Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 50 R with .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip bullet and 56 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Somchem S321, Winchester 748 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>> | 82% | 45,905 psi | 87% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,137 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,413 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,711 psi | 75% | 2392 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,340 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,999 psi | 70% | 2362 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,166 psi | 89% | 2352 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,587 psi | 90% | 2359 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,572 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,703 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,513 psi | 86% | 2428 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,585 psi | 86% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,368 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,702 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,732 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,875 psi | 85% | 2339 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,992 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,092 psi | 85% | 2484 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,992 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,746 psi | 88% | 2474 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,759 psi | 86% | 2343 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,310 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,937 psi | 60% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,732 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,122 psi | 87% | 2520 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,079 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,513 psi | 86% | 2428 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,324 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,107 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,456 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,528 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,920 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 97% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,586 psi | 88% | 2470 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,894 psi | 60% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,629 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,718 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,005 psi | 83% | 2398 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,324 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,107 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,919 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,325 psi | 88% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,761 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,295 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,393 psi | 76% | 2300 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,079 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,469 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,673 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,747 psi | 90% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,833 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,510 psi | 78% | 2398 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,411 psi | 84% | 2415 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,963 psi | 87% | 2428 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,380 psi | 80% | 2398 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,456 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 97.7% |
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% | 42,757 psi | 81% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,717 psi | 52% | 2073 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,314 psi | 59% | 2175 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 22,887 psi | 43% | 2028 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,330 psi | 63% | 2257 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 30,255 psi | 57% | 2221 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,738 psi | 69% | 2178 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 70% | 2182 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 73% | 2264 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 64% | 2241 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,987 psi | 76% | 2336 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,440 psi | 48% | 2083 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,656 psi | 81% | 2461 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,227 psi | 61% | 2185 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,871 psi | 75% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,679 psi | 66% | 2165 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,276 psi | 72% | 2257 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,465 psi | 75% | 2388 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 21.5 gr | 80% | 31,111 psi | 59% | 2178 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,241 psi | 59% | 2185 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 77% | 2257 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,714 psi | 81% | 2415 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,438 psi | 44% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,498 psi | 84% | 2421 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,586 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,330 psi | 65% | 2182 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,987 psi | 76% | 2336 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,158 psi | 68% | 2274 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,926 psi | 68% | 2270 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,171 psi | 65% | 2287 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,252 psi | 85% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 68% | 2244 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,118 psi | 78% | 2359 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,560 psi | 60% | 2198 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,554 psi | 44% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,085 psi | 66% | 2244 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,083 psi | 62% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,437 psi | 78% | 2359 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,158 psi | 68% | 2274 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,171 psi | 65% | 2287 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,250 psi | 82% | 2349 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,510 psi | 78% | 2083 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,301 psi | 65% | 2244 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,750 psi | 62% | 2182 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,503 psi | 61% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,863 psi | 56% | 2093 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S321 | 26 gr | 90% | 39,929 psi | 75% | 2362 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,791 psi | 56% | 2096 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 73% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,850 psi | 58% | 2106 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,789 psi | 51% | 2021 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 24,860 psi | 47% | 2051 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,298 psi | 57% | 2149 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,103 psi | 76% | 2333 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,692 psi | 62% | 2218 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | 25.9 gr | 92% | 38,435 psi | 73% | 2362 fps | 95.7% |
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 56 powders for 6.5 x 50 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,520 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,463 fps to 2,520 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 56 of the 56 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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. Somchem S321, Winchester 748, Hodgdon H322 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 50 R with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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.