Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .224 | 50gr | Berger Varmint 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% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3622 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3698 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,898 psi | 89% | 3691 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3698 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3727 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 3629 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,360 psi | 85% | 3589 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,143 psi | 85% | 3694 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,463 psi | 87% | 3688 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,926 psi | 86% | 3698 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3714 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,942 psi | 89% | 3724 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3789 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,954 psi | 85% | 3799 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,810 psi | 86% | 3711 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,740 psi | 90% | 3704 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3734 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,434 psi | 88% | 3835 fps | 98.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3602 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,201 psi | 85% | 3691 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,506 psi | 87% | 3724 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,434 psi | 87% | 3648 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3740 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,085 psi | 85% | 3773 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,609 psi | 90% | 3747 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3694 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3737 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,607 psi | 86% | 3711 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 3806 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,432 psi | 54% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,072 psi | 88% | 3717 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3783 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,491 psi | 85% | 3665 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3668 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3780 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3714 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 3707 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,595 psi | 90% | 3743 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3688 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,114 psi | 85% | 3665 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3671 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3701 fps | 99% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3717 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 3717 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,550 psi | 87% | 3740 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,043 psi | 89% | 3740 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3645 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,780 psi | 55% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3707 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3816 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,101 psi | 88% | 3855 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,130 psi | 90% | 3707 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,840 psi | 89% | 3701 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,303 psi | 87% | 3711 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,595 psi | 90% | 3743 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,114 psi | 85% | 3665 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,536 psi | 89% | 3665 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3353 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 3704 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 3783 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3671 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3678 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3724 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 3599 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,013 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,882 psi | 86% | 3688 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3648 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,376 psi | 87% | 3675 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3711 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,395 psi | 68% | 3537 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,725 psi | 90% | 3635 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,563 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3675 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,638 psi | 90% | 3694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 3694 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 3717 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,043 psi | 88% | 3675 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,692 psi | 83% | 3606 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3770 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3727 fps | 98.6% |
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% | 42,525 psi | 67% | 3383 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,746 psi | 73% | 3494 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,998 psi | 55% | 3225 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 3409 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,054 psi | 52% | 3186 fps | 96% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,807 psi | 80% | 3507 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,155 psi | 80% | 3530 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,759 psi | 70% | 3488 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,704 psi | 76% | 3550 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,532 psi | 81% | 3632 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 64% | 3369 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,943 psi | 63% | 3402 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 74% | 3629 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 40.9 gr | 90% | 50,256 psi | 79% | 3717 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,424 psi | 66% | 3438 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,805 psi | 75% | 3524 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,788 psi | 72% | 3527 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,554 psi | 67% | 3517 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,096 psi | 79% | 3474 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,589 psi | 79% | 3615 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,192 psi | 66% | 3438 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,004 psi | 67% | 3383 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 62% | 3373 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,920 psi | 74% | 3619 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 73% | 3537 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 75% | 3553 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,345 psi | 84% | 3661 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,061 psi | 66% | 3428 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,872 psi | 64% | 3442 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,425 psi | 40% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,149 psi | 68% | 3435 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,159 psi | 60% | 3383 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,237 psi | 71% | 3468 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 75% | 3497 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,743 psi | 69% | 3491 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 64% | 3369 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 73% | 3484 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 59% | 3314 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,020 psi | 71% | 3422 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,407 psi | 62% | 3337 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,114 psi | 85% | 3612 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,727 psi | 64% | 3360 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,348 psi | 60% | 3317 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,063 psi | 71% | 3510 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,005 psi | 71% | 3517 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,470 psi | 73% | 3524 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 70% | 3428 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,527 psi | 40% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 72% | 3501 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 38.8 gr | 88% | 48,225 psi | 76% | 3658 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 38.5 gr | 86% | 36,883 psi | 58% | 3373 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 66% | 3383 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,638 psi | 61% | 3294 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,047 psi | 66% | 3425 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 59% | 3314 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,407 psi | 62% | 3337 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,153 psi | 77% | 3520 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,882 psi | 84% | 3310 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,011 psi | 82% | 3635 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,801 psi | 69% | 3494 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 76% | 3547 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,272 psi | 82% | 3606 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,195 psi | 72% | 3507 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 62% | 3281 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,721 psi | 51% | 3087 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,353 psi | 70% | 3465 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 62% | 3278 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,991 psi | 71% | 3458 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,018 psi | 67% | 3442 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,927 psi | 59% | 3389 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 71% | 3402 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,885 psi | 63% | 3294 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 55% | 3241 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,318 psi | 57% | 3235 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,638 psi | 61% | 3294 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 64% | 3363 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,056 psi | 55% | 3202 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,946 psi | 67% | 3389 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,089 psi | 63% | 3402 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,598 psi | 67% | 3435 fps | 95.5% |
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 .224 | 50gr | Berger Varmint. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,855 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,402 fps to 3,855 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 .224 | 50gr | Berger 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.