Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .25-06 Ackley Improved with .257 | 135gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing bullet and 78 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N560, Norma MRP and Accurate MAGPRO.
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,101 psi | 87% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,523 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,856 psi | 90% | 2969 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,695 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,639 psi | 90% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,332 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,855 psi | 87% | 2907 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,169 psi | 78% | 2812 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,658 psi | 70% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,593 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,593 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,608 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,637 psi | 87% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,711 psi | 90% | 2890 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,985 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,392 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,769 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,911 psi | 84% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,291 psi | 89% | 2867 fps | 97.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,144 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,650 psi | 82% | 2881 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,985 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,681 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,478 psi | 87% | 2897 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,217 psi | 86% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,566 psi | 90% | 2851 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,768 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,506 psi | 85% | 2828 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,883 psi | 86% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,260 psi | 57% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,552 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,581 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,682 psi | 88% | 2831 fps | 99% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,624 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,104 psi | 63% | 2677 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,900 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,971 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,088 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,854 psi | 86% | 2831 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,365 psi | 63% | 2703 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,014 psi | 87% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,507 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,506 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,477 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,175 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,174 psi | 58% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,566 psi | 90% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,315 psi | 80% | 2897 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,117 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,001 psi | 89% | 2877 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,681 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,900 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,971 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,812 psi | 89% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,146 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,551 psi | 88% | 2874 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,696 psi | 88% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,059 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,450 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,523 psi | 90% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,059 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,479 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,291 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,667 psi | 88% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,826 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,753 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,710 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,287 psi | 82% | 2897 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,030 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,217 psi | 86% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,594 psi | 87% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,784 psi | 90% | 2851 fps | 99.8% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,708 psi | 55% | 2441 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,703 psi | 73% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 59% | 2598 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | 51.9 gr | 84% | 42,090 psi | 64% | 2664 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,201 psi | 85% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 61% | 2562 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,422 psi | 62% | 2608 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,160 psi | 60% | 2579 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,922 psi | 47% | 2421 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 61% | 2566 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 61% | 2566 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,629 psi | 70% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,866 psi | 81% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 61% | 2559 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 54% | 2503 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,316 psi | 53% | 2467 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,704 psi | 46% | 2379 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 58% | 2608 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,648 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,346 psi | 54% | 2497 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,174 psi | 58% | 2592 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 54% | 2503 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,966 psi | 77% | 2684 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,304 psi | 57% | 2539 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 75% | 2730 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,692 psi | 79% | 2746 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,495 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,395 psi | 65% | 2598 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,214 psi | 51% | 2516 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,849 psi | 75% | 2756 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,963 psi | 43% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 69% | 2618 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,256 psi | 79% | 2707 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,281 psi | 69% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,090 psi | 64% | 2559 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,972 psi | 60% | 2589 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,580 psi | 59% | 2621 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,023 psi | 75% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 73% | 2651 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,850 psi | 47% | 2326 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,585 psi | 70% | 2657 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,589 psi | 48% | 2467 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma MRP | 48.5 gr | 80% | 37,217 psi | 57% | 2569 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 71% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,682 psi | 59% | 2595 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 70% | 2667 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,155 psi | 49% | 2418 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,601 psi | 44% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 73% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 70% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,213 psi | 49% | 2490 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,626 psi | 64% | 2697 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,679 psi | 84% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 63% | 2543 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 60% | 2543 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,966 psi | 77% | 2684 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,023 psi | 75% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 73% | 2651 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,404 psi | 83% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,935 psi | 73% | 2612 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 59% | 2539 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,331 psi | 83% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,655 psi | 64% | 2533 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 67% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 61% | 2530 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,040 psi | 80% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 74% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,389 psi | 53% | 2405 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,413 psi | 73% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 59% | 2543 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 49.7 gr | 82% | 40,030 psi | 61% | 2618 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,321 psi | 62% | 2612 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,149 psi | 66% | 2713 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,050 psi | 72% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 75% | 2730 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,487 psi | 47% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 55% | 2451 fps | 95.7% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 78 powders for .25-06 Ackley Improved loaded with the .257 | 135gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,009 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,768 fps to 3,009 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 78 of the 78 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (450 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 135.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-25 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. Vihtavuori N560, Norma MRP, Accurate MAGPRO rank at the top here: for .25-06 Ackley Improved with the .257 | 135gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.