Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 with .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT bullet and 79 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16 and ReloadSwiss RS 70.
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,649 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,126 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,822 psi | 86% | 2930 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,200 psi | 88% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,230 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,911 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,953 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,098 psi | 88% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,040 psi | 86% | 2969 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,329 psi | 85% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,343 psi | 85% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,591 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,343 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,822 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 81% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,525 psi | 71% | 2861 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,388 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 79% | 2930 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,590 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,822 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 97.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,372 psi | 85% | 2881 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,098 psi | 87% | 2913 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,127 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,069 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,374 psi | 89% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,143 psi | 60% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,577 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,794 psi | 88% | 2884 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,504 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,388 psi | 89% | 2917 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,111 psi | 85% | 2923 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,606 psi | 89% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,200 psi | 88% | 2913 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,873 psi | 71% | 2769 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,056 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,953 psi | 88% | 2966 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,517 psi | 86% | 3041 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,040 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,358 psi | 85% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 2969 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,179 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,840 psi | 61% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,330 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 3009 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 3038 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,083 psi | 87% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,750 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,577 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,940 psi | 90% | 3002 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,372 psi | 85% | 2881 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,200 psi | 88% | 2913 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,606 psi | 89% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,606 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,142 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,924 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,461 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,982 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,214 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,068 psi | 85% | 2920 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,185 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,634 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,243 psi | 88% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,576 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,299 psi | 84% | 2890 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,230 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,418 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,010 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,517 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,127 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,961 psi | 73% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,952 psi | 85% | 2910 fps | 96.8% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,168 psi | 82% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,732 psi | 79% | 2779 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,347 psi | 60% | 2628 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 77% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,360 psi | 59% | 2621 fps | 97% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,530 psi | 82% | 3005 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 74% | 2756 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,527 psi | 76% | 2848 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,342 psi | 82% | 2976 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,629 psi | 76% | 2851 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 75% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,153 psi | 80% | 2851 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 43.2 gr | 80% | 34,824 psi | 58% | 2638 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 66% | 2772 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,063 psi | 75% | 2841 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,295 psi | 75% | 2890 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,776 psi | 48% | 2487 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,969 psi | 58% | 2671 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 51.3 gr | 86% | 33,330 psi | 55% | 2674 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,396 psi | 74% | 2867 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 75% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,295 psi | 75% | 2890 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,554 psi | 71% | 2710 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 76% | 2799 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,335 psi | 67% | 2736 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,468 psi | 72% | 2762 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,416 psi | 54% | 2533 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,995 psi | 83% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,496 psi | 71% | 2815 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,021 psi | 45% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,021 psi | 78% | 2795 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 82% | 2818 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,654 psi | 68% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,437 psi | 69% | 2690 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 57% | 2575 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,385 psi | 82% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,094 psi | 78% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 64% | 2628 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,349 psi | 65% | 2664 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,550 psi | 62% | 2654 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 79% | 2838 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,093 psi | 77% | 2838 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,539 psi | 69% | 2841 fps | 96% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,433 psi | 59% | 2621 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,863 psi | 80% | 2858 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,898 psi | 61% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,829 psi | 69% | 2795 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,485 psi | 46% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,818 psi | 76% | 2782 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 70% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 58% | 2638 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 47.3 gr | 80% | 34,519 psi | 57% | 2644 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,791 psi | 81% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 70% | 2730 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,212 psi | 83% | 2884 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,990 psi | 73% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,554 psi | 71% | 2710 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 64% | 2628 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,094 psi | 78% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,349 psi | 65% | 2664 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 72% | 2785 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 73% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,913 psi | 63% | 2572 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,584 psi | 72% | 2815 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 71% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,952 psi | 53% | 2575 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,669 psi | 69% | 2743 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,095 psi | 82% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 82% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,857 psi | 68% | 2661 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 61% | 2628 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,990 psi | 73% | 2776 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,790 psi | 79% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 61% | 2628 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,530 psi | 49% | 2503 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 60% | 2602 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,335 psi | 67% | 2736 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,151 psi | 45% | 2513 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,353 psi | 74% | 2789 fps | 95% |
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 79 powders for 6.5 x 65 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,087 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,850 fps to 3,087 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 79 of the 79 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23 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. Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 65 with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT 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.