Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5-06 Ackley Improved with .264 | 130gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 93 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP and Vihtavuori N560.
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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You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,159 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,492 psi | 87% | 2854 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,595 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,030 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,492 psi | 85% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPROᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,014 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,044 psi | 89% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,855 psi | 88% | 2992 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2213ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,291 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,985 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,376 psi | 85% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,695 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,305 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,202 psi | 86% | 2979 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,450 psi | 88% | 3041 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,288 psi | 84% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,079 psi | 72% | 2897 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,592 psi | 84% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,721 psi | 81% | 2963 fps | 98.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,159 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,450 psi | 88% | 3041 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,695 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,427 psi | 71% | 2831 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,463 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,957 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,261 psi | 88% | 2949 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,421 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,058 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,000 psi | 88% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,001 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,006 psi | 71% | 2936 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,549 psi | 84% | 2976 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,434 psi | 56% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,465 psi | 90% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,522 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,347 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,884 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,319 psi | 88% | 2917 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,956 psi | 86% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,188 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,043 psi | 86% | 2917 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,550 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,653 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,390 psi | 85% | 2904 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,703 psi | 73% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,697 psi | 90% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,494 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,928 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,363 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,972 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,782 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,434 psi | 87% | 3041 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,869 psi | 88% | 2982 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,401 psi | 78% | 2910 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,173 psi | 57% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,376 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,769 psi | 89% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,651 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,963 psi | 71% | 2930 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,072 psi | 86% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,347 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,363 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,564 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,695 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,653 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,390 psi | 85% | 2904 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,392 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,276 psi | 88% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,217 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,755 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,362 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,565 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,711 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,999 psi | 86% | 2936 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,550 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,566 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,318 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,492 psi | 85% | 2917 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,378 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,608 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,608 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,479 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,834 psi | 75% | 2897 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,260 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,957 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,517 psi | 78% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,188 psi | 86% | 2933 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 53,592 psi | 82% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 71% | 2684 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,924 psi | 51% | 2487 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,850 psi | 78% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,160 psi | 60% | 2648 fps | 99% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,098 psi | 82% | 2979 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,269 psi | 74% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,698 psi | 63% | 2694 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,398 psi | 73% | 2858 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,085 psi | 83% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,756 psi | 63% | 2690 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 75% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,083 psi | 80% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,130 psi | 59% | 2661 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 67% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,306 psi | 62% | 2680 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,785 psi | 63% | 2736 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,789 psi | 43% | 2405 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,647 psi | 49% | 2533 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 49.3 gr | 80% | 29,733 psi | 46% | 2516 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,234 psi | 62% | 2723 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,153 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,785 psi | 63% | 2736 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 66% | 2667 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,482 psi | 67% | 2769 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,530 psi | 76% | 2805 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 64% | 2700 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 68% | 2720 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,485 psi | 73% | 2805 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,659 psi | 72% | 2792 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,636 psi | 55% | 2549 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,491 psi | 84% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,277 psi | 62% | 2805 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 62% | 2713 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,325 psi | 42% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,984 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,792 psi | 78% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,040 psi | 82% | 2825 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,827 psi | 60% | 2595 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,686 psi | 69% | 2700 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 58% | 2598 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,447 psi | 82% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,383 psi | 71% | 2749 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,397 psi | 70% | 2831 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,966 psi | 78% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 65% | 2644 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,132 psi | 62% | 2625 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,111 psi | 49% | 2467 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,158 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 79% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,046 psi | 63% | 2677 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | 51.5 gr | 86% | 37,260 psi | 57% | 2687 fps | 96% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 60% | 2644 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 80% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,150 psi | 69% | 2838 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 58% | 2631 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,231 psi | 57% | 2644 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,833 psi | 43% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,632 psi | 76% | 2792 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,238 psi | 71% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 60% | 2667 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 58% | 2677 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,970 psi | 57% | 2713 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,692 psi | 81% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,238 psi | 71% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,092 psi | 69% | 2730 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,552 psi | 61% | 2667 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 66% | 2667 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 65% | 2644 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,966 psi | 78% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,132 psi | 62% | 2625 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,674 psi | 73% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,384 psi | 73% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 63% | 2589 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,189 psi | 60% | 2661 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,470 psi | 72% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,284 psi | 76% | 2779 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,578 psi | 55% | 2602 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,376 psi | 58% | 2592 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,040 psi | 82% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,229 psi | 82% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 68% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 62% | 2644 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,436 psi | 61% | 2628 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,445 psi | 79% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 61% | 2644 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,850 psi | 47% | 2484 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 55.1 gr | 92% | 46,543 psi | 72% | 2867 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,716 psi | 70% | 2838 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,523 psi | 61% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,524 psi | 64% | 2703 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,453 psi | 38% | 2372 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,293 psi | 65% | 2694 fps | 95.9% |
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 93 powders for 6.5-06 Ackley Improved loaded with the .264 | 130gr | Merlin Virtus. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,068 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,811 fps to 3,068 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 93 of the 93 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (448 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 130.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2213 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, Norma MRP, Vihtavuori N560 rank at the top here: for 6.5-06 Ackley Improved with the .264 | 130gr | Merlin Virtus 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.