Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5-284 Norma with .264 | 140gr | Barnes X S bullet and 68 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester StaBALL HD, ReloadSwiss RS 76 and Hodgdon Retumbo.
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,402 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,490 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,534 psi | 90% | 2874 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,388 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,039 psi | 86% | 2812 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,182 psi | 83% | 2772 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,121 psi | 74% | 2740 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,548 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,505 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,982 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,256 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,330 psi | 88% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,619 psi | 87% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,431 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,708 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,198 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,256 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,272 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,430 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,169 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,592 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,111 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,432 psi | 90% | 2792 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,937 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,766 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,604 psi | 85% | 2789 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,333 psi | 63% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,403 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,243 psi | 90% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,519 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,649 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,417 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,372 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,649 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,330 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,720 psi | 85% | 2746 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,016 psi | 67% | 2677 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,807 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,721 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,084 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,795 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,068 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,305 psi | 64% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,026 psi | 89% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,676 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,763 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,545 psi | 83% | 2854 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,517 psi | 87% | 2733 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,562 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,272 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,372 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,649 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,461 psi | 90% | 2690 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,141 psi | 88% | 2789 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,649 psi | 89% | 2723 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,924 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,505 psi | 90% | 2776 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,243 psi | 90% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,678 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,779 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,924 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,676 psi | 85% | 2828 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,966 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,792 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,359 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,474 psi | 87% | 2769 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,794 psi | 89% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,939 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 98.9% |
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,187 psi | 61% | 2444 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,355 psi | 80% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,659 psi | 78% | 2753 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 66% | 2539 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,337 psi | 71% | 2641 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,770 psi | 69% | 2602 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,837 psi | 55% | 2464 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 66% | 2546 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 75% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 66% | 2539 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,492 psi | 63% | 2543 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 57% | 2461 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,008 psi | 50% | 2375 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 62% | 2598 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,260 psi | 63% | 2536 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,856 psi | 67% | 2628 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,492 psi | 63% | 2543 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,298 psi | 83% | 2661 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,146 psi | 66% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,993 psi | 81% | 2707 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,517 psi | 85% | 2720 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,020 psi | 76% | 2644 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,251 psi | 74% | 2631 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,366 psi | 71% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 50.2 gr | 88% | 37,304 psi | 63% | 2615 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,355 psi | 80% | 2730 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,137 psi | 47% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,599 psi | 75% | 2595 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,241 psi | 84% | 2680 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,773 psi | 75% | 2618 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,019 psi | 74% | 2589 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,886 psi | 69% | 2621 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,472 psi | 82% | 2644 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,920 psi | 79% | 2638 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,560 psi | 53% | 2329 fps | 96% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,469 psi | 75% | 2631 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,576 psi | 56% | 2516 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 62% | 2552 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 77% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,654 psi | 68% | 2631 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 75% | 2648 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,287 psi | 58% | 2461 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 48% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,557 psi | 78% | 2687 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 75% | 2700 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 52.5 gr | 86% | 34,330 psi | 58% | 2536 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,311 psi | 78% | 2792 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,888 psi | 72% | 2572 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 65% | 2526 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,298 psi | 83% | 2661 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,472 psi | 82% | 2644 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,920 psi | 79% | 2638 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,558 psi | 80% | 2592 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 64% | 2523 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,743 psi | 74% | 2562 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,830 psi | 72% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,494 psi | 66% | 2516 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,224 psi | 79% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,376 psi | 61% | 2444 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,514 psi | 78% | 2648 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 65% | 2539 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,672 psi | 75% | 2713 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,177 psi | 71% | 2648 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,514 psi | 80% | 2802 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,803 psi | 77% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,254 psi | 81% | 2710 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 46.8 gr | 80% | 30,603 psi | 51% | 2487 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,319 psi | 64% | 2493 fps | 95.6% |
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 68 powders for 6.5-284 Norma loaded with the .264 | 140gr | Barnes X S. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,966 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,745 fps to 2,966 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 68 of the 68 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (410 MPa), the top charges use 63–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 140.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Bofors RP30 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. Winchester StaBALL HD, ReloadSwiss RS 76, Hodgdon Retumbo rank at the top here: for 6.5-284 Norma with the .264 | 140gr | Barnes X S 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.