Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .204 | 50gr | Barnes Varminator HP FB bullet and 80 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60 and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,013 psi | 86% | 3629 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3701 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,724 psi | 89% | 3688 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 3704 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,260 psi | 88% | 3724 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3632 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 3596 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,447 psi | 85% | 3701 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,303 psi | 87% | 3684 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,245 psi | 87% | 3704 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3720 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3720 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3786 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,157 psi | 85% | 3806 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3720 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3714 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,520 psi | 85% | 3648 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 3737 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,246 psi | 88% | 3832 fps | 98.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,305 psi | 90% | 3599 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3698 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,782 psi | 87% | 3730 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,303 psi | 87% | 3645 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3743 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3780 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3743 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3698 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3737 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,911 psi | 86% | 3717 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,012 psi | 85% | 3737 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,374 psi | 54% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3720 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,595 psi | 90% | 3789 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3671 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,447 psi | 85% | 3615 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3783 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3720 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3701 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3740 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,172 psi | 85% | 3622 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3675 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3711 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,000 psi | 89% | 3724 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,911 psi | 86% | 3724 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3740 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3743 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3642 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,708 psi | 54% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3711 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3816 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3852 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3711 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3698 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 3707 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3740 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3675 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,840 psi | 89% | 3671 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 3356 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3711 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,867 psi | 84% | 3714 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3678 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3684 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3724 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,926 psi | 86% | 3602 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,868 psi | 86% | 3586 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3691 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 3655 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3675 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,840 psi | 88% | 3717 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,323 psi | 68% | 3537 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,578 psi | 86% | 3583 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3593 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3681 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3688 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,853 psi | 84% | 3632 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,925 psi | 85% | 3652 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3681 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,939 psi | 83% | 3606 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3776 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,623 psi | 89% | 3734 fps | 98.7% |
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% | 42,409 psi | 66% | 3379 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 73% | 3491 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 55% | 3235 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 66% | 3415 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,243 psi | 52% | 3192 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,676 psi | 79% | 3507 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,995 psi | 80% | 3527 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,643 psi | 70% | 3488 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,965 psi | 77% | 3553 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 81% | 3632 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 65% | 3376 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 63% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 75% | 3635 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 41 gr | 90% | 50,488 psi | 79% | 3724 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,424 psi | 66% | 3438 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,322 psi | 66% | 3438 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,066 psi | 75% | 3527 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,658 psi | 72% | 3520 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,757 psi | 67% | 3524 fps | 95.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,357 psi | 79% | 3481 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,500 psi | 74% | 3550 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,061 psi | 66% | 3435 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 68% | 3389 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,581 psi | 62% | 3373 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,760 psi | 73% | 3615 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,065 psi | 74% | 3543 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,950 psi | 75% | 3550 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,592 psi | 84% | 3668 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,279 psi | 66% | 3435 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,770 psi | 64% | 3438 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,382 psi | 40% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,410 psi | 68% | 3442 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 60% | 3379 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,121 psi | 71% | 3465 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 76% | 3504 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,961 psi | 69% | 3501 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 65% | 3376 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,543 psi | 73% | 3491 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 59% | 3310 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,918 psi | 70% | 3419 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,305 psi | 62% | 3330 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,959 psi | 64% | 3366 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,305 psi | 60% | 3317 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,933 psi | 70% | 3507 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,237 psi | 71% | 3520 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,569 psi | 68% | 3451 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 70% | 3432 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,483 psi | 40% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,412 psi | 73% | 3507 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 38.8 gr | 88% | 48,095 psi | 75% | 3652 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 38.6 gr | 86% | 37,086 psi | 58% | 3379 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,003 psi | 66% | 3386 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,841 psi | 61% | 3301 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,264 psi | 66% | 3432 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 59% | 3310 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,305 psi | 62% | 3330 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,023 psi | 77% | 3517 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,172 psi | 85% | 3314 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,880 psi | 81% | 3632 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,685 psi | 68% | 3491 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,370 psi | 76% | 3543 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,562 psi | 82% | 3612 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,352 psi | 68% | 3442 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 62% | 3281 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,634 psi | 51% | 3087 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 70% | 3468 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 62% | 3284 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,875 psi | 70% | 3455 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,902 psi | 67% | 3435 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,811 psi | 59% | 3386 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,976 psi | 70% | 3402 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 62% | 3291 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 55% | 3238 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 57% | 3235 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,522 psi | 60% | 3294 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,234 psi | 65% | 3369 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 55% | 3205 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,801 psi | 67% | 3383 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 63% | 3409 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,859 psi | 67% | 3442 fps | 95.6% |
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 80 powders for 5.6 x 57 loaded with the .204 | 50gr | Barnes Varminator HP FB. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,852 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,398 fps to 3,852 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 80 of the 80 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 50.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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 Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 57 with the .204 | 50gr | Barnes Varminator HP FB 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.