Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 50 R with .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-X bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester 748, Accurate 2520 and Hodgdon BL-C2.
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>> | 82% | 46,731 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,007 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,353 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,118 psi | 78% | 2421 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,716 psi | 86% | 2484 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,276 psi | 72% | 2392 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,788 psi | 85% | 2326 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,237 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,688 psi | 90% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,165 psi | 85% | 2454 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,151 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,847 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,963 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,006 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,688 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,731 psi | 88% | 2520 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,833 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,730 psi | 84% | 2454 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,717 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,543 psi | 88% | 2490 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,846 psi | 85% | 2503 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,068 psi | 61% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,600 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,920 psi | 89% | 2539 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,123 psi | 89% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,151 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,469 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,293 psi | 80% | 2408 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,601 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,846 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,863 psi | 90% | 2500 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,039 psi | 61% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,354 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,818 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,237 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,293 psi | 80% | 2408 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,181 psi | 89% | 2425 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,007 psi | 89% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,774 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,296 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,587 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,495 psi | 78% | 2329 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,224 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,688 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,805 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,847 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,630 psi | 90% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,859 psi | 81% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,034 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,601 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,424 psi | 82% | 2428 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,831 psi | 85% | 2487 fps | 97.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,717 psi | 88% | 2500 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% | 43,627 psi | 82% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,224 psi | 53% | 2093 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,068 psi | 61% | 2201 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,685 psi | 45% | 2057 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | 24.9 gr | 86% | 32,053 psi | 61% | 2238 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,196 psi | 55% | 2205 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,144 psi | 70% | 2198 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 71% | 2201 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 74% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,693 psi | 66% | 2267 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 78% | 2365 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,860 psi | 49% | 2103 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,988 psi | 77% | 2441 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,750 psi | 62% | 2205 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 76% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,360 psi | 67% | 2188 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,001 psi | 74% | 2283 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.9 gr | 92% | 37,811 psi | 71% | 2369 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,517 psi | 60% | 2195 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,937 psi | 60% | 2211 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 78% | 2277 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,395 psi | 82% | 2438 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,901 psi | 79% | 2451 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,743 psi | 45% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,033 psi | 81% | 2408 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,324 psi | 50% | 2119 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,867 psi | 66% | 2201 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 78% | 2365 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 70% | 2300 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,695 psi | 69% | 2293 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,822 psi | 62% | 2267 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,856 psi | 75% | 2365 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 70% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,436 psi | 74% | 2339 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,443 psi | 58% | 2182 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,438 psi | 44% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,839 psi | 68% | 2267 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,995 psi | 60% | 2178 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,726 psi | 75% | 2339 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 70% | 2300 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,822 psi | 62% | 2267 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,856 psi | 75% | 2365 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,901 psi | 77% | 2323 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,235 psi | 80% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 66% | 2270 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 64% | 2211 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,947 psi | 85% | 2451 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,328 psi | 59% | 2116 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,384 psi | 54% | 2070 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,290 psi | 72% | 2343 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,442 psi | 54% | 2073 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 74% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,734 psi | 60% | 2133 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,528 psi | 52% | 2047 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 24,076 psi | 45% | 2034 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,966 psi | 58% | 2172 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,872 psi | 77% | 2356 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,430 psi | 59% | 2198 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | 25.9 gr | 90% | 36,883 psi | 70% | 2343 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,121 psi | 83% | 2457 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 60 powders for 6.5 x 50 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-X. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,543 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,476 fps to 2,543 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Hodgdon LEVERevolution 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 748, Accurate 2520, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 50 R with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-X 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.