Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5-284 Norma with .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter bullet and 72 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Accurate High Country, Winchester StaBALL HD 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% | 50,734 psi | 85% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,069 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,054 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,692 psi | 89% | 2736 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,026 psi | 89% | 2680 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,691 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,414 psi | 81% | 2641 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,120 psi | 73% | 2608 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,055 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,142 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,431 psi | 88% | 2667 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,705 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,808 psi | 87% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,894 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,459 psi | 87% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,562 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,055 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,415 psi | 85% | 2707 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,705 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,416 psi | 86% | 2575 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,243 psi | 90% | 2720 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,722 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,968 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,662 psi | 85% | 2625 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,156 psi | 89% | 2664 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,563 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,301 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,795 psi | 90% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,202 psi | 63% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,910 psi | 89% | 2615 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,779 psi | 89% | 2595 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,562 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,098 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,880 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,696 psi | 65% | 2513 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,301 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,547 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,982 psi | 87% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,592 psi | 90% | 2664 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,812 psi | 65% | 2543 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,795 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,807 psi | 85% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,431 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,127 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,473 psi | 85% | 2671 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,884 psi | 64% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,967 psi | 87% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,125 psi | 84% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,053 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,776 psi | 82% | 2723 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,039 psi | 86% | 2602 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,127 psi | 88% | 2661 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,416 psi | 86% | 2575 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,301 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,547 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,417 psi | 88% | 2549 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,706 psi | 87% | 2657 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,112 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,140 psi | 86% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,620 psi | 88% | 2635 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,548 psi | 90% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,460 psi | 88% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,895 psi | 87% | 2615 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,634 psi | 87% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,850 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,679 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,490 psi | 90% | 2730 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,995 psi | 84% | 2726 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,605 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,720 psi | 85% | 2628 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,388 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,243 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 99.4% |
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% | 34,127 psi | 57% | 2297 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,788 psi | 77% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | 45.8 gr | 80% | 36,840 psi | 62% | 2444 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,728 psi | 72% | 2559 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 64% | 2408 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,696 psi | 65% | 2451 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,318 psi | 63% | 2421 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,372 psi | 53% | 2329 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 65% | 2415 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 74% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 64% | 2408 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,837 psi | 57% | 2349 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,692 psi | 55% | 2320 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,471 psi | 48% | 2238 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 60% | 2448 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,588 psi | 83% | 2595 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,852 psi | 57% | 2349 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,984 psi | 61% | 2434 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,837 psi | 57% | 2349 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,240 psi | 81% | 2523 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,650 psi | 60% | 2385 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 79% | 2569 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,719 psi | 84% | 2582 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,307 psi | 69% | 2457 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,538 psi | 68% | 2444 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,234 psi | 69% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 47.4 gr | 86% | 33,765 psi | 57% | 2421 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 78% | 2595 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,876 psi | 47% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 74% | 2464 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,617 psi | 83% | 2546 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,540 psi | 73% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,524 psi | 68% | 2405 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,202 psi | 63% | 2431 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,216 psi | 61% | 2457 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 80% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 77% | 2493 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 50% | 2185 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 74% | 2500 fps | 98% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,792 psi | 53% | 2372 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 60% | 2418 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,831 psi | 75% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,709 psi | 62% | 2434 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 73% | 2510 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,793 psi | 55% | 2326 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,558 psi | 48% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,353 psi | 76% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 73% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,530 psi | 51% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,047 psi | 71% | 2598 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 66% | 2388 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 63% | 2392 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,240 psi | 81% | 2523 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 80% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 77% | 2493 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,108 psi | 78% | 2451 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 62% | 2388 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,030 psi | 67% | 2382 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 70% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 64% | 2375 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,227 psi | 84% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,325 psi | 78% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,953 psi | 55% | 2264 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 77% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 62% | 2392 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,770 psi | 69% | 2516 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,087 psi | 64% | 2451 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,497 psi | 73% | 2608 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,150 psi | 76% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 79% | 2569 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 45.3 gr | 80% | 29,008 psi | 49% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,722 psi | 58% | 2310 fps | 95.5% |
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 72 powders for 6.5-284 Norma loaded with the .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,831 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,647 fps to 2,831 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 72 of the 72 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 156.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:8.0 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. Accurate High Country, Winchester StaBALL HD, Hodgdon Retumbo rank at the top here: for 6.5-284 Norma with the .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter 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.