Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R K&S with .261 | 115gr | AERO SB,- smax:18.20 bullet and 56 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon LEVERevolution 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: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,365 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,221 psi | 90% | 2569 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,161 psi | 85% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,118 psi | 85% | 2569 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,263 psi | 85% | 2592 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,872 psi | 87% | 2575 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,292 psi | 85% | 2536 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,234 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,321 psi | 86% | 2589 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,205 psi | 85% | 2651 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,308 psi | 90% | 2638 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,350 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,901 psi | 87% | 2602 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,337 psi | 90% | 2677 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,118 psi | 87% | 2585 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,698 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,692 psi | 71% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,467 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,148 psi | 89% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,032 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,292 psi | 85% | 2536 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,090 psi | 89% | 2572 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,104 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,843 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,306 psi | 86% | 2552 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,293 psi | 90% | 2579 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,569 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,292 psi | 85% | 2589 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,119 psi | 89% | 2605 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,307 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,069 psi | 72% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,437 psi | 86% | 2674 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,698 psi | 86% | 2530 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,453 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,206 psi | 90% | 2628 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,104 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,306 psi | 86% | 2552 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,466 psi | 88% | 2631 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,872 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,076 psi | 89% | 2507 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 87% | 2503 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,567 psi | 86% | 2566 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,147 psi | 87% | 2507 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,466 psi | 86% | 2552 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,712 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,157 psi | 75% | 2549 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,047 psi | 89% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,061 psi | 89% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,089 psi | 87% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,641 psi | 90% | 2575 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,814 psi | 89% | 2579 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,480 psi | 86% | 2536 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,191 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,002 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,713 psi | 88% | 2625 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,973 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 96.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,303 psi | 77% | 2428 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 83% | 2513 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,587 psi | 61% | 2316 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 74% | 2461 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,079 psi | 57% | 2290 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,029 psi | 81% | 2513 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 75% | 2434 fps | 96% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 72% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,404 psi | 75% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,811 psi | 80% | 2598 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,360 psi | 73% | 2477 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,942 psi | 80% | 2448 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,170 psi | 70% | 2438 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,421 psi | 84% | 2615 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,897 psi | 76% | 2477 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 31.6 gr | 84% | 34,287 psi | 73% | 2484 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,947 psi | 53% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,086 psi | 79% | 2484 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,126 psi | 68% | 2434 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,028 psi | 79% | 2530 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 75% | 2434 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 83% | 2513 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 29.7 gr | 80% | 31,270 psi | 66% | 2388 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,334 psi | 83% | 2470 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,301 psi | 71% | 2405 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 70% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,605 psi | 69% | 2392 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,797 psi | 80% | 2536 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,247 psi | 83% | 2549 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 82% | 2477 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,048 psi | 53% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 32.5 gr | 86% | 31,096 psi | 66% | 2438 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 77% | 2438 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,243 psi | 71% | 2379 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,243 psi | 73% | 2464 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,270 psi | 66% | 2388 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,301 psi | 71% | 2405 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,986 psi | 83% | 2582 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,363 psi | 84% | 2539 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,592 psi | 73% | 2359 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 59% | 2221 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,782 psi | 80% | 2510 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,127 psi | 72% | 2365 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,652 psi | 80% | 2497 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,868 psi | 76% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 98% | 33,025 psi | 70% | 2493 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 84% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 73% | 2369 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,530 psi | 63% | 2329 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,879 psi | 66% | 2333 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,908 psi | 68% | 2372 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,215 psi | 75% | 2428 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 63% | 2313 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,276 psi | 81% | 2503 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 72% | 2457 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,781 psi | 76% | 2487 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 56 powders for 6.5 x 52 R K&S loaded with the .261 | 115gr | AERO SB,- smax:18.20. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,677 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,654 fps to 2,677 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 (325 MPa), the top charges use 71–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 115.0 gr projectile in 0.261" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Somchem S365 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, Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Lovex D073.6 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R K&S with the .261 | 115gr | AERO SB,- smax:18.20 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.