Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 117gr | Winchester Powerpoint bullet and 11 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.
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,603 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,632 psi | 86% | 2208 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,589 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,415 psi | 88% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,140 psi | 90% | 2251 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,806 psi | 87% | 2169 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,604 psi | 89% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,400 psi | 86% | 2103 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,604 psi | 89% | 2201 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,198 psi | 88% | 2162 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,792 psi | 89% | 2188 fps | 96.4% |
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% | 24,889 psi | 70% | 2057 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | 22.6 gr | 84% | 26,905 psi | 76% | 2116 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,776 psi | 84% | 2185 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 7.4 gr | 80% | 24,511 psi | 69% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,514 psi | 80% | 2162 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,080 psi | 82% | 2129 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 7.6 gr | 80% | 24,772 psi | 70% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,789 psi | 75% | 2014 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,049 psi | 73% | 2067 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,514 psi | 77% | 2070 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,733 psi | 84% | 2142 fps | 95.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
This overview compares 11 powders for 6.5 x 52 R loaded with the .257 | 117gr | Winchester Powerpoint. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,251 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,457 fps to 2,251 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 96 %, and 11 of the 11 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 117.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:12.5 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 | Winchester Powerpoint 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.