Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 61 SE v. Hofe with .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S bullet and 70 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, ReloadSwiss RS 70 and Alliant Reloder-16.
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 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 3793 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3835 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3845 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,854 psi | 88% | 3924 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,188 psi | 90% | 3911 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,768 psi | 89% | 4052 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 88% | 3934 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 3881 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3901 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,564 psi | 87% | 3990 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 4022 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3993 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,230 psi | 85% | 3927 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,587 psi | 75% | 3806 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,042 psi | 86% | 4016 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,260 psi | 88% | 3904 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3993 fps | 96.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3852 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,507 psi | 89% | 3911 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3970 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3914 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3898 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,319 psi | 90% | 3963 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,288 psi | 85% | 3921 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,390 psi | 57% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3927 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3891 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,651 psi | 87% | 3852 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3878 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3885 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,912 psi | 88% | 3904 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3947 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,725 psi | 90% | 3881 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,072 psi | 89% | 3894 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3891 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3865 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,820 psi | 77% | 3714 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,317 psi | 85% | 3885 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 4026 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 3967 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,245 psi | 87% | 3904 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,724 psi | 89% | 3947 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,115 psi | 58% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3875 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 4022 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,506 psi | 87% | 3927 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,696 psi | 90% | 4029 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3858 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,391 psi | 88% | 3898 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3852 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3891 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,072 psi | 89% | 3894 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3865 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,508 psi | 90% | 3950 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3763 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,058 psi | 89% | 3816 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,173 psi | 88% | 3891 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 3976 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 88% | 3885 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,811 psi | 87% | 3819 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3819 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3855 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,854 psi | 88% | 3888 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3839 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3806 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,608 psi | 87% | 3891 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3970 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3835 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3970 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,951 psi | 78% | 3990 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 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,227 psi | 80% | 3720 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,802 psi | 70% | 3622 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,764 psi | 81% | 3780 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 62% | 3550 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 75% | 3707 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,707 psi | 83% | 3970 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,084 psi | 83% | 3865 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,457 psi | 76% | 3747 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,445 psi | 81% | 3829 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 45.8 gr | 80% | 37,855 psi | 59% | 3543 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,105 psi | 68% | 3714 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,592 psi | 84% | 3911 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,679 psi | 54% | 3435 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,771 psi | 65% | 3645 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 55.6 gr | 88% | 40,944 psi | 64% | 3675 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 77% | 3763 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,592 psi | 84% | 3911 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,965 psi | 77% | 3711 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,559 psi | 78% | 3766 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,065 psi | 74% | 3740 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,997 psi | 83% | 3839 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,621 psi | 56% | 3415 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,403 psi | 84% | 3885 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,357 psi | 79% | 3832 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,166 psi | 43% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,882 psi | 84% | 3858 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,038 psi | 78% | 3760 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,170 psi | 82% | 3776 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,835 psi | 78% | 3740 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,995 psi | 78% | 3747 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 59% | 3481 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,794 psi | 83% | 3871 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3819 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,720 psi | 79% | 3770 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 66% | 3547 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,876 psi | 72% | 3655 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,033 psi | 67% | 3576 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,850 psi | 80% | 3812 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,922 psi | 78% | 3871 fps | 96% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 61% | 3533 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,474 psi | 81% | 3829 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,337 psi | 68% | 3648 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,876 psi | 44% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,226 psi | 77% | 3724 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,585 psi | 71% | 3796 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 62% | 3553 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 51.4 gr | 82% | 40,872 psi | 64% | 3629 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,330 psi | 82% | 3789 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,470 psi | 73% | 3691 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,965 psi | 77% | 3711 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 66% | 3547 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,720 psi | 79% | 3770 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,876 psi | 72% | 3655 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,268 psi | 74% | 3740 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,934 psi | 74% | 3593 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,195 psi | 74% | 3612 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,499 psi | 73% | 3691 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,650 psi | 56% | 3481 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,530 psi | 78% | 3740 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,475 psi | 82% | 3760 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,547 psi | 82% | 3757 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 70% | 3593 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 63% | 3533 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,909 psi | 81% | 3763 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 81% | 3743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 63% | 3540 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,638 psi | 61% | 3547 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 62% | 3484 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,065 psi | 74% | 3740 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,373 psi | 52% | 3478 fps | 96.2% |
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 70 powders for 5.6 x 61 SE v. Hofe loaded with the .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 4,052 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,641 fps to 4,052 fps. Alliant Reloder-22 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 70 of the 70 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 50.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-25 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 Reloder-26, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-16 rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 61 SE v. Hofe with the .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S 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.