Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 50 R with .264 | 120gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting bullet and 61 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp and Somchem S321.
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% | 46,514 psi | 88% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,587 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,801 psi | 83% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,877 psi | 90% | 2516 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,698 psi | 77% | 2431 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,528 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,934 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,543 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,079 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,426 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,629 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,629 psi | 86% | 2523 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,137 psi | 89% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,947 psi | 85% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,905 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,455 psi | 86% | 2500 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,021 psi | 87% | 2467 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,586 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,368 psi | 86% | 2349 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,788 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,514 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,808 psi | 62% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,268 psi | 89% | 2480 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,166 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,759 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,282 psi | 87% | 2516 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,426 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,121 psi | 85% | 2438 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,645 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,701 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,195 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,237 psi | 84% | 2438 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,340 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,934 psi | 89% | 2467 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,065 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,880 psi | 62% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,629 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,682 psi | 75% | 2438 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,658 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,326 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,121 psi | 85% | 2438 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,701 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,237 psi | 84% | 2438 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,759 psi | 86% | 2405 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,325 psi | 88% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,703 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,790 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,485 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,221 psi | 82% | 2356 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,948 psi | 87% | 2474 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,064 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,630 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,834 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,804 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,962 psi | 85% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,745 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,730 psi | 86% | 2464 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,615 psi | 88% | 2520 fps | 98% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,774 psi | 86% | 2487 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% | 29,892 psi | 56% | 2129 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,908 psi | 60% | 2192 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,510 psi | 43% | 2011 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,055 psi | 64% | 2277 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,356 psi | 55% | 2201 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 73% | 2228 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 74% | 2234 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,901 psi | 77% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 68% | 2293 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,161 psi | 76% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 21.6 gr | 80% | 27,586 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,540 psi | 80% | 2467 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,418 psi | 65% | 2234 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 70% | 2218 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,159 psi | 72% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.7 gr | 90% | 37,057 psi | 70% | 2352 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,243 psi | 63% | 2234 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,301 psi | 63% | 2241 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,844 psi | 81% | 2310 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,830 psi | 81% | 2428 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,249 psi | 78% | 2438 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,134 psi | 46% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,686 psi | 84% | 2438 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,455 psi | 50% | 2119 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 68% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,236 psi | 82% | 2467 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,161 psi | 76% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 74% | 2339 fps | 97% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,230 psi | 68% | 2283 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,489 psi | 61% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,672 psi | 84% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,102 psi | 74% | 2349 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 74% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,233 psi | 74% | 2333 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,139 psi | 57% | 2172 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 46% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,230 psi | 67% | 2254 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,594 psi | 71% | 2392 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,024 psi | 60% | 2172 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,508 psi | 75% | 2333 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 74% | 2339 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,489 psi | 61% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,102 psi | 74% | 2349 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,699 psi | 81% | 2356 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 83% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 69% | 2297 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,143 psi | 66% | 2241 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,908 psi | 58% | 2106 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,355 psi | 54% | 2067 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | 25.8 gr | 86% | 37,550 psi | 71% | 2326 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 53% | 2067 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 77% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,214 psi | 63% | 2159 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,877 psi | 55% | 2080 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,091 psi | 46% | 2028 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,530 psi | 58% | 2162 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,292 psi | 76% | 2346 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,343 psi | 59% | 2195 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,114 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,859 psi | 81% | 2438 fps | 95.3% |
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 61 powders for 6.5 x 50 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,533 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,490 fps to 2,533 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 61 of the 61 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 1:10.0 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. Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp, Somchem S321 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 50 R with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting 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.