Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 R with .264 | 156gr | Berger LRBTHP bullet and 65 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester StaBALL HD, Hodgdon Retumbo and ReloadSwiss RS 76.
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>> | 92% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 2631 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2631 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2638 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 2595 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,250 psi | 77% | 2562 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 2582 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2579 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2638 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,804 psi | 85% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,702 psi | 85% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2664 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2638 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2566 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2726 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 2608 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,159 psi | 67% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 2526 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 2520 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2612 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 2507 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2569 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,826 psi | 69% | 2493 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2657 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2572 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2625 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,855 psi | 69% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2510 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 2507 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2559 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 2500 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2526 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2651 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2674 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 98.7% |
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% | 33,402 psi | 61% | 2257 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 81% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,638 psi | 70% | 2457 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,814 psi | 76% | 2513 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 68% | 2372 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,683 psi | 74% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,160 psi | 71% | 2431 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,734 psi | 56% | 2283 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,782 psi | 69% | 2372 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,018 psi | 78% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 2365 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,462 psi | 64% | 2362 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 58% | 2283 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 51% | 2198 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,722 psi | 63% | 2405 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,244 psi | 64% | 2356 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,623 psi | 68% | 2444 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,462 psi | 64% | 2362 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,362 psi | 68% | 2398 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 2530 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,611 psi | 74% | 2418 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,656 psi | 77% | 2457 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,567 psi | 74% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 46.4 gr | 86% | 33,185 psi | 60% | 2375 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 2556 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,891 psi | 51% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,236 psi | 78% | 2428 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 2365 fps | 95% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,102 psi | 71% | 2448 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2464 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 81% | 2454 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,892 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,018 psi | 78% | 2461 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,243 psi | 60% | 2382 fps | 96% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,751 psi | 63% | 2375 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,667 psi | 70% | 2451 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 78% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,548 psi | 63% | 2343 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,326 psi | 51% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 81% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,873 psi | 78% | 2520 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 49.6 gr | 86% | 32,082 psi | 58% | 2352 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 2608 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 71% | 2352 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 67% | 2352 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2464 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 81% | 2454 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 2418 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 66% | 2349 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,003 psi | 76% | 2392 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 74% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 68% | 2339 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 82% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,548 psi | 63% | 2274 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,686 psi | 81% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 65% | 2352 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,089 psi | 73% | 2477 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 73% | 2467 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,498 psi | 83% | 2618 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,440 psi | 81% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,702 psi | 85% | 2536 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 44.3 gr | 80% | 28,427 psi | 52% | 2297 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,448 psi | 66% | 2323 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 65 powders for 6.5 x 65 R loaded with the .264 | 156gr | Berger LRBTHP. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,726 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,627 fps to 2,726 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 65 of the 65 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 156.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 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. Winchester StaBALL HD, Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 65 R with the .264 | 156gr | Berger LRBTHP 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.