Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 57 with .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter bullet and 72 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Norma MRP, Vihtavuori N560 and Alliant Reloder-26.
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,545 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,153 psi | 85% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,560 psi | 89% | 2644 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,140 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,111 psi | 89% | 2595 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,912 psi | 65% | 2402 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,327 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,284 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,676 psi | 88% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,864 psi | 88% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,093 psi | 81% | 2569 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,458 psi | 87% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,254 psi | 85% | 2575 fps | 98.2% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,134 psi | 74% | 2503 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,919 psi | 81% | 2520 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,227 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,067 psi | 89% | 2516 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,082 psi | 89% | 2543 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,095 psi | 87% | 2526 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,400 psi | 87% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,411 psi | 80% | 2615 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,748 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,738 psi | 65% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,893 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,343 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,994 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,848 psi | 85% | 2569 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,430 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,617 psi | 86% | 2477 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,210 psi | 83% | 2484 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,111 psi | 89% | 2539 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,704 psi | 86% | 2615 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,444 psi | 89% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,877 psi | 85% | 2582 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2585 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,434 psi | 66% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,226 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,022 psi | 85% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,603 psi | 88% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,020 psi | 80% | 2605 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,458 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,879 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,126 psi | 90% | 2579 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,430 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,617 psi | 86% | 2477 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,691 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,386 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,763 psi | 88% | 2441 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,705 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,632 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,646 psi | 86% | 2464 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,893 psi | 88% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,660 psi | 86% | 2510 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,386 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,037 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,790 psi | 84% | 2487 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,283 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,356 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,066 psi | 87% | 2605 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,037 psi | 85% | 2579 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,051 psi | 85% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,227 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,211 psi | 85% | 2500 fps | 98% |
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,080 psi | 51% | 2126 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 70% | 2359 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,046 psi | 73% | 2477 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,072 psi | 67% | 2343 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,976 psi | 78% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 98% | 34,577 psi | 61% | 2343 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,174 psi | 67% | 2343 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 68% | 2365 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,207 psi | 76% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,782 psi | 67% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,811 psi | 67% | 2382 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 50% | 2152 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,791 psi | 53% | 2215 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 41 gr | 80% | 29,878 psi | 53% | 2257 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,579 psi | 66% | 2375 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,610 psi | 70% | 2451 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,811 psi | 67% | 2382 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,236 psi | 76% | 2365 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,016 psi | 71% | 2405 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,292 psi | 73% | 2398 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,121 psi | 78% | 2415 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,976 psi | 78% | 2441 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,137 psi | 82% | 2477 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,694 psi | 63% | 2264 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,449 psi | 66% | 2441 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 71% | 2411 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,543 psi | 49% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,469 psi | 79% | 2388 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,724 psi | 67% | 2313 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,279 psi | 77% | 2392 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,018 psi | 74% | 2461 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,959 psi | 74% | 2343 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 71% | 2329 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,327 psi | 54% | 2159 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 67% | 2326 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | 41.8 gr | 84% | 34,592 psi | 61% | 2339 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 69% | 2346 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,539 psi | 73% | 2467 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 67% | 2343 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,854 psi | 65% | 2356 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,963 psi | 49% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,905 psi | 81% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 69% | 2375 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 67% | 2385 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,200 psi | 60% | 2365 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 82% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,887 psi | 74% | 2372 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,941 psi | 65% | 2323 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,236 psi | 76% | 2365 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,959 psi | 74% | 2343 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 71% | 2329 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,398 psi | 84% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,398 psi | 84% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 72% | 2293 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,593 psi | 65% | 2316 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 82% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,643 psi | 81% | 2415 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,650 psi | 63% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,012 psi | 62% | 2257 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 78% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,524 psi | 72% | 2346 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,898 psi | 65% | 2293 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 70% | 2349 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,140 psi | 55% | 2218 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 44.8 gr | 90% | 42,902 psi | 76% | 2493 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,872 psi | 74% | 2470 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 70% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,292 psi | 73% | 2398 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,787 psi | 44% | 2142 fps | 97.6% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,724 psi | 65% | 2293 fps | 95% |
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 72 powders for 6.5 x 57 loaded with the .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,697 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,575 fps to 2,697 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 72 of the 72 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 156.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP30 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. Norma MRP, Vihtavuori N560, Alliant Reloder-26 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 57 with the .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter 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.