Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 100gr | Swift A-Frame bullet and 8 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Accurate 2495, Vihtavuori N135 and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
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: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,821 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,603 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,169 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 98% | 31,241 psi | 88% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,647 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 98% | 31,256 psi | 88% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,501 psi | 86% | 2264 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,530 psi | 86% | 2349 fps | 97.2% |
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% | 27,876 psi | 78% | 2228 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2495 | 23 gr | 86% | 25,092 psi | 71% | 2231 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,817 psi | 73% | 2241 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,917 psi | 67% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,530 psi | 83% | 2349 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 7.5 gr | 80% | 23,641 psi | 67% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,137 psi | 76% | 2175 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | 22.2 gr | 86% | 26,789 psi | 75% | 2247 fps | 95.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
This overview compares 8 powders for 6.5 x 52 R loaded with the .257 | 100gr | Swift A-Frame. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,405 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,578 fps to 2,405 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 98 %, and 8 of the 8 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (245 MPa), the top charges use 86–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 100.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Vihtavuori N135, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R with the .257 | 100gr | Swift A-Frame 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.