Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 63 Messner Mag. with .264 | 120gr | Berger BT Target bullet and 73 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76 and Vihtavuori N560.
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: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,058 psi | 89% | 3284 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,230 psi | 85% | 3222 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,290 psi | 90% | 3222 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3225 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,258 psi | 83% | 3182 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,877 psi | 75% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,695 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3222 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 3287 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,681 psi | 89% | 3179 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3261 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3222 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,563 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,099 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,478 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,042 psi | 86% | 3159 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,464 psi | 90% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,245 psi | 87% | 3337 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3189 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,202 psi | 58% | 2018 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,768 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3140 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,058 psi | 89% | 3268 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,236 psi | 68% | 3031 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,666 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,740 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,613 psi | 68% | 3061 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3225 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,363 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,145 psi | 60% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,984 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,695 psi | 87% | 3284 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,578 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,563 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,115 psi | 88% | 3117 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,405 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,565 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,419 psi | 87% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,984 psi | 86% | 3235 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,361 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3284 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,912 psi | 88% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3156 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,506 psi | 87% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 99.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 58% | 2766 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 63% | 2943 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,714 psi | 69% | 3012 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 64% | 2904 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,930 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,495 psi | 63% | 2917 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,053 psi | 50% | 2736 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,365 psi | 65% | 2904 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,365 psi | 65% | 2904 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,050 psi | 74% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 64% | 2897 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,840 psi | 58% | 2831 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,447 psi | 56% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,850 psi | 48% | 2694 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,436 psi | 62% | 2949 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,893 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,709 psi | 58% | 2828 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,842 psi | 62% | 2930 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,840 psi | 58% | 2831 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 80% | 3038 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,711 psi | 61% | 2874 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,778 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,055 psi | 83% | 3107 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2894 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,918 psi | 69% | 2943 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 69% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 60.5 gr | 84% | 34,432 psi | 54% | 2848 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,778 psi | 80% | 3120 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,920 psi | 44% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,731 psi | 73% | 2966 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,634 psi | 82% | 3064 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 73% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 64% | 2835 fps | 95% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,379 psi | 63% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,379 psi | 63% | 2963 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,140 psi | 79% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 76% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,850 psi | 50% | 2631 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 74% | 3009 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,170 psi | 52% | 2795 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 61% | 2910 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,095 psi | 75% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,132 psi | 63% | 2936 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,833 psi | 73% | 3015 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,518 psi | 53% | 2740 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,616 psi | 45% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,182 psi | 77% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,413 psi | 74% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.7 gr | 84% | 33,576 psi | 53% | 2818 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,019 psi | 69% | 3058 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 66% | 2881 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 63% | 2881 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 80% | 3038 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,140 psi | 79% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 76% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,124 psi | 77% | 2953 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,914 psi | 63% | 2871 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 67% | 2864 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 71% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,901 psi | 64% | 2861 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,461 psi | 84% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,501 psi | 78% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,534 psi | 56% | 2723 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,762 psi | 76% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,871 psi | 62% | 2877 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 61.3 gr | 82% | 41,669 psi | 65% | 2963 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,047 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,266 psi | 71% | 3071 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,778 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,879 psi | 50% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 59% | 2779 fps | 95.8% |
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 73 powders for 6.5 x 63 Messner Mag. loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Berger BT Target. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,337 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,018 fps to 3,337 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 73 of the 73 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, 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. Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76, Vihtavuori N560 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 63 Messner Mag. with the .264 | 120gr | Berger BT Target 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.