Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 R with .264 | 160gr | Sierra SP SemiSp bullet and 53 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>> | 90% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,674 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 2549 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2569 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,947 psi | 82% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,674 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2546 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2533 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,289 psi | 68% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,509 psi | 74% | 2500 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,283 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,495 psi | 73% | 2523 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2598 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,985 psi | 69% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 2641 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2530 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2526 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,195 psi | 86% | 2467 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2490 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 90% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2602 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 2651 fps | 97% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2497 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% | 35,302 psi | 64% | 2274 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 69% | 2421 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,568 psi | 75% | 2484 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 71% | 2388 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,595 psi | 70% | 2405 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,516 psi | 55% | 2260 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,653 psi | 72% | 2388 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,266 psi | 82% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 71% | 2382 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,172 psi | 64% | 2333 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 62% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 54% | 2221 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 67% | 2428 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,954 psi | 63% | 2326 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,041 psi | 64% | 2362 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,172 psi | 64% | 2333 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,883 psi | 67% | 2369 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,972 psi | 73% | 2385 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,262 psi | 71% | 2369 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 78% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 46.6 gr | 84% | 32,822 psi | 60% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,992 psi | 51% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 82% | 2441 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,773 psi | 81% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 71% | 2333 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,537 psi | 70% | 2411 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,898 psi | 69% | 2448 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,472 psi | 55% | 2162 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 82% | 2477 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,198 psi | 57% | 2306 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 67% | 2392 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,108 psi | 84% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,116 psi | 69% | 2418 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,092 psi | 82% | 2487 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,662 psi | 57% | 2254 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,689 psi | 52% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 82% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 48.7 gr | 82% | 29,718 psi | 54% | 2264 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 2516 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 2369 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 70% | 2372 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,421 psi | 70% | 2365 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 75% | 2359 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,381 psi | 79% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 71% | 2356 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 62% | 2241 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 69% | 2369 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,610 psi | 72% | 2441 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,856 psi | 72% | 2438 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,322 psi | 77% | 2533 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 45.6 gr | 80% | 30,211 psi | 55% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,737 psi | 65% | 2287 fps | 96.1% |
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 53 powders for 6.5 x 65 R loaded with the .264 | 160gr | Sierra SP SemiSp. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,694 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,621 fps to 2,694 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 53 of the 53 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 160.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2225, Hodgdon TrailBoss, IMR 8133 Enduron 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 | 160gr | Sierra SP SemiSp 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.