Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 57 with .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip bullet and 78 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70 and Ramshot Hunter.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,401 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,763 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,208 psi | 80% | 2779 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,155 psi | 90% | 2907 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,923 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,211 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 2963 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,095 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,385 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,110 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,024 psi | 88% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,830 psi | 76% | 2808 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,414 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 99.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,937 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,385 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,647 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,314 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,517 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,763 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,008 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,979 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,589 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,795 psi | 63% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,530 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,051 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,285 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,399 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,269 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,676 psi | 90% | 2867 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,807 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,502 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,428 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,051 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,950 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,951 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,517 psi | 89% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,689 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,921 psi | 85% | 2936 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,183 psi | 89% | 2890 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,226 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,226 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,230 psi | 64% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,604 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,864 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,559 psi | 88% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,879 psi | 90% | 2927 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,082 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,285 psi | 89% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,603 psi | 88% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 2910 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,647 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,051 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,807 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,428 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,950 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,066 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,661 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,126 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,530 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,111 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,357 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,937 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,704 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,138 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,531 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,053 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,008 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,400 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,371 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,544 psi | 86% | 2841 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,529 psi | 84% | 2887 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,211 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,517 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 97.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,290 psi | 68% | 2825 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,458 psi | 87% | 2825 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>> | 80% | 44,251 psi | 78% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,354 psi | 82% | 2707 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,218 psi | 69% | 2661 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,901 psi | 74% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,185 psi | 59% | 2543 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,776 psi | 84% | 2792 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 72% | 2641 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 78% | 2838 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 72% | 2661 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 77% | 2723 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 40 gr | 82% | 33,504 psi | 59% | 2566 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 62% | 2635 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,037 psi | 51% | 2464 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,100 psi | 64% | 2713 fps | 96% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 84% | 2802 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 71% | 2664 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,903 psi | 78% | 2697 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,988 psi | 72% | 2671 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,162 psi | 73% | 2723 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,587 psi | 84% | 2805 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,660 psi | 51% | 2402 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,628 psi | 79% | 2776 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,453 psi | 77% | 2795 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,571 psi | 47% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,398 psi | 82% | 2753 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,830 psi | 76% | 2677 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 80% | 2697 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,237 psi | 78% | 2726 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,627 psi | 75% | 2671 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,387 psi | 57% | 2507 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,440 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,674 psi | 84% | 2730 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 76% | 2677 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,405 psi | 66% | 2566 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,306 psi | 71% | 2648 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 83% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 84% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,714 psi | 76% | 2713 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,640 psi | 74% | 2805 fps | 95% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,649 psi | 59% | 2549 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,873 psi | 76% | 2733 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | 45.5 gr | 88% | 40,205 psi | 71% | 2710 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,035 psi | 48% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,510 psi | 73% | 2657 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 82% | 2844 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,434 psi | 66% | 2703 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,723 psi | 63% | 2628 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 44.8 gr | 84% | 35,418 psi | 63% | 2631 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 79% | 2690 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 67% | 2605 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,442 psi | 84% | 2848 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,903 psi | 78% | 2697 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,405 psi | 66% | 2566 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 76% | 2677 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,306 psi | 71% | 2648 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 69% | 2664 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 82% | 2766 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,124 psi | 85% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 71% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,698 psi | 74% | 2615 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,992 psi | 83% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,688 psi | 84% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 68% | 2615 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 50% | 2438 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,034 psi | 80% | 2776 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 79% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 79% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 65% | 2546 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,706 psi | 58% | 2493 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,149 psi | 76% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,505 psi | 61% | 2549 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,546 psi | 56% | 2543 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,503 psi | 57% | 2474 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,162 psi | 73% | 2723 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,269 psi | 52% | 2549 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 81% | 2766 fps | 99.8% |
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 100 powders for 6.5 x 57 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,986 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,798 fps to 2,986 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 100 of the 100 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 63–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate High Country, Accurate MAGPRO 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 Reloder-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Ramshot Hunter rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 57 with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate High Country, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2213 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.