Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 61 R SE v. Hofe with .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing bullet and 42 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester StaBALL HD, Alliant Reloder-26 and Norma MRP.
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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,398 psi | 84% | 3448 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3520 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3596 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 3622 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 3612 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3579 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 3612 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 3612 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3461 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3517 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3698 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 3596 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 3507 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 3507 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3550 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 3507 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 3484 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 3474 fps | 98% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 3638 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 3576 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 3560 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,173 psi | 67% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3537 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 3632 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,601 psi | 85% | 3609 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3461 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 3507 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 3484 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 3438 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 3583 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 3504 fps | 96.7% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,615 psi | 85% | 3507 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 3468 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 3507 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 3474 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 3501 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 3586 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,021 psi | 85% | 3678 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,350 psi | 73% | 3307 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 75% | 3373 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 71% | 3379 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 3540 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 3533 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,285 psi | 57% | 3123 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,421 psi | 70% | 3356 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 52.6 gr | 84% | 37,144 psi | 67% | 3360 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 3533 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 81% | 3392 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 67% | 3241 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,803 psi | 83% | 3609 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,351 psi | 77% | 3428 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,238 psi | 49% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,888 psi | 78% | 3366 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,876 psi | 83% | 3432 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 65% | 3202 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 79% | 3366 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 76% | 3343 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,914 psi | 71% | 3268 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | 53.4 gr | 88% | 42,467 psi | 77% | 3474 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,654 psi | 74% | 3366 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 3340 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,672 psi | 81% | 3465 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,731 psi | 50% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 75% | 3386 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 72% | 3392 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,091 psi | 78% | 3514 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 81% | 3392 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 79% | 3366 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 76% | 3343 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,685 psi | 77% | 3297 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 67% | 3307 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,252 psi | 82% | 3435 fps | 95.8% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 79% | 3438 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 84% | 3406 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,076 psi | 76% | 3366 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,643 psi | 81% | 3399 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 76% | 3363 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,416 psi | 59% | 3150 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,379 psi | 75% | 3317 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 50.5 gr | 84% | 29,921 psi | 54% | 3169 fps | 96.5% |
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 65 powders for 5.6 x 61 R SE v. Hofe loaded with the .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,698 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,438 fps to 3,698 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 65 of the 65 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 66–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 60.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Bofors RP30 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. Winchester StaBALL HD, Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 61 R SE v. Hofe with the .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2213, ADI AR 2217 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.