Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 70 R with .224 | 80gr | Berger VLD Target bullet and 5 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Somchem S365, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 98% | 33,968 psi | 90% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,446 psi | 89% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,098 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,866 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,388 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 97.1% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 8.6 gr | 80% | 26,049 psi | 69% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 8.8 gr | 80% | 26,455 psi | 70% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,792 psi | 84% | 2533 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S365 | 27.9 gr | 88% | 30,951 psi | 82% | 2507 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,372 psi | 83% | 2415 fps | 96.4% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
This overview compares 5 powders for 5.6 x 70 R loaded with the .224 | 80gr | Berger VLD Target. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,598 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,759 fps to 2,598 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 98 %, 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 87–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 80.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Somchem S365, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 70 R with the .224 | 80gr | Berger VLD Target 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.