Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 50 R with .264 | 120gr | Frontier PH HPBT bullet and 62 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester 748, Hodgdon BL-C2 and Alliant AR-Comp.
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>> | 94% | 46,340 psi | 88% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,875 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,685 psi | 83% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,991 psi | 85% | 2474 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,596 psi | 77% | 2431 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,470 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,847 psi | 88% | 2365 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,441 psi | 88% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,485 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,281 psi | 86% | 2438 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,556 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,527 psi | 86% | 2520 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,065 psi | 89% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,889 psi | 85% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,485 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,832 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,281 psi | 86% | 2500 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,919 psi | 87% | 2467 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,470 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,252 psi | 85% | 2349 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,672 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,847 psi | 88% | 2539 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,764 psi | 62% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,659 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,006 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,195 psi | 87% | 2516 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,281 psi | 86% | 2438 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,049 psi | 85% | 2438 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,543 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,600 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,558 psi | 90% | 2421 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,657 psi | 84% | 2448 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,268 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,355 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,978 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,822 psi | 62% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,484 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,972 psi | 76% | 2444 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,239 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,049 psi | 85% | 2438 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,600 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,657 psi | 84% | 2448 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2411 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,224 psi | 87% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,558 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,947 psi | 85% | 2415 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,514 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,311 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,149 psi | 82% | 2356 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,774 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,992 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,499 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,674 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,659 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,875 psi | 85% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,297 psi | 89% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,672 psi | 86% | 2438 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,456 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 98% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,658 psi | 86% | 2484 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% | 30,182 psi | 57% | 2136 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,850 psi | 60% | 2192 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,437 psi | 42% | 2011 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,997 psi | 64% | 2277 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,631 psi | 56% | 2208 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 73% | 2228 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 74% | 2234 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,307 psi | 78% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,448 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,103 psi | 76% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 21.6 gr | 80% | 27,499 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,946 psi | 81% | 2477 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,766 psi | 66% | 2241 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,840 psi | 70% | 2218 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,116 psi | 72% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.8 gr | 90% | 37,347 psi | 71% | 2359 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,199 psi | 63% | 2234 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 63% | 2247 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 81% | 2306 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,728 psi | 81% | 2428 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,133 psi | 78% | 2438 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,105 psi | 46% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,192 psi | 80% | 2398 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,411 psi | 50% | 2119 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,187 psi | 68% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,598 psi | 82% | 2474 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,103 psi | 76% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 74% | 2336 fps | 97% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,579 psi | 69% | 2290 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,430 psi | 61% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,599 psi | 84% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,421 psi | 74% | 2356 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 74% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,160 psi | 74% | 2333 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,429 psi | 57% | 2178 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,279 psi | 46% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,114 psi | 66% | 2254 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,434 psi | 71% | 2392 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,952 psi | 60% | 2172 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,436 psi | 74% | 2333 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 74% | 2336 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,430 psi | 61% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,421 psi | 74% | 2356 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,277 psi | 76% | 2313 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,642 psi | 82% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,825 psi | 70% | 2306 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,070 psi | 66% | 2241 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,019 psi | 83% | 2441 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,864 psi | 58% | 2103 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,253 psi | 53% | 2064 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,478 psi | 71% | 2326 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,268 psi | 53% | 2067 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,437 psi | 78% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,141 psi | 63% | 2159 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 54% | 2077 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,062 psi | 45% | 2028 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,487 psi | 58% | 2162 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,190 psi | 76% | 2346 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,299 psi | 59% | 2195 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 25.7 gr | 88% | 36,027 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,178 psi | 82% | 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 62 powders for 6.5 x 50 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Frontier PH HPBT. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,539 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,490 fps to 2,539 fps. Accurate 2495 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 62–90 %, 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, Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 50 R with the .264 | 120gr | Frontier PH HPBT 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.