Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 50 Mag. with .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing bullet and 52 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant AR-Comp, IMR 3031 and Hodgdon H322.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 3041 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,152 psi | 86% | 3071 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,714 psi | 79% | 3031 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 2966 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,514 psi | 84% | 3058 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3002 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 3110 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,837 psi | 60% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 3041 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3054 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 3028 fps | 96% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 3107 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,895 psi | 60% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 3051 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3054 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,239 psi | 86% | 3035 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 2946 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 3005 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 3035 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,688 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 96.9% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,227 psi | 57% | 2671 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,187 psi | 66% | 2805 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,427 psi | 50% | 2628 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,740 psi | 70% | 2900 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,475 psi | 61% | 2805 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 72% | 2799 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 73% | 2805 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,869 psi | 69% | 2877 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,991 psi | 82% | 2992 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 21.5 gr | 80% | 28,500 psi | 52% | 2680 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 65% | 2808 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 79% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,740 psi | 70% | 2782 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,279 psi | 77% | 2894 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 3002 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 22.2 gr | 80% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 2792 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,128 psi | 64% | 2805 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,888 psi | 80% | 2900 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,105 psi | 44% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 22.6 gr | 84% | 31,154 psi | 57% | 2762 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 68% | 2808 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,991 psi | 82% | 2992 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,452 psi | 75% | 2933 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,452 psi | 75% | 2917 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,043 psi | 67% | 2874 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,280 psi | 80% | 2992 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,785 psi | 74% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 2976 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,260 psi | 66% | 2835 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,859 psi | 43% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,218 psi | 71% | 2877 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,491 psi | 64% | 2776 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,527 psi | 81% | 2972 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,452 psi | 75% | 2933 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,043 psi | 67% | 2874 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,280 psi | 80% | 2992 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,759 psi | 81% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2877 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 66% | 2818 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,318 psi | 66% | 2746 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,459 psi | 57% | 2641 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,931 psi | 78% | 2969 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,591 psi | 61% | 2697 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 77% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 63% | 2720 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,037 psi | 55% | 2612 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,731 psi | 49% | 2595 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,156 psi | 62% | 2756 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,411 psi | 82% | 2995 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,259 psi | 64% | 2795 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,596 psi | 74% | 2959 fps | 95.2% |
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 52 powders for 5.6 x 50 Mag. loaded with the .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,169 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,949 fps to 3,169 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 52 of the 52 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 60.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.0 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. Alliant AR-Comp, IMR 3031, Hodgdon H322 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 50 Mag. with the .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing 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.