Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5-284 Norma with .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded bullet and 76 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-17 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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,605 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,662 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,155 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,011 psi | 89% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,548 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,301 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,126 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,228 psi | 88% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,213 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,795 psi | 90% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,865 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,792 psi | 85% | 3051 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,648 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,517 psi | 85% | 3015 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,865 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,022 psi | 81% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,959 psi | 71% | 2913 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,242 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,140 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,865 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,879 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,605 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,996 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,301 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,097 psi | 86% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,605 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,141 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,085 psi | 61% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,548 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,663 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,953 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,808 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,475 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,809 psi | 90% | 3041 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,156 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,837 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,692 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,722 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,496 psi | 71% | 2828 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,432 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,083 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,517 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,272 psi | 88% | 3035 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,676 psi | 85% | 2979 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,024 psi | 86% | 3028 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,811 psi | 62% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,779 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,401 psi | 86% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,185 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,895 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,764 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,271 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,026 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,879 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,692 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,837 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,722 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,837 psi | 89% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,605 psi | 88% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,402 psi | 88% | 2920 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,547 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,532 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,256 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,708 psi | 90% | 3035 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,750 psi | 87% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,112 psi | 88% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,663 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,821 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,458 psi | 83% | 2946 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,650 psi | 90% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,650 psi | 90% | 3035 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,650 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,705 psi | 85% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,301 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,308 psi | 73% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,096 psi | 84% | 2963 fps | 96.2% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 83% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 80% | 2835 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,172 psi | 61% | 2687 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 78% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,259 psi | 59% | 2687 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 75% | 2818 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,921 psi | 81% | 2963 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,588 psi | 82% | 3035 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,993 psi | 81% | 2966 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,718 psi | 80% | 2913 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 43.3 gr | 80% | 34,592 psi | 58% | 2694 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 46.7 gr | 80% | 39,204 psi | 66% | 2831 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,369 psi | 80% | 2953 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,643 psi | 75% | 2943 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,761 psi | 48% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,985 psi | 62% | 2789 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 51.4 gr | 86% | 33,112 psi | 56% | 2726 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 75% | 2854 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,643 psi | 75% | 2943 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,337 psi | 71% | 2769 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,397 psi | 76% | 2861 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,929 psi | 67% | 2795 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,861 psi | 77% | 2881 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,068 psi | 54% | 2585 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 83% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,959 psi | 71% | 2867 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,021 psi | 45% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,270 psi | 85% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 78% | 2854 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,820 psi | 82% | 2881 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,931 psi | 72% | 2805 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,133 psi | 69% | 2746 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,011 psi | 57% | 2638 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,936 psi | 82% | 2946 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 79% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 65% | 2690 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,204 psi | 66% | 2723 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,304 psi | 63% | 2713 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,094 psi | 79% | 2900 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,820 psi | 82% | 2959 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,959 psi | 69% | 2897 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,201 psi | 59% | 2680 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,268 psi | 79% | 2920 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,593 psi | 62% | 2723 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,514 psi | 46% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 76% | 2841 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 70% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 59% | 2697 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,272 psi | 58% | 2700 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,602 psi | 82% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 71% | 2795 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,369 psi | 78% | 2936 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,337 psi | 71% | 2769 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 65% | 2690 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 79% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,204 psi | 66% | 2723 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,134 psi | 73% | 2844 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,801 psi | 74% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,321 psi | 68% | 2690 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,934 psi | 77% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 72% | 2795 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,604 psi | 53% | 2631 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,034 psi | 74% | 2854 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,704 psi | 82% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 82% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 68% | 2723 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,622 psi | 62% | 2684 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,352 psi | 73% | 2831 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,398 psi | 80% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 61% | 2687 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,575 psi | 53% | 2628 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,013 psi | 61% | 2657 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,929 psi | 67% | 2795 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,166 psi | 46% | 2569 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,760 psi | 79% | 2900 fps | 95.3% |
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 76 powders for 6.5-284 Norma loaded with the .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,143 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,896 fps to 3,143 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 76 of the 76 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (410 MPa), the top charges use 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 115.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:7.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23 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, Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Reloder-16 rank at the top here: for 6.5-284 Norma with the .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded 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.