Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 117gr | Sellier & Bellot SPFN bullet and 12 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Accurate 4064, ReloadSwiss RS 14 and Hodgdon TrailBoss.
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>> | 86% | 31,314 psi | 88% | 2215 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,299 psi | 88% | 2231 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,749 psi | 89% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,951 psi | 87% | 2228 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,662 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 96% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,473 psi | 89% | 2192 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,459 psi | 89% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,662 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,966 psi | 87% | 2123 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,037 psi | 85% | 2172 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,807 psi | 90% | 2182 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,269 psi | 85% | 2162 fps | 95.9% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,512 psi | 72% | 2077 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | 22.5 gr | 82% | 25,991 psi | 73% | 2096 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 7.5 gr | 80% | 24,468 psi | 69% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,863 psi | 81% | 2175 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,849 psi | 84% | 2182 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,370 psi | 83% | 2142 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 7.7 gr | 80% | 24,743 psi | 70% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,849 psi | 84% | 2182 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,788 psi | 73% | 1995 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,658 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 79% | 2093 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,631 psi | 81% | 2119 fps | 95.2% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
This overview compares 12 powders for 6.5 x 52 R loaded with the .257 | 117gr | Sellier & Bellot SPFN. Accurate 4064 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,231 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,470 fps to 2,231 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 96 %, and 12 of the 12 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (245 MPa), the top charges use 85–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 117.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R with the .257 | 117gr | Sellier & Bellot SPFN 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.