Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 60gr | Hornady Traditional/FMJ bullet and 14 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,836 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,836 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,848 psi | 81% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,848 psi | 81% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,660 psi | 81% | 2021 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,369 psi | 80% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,369 psi | 80% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,166 psi | 79% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,227 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,227 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,401 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,356 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,356 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,777 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 97.3% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,008 psi | 84% | 2900 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,008 psi | 84% | 2900 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,856 psi | 59% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,856 psi | 59% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,118 psi | 59% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,653 psi | 58% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,653 psi | 58% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,523 psi | 58% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,762 psi | 84% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,762 psi | 84% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,863 psi | 84% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,963 psi | 76% | 2766 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,963 psi | 76% | 2766 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,079 psi | 76% | 2772 fps | 95.7% |
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 14 powders for 6.5 x 52 R loaded with the .257 | 60gr | Hornady Traditional/FMJ. ADI AR 2207 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,953 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,021 fps to 2,953 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 14 of the 14 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (245 MPa), the top charges use 79–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 60.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, Hodgdon TrailBoss, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.