Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .263 | 120gr | Rhino Penetrator bullet and 55 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 Ramshot Grand.
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: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,865 psi | 90% | 3038 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,443 psi | 87% | 3117 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,023 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,546 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,559 psi | 86% | 3081 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,760 psi | 83% | 3107 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,342 psi | 87% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,994 psi | 87% | 3054 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,733 psi | 86% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,095 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,312 psi | 85% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,111 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,877 psi | 85% | 3097 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,908 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,183 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,226 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,748 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,314 psi | 89% | 3232 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,159 psi | 66% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,008 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,863 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,196 psi | 85% | 2986 fps | 97% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,235 psi | 75% | 2999 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,936 psi | 87% | 3002 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 3041 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,395 psi | 75% | 3025 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,531 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,227 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,979 psi | 87% | 3120 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,153 psi | 87% | 3048 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,039 psi | 90% | 3110 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,101 psi | 67% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,922 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,850 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,879 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,256 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,356 psi | 85% | 3041 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,964 psi | 85% | 3035 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,225 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,937 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,631 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,126 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,850 psi | 90% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,343 psi | 89% | 3136 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,546 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,111 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,879 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,544 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 98.5% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 64% | 2736 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,006 psi | 81% | 3048 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 71% | 2874 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,046 psi | 73% | 2923 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,769 psi | 70% | 2884 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,504 psi | 59% | 2772 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,079 psi | 81% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 71% | 2867 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 64% | 2799 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,635 psi | 61% | 2762 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,211 psi | 53% | 2664 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 68% | 2917 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,319 psi | 68% | 2858 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,943 psi | 69% | 2900 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 64% | 2799 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,985 psi | 67% | 2841 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,888 psi | 78% | 2930 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,047 psi | 76% | 2913 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 77% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 60.6 gr | 86% | 35,955 psi | 64% | 2881 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,876 psi | 49% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,948 psi | 81% | 2936 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 81% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,612 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,279 psi | 75% | 2963 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,436 psi | 70% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,863 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,082 psi | 55% | 2598 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,137 psi | 82% | 2979 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,563 psi | 61% | 2828 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 67% | 2874 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,224 psi | 83% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | 60.9 gr | 84% | 39,262 psi | 69% | 2904 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,021 psi | 81% | 2989 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,085 psi | 62% | 2769 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,587 psi | 51% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 82% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 63.4 gr | 84% | 32,895 psi | 58% | 2782 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,902 psi | 76% | 3022 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,437 psi | 73% | 2851 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 70% | 2848 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,863 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 69% | 2844 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 75% | 2835 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,367 psi | 78% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 71% | 2835 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,838 psi | 62% | 2694 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,979 psi | 85% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 69% | 2848 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,613 psi | 77% | 2999 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,191 psi | 73% | 2923 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,471 psi | 84% | 3107 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,718 psi | 84% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,966 psi | 55% | 2785 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 65% | 2746 fps | 95.3% |
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 55 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .263 | 120gr | Rhino Penetrator. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,232 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,005 fps to 3,232 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 55 of the 55 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 66–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.263" calls for a 1:9.5 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. Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76, Ramshot Grand rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 R with the .263 | 120gr | Rhino Penetrator 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.