Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 50 R with .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded bullet and 50 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ADI AR 2219, Hodgdon H335 and Hodgdon H322.
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: 23.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,050 psi | 87% | 2346 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,078 psi | 85% | 2415 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,789 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,766 psi | 68% | 2339 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,122 psi | 87% | 2490 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,673 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,123 psi | 89% | 2356 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,934 psi | 87% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,702 psi | 88% | 2477 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,688 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,005 psi | 83% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,890 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,543 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,558 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,339 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,222 psi | 84% | 2474 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,005 psi | 85% | 2451 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,079 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2346 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,937 psi | 60% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,901 psi | 79% | 2457 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,629 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,151 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,688 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,834 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,586 psi | 88% | 2457 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,538 psi | 77% | 2415 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,906 psi | 90% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,470 psi | 88% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,453 psi | 80% | 2418 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,430 psi | 59% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,674 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,108 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,834 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,538 psi | 77% | 2415 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,572 psi | 88% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,949 psi | 89% | 2477 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,210 psi | 89% | 2448 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,949 psi | 89% | 2388 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,507 psi | 71% | 2251 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,875 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,050 psi | 87% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,615 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,876 psi | 87% | 2395 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,884 psi | 72% | 2352 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,712 psi | 77% | 2359 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,747 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,131 psi | 74% | 2349 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,643 psi | 86% | 2490 fps | 96.2% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 76% | 2254 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,311 psi | 52% | 2073 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,346 psi | 67% | 2267 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 25,889 psi | 49% | 2123 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,347 psi | 71% | 2346 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,664 psi | 65% | 2142 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,289 psi | 70% | 2188 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 68% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | 20.8 gr | 80% | 31,647 psi | 60% | 2192 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,802 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,975 psi | 45% | 2041 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,950 psi | 57% | 2146 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,492 psi | 71% | 2238 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,677 psi | 62% | 2133 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,714 psi | 81% | 2343 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,510 psi | 78% | 2428 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 21.1 gr | 84% | 32,851 psi | 62% | 2221 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | 23.1 gr | 86% | 35,230 psi | 67% | 2277 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,203 psi | 72% | 2221 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,511 psi | 44% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,138 psi | 55% | 2188 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,966 psi | 60% | 2139 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 82% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,802 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,363 psi | 72% | 2323 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,480 psi | 76% | 2359 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,985 psi | 72% | 2369 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 80% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,866 psi | 64% | 2215 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,578 psi | 67% | 2293 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,221 psi | 44% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,888 psi | 81% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,552 psi | 75% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,114 psi | 66% | 2241 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,363 psi | 72% | 2323 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,985 psi | 72% | 2369 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 75% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,260 psi | 68% | 2293 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,530 psi | 58% | 2139 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,767 psi | 69% | 2221 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,127 psi | 63% | 2165 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,546 psi | 60% | 2142 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 68% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,906 psi | 55% | 2070 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,529 psi | 54% | 2067 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 26,281 psi | 50% | 2090 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,910 psi | 64% | 2231 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,773 psi | 85% | 2415 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,796 psi | 70% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,902 psi | 81% | 2444 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 50 powders for 6.5 x 50 R loaded with the .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded. Accurate 2520 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,490 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,470 fps to 2,490 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 50 of the 50 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, 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 2495, Accurate 2520, ADI Benchmark 8208 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. ADI AR 2219, Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon H322 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 50 R 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.