Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 65 with .264 | 156gr | Norma ORYX bullet and 73 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, Winchester StaBALL HD 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>> | 92% | 51,721 psi | 86% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,243 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,127 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 99% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,722 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,722 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,240 psi | 82% | 2638 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,164 psi | 73% | 2608 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 90% | 2671 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 90% | 2671 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,983 psi | 90% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,447 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,968 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,519 psi | 89% | 2648 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,375 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,750 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,083 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,923 psi | 85% | 2667 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,430 psi | 85% | 2621 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,998 psi | 90% | 2631 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2621 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2661 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,360 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,894 psi | 85% | 2769 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,082 psi | 85% | 2648 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,231 psi | 62% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,563 psi | 89% | 2608 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,490 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,621 psi | 89% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,707 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,214 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,523 psi | 66% | 2513 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,504 psi | 87% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,997 psi | 88% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,273 psi | 90% | 2657 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,653 psi | 66% | 2536 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,343 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,447 psi | 89% | 2730 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,824 psi | 89% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,793 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,913 psi | 63% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,084 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,038 psi | 83% | 2723 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,692 psi | 86% | 2595 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,083 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,504 psi | 87% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,417 psi | 87% | 2648 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,968 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,996 psi | 86% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,287 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,490 psi | 89% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,852 psi | 88% | 2612 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,634 psi | 87% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,692 psi | 86% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2690 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,082 psi | 85% | 2674 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,242 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,562 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,430 psi | 85% | 2621 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,185 psi | 88% | 2625 fps | 99.4% |
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>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 58% | 2293 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,557 psi | 77% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 62% | 2441 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,671 psi | 73% | 2559 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,667 psi | 64% | 2405 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,479 psi | 66% | 2451 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,072 psi | 63% | 2421 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,095 psi | 50% | 2274 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 65% | 2411 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 65% | 2411 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,498 psi | 74% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 65% | 2405 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,476 psi | 57% | 2346 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,344 psi | 55% | 2316 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,979 psi | 48% | 2234 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,376 psi | 60% | 2448 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,299 psi | 84% | 2592 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,490 psi | 57% | 2346 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,825 psi | 61% | 2431 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,476 psi | 57% | 2346 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,921 psi | 81% | 2516 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,376 psi | 60% | 2385 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,993 psi | 80% | 2566 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,415 psi | 84% | 2575 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,177 psi | 70% | 2457 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,408 psi | 69% | 2444 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 70% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 47.9 gr | 86% | 34,316 psi | 57% | 2418 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,601 psi | 79% | 2592 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,760 psi | 46% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 74% | 2461 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 84% | 2539 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,251 psi | 74% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,104 psi | 68% | 2402 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,029 psi | 63% | 2431 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,217 psi | 62% | 2461 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,008 psi | 80% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,340 psi | 77% | 2490 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,052 psi | 50% | 2182 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,440 psi | 74% | 2497 fps | 98% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 32,547 psi | 54% | 2369 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 60% | 2411 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,571 psi | 76% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,536 psi | 62% | 2434 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,295 psi | 74% | 2507 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,518 psi | 56% | 2326 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,427 psi | 47% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,369 psi | 77% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 74% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 50.1 gr | 84% | 31,169 psi | 52% | 2333 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,859 psi | 71% | 2592 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,030 psi | 67% | 2385 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 63% | 2388 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,921 psi | 81% | 2516 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,008 psi | 80% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,340 psi | 77% | 2490 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 78% | 2451 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,710 psi | 63% | 2385 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,785 psi | 68% | 2379 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,511 psi | 71% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 64% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,966 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,065 psi | 78% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,562 psi | 56% | 2260 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,195 psi | 77% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,434 psi | 62% | 2385 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,669 psi | 69% | 2516 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,943 psi | 65% | 2451 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,353 psi | 74% | 2605 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,803 psi | 76% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,254 psi | 80% | 2569 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 45.8 gr | 80% | 29,573 psi | 49% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 59% | 2303 fps | 95.6% |
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 73 powders for 6.5 x 65 loaded with the .264 | 156gr | Norma ORYX. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,779 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,644 fps to 2,779 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 73 of the 73 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 62–90 %, 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, Bofors RP30 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, Winchester StaBALL HD, ReloadSwiss RS 76 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 65 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.