Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .224 | 55gr | Nosler Varmageddon bullet and 89 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR 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% | 57,290 psi | 90% | 3527 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,072 psi | 88% | 3543 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,970 psi | 88% | 3537 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,215 psi | 85% | 3543 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3579 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,083 psi | 82% | 3563 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3465 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3491 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,840 psi | 89% | 3615 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,360 psi | 85% | 3540 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,522 psi | 90% | 3602 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3563 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,753 psi | 87% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,000 psi | 89% | 3694 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,594 psi | 89% | 3734 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3635 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3629 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3540 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,415 psi | 79% | 3563 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3684 fps | 99.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,738 psi | 87% | 3442 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3615 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3586 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,012 psi | 85% | 3491 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3698 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 3579 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3540 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3589 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,348 psi | 90% | 3632 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,412 psi | 73% | 3419 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3655 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,592 psi | 54% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3566 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,681 psi | 89% | 3629 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3589 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,594 psi | 89% | 3507 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,211 psi | 77% | 3484 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3632 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3563 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,086 psi | 88% | 3550 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,231 psi | 88% | 3530 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,129 psi | 86% | 3550 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,608 psi | 87% | 3563 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3635 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,169 psi | 80% | 3547 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,491 psi | 85% | 3593 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,536 psi | 89% | 3563 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3586 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,043 psi | 89% | 3560 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,998 psi | 55% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,071 psi | 86% | 3550 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,810 psi | 86% | 3665 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,665 psi | 86% | 3698 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,909 psi | 81% | 3576 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 3556 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,695 psi | 87% | 3547 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,157 psi | 85% | 3563 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3504 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,507 psi | 89% | 3638 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,522 psi | 90% | 3570 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 3530 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3573 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 3504 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,290 psi | 90% | 3494 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,305 psi | 90% | 3602 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,173 psi | 88% | 3491 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,128 psi | 85% | 3527 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3566 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,600 psi | 71% | 3478 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3474 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 3491 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3527 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3540 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3553 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3556 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3566 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3520 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,214 psi | 83% | 3556 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,027 psi | 86% | 3530 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3612 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3576 fps | 99% |
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% | 44,425 psi | 70% | 3294 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 3409 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 58% | 3159 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,990 psi | 69% | 3340 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 55% | 3127 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,933 psi | 70% | 3412 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,576 psi | 82% | 3406 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,939 psi | 83% | 3432 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,075 psi | 64% | 3278 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,802 psi | 70% | 3340 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,969 psi | 85% | 3543 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,105 psi | 68% | 3301 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 67% | 3323 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,038 psi | 78% | 3556 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 38.4 gr | 86% | 45,716 psi | 72% | 3491 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,524 psi | 65% | 3294 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,073 psi | 61% | 3235 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,183 psi | 79% | 3432 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,933 psi | 70% | 3386 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,992 psi | 74% | 3488 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,684 psi | 65% | 3383 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,199 psi | 82% | 3383 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,166 psi | 72% | 3399 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,580 psi | 60% | 3232 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 71% | 3307 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 66% | 3310 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,788 psi | 72% | 3468 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,023 psi | 77% | 3448 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,401 psi | 79% | 3471 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,907 psi | 77% | 3448 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,394 psi | 65% | 3291 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,756 psi | 64% | 3284 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 59% | 3228 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,701 psi | 40% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 62% | 3235 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 63% | 3307 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,208 psi | 69% | 3323 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,183 psi | 79% | 3396 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,774 psi | 72% | 3412 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,248 psi | 63% | 3284 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,105 psi | 68% | 3301 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,704 psi | 76% | 3409 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 62% | 3248 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,162 psi | 65% | 3209 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 57% | 3127 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,692 psi | 83% | 3488 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,016 psi | 63% | 3222 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 63% | 3245 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,205 psi | 65% | 3294 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,964 psi | 75% | 3481 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,031 psi | 64% | 3301 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,895 psi | 83% | 3494 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,540 psi | 67% | 3310 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 73% | 3353 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,875 psi | 41% | 2106 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,254 psi | 76% | 3419 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 36.4 gr | 84% | 44,121 psi | 69% | 3438 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36.1 gr | 82% | 33,808 psi | 53% | 3169 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,182 psi | 76% | 3501 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,903 psi | 69% | 3307 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 60% | 3166 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,754 psi | 61% | 3225 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,692 psi | 83% | 3488 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 62% | 3248 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 57% | 3127 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 81% | 3442 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,888 psi | 67% | 3356 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,531 psi | 79% | 3448 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,995 psi | 80% | 3461 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,250 psi | 66% | 3294 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,423 psi | 65% | 3199 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,185 psi | 54% | 3015 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 73% | 3392 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,075 psi | 64% | 3199 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 64% | 3241 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,653 psi | 62% | 3238 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,925 psi | 55% | 3192 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,862 psi | 73% | 3307 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,582 psi | 65% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 58% | 3166 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,087 psi | 60% | 3166 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,534 psi | 56% | 3100 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,065 psi | 74% | 3419 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,931 psi | 67% | 3291 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,840 psi | 58% | 3136 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,166 psi | 72% | 3409 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,001 psi | 61% | 3186 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,235 psi | 66% | 3333 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 61% | 3228 fps | 95.3% |
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 89 powders for 5.6 x 57 loaded with the .224 | 55gr | Nosler Varmageddon. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,734 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,293 fps to 3,734 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 89 of the 89 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 0.224" calls for a 1:10.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 57 with the .224 | 55gr | Nosler Varmageddon 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.