Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .224 | 55gr | Nosler Varmageddon HP 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 Alliant Reloder-17.
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>> | 86% | 54,853 psi | 86% | 3491 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3570 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,000 psi | 89% | 3556 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3570 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3606 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,330 psi | 84% | 3593 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,942 psi | 89% | 3488 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3514 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,725 psi | 90% | 3638 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,550 psi | 87% | 3570 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,884 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3586 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,578 psi | 86% | 3652 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,273 psi | 85% | 3691 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3596 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3563 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,912 psi | 88% | 3615 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,474 psi | 81% | 3593 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3720 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3465 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,520 psi | 85% | 3579 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,043 psi | 88% | 3612 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3520 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3612 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 3655 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 3599 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,969 psi | 86% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,188 psi | 90% | 3615 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,853 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,514 psi | 74% | 3445 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3619 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,737 psi | 54% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 3593 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,186 psi | 85% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 3547 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 3471 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,372 psi | 79% | 3510 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3658 fps | 99% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,884 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3576 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,696 psi | 90% | 3615 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,493 psi | 90% | 3563 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3550 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,580 psi | 90% | 3589 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3579 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 3593 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,071 psi | 86% | 3602 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,736 psi | 83% | 3583 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,101 psi | 88% | 3625 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,624 psi | 90% | 3589 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,290 psi | 90% | 3622 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,505 psi | 85% | 3520 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,143 psi | 55% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3579 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3694 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,173 psi | 88% | 3734 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,432 psi | 84% | 3612 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,606 psi | 84% | 3632 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3573 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,000 psi | 89% | 3576 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3599 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,580 psi | 90% | 3589 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,696 psi | 90% | 3615 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3550 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3533 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,230 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,898 psi | 88% | 3560 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3599 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3468 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3461 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3560 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 3517 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,695 psi | 87% | 3560 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,985 psi | 88% | 3596 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,050 psi | 74% | 3510 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3494 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,549 psi | 85% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,969 psi | 85% | 3501 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3517 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,201 psi | 87% | 3583 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,595 psi | 90% | 3593 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,246 psi | 88% | 3550 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3566 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3642 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3602 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% | 45,469 psi | 71% | 3320 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,009 psi | 78% | 3435 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 60% | 3186 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,962 psi | 70% | 3366 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 56% | 3153 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,195 psi | 72% | 3442 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,592 psi | 84% | 3428 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,969 psi | 85% | 3458 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,989 psi | 66% | 3304 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,931 psi | 67% | 3301 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 69% | 3330 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,308 psi | 68% | 3340 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,198 psi | 80% | 3586 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 39.2 gr | 86% | 46,833 psi | 73% | 3524 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,231 psi | 58% | 3189 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,923 psi | 80% | 3448 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,091 psi | 68% | 3343 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,179 psi | 71% | 3448 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 39.5 gr | 88% | 39,813 psi | 62% | 3337 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,359 psi | 84% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,179 psi | 69% | 3356 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,985 psi | 58% | 3189 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,600 psi | 71% | 3323 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,714 psi | 67% | 3337 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,746 psi | 73% | 3494 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,038 psi | 78% | 3474 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,314 psi | 80% | 3494 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,688 psi | 73% | 3402 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 66% | 3320 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,928 psi | 61% | 3245 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 60% | 3255 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,701 psi | 40% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,379 psi | 63% | 3251 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 65% | 3333 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,380 psi | 66% | 3284 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,995 psi | 80% | 3415 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,005 psi | 69% | 3373 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,191 psi | 65% | 3310 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 69% | 3330 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,024 psi | 78% | 3442 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 64% | 3274 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,018 psi | 66% | 3238 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 58% | 3156 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,633 psi | 79% | 3455 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,944 psi | 64% | 3251 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 65% | 3271 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,424 psi | 66% | 3327 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,021 psi | 72% | 3442 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,105 psi | 66% | 3330 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,546 psi | 79% | 3451 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 68% | 3333 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,819 psi | 75% | 3386 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,165 psi | 41% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 77% | 3442 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,121 psi | 71% | 3465 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36.8 gr | 82% | 34,490 psi | 54% | 3196 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,195 psi | 72% | 3461 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,966 psi | 78% | 3556 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 70% | 3327 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 61% | 3189 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,653 psi | 62% | 3251 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,633 psi | 79% | 3455 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 64% | 3274 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 58% | 3156 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,330 psi | 82% | 3465 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,046 psi | 64% | 3314 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,750 psi | 81% | 3478 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 3415 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,553 psi | 64% | 3255 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,366 psi | 66% | 3225 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 55% | 3041 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,805 psi | 75% | 3422 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 66% | 3222 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,989 psi | 66% | 3274 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,524 psi | 64% | 3264 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,882 psi | 56% | 3225 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,877 psi | 75% | 3330 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 67% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 60% | 3192 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 61% | 3189 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,808 psi | 53% | 3051 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,266 psi | 71% | 3379 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,830 psi | 69% | 3317 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,652 psi | 59% | 3163 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,601 psi | 75% | 3445 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,089 psi | 63% | 3215 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,540 psi | 68% | 3366 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 62% | 3251 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 88 powders for 5.6 x 57 loaded with the .224 | 55gr | Nosler Varmageddon HP. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,734 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,303 fps to 3,734 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 88 of the 88 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 1:12.5 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. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 57 with the .224 | 55gr | Nosler Varmageddon HP 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.