Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 50 Mag. with .224 | 60gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullet and 49 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp and IMR 3031.
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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,441 psi | 84% | 3012 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,948 psi | 83% | 3045 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,598 psi | 77% | 3002 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2936 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,152 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3091 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 3091 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 3058 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 3084 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2992 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,605 psi | 59% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 3143 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,702 psi | 85% | 3028 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3064 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3064 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,663 psi | 59% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3035 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,152 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,702 psi | 85% | 3028 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,849 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2992 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,657 psi | 81% | 2923 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 3058 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,572 psi | 85% | 3048 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 3018 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3048 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 97.2% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 84% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,589 psi | 56% | 2651 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,826 psi | 69% | 2838 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,455 psi | 48% | 2595 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,739 psi | 68% | 2871 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,983 psi | 63% | 2838 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 71% | 2776 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 76% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 68% | 2854 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 21.1 gr | 80% | 27,905 psi | 51% | 2654 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,143 psi | 64% | 2785 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 78% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 69% | 2756 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,785 psi | 76% | 2874 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.8 gr | 92% | 41,742 psi | 76% | 2976 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,837 psi | 61% | 2769 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,680 psi | 67% | 2838 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 78% | 2877 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 44% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 22.2 gr | 84% | 30,647 psi | 56% | 2740 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 67% | 2785 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,277 psi | 73% | 2900 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,393 psi | 73% | 2890 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,783 psi | 70% | 2907 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,016 psi | 73% | 2874 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,716 psi | 83% | 2999 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,259 psi | 64% | 2802 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,946 psi | 43% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2858 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,956 psi | 67% | 2808 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 2995 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,277 psi | 73% | 2900 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,783 psi | 70% | 2907 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,830 psi | 80% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 68% | 2848 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 65% | 2795 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,737 psi | 65% | 2726 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,518 psi | 59% | 2661 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,512 psi | 81% | 2995 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,663 psi | 59% | 2671 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 76% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 62% | 2697 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 53% | 2589 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,833 psi | 51% | 2621 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,634 psi | 61% | 2736 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,382 psi | 81% | 2963 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,941 psi | 67% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,641 psi | 77% | 2995 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 49 powders for 5.6 x 50 Mag. loaded with the .224 | 60gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,143 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,936 fps to 3,143 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 49 of the 49 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 60.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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. Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 50 Mag. with the .224 | 60gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 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.