Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .223 | 55gr | SUS-TAC Varmax (HPT) bullet and 88 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% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3501 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,824 psi | 86% | 3517 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,201 psi | 85% | 3507 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,638 psi | 90% | 3609 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,111 psi | 79% | 3520 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3445 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,477 psi | 87% | 3471 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3583 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,391 psi | 88% | 3573 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,159 psi | 88% | 3576 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,433 psi | 85% | 3537 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,244 psi | 85% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3675 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3698 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3602 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,912 psi | 88% | 3599 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,477 psi | 87% | 3520 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3629 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,776 psi | 76% | 3524 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3727 fps | 99.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3422 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,376 psi | 87% | 3586 fps | 97.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3615 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3527 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 3629 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3671 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,810 psi | 86% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3576 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,505 psi | 85% | 3556 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,767 psi | 87% | 3599 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,150 psi | 71% | 3386 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3625 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,505 psi | 54% | 2280 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,305 psi | 90% | 3602 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,245 psi | 87% | 3606 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,709 psi | 87% | 3556 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3484 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,418 psi | 85% | 3596 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,433 psi | 85% | 3537 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,911 psi | 86% | 3524 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 3556 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,172 psi | 86% | 3507 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,361 psi | 87% | 3556 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3524 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3589 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3537 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 3612 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,748 psi | 78% | 3517 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,072 psi | 89% | 3635 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,201 psi | 87% | 3533 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3563 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,637 psi | 87% | 3530 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,925 psi | 55% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,867 psi | 84% | 3524 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 3707 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,348 psi | 90% | 3747 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,868 psi | 86% | 3524 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,491 psi | 85% | 3524 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3602 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3524 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 3556 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,361 psi | 87% | 3556 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,624 psi | 90% | 3550 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,681 psi | 89% | 3583 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 3609 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3550 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 3573 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 3612 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,782 psi | 87% | 3478 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,782 psi | 87% | 3465 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,246 psi | 88% | 3579 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,071 psi | 86% | 3471 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3563 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3599 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,324 psi | 69% | 3442 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,651 psi | 87% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,738 psi | 87% | 3468 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,319 psi | 90% | 3563 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 3510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3524 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,228 psi | 82% | 3517 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3540 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,159 psi | 90% | 3563 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,503 psi | 81% | 3517 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,621 psi | 84% | 3501 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,595 psi | 90% | 3619 fps | 99.2% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 68% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,790 psi | 75% | 3386 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 56% | 3133 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 67% | 3310 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,069 psi | 53% | 3100 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,630 psi | 73% | 3448 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,706 psi | 81% | 3386 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,069 psi | 82% | 3409 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,612 psi | 67% | 3310 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,772 psi | 69% | 3314 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,605 psi | 82% | 3514 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 66% | 3271 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,060 psi | 64% | 3294 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 3520 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 38.4 gr | 88% | 47,732 psi | 75% | 3533 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 63% | 3261 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,985 psi | 60% | 3202 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,124 psi | 77% | 3406 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,830 psi | 69% | 3353 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,759 psi | 72% | 3451 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,524 psi | 64% | 3346 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 80% | 3363 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,150 psi | 71% | 3373 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,463 psi | 59% | 3199 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,918 psi | 69% | 3278 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 63% | 3271 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,628 psi | 70% | 3438 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 75% | 3428 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,226 psi | 77% | 3445 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,053 psi | 80% | 3488 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 63% | 3258 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,552 psi | 62% | 3251 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,827 psi | 61% | 3268 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,759 psi | 40% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,365 psi | 65% | 3268 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 62% | 3281 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,134 psi | 68% | 3294 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,110 psi | 77% | 3373 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,119 psi | 66% | 3330 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 66% | 3271 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,543 psi | 75% | 3383 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 61% | 3219 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,047 psi | 67% | 3251 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,724 psi | 59% | 3169 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,372 psi | 81% | 3458 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 61% | 3196 fps | 96% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 62% | 3222 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,149 psi | 68% | 3340 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,543 psi | 73% | 3445 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,033 psi | 67% | 3346 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,561 psi | 81% | 3461 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,510 psi | 65% | 3281 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 72% | 3327 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,918 psi | 41% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,384 psi | 74% | 3396 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 36.4 gr | 86% | 45,919 psi | 72% | 3474 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36.1 gr | 84% | 35,143 psi | 55% | 3209 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 67% | 3281 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 58% | 3133 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,263 psi | 63% | 3261 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,372 psi | 81% | 3458 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 61% | 3219 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,724 psi | 59% | 3169 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,908 psi | 78% | 3406 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 83% | 3520 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,916 psi | 66% | 3330 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,487 psi | 78% | 3425 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,545 psi | 78% | 3425 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,205 psi | 65% | 3264 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 64% | 3173 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,431 psi | 52% | 2992 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,455 psi | 71% | 3363 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 63% | 3176 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,844 psi | 67% | 3287 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,147 psi | 64% | 3274 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,085 psi | 57% | 3225 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,919 psi | 72% | 3284 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 64% | 3182 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,085 psi | 57% | 3140 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 58% | 3140 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,519 psi | 54% | 3068 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,863 psi | 77% | 3451 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 66% | 3271 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 56% | 3107 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,283 psi | 76% | 3451 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,799 psi | 64% | 3225 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 64% | 3304 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,828 psi | 64% | 3268 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 108 powders for 5.6 x 57 loaded with the .223 | 55gr | SUS-TAC Varmax (HPT). ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,747 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,280 fps to 3,747 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 108 of the 108 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 55.0 gr projectile in 0.223" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-17 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 .223 | 55gr | SUS-TAC Varmax (HPT) they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Alliant Reloder-23, Bofors RP7 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.