Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 85gr | Barnes X bullet and 4 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>> | 94% | 32,111 psi | 90% | 2575 fps | 96% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,082 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 98% | 31,662 psi | 89% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 98% | 31,270 psi | 88% | 1755 fps | 100% |
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>> | 92% | 30,400 psi | 86% | 2530 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,788 psi | 73% | 2372 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 7.5 gr | 80% | 24,178 psi | 68% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 7.6 gr | 80% | 23,931 psi | 67% | 1588 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
This overview compares 13 powders for 6.5 x 52 R loaded with the .257 | 85gr | Barnes X. Accurate 4064 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,582 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,722 fps to 2,582 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 98 %, and 13 of the 13 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (245 MPa), the top charges use 87–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 85.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:11.0 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 | 85gr | Barnes X they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4064, IMR 3031, Norma 202 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.