Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 with .264 | 120gr | Barnes X S bullet and 66 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP 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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,156 psi | 87% | 2913 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,954 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,417 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,809 psi | 89% | 2992 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,751 psi | 89% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,445 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,476 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,140 psi | 85% | 2986 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,706 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,240 psi | 80% | 2963 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,592 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 97.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,140 psi | 85% | 2986 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,693 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,692 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,242 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,418 psi | 90% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,224 psi | 78% | 2995 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,430 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,999 psi | 61% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,389 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,677 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,027 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,765 psi | 88% | 3015 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,301 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,679 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,821 psi | 83% | 2877 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,372 psi | 85% | 2923 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,185 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,186 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,608 psi | 62% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,244 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,447 psi | 90% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2995 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,413 psi | 79% | 2992 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,547 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,156 psi | 87% | 2907 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,939 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,693 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,301 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,679 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,112 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,721 psi | 86% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,706 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,475 psi | 87% | 2966 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,447 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,866 psi | 86% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,911 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,170 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,940 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,939 psi | 88% | 2923 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,432 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,706 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,331 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,011 psi | 86% | 2949 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,444 psi | 84% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,417 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 97.4% |
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>> | 84% | 35,752 psi | 59% | 2589 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 69% | 2743 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,008 psi | 81% | 2979 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,182 psi | 82% | 2825 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,614 psi | 74% | 2815 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,933 psi | 75% | 2818 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,933 psi | 75% | 2818 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 84% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 66% | 2736 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 75% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,498 psi | 74% | 2812 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,005 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,124 psi | 50% | 2503 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,839 psi | 60% | 2677 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 48.7 gr | 80% | 32,300 psi | 54% | 2621 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,425 psi | 74% | 2851 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,005 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,759 psi | 74% | 2736 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 71% | 2772 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 62% | 2631 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,541 psi | 74% | 2936 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,814 psi | 69% | 2785 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 46% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,161 psi | 67% | 2661 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 76% | 2762 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 66% | 2687 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,647 psi | 82% | 2953 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 73% | 2723 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 70% | 2707 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,983 psi | 58% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,281 psi | 75% | 2808 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | 50.8 gr | 86% | 39,102 psi | 65% | 2766 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 68% | 2726 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,588 psi | 82% | 2963 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 65% | 2703 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,698 psi | 69% | 2779 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,224 psi | 47% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,923 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,500 psi | 79% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,988 psi | 68% | 2749 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 48.2 gr | 80% | 39,407 psi | 65% | 2749 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,684 psi | 69% | 2858 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,559 psi | 81% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,153 psi | 82% | 2851 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,758 psi | 73% | 2795 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,759 psi | 74% | 2736 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 73% | 2723 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 70% | 2707 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,820 psi | 81% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,704 psi | 81% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 72% | 2667 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,366 psi | 72% | 2792 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,428 psi | 80% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,434 psi | 62% | 2687 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,105 psi | 70% | 2730 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 77% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 70% | 2720 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,075 psi | 68% | 2700 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,814 psi | 69% | 2726 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,533 psi | 56% | 2589 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,836 psi | 84% | 2992 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 68% | 2684 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 71% | 2776 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,977 psi | 45% | 2484 fps | 96% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,801 psi | 73% | 2762 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 66 powders for 6.5 x 65 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes X S. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,104 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,864 fps to 3,104 fps. Alliant Reloder-25 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 66 of the 66 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP15, Hodgdon Retumbo 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, Norma MRP, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 65 with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes X S 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.