Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R K&S with .264 | 120gr | Sako Powerhead Blade bullet and 58 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 Bofors RP3.
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% | 42,641 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,379 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,234 psi | 87% | 2533 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,452 psi | 88% | 2556 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,771 psi | 89% | 2539 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,524 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 98% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,929 psi | 85% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,394 psi | 88% | 2552 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,119 psi | 89% | 2566 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,655 psi | 88% | 2635 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,741 psi | 86% | 2556 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,060 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,003 psi | 89% | 2569 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,408 psi | 86% | 2582 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,032 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,681 psi | 80% | 2490 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,190 psi | 85% | 2566 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,837 psi | 72% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,698 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,785 psi | 87% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,308 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,437 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,524 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,943 psi | 85% | 2523 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,379 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,655 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,915 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 98% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,886 psi | 87% | 2513 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,321 psi | 88% | 2552 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,220 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,567 psi | 86% | 2523 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,525 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,272 psi | 73% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,394 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,495 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,901 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,118 psi | 87% | 2493 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,654 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,943 psi | 85% | 2523 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,655 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,987 psi | 85% | 2549 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,306 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,524 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,525 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,524 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,337 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,901 psi | 89% | 2530 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,800 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,187 psi | 77% | 2526 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,553 psi | 86% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,540 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,336 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,263 psi | 85% | 2497 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,336 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,235 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,076 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,103 psi | 85% | 2539 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,061 psi | 89% | 2559 fps | 97.6% |
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% | 37,376 psi | 79% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,660 psi | 63% | 2290 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,795 psi | 76% | 2428 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 60% | 2267 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,796 psi | 78% | 2438 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 78% | 2408 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,708 psi | 74% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,055 psi | 72% | 2402 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,523 psi | 84% | 2516 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,477 psi | 77% | 2520 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | 31.1 gr | 86% | 33,388 psi | 71% | 2402 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 82% | 2408 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 72% | 2405 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,927 psi | 80% | 2530 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 74% | 2398 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,331 psi | 75% | 2438 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 30.6 gr | 82% | 32,996 psi | 70% | 2405 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,005 psi | 53% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,853 psi | 76% | 2405 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,214 psi | 70% | 2405 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,231 psi | 79% | 2421 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,549 psi | 75% | 2444 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 78% | 2408 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 68% | 2359 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,665 psi | 76% | 2343 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,227 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 72% | 2349 fps | 96% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,620 psi | 71% | 2365 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,390 psi | 77% | 2454 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,740 psi | 82% | 2516 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,782 psi | 80% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,682 psi | 84% | 2451 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,150 psi | 53% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,392 psi | 81% | 2556 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 31.5 gr | 84% | 29,950 psi | 64% | 2359 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 78% | 2402 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,097 psi | 68% | 2303 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,301 psi | 71% | 2392 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 68% | 2359 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,227 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,608 psi | 80% | 2500 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,826 psi | 80% | 2457 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 75% | 2326 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,848 psi | 61% | 2195 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 82% | 2474 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 74% | 2336 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,260 psi | 77% | 2418 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,490 psi | 73% | 2402 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,894 psi | 68% | 2418 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,607 psi | 76% | 2336 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,574 psi | 65% | 2300 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,894 psi | 68% | 2306 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,922 psi | 66% | 2300 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 77% | 2398 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,501 psi | 65% | 2287 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,637 psi | 78% | 2421 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 74% | 2431 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,418 psi | 73% | 2405 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 58 powders for 6.5 x 52 R K&S loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Sako Powerhead Blade. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,644 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,617 fps to 2,644 fps. Hodgdon Hybrid 100V gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 58 of the 58 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (325 MPa), the top charges use 72–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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, Bofors RP3 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R K&S with the .264 | 120gr | Sako Powerhead Blade 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.