Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 70 R with .223 | 55gr | SUS-TAC Varmax (HPT) bullet and 6 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 14 and Hodgdon TrailBoss.
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: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,489 psi | 86% | 2894 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,286 psi | 88% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,518 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,721 psi | 89% | 2172 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,460 psi | 89% | 2835 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,127 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 97.9% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 75% | 2776 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 9 gr | 80% | 24,714 psi | 66% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,488 psi | 84% | 2913 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 9.2 gr | 80% | 24,845 psi | 66% | 1952 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,459 psi | 83% | 2779 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,834 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 96.3% |
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 15 powders for 5.6 x 70 R loaded with the .223 | 55gr | SUS-TAC Varmax (HPT). IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,972 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,116 fps to 2,972 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 15 of the 15 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (260 MPa), the top charges use 85–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 55.0 gr projectile in 0.223" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 70 R with the .223 | 55gr | SUS-TAC Varmax (HPT) they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Lovex D073.6, Lovex S062, Rottweil R 902 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.