Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 51 R Jap. Arisaka with .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded bullet and 66 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and SNPE Vectan SP 11.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 31"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,072 psi | 89% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,232 psi | 89% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,463 psi | 85% | 2661 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,056 psi | 84% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,450 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,623 psi | 88% | 2680 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,840 psi | 86% | 2638 fps | 97% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,623 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,682 psi | 90% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,028 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,463 psi | 88% | 2700 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,145 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,898 psi | 89% | 2756 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,840 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 98.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,057 psi | 87% | 2684 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,172 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,884 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,363 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,855 psi | 88% | 2690 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,376 psi | 85% | 2690 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,463 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 78% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,956 psi | 86% | 2651 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,782 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,624 psi | 90% | 2671 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,275 psi | 87% | 2733 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,564 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,623 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,768 psi | 88% | 2700 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,738 psi | 86% | 2582 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,144 psi | 87% | 2661 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,289 psi | 85% | 2628 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,709 psi | 86% | 2648 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,347 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,028 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,695 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,535 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,272 psi | 78% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,130 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,811 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,463 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,695 psi | 86% | 2618 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,419 psi | 85% | 2625 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,114 psi | 84% | 2680 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,768 psi | 88% | 2700 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,144 psi | 87% | 2661 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,506 psi | 85% | 2707 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,478 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,303 psi | 85% | 2648 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,230 psi | 85% | 2549 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,464 psi | 90% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,000 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,681 psi | 88% | 2664 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,898 psi | 89% | 2700 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,954 psi | 82% | 2736 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,535 psi | 85% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,130 psi | 89% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,246 psi | 87% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,158 psi | 85% | 2635 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,840 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,289 psi | 87% | 2638 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,232 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,130 psi | 89% | 2743 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,145 psi | 89% | 2680 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,129 psi | 84% | 2680 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,159 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 98.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 31"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 83% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,063 psi | 61% | 2428 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,026 psi | 80% | 2612 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,874 psi | 58% | 2408 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 32,779 psi | 77% | 2661 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,634 psi | 76% | 2566 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,010 psi | 75% | 2526 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 82% | 2589 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 78% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,374 psi | 80% | 2697 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,281 psi | 61% | 2428 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,893 psi | 72% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,578 psi | 83% | 2700 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 34.3 gr | 88% | 30,327 psi | 71% | 2602 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,432 psi | 80% | 2625 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,672 psi | 62% | 2461 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,489 psi | 76% | 2595 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,505 psi | 83% | 2648 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,822 psi | 77% | 2579 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 29,515 psi | 69% | 2523 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,385 psi | 69% | 2539 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,207 psi | 57% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,068 psi | 75% | 2539 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,517 psi | 74% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,299 psi | 73% | 2507 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 32,561 psi | 76% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 68% | 2516 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 82% | 2589 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 70% | 2530 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,113 psi | 80% | 2523 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,007 psi | 65% | 2444 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,372 psi | 73% | 2516 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,024 psi | 75% | 2546 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,226 psi | 71% | 2536 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,650 psi | 81% | 2680 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,211 psi | 71% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 79% | 2605 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,033 psi | 56% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,068 psi | 75% | 2641 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 31.2 gr | 80% | 24,468 psi | 57% | 2425 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,794 psi | 79% | 2690 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,287 psi | 80% | 2569 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,689 psi | 69% | 2467 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,905 psi | 63% | 2457 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 70% | 2530 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,007 psi | 65% | 2444 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | 33 gr | 86% | 31,502 psi | 74% | 2585 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,737 psi | 81% | 2595 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,560 psi | 74% | 2536 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 79% | 2500 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,238 psi | 64% | 2359 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,025 psi | 77% | 2500 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,416 psi | 76% | 2549 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,616 psi | 67% | 2484 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 26,295 psi | 61% | 2497 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,631 psi | 67% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,095 psi | 70% | 2477 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,295 psi | 59% | 2369 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,185 psi | 80% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,838 psi | 81% | 2585 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,761 psi | 67% | 2464 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,694 psi | 83% | 2690 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,660 psi | 67% | 2451 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,446 psi | 78% | 2618 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 72% | 2536 fps | 96.5% |
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 66 powders for 6.5 x 51 R Jap. Arisaka loaded with the .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,805 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,729 fps to 2,805 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 66 of the 66 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (295 MPa), the top charges use 78–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 115.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:7.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17, SNPE Vectan SP 11 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 51 R Jap. Arisaka with the .257 | 115gr | Federal Trophy Bonded 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.