Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 R with .264 | 156gr | Norma ORYX bullet and 60 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 Winchester StaBALL HD.
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>> | 90% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2526 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2651 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2654 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 2598 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,062 psi | 78% | 2582 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2549 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2602 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,702 psi | 85% | 2589 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2628 fps | 98.2% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2602 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2589 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,202 psi | 68% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2543 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2536 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2635 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2520 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,776 psi | 89% | 2546 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2533 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,740 psi | 70% | 2513 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2618 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2651 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2589 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,884 psi | 69% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2680 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2697 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,674 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2520 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2575 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2546 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2612 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2641 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,283 psi | 88% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2552 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 34,011 psi | 62% | 2270 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,571 psi | 83% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,537 psi | 72% | 2477 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,888 psi | 78% | 2536 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,087 psi | 69% | 2388 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,783 psi | 70% | 2428 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,769 psi | 72% | 2451 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,285 psi | 57% | 2303 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 70% | 2388 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 69% | 2382 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 62% | 2329 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,721 psi | 59% | 2297 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,500 psi | 52% | 2215 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,578 psi | 65% | 2425 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,027 psi | 65% | 2375 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,114 psi | 66% | 2411 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 62% | 2329 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,218 psi | 69% | 2421 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,394 psi | 75% | 2434 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,654 psi | 74% | 2421 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,307 psi | 75% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 47.2 gr | 86% | 33,852 psi | 61% | 2398 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,833 psi | 51% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,845 psi | 80% | 2444 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 79% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,596 psi | 74% | 2385 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,856 psi | 72% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 83% | 2474 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,472 psi | 53% | 2162 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,627 psi | 79% | 2474 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,923 psi | 58% | 2349 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,346 psi | 64% | 2388 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,918 psi | 82% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,421 psi | 72% | 2470 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,424 psi | 79% | 2484 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,677 psi | 59% | 2300 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,500 psi | 52% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 82% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 49.3 gr | 84% | 30,632 psi | 56% | 2313 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,018 psi | 76% | 2569 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,436 psi | 72% | 2369 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,420 psi | 68% | 2369 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 83% | 2474 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 84% | 2431 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,101 psi | 67% | 2365 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,699 psi | 77% | 2411 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 76% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,971 psi | 69% | 2356 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 84% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,822 psi | 60% | 2238 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,585 psi | 83% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,738 psi | 67% | 2369 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,886 psi | 74% | 2493 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,814 psi | 74% | 2484 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,439 psi | 79% | 2582 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,005 psi | 82% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 45 gr | 80% | 28,906 psi | 52% | 2313 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 63% | 2283 fps | 95.2% |
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 60 powders for 6.5 x 65 R loaded with the .264 | 156gr | Norma ORYX. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,749 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,634 fps to 2,749 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 68–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 156.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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, Winchester StaBALL HD rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 65 R with the .264 | 156gr | Norma ORYX 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.