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,282 psi | 43% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,721 psi | 81% | 3091 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,574 psi | 76% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 66% | 2976 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,162 psi | 63% | 2976 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,278 psi | 63% | 3022 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 77% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,285 psi | 79% | 3081 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,861 psi | 70% | 3025 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,282 psi | 71% | 2963 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 70% | 2946 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,259 psi | 83% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 67% | 2927 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,836 psi | 78% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 77% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 68% | 2881 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,455 psi | 70% | 3018 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,183 psi | 77% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,765 psi | 81% | 3068 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,305 psi | 60% | 2907 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,249 psi | 63% | 2890 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,848 psi | 73% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 67% | 2940 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,091 psi | 66% | 2920 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,737 psi | 84% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 67% | 2946 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 54% | 2799 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,708 psi | 82% | 3235 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,372 psi | 77% | 3146 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 65% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 68% | 2999 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,195 psi | 43% | 2690 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,963 psi | 70% | 2986 fps | 95.5% |
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 83 powders for .25-06 Ackley Improved loaded with the .257 | 100gr | Barnes XLC BT. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,353 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,044 fps to 3,353 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 83 of the 83 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (450 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 100.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP15 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.