Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .263 | 130gr | Rhino Penetrator bullet and 50 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 80 and Winchester StaBALL HD.
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>> | 88% | 49,443 psi | 87% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,848 psi | 85% | 2986 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,995 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,834 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,589 psi | 89% | 3022 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,762 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,169 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,691 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,255 psi | 87% | 2992 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,749 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,140 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,517 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,618 psi | 89% | 2956 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,820 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,154 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,255 psi | 87% | 2992 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,501 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,631 psi | 86% | 2927 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,082 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,081 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,391 psi | 66% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,618 psi | 89% | 2920 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,633 psi | 90% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,937 psi | 88% | 2920 fps | 98% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,575 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,193 psi | 78% | 2943 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,937 psi | 90% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,140 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,672 psi | 79% | 2972 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,066 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,126 psi | 90% | 3054 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,024 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,530 psi | 88% | 2982 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,174 psi | 67% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,385 psi | 87% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,414 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,343 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,951 psi | 88% | 2966 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,922 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,530 psi | 88% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,618 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,299 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,617 psi | 88% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,863 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,124 psi | 87% | 2992 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,690 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,863 psi | 86% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,444 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 99.3% |
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% | 37,710 psi | 67% | 2674 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,539 psi | 73% | 2854 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,655 psi | 74% | 2808 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,900 psi | 71% | 2799 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,682 psi | 68% | 2766 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,632 psi | 54% | 2598 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 85% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 74% | 2802 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 67% | 2746 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 64% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,430 psi | 56% | 2615 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 71% | 2858 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 84% | 2897 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,998 psi | 62% | 2677 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,087 psi | 67% | 2782 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 67% | 2746 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,898 psi | 65% | 2726 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 70% | 2736 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,814 psi | 74% | 2789 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,150 psi | 80% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 56.5 gr | 82% | 32,837 psi | 58% | 2700 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,065 psi | 50% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,413 psi | 84% | 2864 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,355 psi | 84% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,220 psi | 73% | 2743 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,406 psi | 68% | 2776 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,114 psi | 64% | 2756 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,445 psi | 57% | 2546 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,834 psi | 85% | 2910 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,647 psi | 56% | 2654 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 70% | 2818 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,130 psi | 67% | 2782 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,776 psi | 84% | 2917 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 56% | 2589 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,631 psi | 51% | 1762 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,821 psi | 56% | 2667 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | 68.4 gr | 92% | 41,713 psi | 74% | 2900 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 76% | 2782 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 73% | 2789 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 72% | 2785 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 77% | 2772 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 82% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 74% | 2769 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,201 psi | 64% | 2638 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 72% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,581 psi | 70% | 2808 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,059 psi | 71% | 2802 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,975 psi | 76% | 2913 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 56.6 gr | 80% | 32,924 psi | 58% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,072 psi | 67% | 2687 fps | 96.7% |
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 50 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .263 | 130gr | Rhino Penetrator. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,100 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,926 fps to 3,100 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 50 of the 50 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 130.0 gr projectile in 0.263" calls for a 1:8.5 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 80, Winchester StaBALL HD rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 R with the .263 | 130gr | 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.