Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 50 R with .264 | 120gr | Barnes X S bullet and 62 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Hodgdon BL-C2 and Lovex D073.6.
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,297 psi | 89% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,730 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,948 psi | 87% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,527 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,150 psi | 85% | 2474 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,195 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,601 psi | 88% | 2339 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,760 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,137 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,701 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,035 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,122 psi | 87% | 2507 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,498 psi | 84% | 2457 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,529 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,961 psi | 83% | 2461 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,137 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,064 psi | 87% | 2490 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,166 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,847 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,789 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,765 psi | 64% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,253 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,514 psi | 88% | 2513 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,992 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,847 psi | 88% | 2503 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,701 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,963 psi | 87% | 2428 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,745 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,776 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,063 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,643 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,382 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,500 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,413 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,997 psi | 64% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,890 psi | 87% | 2425 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,815 psi | 81% | 2480 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,210 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,759 psi | 86% | 2415 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,963 psi | 87% | 2428 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,063 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,035 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,107 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,136 psi | 85% | 2395 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,092 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,934 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,485 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,775 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,731 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,340 psi | 89% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,600 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,747 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,857 psi | 77% | 2356 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,064 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,224 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,905 psi | 89% | 2503 fps | 98% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,137 psi | 87% | 2474 fps | 96.1% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,547 psi | 63% | 2175 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 68% | 2241 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,064 psi | 51% | 2090 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,373 psi | 63% | 2234 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,732 psi | 54% | 2146 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,524 psi | 78% | 2254 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 79% | 2260 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,237 psi | 84% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,160 psi | 74% | 2329 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,741 psi | 77% | 2336 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,734 psi | 58% | 2195 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,872 psi | 77% | 2411 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,785 psi | 79% | 2408 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,913 psi | 72% | 2270 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 75% | 2247 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,568 psi | 79% | 2421 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,811 psi | 70% | 2215 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.1 gr | 88% | 38,116 psi | 72% | 2349 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,347 psi | 69% | 2274 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 69% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,424 psi | 82% | 2418 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,437 psi | 78% | 2421 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,092 psi | 47% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,918 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | 21.5 gr | 80% | 29,269 psi | 55% | 2162 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 74% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,874 psi | 83% | 2454 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,741 psi | 77% | 2336 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 81% | 2379 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,505 psi | 67% | 2234 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 24.7 gr | 86% | 34,011 psi | 64% | 2260 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,817 psi | 85% | 2356 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,611 psi | 77% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 82% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,406 psi | 73% | 2290 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,720 psi | 60% | 2178 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,962 psi | 85% | 2464 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,454 psi | 48% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 68% | 2244 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,869 psi | 72% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,447 psi | 65% | 2188 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,696 psi | 73% | 2290 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 81% | 2379 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,011 psi | 64% | 2260 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,611 psi | 77% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,163 psi | 82% | 2339 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 75% | 2336 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,203 psi | 72% | 2274 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 61% | 2106 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,833 psi | 53% | 2024 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,566 psi | 73% | 2320 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,720 psi | 60% | 2113 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 84% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,376 psi | 69% | 2195 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 60% | 2116 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,354 psi | 52% | 2087 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,110 psi | 57% | 2119 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,783 psi | 73% | 2316 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,857 psi | 77% | 2336 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,518 psi | 61% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,927 psi | 70% | 2316 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,323 psi | 82% | 2425 fps | 95.4% |
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 62 powders for 6.5 x 50 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes X S. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,516 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,493 fps to 2,516 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 62 of the 62 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 64–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5, Bofors RP3 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. IMR 3031, Hodgdon BL-C2, Lovex D073.6 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 50 R with the .264 | 120gr | 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.