Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT bullet and 60 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: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,747 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,632 psi | 88% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,966 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,792 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,660 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,183 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,889 psi | 79% | 3068 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,053 psi | 90% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,662 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,791 psi | 86% | 3091 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,212 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,647 psi | 88% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,763 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,341 psi | 85% | 3081 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,124 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 98.2% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,791 psi | 86% | 3091 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,298 psi | 85% | 3077 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,588 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,039 psi | 90% | 3077 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,126 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,530 psi | 86% | 3199 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,028 psi | 65% | 2001 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,691 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,314 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,908 psi | 88% | 3022 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,183 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,024 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,255 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,995 psi | 88% | 3025 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,906 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,234 psi | 71% | 2979 fps | 98% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,399 psi | 86% | 3110 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,660 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,778 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,937 psi | 90% | 3084 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 3077 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,724 psi | 67% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,748 psi | 88% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,109 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,791 psi | 86% | 3189 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,688 psi | 84% | 3127 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,689 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,908 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,024 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,255 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,951 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,516 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,038 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,936 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,328 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,198 psi | 89% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,995 psi | 88% | 3025 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,356 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,776 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,370 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,385 psi | 86% | 3081 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 3136 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,545 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,413 psi | 84% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,241 psi | 89% | 3041 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 34,243 psi | 61% | 2690 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,195 psi | 82% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,947 psi | 78% | 3009 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 68% | 2838 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,337 psi | 75% | 2956 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,828 psi | 72% | 2913 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,981 psi | 57% | 2726 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 79% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 68% | 2831 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,898 psi | 65% | 2825 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,054 psi | 58% | 2726 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,660 psi | 51% | 2618 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,448 psi | 64% | 2874 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,796 psi | 65% | 2822 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,639 psi | 70% | 2920 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,898 psi | 65% | 2825 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,102 psi | 69% | 2874 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,293 psi | 75% | 2897 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,440 psi | 79% | 2946 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 74% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 61.4 gr | 88% | 36,782 psi | 65% | 2910 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,644 psi | 49% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,440 psi | 79% | 2910 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,106 psi | 78% | 2920 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,961 psi | 78% | 2904 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,669 psi | 72% | 2927 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,790 psi | 84% | 2956 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,327 psi | 52% | 2552 fps | 95% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 79% | 2949 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,027 psi | 62% | 2844 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,027 psi | 64% | 2835 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 80% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,582 psi | 72% | 2940 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,338 psi | 78% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,100 psi | 64% | 2802 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 50% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,456 psi | 82% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 79% | 3018 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.2 gr | 86% | 33,518 psi | 59% | 2808 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,077 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,929 psi | 71% | 2818 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,942 psi | 67% | 2815 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,790 psi | 84% | 2956 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,702 psi | 83% | 2897 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 67% | 2812 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,555 psi | 77% | 2867 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 75% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 68% | 2795 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,636 psi | 63% | 2720 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,209 psi | 82% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 65% | 2805 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,887 psi | 74% | 2963 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,105 psi | 74% | 2949 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,397 psi | 80% | 3068 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 82% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 57.3 gr | 80% | 29,269 psi | 52% | 2736 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,739 psi | 67% | 2779 fps | 95.7% |
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 60 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,199 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,001 fps to 3,199 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, 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. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 68 R 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.