Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .224 | 50gr | Sierra VarmintKing bullet and 81 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% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3632 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,172 psi | 85% | 3645 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3698 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3707 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,898 psi | 89% | 3734 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3576 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3602 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,578 psi | 86% | 3704 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3698 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,405 psi | 87% | 3707 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 3724 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3734 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3799 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 3816 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3727 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,201 psi | 87% | 3720 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3655 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3753 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3845 fps | 98.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,244 psi | 85% | 3550 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,926 psi | 86% | 3707 fps | 96.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3743 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,811 psi | 87% | 3658 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3753 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 3793 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,099 psi | 85% | 3684 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3701 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,638 psi | 90% | 3747 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 3720 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,382 psi | 70% | 3488 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,592 psi | 86% | 3750 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,418 psi | 54% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,884 psi | 89% | 3730 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,186 psi | 85% | 3730 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,317 psi | 87% | 3684 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3622 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,954 psi | 85% | 3724 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 3724 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,099 psi | 85% | 3645 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,085 psi | 85% | 3681 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3632 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,969 psi | 86% | 3684 fps | 99% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3714 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,609 psi | 90% | 3737 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3737 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3753 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,012 psi | 85% | 3684 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3652 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,751 psi | 54% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3717 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,391 psi | 88% | 3825 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3862 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 3714 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3707 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 3720 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,085 psi | 85% | 3681 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,969 psi | 86% | 3684 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3675 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,363 psi | 90% | 3363 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,115 psi | 88% | 3711 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3724 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 3681 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,869 psi | 89% | 3694 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3734 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,071 psi | 86% | 3606 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,434 psi | 87% | 3596 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3694 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,491 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,159 psi | 88% | 3691 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3727 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,700 psi | 68% | 3547 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3586 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3596 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3691 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3642 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,404 psi | 85% | 3642 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3665 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,391 psi | 88% | 3681 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,316 psi | 84% | 3615 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3780 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 3743 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 42,612 psi | 67% | 3383 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 74% | 3504 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 56% | 3238 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 66% | 3419 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,475 psi | 52% | 3199 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,242 psi | 80% | 3520 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,590 psi | 81% | 3540 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,150 psi | 71% | 3501 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,166 psi | 72% | 3494 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,025 psi | 82% | 3645 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 65% | 3383 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,480 psi | 63% | 3415 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,834 psi | 75% | 3642 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 41.3 gr | 90% | 50,995 psi | 80% | 3737 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,627 psi | 67% | 3445 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,885 psi | 63% | 3376 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 76% | 3537 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,209 psi | 72% | 3533 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,873 psi | 67% | 3527 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,850 psi | 80% | 3488 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,616 psi | 75% | 3553 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,610 psi | 62% | 3376 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,381 psi | 68% | 3396 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,074 psi | 63% | 3386 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,297 psi | 74% | 3629 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,311 psi | 74% | 3550 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,486 psi | 76% | 3563 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,488 psi | 79% | 3602 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,482 psi | 67% | 3438 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,640 psi | 65% | 3419 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,220 psi | 65% | 3451 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,469 psi | 40% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,540 psi | 68% | 3445 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 61% | 3396 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,672 psi | 72% | 3478 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,602 psi | 76% | 3507 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,150 psi | 69% | 3504 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 65% | 3383 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,775 psi | 73% | 3494 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 60% | 3327 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,411 psi | 71% | 3435 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,827 psi | 62% | 3346 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 61% | 3307 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 61% | 3333 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,455 psi | 71% | 3524 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,339 psi | 71% | 3524 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,714 psi | 69% | 3458 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,310 psi | 71% | 3442 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,585 psi | 40% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,572 psi | 73% | 3510 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 39.1 gr | 88% | 48,660 psi | 76% | 3668 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 38.8 gr | 86% | 37,173 psi | 58% | 3386 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,250 psi | 66% | 3396 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,044 psi | 61% | 3307 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,438 psi | 67% | 3435 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 60% | 3327 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,827 psi | 62% | 3346 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,545 psi | 78% | 3530 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,447 psi | 85% | 3320 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,431 psi | 82% | 3645 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,164 psi | 69% | 3504 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,037 psi | 77% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,620 psi | 82% | 3615 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,511 psi | 68% | 3445 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 63% | 3294 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,112 psi | 52% | 3100 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,063 psi | 71% | 3484 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,769 psi | 62% | 3287 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,353 psi | 71% | 3468 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,381 psi | 68% | 3451 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,247 psi | 60% | 3399 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 71% | 3415 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 63% | 3304 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,636 psi | 56% | 3251 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 57% | 3248 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,986 psi | 61% | 3307 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 65% | 3376 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,433 psi | 56% | 3215 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,163 psi | 68% | 3396 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,495 psi | 63% | 3412 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,004 psi | 67% | 3445 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 81 powders for 5.6 x 57 loaded with the .224 | 50gr | Sierra VarmintKing. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,862 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,402 fps to 3,862 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 81 of the 81 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 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, 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 Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 57 with the .224 | 50gr | 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.