Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R K&S with .264 | 123gr | Hornady A-MAX 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, Alliant Reloder-17 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 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,337 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,669 psi | 88% | 2510 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,337 psi | 90% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,930 psi | 89% | 2510 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,321 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,234 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,306 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,669 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,351 psi | 90% | 2539 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,611 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 97.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,828 psi | 87% | 2510 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,278 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,264 psi | 90% | 2543 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,264 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,205 psi | 85% | 2516 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,393 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,389 psi | 73% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,756 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,785 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,322 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,597 psi | 88% | 2562 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,756 psi | 86% | 2523 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,234 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,132 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,496 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,930 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,988 psi | 87% | 2467 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,147 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,582 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,350 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,393 psi | 86% | 2490 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,896 psi | 74% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,263 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,466 psi | 88% | 2618 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,525 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,452 psi | 88% | 2470 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,118 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,132 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,930 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,132 psi | 85% | 2526 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,408 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,219 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,424 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,148 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,611 psi | 88% | 2493 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,105 psi | 89% | 2526 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,088 psi | 83% | 2562 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,292 psi | 85% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,190 psi | 85% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,495 psi | 88% | 2470 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,437 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,466 psi | 88% | 2474 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,351 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,843 psi | 89% | 2507 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,987 psi | 85% | 2507 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,177 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 98% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,706 psi | 69% | 2323 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,783 psi | 82% | 2457 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,922 psi | 66% | 2303 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,796 psi | 78% | 2405 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,913 psi | 80% | 2415 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 82% | 2425 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 80% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,460 psi | 69% | 2336 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,463 psi | 79% | 2441 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 33.5 gr | 88% | 34,214 psi | 73% | 2438 fps | 95% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,130 psi | 81% | 2454 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | 30.1 gr | 82% | 31,705 psi | 67% | 2329 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,753 psi | 78% | 2434 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 79% | 2418 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,549 psi | 75% | 2418 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,098 psi | 70% | 2379 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,657 psi | 54% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 76% | 2375 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 76% | 2425 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,420 psi | 79% | 2398 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,088 psi | 83% | 2513 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,665 psi | 76% | 2415 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 82% | 2425 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,695 psi | 80% | 2359 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 96% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 77% | 2372 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,984 psi | 76% | 2382 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,272 psi | 73% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,361 psi | 77% | 2441 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,710 psi | 80% | 2438 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,889 psi | 55% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,740 psi | 82% | 2533 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 31.2 gr | 82% | 30,023 psi | 64% | 2336 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,490 psi | 73% | 2326 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,982 psi | 72% | 2375 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,331 psi | 75% | 2421 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,534 psi | 75% | 2379 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,753 psi | 80% | 2343 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,922 psi | 66% | 2215 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 79% | 2349 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 77% | 2388 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,924 psi | 70% | 2336 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,400 psi | 64% | 2352 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 80% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,040 psi | 70% | 2323 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,113 psi | 72% | 2326 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,254 psi | 62% | 2231 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 82% | 2418 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,924 psi | 70% | 2313 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,258 psi | 73% | 2346 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 80% | 2457 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,476 psi | 73% | 2375 fps | 95.8% |
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 .264 | 123gr | Hornady A-MAX. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,618 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,608 fps to 2,618 fps. Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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 73–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 123.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, Hodgdon TrailBoss, IMR 4831 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, Bofors RP3 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R K&S with the .264 | 123gr | Hornady A-MAX 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.