Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 70 R with .224 | 50gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullet and 5 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>> | 86% | 33,040 psi | 88% | 3022 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,779 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,301 psi | 88% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,243 psi | 88% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,852 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 97.5% |
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>> | 82% | 28,863 psi | 77% | 2897 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,401 psi | 83% | 3022 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 9.2 gr | 80% | 24,250 psi | 64% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 9.4 gr | 80% | 24,323 psi | 65% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,573 psi | 78% | 2920 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 5 powders for 5.6 x 70 R loaded with the .224 | 50gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. Alliant AR-Comp delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,091 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,228 fps to 3,091 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 5 of the 5 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (260 MPa), the top charges use 88–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 50.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:10.0 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 .224 | 50gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 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.