Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 R with .264 | 156gr | Norma VULKAN 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% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2657 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2602 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2602 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,134 psi | 78% | 2582 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2549 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2549 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,688 psi | 85% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2589 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2592 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 2690 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,101 psi | 67% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2497 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2539 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2546 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,963 psi | 85% | 2536 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,856 psi | 71% | 2516 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,021 psi | 85% | 2621 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,805 psi | 87% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2651 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2592 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,058 psi | 69% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2690 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2700 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,776 psi | 87% | 2526 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 2579 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2546 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2612 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,963 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2644 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 98.9% |
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% | 34,084 psi | 62% | 2274 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 83% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,989 psi | 78% | 2539 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 69% | 2388 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,870 psi | 71% | 2431 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 2454 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,372 psi | 57% | 2303 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2392 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2392 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 80% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 69% | 2385 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,026 psi | 62% | 2329 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,837 psi | 60% | 2300 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,601 psi | 52% | 2218 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,679 psi | 65% | 2428 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,143 psi | 66% | 2379 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,201 psi | 66% | 2415 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,026 psi | 62% | 2329 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,290 psi | 69% | 2421 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,495 psi | 75% | 2441 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,756 psi | 74% | 2425 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,394 psi | 75% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 47.3 gr | 86% | 33,939 psi | 62% | 2402 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,760 psi | 50% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 80% | 2444 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,439 psi | 79% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,958 psi | 73% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,600 psi | 83% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,399 psi | 53% | 2159 fps | 96% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 79% | 2477 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,981 psi | 58% | 2352 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,462 psi | 64% | 2392 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,773 psi | 81% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,912 psi | 67% | 2415 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,540 psi | 79% | 2487 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,764 psi | 59% | 2303 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,427 psi | 52% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 83% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,845 psi | 80% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 49.4 gr | 84% | 30,705 psi | 56% | 2313 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,119 psi | 76% | 2572 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,552 psi | 72% | 2369 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 68% | 2372 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,600 psi | 83% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,282 psi | 84% | 2434 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,202 psi | 68% | 2369 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 73% | 2362 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,887 psi | 76% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,087 psi | 69% | 2359 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,238 psi | 84% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,909 psi | 60% | 2241 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 67% | 2372 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,988 psi | 74% | 2497 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,901 psi | 74% | 2487 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,555 psi | 79% | 2582 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 82% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 45.1 gr | 80% | 28,979 psi | 53% | 2316 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,664 psi | 63% | 2287 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 VULKAN. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,703 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,634 fps to 2,703 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 67–90 %, 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 VULKAN 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.