Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 70 R with .224 | 85.5gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target bullet and 4 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>> | 96% | 33,417 psi | 89% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,837 psi | 90% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,749 psi | 84% | 2454 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,808 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 96% |
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 | 8.4 gr | 80% | 26,194 psi | 69% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 8.6 gr | 80% | 26,643 psi | 71% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | 26 gr | 84% | 28,036 psi | 74% | 2349 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,966 psi | 82% | 2336 fps | 95.1% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
This overview compares 4 powders for 5.6 x 70 R loaded with the .224 | 85.5gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target. Somchem S365 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,454 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,680 fps to 2,454 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 96 %, and 4 of the 4 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (260 MPa), the top charges use 84–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 85.5 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:7.5 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 | 85.5gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid 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.