Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 120gr | Winchester Soft-Point bullet and 12 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are 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% | 31,488 psi | 89% | 2185 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,502 psi | 89% | 2201 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,560 psi | 89% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,980 psi | 87% | 2195 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,894 psi | 90% | 2195 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,546 psi | 89% | 2159 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,763 psi | 89% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,894 psi | 90% | 2195 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,038 psi | 87% | 2090 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,487 psi | 86% | 2149 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,908 psi | 90% | 2149 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,414 psi | 86% | 2133 fps | 96.2% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,614 psi | 72% | 2047 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,078 psi | 73% | 2070 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 7.4 gr | 80% | 24,627 psi | 69% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,182 psi | 82% | 2152 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,008 psi | 84% | 2156 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,762 psi | 84% | 2119 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 7.6 gr | 80% | 24,918 psi | 70% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,008 psi | 84% | 2156 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,759 psi | 72% | 1962 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,687 psi | 75% | 2057 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 79% | 2060 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,732 psi | 81% | 2090 fps | 95.5% |
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 | 120gr | Winchester Soft-Point. Accurate 4064 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,201 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,440 fps to 2,201 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 86–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R with the .257 | 120gr | Winchester Soft-Point 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.