Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 52 R with .257 | 87gr | Hornady SP bullet and 6 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant AR-Comp, 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>> | 96% | 31,183 psi | 88% | 2566 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,952 psi | 90% | 2579 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,386 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,647 psi | 89% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,517 psi | 89% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,269 psi | 85% | 2415 fps | 96.3% |
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>> | 94% | 28,950 psi | 81% | 2510 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 22.3 gr | 82% | 24,932 psi | 70% | 2365 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,617 psi | 83% | 2454 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 7.6 gr | 80% | 23,250 psi | 65% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 7.7 gr | 80% | 22,887 psi | 64% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,558 psi | 80% | 2369 fps | 95.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 6 powders for 6.5 x 52 R loaded with the .257 | 87gr | Hornady SP. Alliant AR-Comp delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,579 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,722 fps to 2,579 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 6 of the 6 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 87.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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. Alliant AR-Comp, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 52 R with the .257 | 87gr | Hornady SP 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.